The final episode of Season One tells the story of Jamese Pinkston, who returned to the neighborhood where she was born and raised in Charlotte to help her neighbors have access to the opportunities to succeed and thrive that she was lucky to have. Hear her describe why she has the “best job in the world.” Listen
This tenet of our work was brought into sharp focus in a recent article in The New York Times, “Detailed New National Maps Show How Neighborhoods Shape Children for Life,” by Emily Badger and Quoctrung Bui. The article highlights data from the Census Bureau and researchers at Harvard and Brown universities that offer a long … Continue Reading →
Founded in 2012, the Renaissance West Community Initiative formed to coordinate momentum from a range of partners to turn a public housing development in West Charlotte into a neighborhood that is purposefully designed to help residents succeed. More than 300 mixed-income housing units have been built and are fully leased. A health alliance focused on holistic, place-based care formed in 2016. A new K-8 STEAM school opened in 2017 and an early childhood education center opened the following year, representing enormous steps toward a cradle-to-career education continuum. Watch
In their navy blue and gold uniforms, 400 students entered the new K-5 Renaissance West STEAM Academy on the west side of Charlotte, North Carolina on a fall morning in 2017. This day was the first of many designed to get the students on a new trajectory to “Soar Higher” – the school’s official motto. … Continue Reading →
The Renaissance West Community Initiative (RWCI), the community quarterback and Purpose Built Communities Network Member working to revitalize the old Boulevard Homes community in Charlotte, NC, was recently featured at the Foundation for the Carolinas' Annual Meeting, which attracted a sell-out crowd of 1,500 people to the Convention Center in uptown Charlotte. The Foundation produced three excellent videos about RWCI that explain their story and how they are implementing the Purpose Built Communities model in Charlotte. Watch
Several Purpose Built Communities Network Members are blazing a new trail within traditional public school systems. Hear how they are tackling change to achieve better results for the children in their neighborhoods.
Moderator: Carol Naughton, President, Purpose Built Communities, Panelists: Laura Clark, Executive Director, Renaissance West Community Initiative, Sally Mackin, Executive Director, Woodlawn Foundation,
Othello Meadows, Executive Director, 75 North, Purpose Built Communities Network Member, Omaha Watch
The Renaissance West Community Initiative (RWCI), the Purpose Built Community in Charlotte, NC, is making progress on all fronts – housing, education and community wellness. Strong partnerships have been critical to their success, leading to innovative collaborations with the Charlotte Housing Authority (CHA) and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District (CMS). We spoke recently with Laura Clark, … Continue Reading →
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board approved plans to partner with a non-profit to run a pre-k- 8 school on the city’s west side. Listen to radio interview. … Continue Reading →
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will partner with a local nonprofit to run a new pre-K through eighth-grade school proposed as part of the redevelopment of the former Boulevard Homes community in west Charlotte. … Continue Reading →
Renaissance West Community Initiative and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announce Pre-K through eighth grade school agreement. School to establish new public-private partnership pilot program. … Continue Reading →
