Welcome to the 2023-2024 Institute for Emerging Issues annual report.
This was another highly productive year for IEI. We continued to bring experts and community leaders together across sectors, perspectives and backgrounds to collaborate on the emerging issues facing our state including financial resilience, digital inclusion, workforce development and more.
When it came to writing the welcome message for our Fiscal Year 2023-2024 annual report, I thought I’d test out a new approach and let AI do the majority of the work. Using highlights from my updates throughout the fiscal year, here’s my welcome message inspired by ChatGPT:
“Our team engaged in numerous initiatives that contributed to North Carolina’s economic and community development. In February, we held our 2024 Emerging Issues Forum on household financial resilience where nearly 400 attendees from across the state gathered to examine and discuss how North Carolina families can withstand and recover from economic challenges. We also saw successful collaborations with several partners throughout the year including the NCWorks Commission, Dogwood Health Trust, the NC Department of Information Technology and many more. Our BAND-NC team made remarkable strides towards achieving our goal of having digital inclusion plans in all 100 North Carolina counties and held multiple webinars and events aimed at empowering local communities, including our first digital opportunities gathering at Blue Ridge Community College.
The Talent First Economics Community Cohort held meetings in their respective regions, fostering discussions on workforce development and educational attainment. These meetings included a symposium at UNC Asheville, where leaders from various sectors explored strategies to advance regional workforce and education goals. Additionally, our Faith & Community team actively engaged with local leaders, notably during the NC Rural Center’s Summer Road Trip and the Faith & Community Initiative conference in Asheboro. These efforts were complemented by virtual peer network sessions that facilitated discussions on enhancing digital connections within faith communities.
As we move forward, our focus is on planning for the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum on energy and preparing for the larger series on North Carolina’s future-forward infrastructure. We are excited about the contributions and ongoing support from our partners. With these efforts, we remain committed to driving positive change and fostering resilience in North Carolina’s communities.”
It wasn’t perfect and – in the spirit of full transparency – I had to make some minor tweaks for accuracy, but not too bad for an AI chatbot.
In all seriousness, Team IEI is honored to partner with you and others across the state to address the emerging needs and issues North Carolinians face, both locally and statewide. Simply put: we couldn’t do this work without your support and expertise. As you read this report, I hope you will see some of your own work reflected in these updates and stories. We have big plans and exciting milestones to reach in the next fiscal year and I look forward to continuing our work with you towards building a brighter economic future for North Carolina.
IEI serves as a nonpartisan connector, bringing North Carolinians together across sectors, regions, and perspectives to collaborate on finding solutions to the state’s emerging and most critical policy issues resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.
Our Vision
A North Carolina where people connect and collaborate to build a vibrant and prosperous future for all.
2024 Emerging Issues Forum
Weathering Financial Storms
Emerging Issues Forum Explores Financial Resilience for NC Families
IEI held the 2024 Emerging Issues Forum on the topic of household financial resilience on Feb. 13 in Raleigh. Nearly 400 attendees from across the state gathered to examine and discuss how North Carolina families can withstand and recover from economic challenges.
I was continuously impressed by the wealth of knowledge shared by every expert speaker. I came away with more information than I could have hoped for!
2024 Emerging Issues Forum attendee
Comments gathered anonymously via forum evaluation surveys
At IEI, we commit to working on policy and programmatic solutions that represent a diversity of thought and experiences, including the voices of those who are seldom heard or not usually invited to the table.
Members of the Financial Resilience cohort include representatives from five organizations that are working to increase household financial resilience locally, especially for communities with historically increased barriers to saving and debt management. The cohort met for the first time on June 26, 2024, at the James B. Hunt Jr. Library on NC State’s Centennial Campus.
Front, left to right: IEI Policy and Program Associate Julia Kardos, Living Better Life CEO Bridget Phifer, Through the Trees Executive Director Yvette Brooks, Consultant Becky Bowen. Back, left to right: United Way of North Carolina Director of Mission Advancement Ed Bonilla, Land of Sky P20 Council Community Engagement and Data Management Specialist Melissa Zenz, Robeson County Church & Community Center Executive Director Brianna Goodwin, Fragile Families Network Founder Glenda Clare, IEI Director of Community Initiatives Samantha Graham.
2025-2027 Forum Series: Future Forward Infrastructure
IEI announced that the focus of the next three Emerging Issues Forums will be on the future of North Carolina’s infrastructure.
Future Forward Energy
2025
Future Forward Water
2026
Future Forward Housing
2027
Thought Leadership on Future Forward Energy
In May 2024, IEI convened approximately 25 experts in the energy issue space to discuss the challenges our state is facing and how the Institute can add value through the work surrounding the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum. Ari Kahan with the Office of Integrated and International Energy Analysis at the U.S. Energy Information Administration presented findings from the 2023 Annual Energy Outlook report.
Throughout the fiscal year, IEI supported the Talent First Economics Community Cohort regional teams as they held meetings in their communities meant to increase employment opportunities for underrepresented workers.
Educational Attainment Community Cohort Concludes Two-Year Program of Work
In November 2023, IEI completed its work with the Educational Attainment Community Cohort. Over the course of two years, the cohort had participated in peer learning and capacity building sessions to address key organizational priorities.
This was a great experience for CSS of Wayne. We had the opportunity to grow as we worked with other nonprofits, learned how to ‘tell our story,’ and completed a strategic plan.
More than 130 digital inclusion experts and community leaders from 40 NC counties gathered on June 4, 2024, at Blue Ridge Community College for the first Digital Opportunities: Growing Connections Across North Carolina conference. In partnership with the Dogwood Health Trust, the event brought together community leaders and experts to discuss challenges to bridging the digital divide in North Carolina, as well as share success stories and best practices from across the state.
At IEI, we commit to collaborating with community partners and stakeholders to address the social and economic challenges facing our state.
BAND-NC & Partners Release Literature Review of NC Digital Inclusion Plans
In August 2023, BAND-NC, along with partners from NC Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity and the NC State University Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, released a comprehensive literature review of 27 digital inclusion plans representing 48 NC counties. The review lifts up the hard work of community leaders, parses out common themes, best practices and challenges, and provides much-needed context to the state’s digital inclusion landscape and a path for continued partnership and collaboration for the future.
IEI Receives $260,000 to Address Digital Divide in Eastern North Carolina
In February 2024, the BAND-NC initiative received two grants totaling $260,000 to assist communities in eastern North Carolina with digital inclusion planning.
BAND-NC Celebrates Digital Champion Grantees
In June 2024, NCDIT announced their Digital Champion grantees, totaling more than $30 million for digital inclusion projects across North Carolina. BAND-NC celebrated its partners who received this needed funding.
Had it not been for our regional digital inclusion plan (funded by IEI’s BAND-NC program), we would have lacked a shared understanding of what digital inclusion means to our region and the new connections we developed during the planning and implementation process.
Ben Farmer
Upper Coastal Plain Regional Council of Governments (received a $1 million Digital Champion Grant)
BAND-NC Reaches Goal of Digital Inclusion Planning in All 100 NC Counties
In June 2024, BAND-NC reached its goal of having digital inclusion plans in progress or completed in all 100 North Carolina counties. The team expects to have all plans completed in the coming year.
$1,380,180
Total amount BAND-NC invested directly into the community for digital inclusion planning and implementation in 2023-2024
100
Number of NC counties that have digital inclusion plans in place or in progress as of June 2024
1,043
Attendees at BAND-NC events, presentations, kick-offs, webinars & peer sharing groups in 2023-2024
The Faith and Community Initiative at IEI has existed in partnership with The Duke Endowment since 2015 to fold rural North Carolina faith leaders into local and statewide leadership on emerging issues.
Annual Conference Draws Faith and Community Leaders to Tackle Tough Topics
Nearly 100 faith and community leaders from across North Carolina gathered at First United Methodist Church in Asheboro on April 15 and 16 for the 2024 Faith and Community Initiative annual conference. Participants engaged in thoughtful discussions and learned about resources related to mental health, nutrition, end-of-life care, local policies and legislation, financial wellness and more.
IEI puts on thought-provoking events that are worth my time. I learn something new and have the opportunity to network with other people of faith who are interested in issues in North Carolina.
In August 2023, IEI hosted a free virtual workshop on Ripple Effect Mapping, an easy-to-use evaluation process that captures the impacts—or “ripples”—of a program. This was the third year IEI hosted Summer Camp, a series of capacity building workshops for communities.
Constructive Compromise: Governance in our Polarized Political Environment
Depictions of politics often highlight conflict between parties, strongly suggesting that nothing gets done in government while ignoring the bipartisan work taking place to improve communities and serve the needs of constituents.
To combat this narrative, IEI and NC State University’s School of Public and International Affairs co-hosted “Constructive Compromise: Governance in our Polarized Political Environment” on March 28, 2024. This panel discussion featured four young adults who are involved in government at the local, state and national levels. They shared their experiences working across the aisle, and provided tips and insights for those who want to pursue a career in public service.
Panelists included Rep. Kyle Hall (NC House, District 91), Rep. Charles Smith (NC House, District 44), Young Republican National Federation Co-Chair Catherine Whiteford and Office of Governor Roy Cooper Policy Advisor Ziev Dalsheim-Kahane.
2024 NC Civic Health Index
In April 2024, the National Conference on Citizenship released the 2024 North Carolina Civic Health Index – the fourth-ever civic health analysis in the state. IEI supported the official release event in Raleigh, hosted by NC Campus Engagement.
IEI’s National Engagement
IEI staff presented at national-level conferences throughout the year:
National Minority Economic Development Institute Executive Networking Conference presentation on emerging issues (Pinehurst, NC. August 2023)
American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative Roadshow (August 2023)
South by Southwest (SXSW) Edu presentation on effective public administration frameworks (Austin, TX. March 2024)
Consortium of Public Service Organizations (CUPSO) presentation on North Carolina’s digital inclusion work (Amherst, MA. April 2024)
IEI’s The Connector podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina. From July 2023 through June 2024, The Connector released 14 episodes, totaling hundreds of listens.
Listen to The Connector wherever you get your podcasts!
Maurice Smith Named Chair of IEI National Advisory Board
Maurice Smith, attorney at M Smith Law and the recently retired president/CEO of Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU) and Civic Federal Credit Union, became the chair of IEI’s National Advisory Board in January 2024.
“IEI is incredibly lucky to have Maurice lead the National Advisory Board,” said IEI Director Sarah Hall. “He brings a wealth of expertise and wisdom to the role, not to mention a real love for the state and its people.”
I feel like our Board has eyes on the various issues that face our state. I am inspired to have a small role in our discussions.
Maurice Smith
IEI National Advisory Board Chair
Ashley Ruffin and Jess George Join IEI National Advisory Board
In December 2023, two new members were appointed to the IEI National Advisory Board: Ashley Ruffin, chief impact officer at both Civic and Local Government Federal Credit Unions (LGFCU), and Jess George, head of digital equity & community impact (U.S.) and the head of government and community affairs (East Region) for Google Fiber in Charlotte.
At IEI, we commit to expressing gratitude and appreciating employees for their contributions in fostering belonging, wellness, and living into the values of the organization.
New Hires
IEI added eight new members to the team in FY2023.
Juan Isler, Finance and Operations SpecialistAdam Sichel, Communications InternJess Epsten, Digital Inclusion Initiative LeadTim Young, Director of DevelopmentPallavi Patil, Hunt InternTarik Woods, Policy & Program ManagerFreya Dahlgren, Faith & Community Initiatives InternEva McDonald, Community Initiatives Intern
1 of 8
Juan Isler, Finance and Operations Specialist
Staff Participate in Second Annual SOS Week
In May 2024, IEI held our second annual “Sharpen Our Saw” (SOS) week. We all have busy schedules, so it is important to carve out dedicated time to celebrate our successes and spend time together as a team. SOS week allowed for staff to have open discussions and time for reflection work while also focusing on learning new skills to meet the needs of the future.
At IEI, we commit to being intentional about inspiring a culture that engages in improving their health and well-being.
As we move into the next fiscal year, we look forward to continuing to engage with folks from across the state through our existing programs and the upcoming 2025 Emerging Issues Forum on energy. We are on track to achieve important milestones in the coming year and can’t wait to see the continued impacts you are making on your local communities through our partnerships and programs.
