Commissioners approve $2.2M for United Way’s Unite Charlotte program

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When Mecklenburg County commissioners adopted their budget last week, they approved $2.2 million for United Way’s Unite Charlotte program.

The program is aimed at reducing racial disparities, and it first launched in 2016 following the civic unrest over the death of Keith Lamont Scott.

The United Way said organizations led by people of color should have a more prominent voice to express the changes they’d like to see in our communities.

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Last year, the county contributed $1 million to expand Unite Charlotte, helping more than 30 grassroots organizations -- including the Academy of Goal Achievers, a youth leadership mentoring program.

Courtnie Coble-McIntosh created the Academy of Goal Achievers in Charlotte in 2013. She and a dozen other volunteers support students and their families from the time they enter high school until they leave, offering career and college advice to the students.

She used the money she got last year to rent a shared space, purchase equipment and join her team full time.

“When you’re a grassroots, Black-led organization, one thing you don’t have is time. We usually work and do mission work all at one time. And what Unite Charlotte allows us to do is really focus on the mission,” she said.

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This year, the county more than doubled that by allocating $2.2 million to help with things like technology, office space and human resources.

The funding comes from Mecklenburg County and is then managed by the United Way.

“We know that, in organizations that are particularly led by people of color are often closest to the issues and have the most creative solutions,” United Way Chief Impact Officer Kathryn Firmin-Sellers said. “We need to make an effort to invest in those organizations, and that’s what this gift from the county will allow us to do.”

Small organizations can start applying for the money in early August.

(Watch below: County passes $2B budget; CMS starts ‘dispute resolution’ after $56M withheld)