Michael Suggs

Workforce Development

coming soon...

William Dickens

Economic Development

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Bill McClain

Education

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James Grace

Housing

James is the eldest son of 9 children of James and Willie M. Grace; born in Winston- Salem, all of whom reside here in Forsyth County and is a United States Army Veteran, serving with the Criminal Investigation Division of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC and the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Viet Nam, 1979. James was educated in the local public school system: Attended Atkins High School, Winston-Salem NC (1962) Attended A&T State University in Greensboro, NC (1966) Graduated from the “National Internship in Community Economic Development Program” at the Development Training Institute Baltimore, Maryland (1989) Attended the Management and Community Development Institute, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts (1998) Earned his Master of Science Degree in Community Economic Development from New Hampshire College, Manchester, New Hampshire; April 3 Bringing companies and families together in a very special way.™ Uniendo a compañías y familias de una manera muy especial. ™ Rev. 032812 2000. James is the co-founder of East Winston CDC has been responsible for building and rehabilitating over $4 million in housing since 1993, served over 1500 public assistance residents of Forsyth County. Services include homeownership assistance, homeownership counseling, job placement, referrals, and Entrepreneurial training and education. James served as Executive Director from 1989-to 2004. James was the planner of two African American Summits that insured “participation and inclusion” in WS/FC Common Visions, our local revitalization initiative, and one of the original board members. He was also one of the creators of the East Area Council of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce and served as its first chairman. East Winston CDC under his leadership played a significant role in the successful implementation of the Enterprise Community process. James has been one of the architects of the CED movement here in North Carolina, considered by many CED professionals, to be on the cutting-edge of industry practices in the country. Innovation has been a byword associated with James Grace; organization throughout the country has considered James always on the cutting edge of CED. He has taught Sunday school for the past 25 years (Adult Class #1) at Zion Memorial Baptist Church and has been married to the former Michele Raye for the past 43 years. For the past five years, James served as Chairman of The Twenty, Inc., a local non-profit whose mission is to work collaboratively with other individuals and organizations in the community to alleviate the Racial Wealth Gap. Resigned as Chairman in September 2020.

Paula McCoy

Civic Responsibilities

Paula McCoy has spent a large part of her career as a personal and professional trainer, program, and community developer. She has over 30 years of experience training groups, developing programs, engaging the community, and leading five local and state nonprofit organizations. Locally, Paula is known for her work in Asset-based Community Development. McCoy is an energetic, motivated, and committed individual dedicated to helping communities, organizations and individuals realize their potential for success. Her experience in administration, supervision, and leadership expand over twenty-five years.

Michael Banner

Food Sovereignty

Michael "Magneto" Banner is a self-defined "Original from Da Island Community", as his determined ideas have been increasingly relevant in the dialog around Sustainability and Community Self-Reliance. The inspiring narrative that is emerging from his rallying call of #NoSleepTilIsland is gravitating a #SOLIDARITY from a myriad of influencers, expanding the possibilities of what We may be able to accomplish here, in Winston-Salem, as We venture forward into unknown frontiers, in a day that's great and dreadful. President of Goler Community Development Corporations

Dr. David Peay

Criminal Justice

Alvin L. Atkinson is the Community Engagement Lead and Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Economic Mobility (CSEM) at Winston-Salem State University and a nationally recognized expert in university and community collaborations. Alvin assumed his current position in 2017 after serving two years as the Director of the Initiative for Just and Sustainable Communities (IJSC) and over ten years as the Executive Director of the Center for Community Safety (CCS) at WSSU. He has represented MBK Winston-Salem as its community lead since its beginning in 2015. Alvin was recruited to join the CCS at WSSU in 2001 after a CCS in a successful corporate career as Vice President of Wachovia Bank and President & COO of Victory-Masonic Mutual Credit Union.

Gloria Hairston

Workforce Development

Gloria a native of small-town Walnut Cove, NC. Seasoned marketing professional with public service, business, and healthcare experience. She worked with RJR Tobacco Company for 11 yrs and Wake Forest Baptist Health for 24 years, respectively. Earlier in her career, while working full time, and raising a wonderful daughter, she received a bachelor's degree double majoring in I/O and Abnormal Psychology, and a Masters in Business Administration-Economics. Gloria is best known as a custodian of goodwill. When asked about a few of her greatest accomplishments, she proudly says 1) her beautiful daughter, 2) has assisted in ensuring kidney and pancreas transplantation of more than 1,500 recipients, 3) improving the health-related quality of more than 1,000 children who have cerebral palsy, and 4) most recently she is giving second opportunities to many justice-involved individuals who would otherwise possibly be left behind.

In August 2017, she left corporate America and launched Be One To Succeed (BOTS) Staffing, LLC, an employee recruitment provider “where working isn’t just a job, it’s a way to succeed.” BOTS was the recipient of the 2017 City of Winston-Salem's Small Business Plan Contest and was named Winston Salem’s Community Business of the Month in April this year by the Winston-Salem Urban League. Gloria is involved in the Triad community, serving as Secretary, and Events Chair for the Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce (WSBCC), member of the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, local Donate 2 Bringing companies and families together in a very special way.™ Uniendo a compañías y familias de una manera muy especial. ™ Rev. 032812 life Ambassador, and Secretary for the newly formed Cove Group. She will serve on the Advisory Board for the newly developed ACCESS Center for Equity and Success.

She teaches community and professional Basic Life Support (BLS) for certifications. She is also a US Army Veteran, of which she is very proud. Gloria invites you to share her desire to decrease employment disparities among under and unemployed individuals. To learn more about BOTS Staffing, please visit their website at beonetosucceedstaffing.com or email at botsstaffing@gmail.com. BOTS Clients include the Greensboro Airport Marriott, Embassy Suites, Goler CDC, HUSTLE Winston-Salem, and Conner Construction, Inc. Crown Consultants Group specializes in financial literacy, nonprofit management and business development, grant writing, program development, exit strategy, data support, administrative support, training facilitation and much more.

Randon Pender

Health Wellness

coming soon...

Margaret Robinson

Health Wellness

Margaret was raised in the Boston-Thurmond area of Winston Salem. She is a first-generation college graduate where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Shaw University and a Master’s degree in Human Services from Capella University. Margaret is dedicated to working with families that find themselves in high-risk situations.

For the past 19 years, most of her career paths have led to engagement with families experiencing cognitive impairments, juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, homelessness, and financial barriers. With a passion for serving the people of the community, Margaret has witnessed families stabilize when tools of support, encouragement, and opportunity are presented.

Arleatha Patterson

Civic Responsibilities

coming soon...

Alvin Atkinson

Criminal Justice

Alvin L. Atkinson is the Community Engagement Lead and Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Economic Mobility (CSEM) at Winston-Salem State University and a nationally recognized expert in university and community collaborations. Alvin assumed his current position in 2017 after serving two years as the Director of the Initiative for Just and Sustainable Communities (IJSC) and over ten years as the Executive Director of the Center for Community Safety (CCS) at WSSU. He has represented MBK Winston-Salem as its community lead since its beginning in 2015. Alvin was recruited to join the CCS at WSSU in 2001 after a CCS in a successful corporate career as Vice President of Wachovia Bank and President & COO of Victory-Masonic Mutual Credit Union.

Tommy Hicks

Economic Development

coming soon...

Dr. Amber Baker

Education

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Willard Bass

Food Sovereignty

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Carol Davis

Housing

Coming Soon