Institute for Emerging Issues

Earlier this week, we met with leaders from Northeastern NC in Aulander to learn about local and regional efforts to make energy more affordable and what lessons they hold for other areas of the state. This is the second regional meeting we've held this month that will help us shape the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum on energy. Thank you to Roanoke Cooperative for hosting us for this important conversation!

Congratulations to our friends at National Institute of Minority Economic Development on receiving this important recognition. We appreciate all you do to support economic development in North Carolina!

Exciting news! The National Institute of Minority Economic Development (the Institute) has been recognized by the Governor of North Carolina during Leaders in Equitable Economic Development Month - August 2024. https://governor.nc.gov/governor-proclaims-leaders-equitable-economic-development-month-2024

As you know, the Institute is dedicated to empowering minority-owned businesses and fostering economic opportunities for underserved communities. This proclamation is a significant recognition of our ongoing work and highlights the importance of equitable economic development in North Carolina.

We are honored to be acknowledged alongside our late founder and visionary, Andrea Harris and the other leaders who continue to create a more just and prosperous North Carolina.

We look forward to continuing our work in collaboration with other organizations and community leaders to ensure a thriving and equitable economy for all.


Kevin J. Price Women’s Business Center of North Carolina - WBCNC Women's Business Center of Charlotte WBC of The Triad SBTRC - South Atlantic Region Institute Capital

Thank you to Roanoke Cooperative for hosting our latest conversation with local communities and regional leaders about energy issues facing North Carolinians! These meetings are an important part of our planning for the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum on energy. Learn more at go.ncsu.edu/2025forum

Together with NC State Digital Education and Learning Technology Applications and NC State College of Education, we're excited to submit a panel proposal for highlighting the incredible working taking place at NC State to connect working learners to the jobs of the future. We need your help to get our panel on the SXSW stage! Learn more and vote for our session by Aug. 18 at: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/149377

We're grateful to our partners like MDC and others on the Advisory Council on Financial Resilience who helped make this roadmap a reality!

IEI has been busy! For the past year, we’ve been working with communities all across the state on issues like workforce development, financial resilience, digital access and more. Learn more at https://iei.ncsu.edu/annual-report-23-24/

We're in Pinehurst this week for National Institute of Minority Economic Development Executive Networking Conference. If you're at the event, please stop by our table and say hello!

We're excited to be Chatham County today for a focus group with local leaders about how we can prepare the energy workforce for NC's changing needs. What we learn here will inform the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum on energy!

IEI is excited to welcome Jessica Solis Aguilar to the team as Policy & Program Manager! "I’m particularly excited about the Emerging Issues Forum and IEI’s direct engagement with communities that reflects their commitment to practical, on-the-ground impact." Read more: https://iei.ncsu.edu/2024/07/29/jessica-solis-aguilar-joins-iei-as-policy-and-program-manager/

Too many of us are unprepared for financial emergencies. That’s why IEI is releasing the Roadmap to Financial Resilience, a framework of strategies & tactics to boost the financial resilience of households in NC. Learn more: https://iei.ncsu.edu/2024/07/24/iei-releases-roadmap-to-financial-resilience/

IEI is excited to have Sharon Adams returning to the team as Business Services Specialist! Welcome back, Sharon! https://iei.ncsu.edu/2024/07/23/iei-welcomes-sharon-adams-as-business-services-specialist/

ICYMI IEI is seeking two team members in Communications roles: a Digital Communications Specialist and a Communications Intern. Learn more at iei.ncsu.edu/job-opportunities

IEI is hiring an experienced, digitally-focused communicator to help shape and enhance its public-facing brand. Learn more at iei.ncsu.edu/job-opportunities

IEI is hiring an experienced, digitally-focused communicator to help shape and enhance its public-facing brand. Learn more at iei.ncsu.edu/job-opportunities

IEI seeks a student communications intern for 2024-25. This position will help tell the story of IEI, a nonpartisan policy organization on Centennial Campus that brings people together across differences to address issues impacting NC. Learn more at iei.ncsu.edu/job-opportunities

IEI is excited to announce the five regional teams that will make up the Financial Resilience community cohort. The cohort met for the first time on June 26 at the James B. Hunt Jr. Library on NC State’s Centennial Campus. Learn more: https://iei.ncsu.edu/2024/07/01/financial-resilience-community-cohort-announced/

More than 130 digital inclusion experts and community leaders from 40 NC counties gathered on June 4 at Blue Ridge Community College for IEI's Digital Opportunities conference. Read the recap: https://iei.ncsu.edu/2024/06/18/digital-inclusion-leaders-gather-in-flat-rock-for-band-nc-digital-opportunities-gathering/

Dogwood Health Trust

Congratulations to Samantha Graham, IEI's Director of Community Initiatives, for being honored as one of TBJ's 40 Under 40!

Read the full article:

2024 40 Under 40 Awards Raleigh-Durham: Samantha Graham with N.C. State University - Triangle Business Journal I would love to bring together people who have mentored me to where I am today.

Thanks to Benton Institute for Broadband & Society for this recap of the Digital Opportunities gathering in Flat Rock last week!

Connections and Collaboration in the Mountains Digital Opportunities: Growing Connections Across North Carolina

Check out two Forum speakers in one podcast! Money Talk with Tiff speaks with Marquita Robertson of The Collaborative of NC about overcoming barriers to banking.

Overcoming Barriers To Banking With Marquita Robertson | Ep. 324 Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Marquita Robertson, a passionate advocate for financial empowerment and the need for accessible, safe, and

The May IEI Digest newsletter is out now with updates about our statewide Digital Opportunities gathering, celebrating our graduating interns and more. Read the latest issue and subscribe: https://mailchi.mp/ncsu/iei-digest-may-2024?e=e345178eed

From assisting people with obtaining their driver license to helping the youth identify their passions and potential careers, these change agents are just some of the many across the state building bridges, breaking down barriers and supporting the state's underrepresented workforce. Learn more about them: https://go.ncsu.edu/ropjsnu

Today is Team-Building Thursday in NC State University's Employee Appreciation Week! Team IEI celebrated with a staff retreat at Lake Johnson this week.

Congratulations to our student interns on graduating this week with the Class of 2024! Freya, Adam & Brodie have been amazing team members during their internships with IEI. Learn more about their work: https://iei.ncsu.edu/2024/05/07/iei-celebrates-graduating-student-interns/

Register for the Digital Opportunities Gathering on June 4 in Flat Rock, NC. We will celebrate the completion of Dogwood Health Trust planning grants in WNC counties while sharing stories of digital inclusion planning & implementation successes from across NC: https://iei.ncsu.edu/band-nc/events/

“Since the Forum, I have been moving differently financially. I didn’t know I was in for such a treat, to be exposed to what was there for us.” Four students who attended discuss their takeaways from the Forum in this Emerging Voices blog post. Read more: https://iei.ncsu.edu/2024/04/30/college-financial-wellness-and-the-2024-emerging-issues-forum/

Congratulations to Samantha Graham, IEI Director of Community Initiatives, for winning an NC State Outstanding Engagement Award for her work with IEI’s BAND-NC initiative!

Subscribe to the monthly Digest to get updates on all things IEI! The April Digest went out today with news about our statewide Digital Opportunities gathering, a recap of the Faith & Community conference, and more. Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/ncsu/vbiw8c3zav

Nearly 100 faith & community leaders from across NC gathered in Asheboro for the 2024 Faith & Community Initiative annual conference last week. Read more: https://iei.ncsu.edu/2024/04/23/annual-conference-draws-faith-and-community-leaders-to-tackle-tough-topics/