Recovery & Discovery: Women and Girls in a Dual Pandemic

2021 SUMMIT

Women + Girls Research Alliance

March 10, 2021 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

womengirlsalliance.uncc.edu

2021 SUMMIT

Recovery and Discovery: Women and Girls in a Dual Pandemic, hopes to examine what policies and practices

The 2021 Summit,

are successes, as well as what we can collectively learn from the challenges this unique moment in history has presented to us.

Moreover, it is our hope that participants will leave the Summit with definitive ideas on how to build a strong future for women and girls and help guide the Alliance’s research agenda for the next two years.

-Dr. Michelle Meggs Executive Director

2021 Summit Sponsors

womengirlsalliance.uncc.edu

PROGRAM 8:30 AM Welcome and Introduction

9:00 AM Women in Leadership Plenary Conversation

10:30 AM Morning Breakout Sessions

11:45 AM Lunch Break

1:15 PM Afternoon Breakout Sessions

2:30 PM Breakout for Conversation Sessions

3:00 PM Report-out and Closeout

3:30 PM Thank You

Welcome and Opening Session 8:30 - 9:00 am Zoom:

https://uncc.zoom.us/j/97863362100 Dr. Michelle Meggs is the Executive Director of the Women + Girls Research Alliance at UNC Charlotte.

Dr. Meggs, whose diverse background includes work in academia, the nonprofit sector and ministry, envisions the W+GRA becoming the place for scholars across the state and nation to come together to advance gender equity and social mobility. Dr. Meggs seeks to connect community organizations doing work on the ground with university researchers whose research relates to women’s health, economic security, employment, civic and political engagement and violence against women.

Dr. Byron White is the Associate Provost for Urban Research and Community Engagement at UNC Charlotte. Dr. White came to UNC Charlotte from StrivePartnership where he was vice president and executive director of the public-private collaborative focused on cradle-to-career outcomes in urban education. Prior to his work with StrivePartnership, White served as Vice President for University Engagement and as Chief Diversity Officer at Cleveland State University. Formerly, he was Vice Chancellor for Economic Advancement at the Ohio Department of Higher Education and Associate Vice President for Community Engagement at Xavier University following a career at the Chicago Tribune.

Natalie Brown is the Director of Corporate Citizenship at Ally Bank in Charlotte, NC. She leads a team that provides day to day oversight of corporate philanthropy programs and employee giving, while also supporting the development and execution of the company’s corporate citizenship strategy. Previously, Natalie worked at Duke Energy as a Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager, where she was responsible for development of the diversity recruiting strategy, D&I learning solutions, diversity related executive development programs, and the consultant to the line of businesses D&I councils and the Foundation.

Christine Katziff is the Chief Audit Executive at Bank of America. Christine Katziff leads Corporate Audit and Credit Review, which provides independent assessments of the company’s business strategies, operations, risk framework, financial management and credit standards in support of Bank of America’s focus on responsible growth. Prior to joining Bank of America in 2004, she held a number of management positions in Audit and Compliance at FleetBoston Financial and at KPMG. Katziff is heavily involved in diversity and inclusion efforts across the company, and she is a strong supporter of developing women leaders. She serves as the executive vice chair of Bank of America’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Council and is the executive sponsor for Bank of America’s Investing in Women Leadership Council.

Women in Leadership Plenary Session 9:00 - 10:00 am Zoom:

https://uncc.zoom.us/j/93540248284 Dr. Joan Lorden is the Provostand Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UNC Charlotte, North Carolina's urban research university with nearly 30,000 students. She provides leadership for seven colleges, research institutes, and a university-wide graduate school. Before moving to Charlotte, Dr. Lorden held the position of NSF/CGS Dean-in-Residence and was Associate Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she directed the university-wide graduate program in neuroscience.

Dr. Sharon Gaber is the Chancellor of UNC Charlotte. An academic with a background in city and regional planning, Gaber was named by Education Dive one of five higher education leaders to watch in 2018 and beyond. She is recognized nationally for her efforts as president of the University of Toledo to increase enrollment, improve graduation and retention rates, keep education affordable, increase research funding, improve connection to the surrounding metro region and make the campus environment diverse and inclusive. Prior to her five years in Toledo, Gaber served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Arkansas. She has also been an interim provost at Auburn University and a faculty member and administrator for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Ms. Dena Diorio is the Mecklenburg County Manager. She is responsible for executing the policy decisions of the Board of County Commissioners and leading the County organization by overseeing the administration of County departments. She also advises the Board on operational and financial matters, services and other issues, and submits an annual operating and capital budget for the Board’s consideration. Dena joined Mecklenburg County in 2007 as director of the Department of Financial Services. In 2013, she was promoted to assistant county manager for fiscal control, policies and standards compliance where she provided executive management oversight of the County’s Financial Services Department (comprising Central Finance, Human Services Finance, and the Office of Tax Collector) as well as MECKLINK Finance and the Assessor’s Office.

MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS 10:30 - 11:30 AM Reporting on the Status of Women and Girls in North Carolina Moderator: Tamara Johnson, PhD Panelists: Vikki Crouse, MSW; Mary Williams-Stover; and Tiffany Allen Zoom link : https://uncc.zoom.us/j/98327409361

COVID-19 and the Spanish-Speaking Diaspora Moderator: Susana Cisneros Panelists: Marlene Sallo, JD; and Keri Revens, PhD Zoom link: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/95399035641

Educational Equity: Technology as a Social Determinant of Health Moderator: Kami Anderson, PhD Panelists: Jimmeka Anderson, MA; Cortney Harris, PhD; and Michelle Johnson, PhD Zoom link: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/99411667521

Economic Equity: Closing the Gender Pay Gap Moderator: Arissa El-Amin, MPA Panelists: Cynthia Bush, CFA; Kirsten Sikkelee Zoom link: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/95902499135

Reporting on the Status of Women and Girls in North Carolina 10:30 - 11:30 am

Zoom: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/98327409361 Dr. Tamara Johnson is the Director of Engaged Scholarship in UNC Charlotte's Office of Urban Research and Community Engagement. She works collaboratively to create and implement UNC Charlotte's civic engagement strategy. She designs programming that supports engaged scholarship and enriches the student experience through experiential and community-based learning, civic engagement, and international education. She is the Director of the Bonner Leaders Program. As adjunct faculty in the Department of Global Studies, she teaches courses on globalization and global cities, as well as food justice in South Africa (where she was a Peace Corps volunteer and a Fulbright scholar).

Vikki Crouse is a Policy Analyst at NC Child and the Project Director of the organization’s NC KIDS COUNT Data Center. NC Child is a statewide nonprofit organization that specializes in research and policy advocacy, working to ensure that every child in North Carolina has the opportunity to thrive. As the Director of the NC KIDS COUNT program, Vikki conducts data analyses for fellow advocates to utilize in their campaigns. Other responsibilities include tracking indicators on child wellbeing, answering questions from reporters and community members, and doing data presentations for affiliated groups. At NC Child, Vikki also leads the Children’s Environmental Health Program, with a focus on issues including lead prevention, getting toxic flame retardants out of children’s products and clean drinking water.

Mary Wiliams-Stover is the Executive Director at the Council for Women and Youth Involvement in the N.C. Dept. of Administration. The Council for Women and Youth Involvement is a state government advocacy agency within the N.C. Department of Administration that administers over $12 million in state and federal grants for human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault and teen dating violence intervention services. She recently was named vice chairperson of the Wake County Commission for Women.

Tiffany Allen is the visionary leader behind EmpowHERment’s rapid growth and deep impact.

EmpowHERment is a non-profit organization that exist to increase the pipeline of future female talent.

Tiffany has been working with EmpowHERment since 2013 as the Director of Operations. In 2018, she was promoted to become the nonprofit organization’s first-ever Executive Director. Her success at EmpowHERment has been based on her passion for the success of girls and women, her vast public and private sector experience and project management skills. Before joining EmpowHERment, she previously served as the Program Director of The Center for Community Transitions Women’s Transitional Facility program in Charlotte, NC.

COVID-19 and the Spanish-Speaking Diaspora 10:30 - 11:30 am Zoom: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/95399035641 Susana Cisneros is a Senior Lecturer of Spanish in the Department of Language and Culture Studies at UNC Charlotte. Professor Cisneros was born in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina. She studied Law at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. She came to the United States in April 2005; her English was very limited, so she focused on learning English. Susana's first job was bookseller associate at Books-A-Million. After that, she was a teacher assistant at an elementary school. She decided to pursue a Master's Degree in Art in Spanish at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. As soon as she started her master's program, she was invited to teach Spanish at the university, and she has been teaching Spanish since 2008. She creates and redesigns courses whenever given a chance; she collaborates with different departments and student organizations.

She has been the finalist for the 2020 UNC Charlotte Teaching Excellence Award.

Marlene Sallo, JD, is the Executive Director of the Disability Law Center, the federallymandated Protection & Advocacy agency for Massachusetts. DLC provides legal advocacy on disability issues that promote the fundamental rights of all people with disabilities to participate fully and equally in the social and economic life of Massachusetts. Prior to joining DLC, she served as Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel for the U.S. Dept. of Justice Community Relations Service. Appointed by President Obama, Marlene also served as the Staff Director of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Marlene is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and youth, and promoting dignity for all. Marlene proudly serves on the Board of Trustees of the Boys and Girls Club of Boston and the MA Commission on the Status of Women.

Keri Revens, PhD, is a community-based health researcher with expertise in mental health, population health change, immigrant health, and evaluation. Keri currently works as the Director of Research and Evaluation at Camino Community Center, an integrated health and wellness nonprofit organization serving Latino communities; and as a consultant for Common Good Data Consulting, LLC. Keri has more than 5 years of experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research and disseminating findings at national and international meetings, as well as in peer-reviewed journals. Keri is a Certified Health Education specialist (CHES) with more than 10 years of experience in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of school, community, and corporate health and wellness programs. Keri also has experience as a middle school health teacher, University lecturer and a personal health coach.

Educational Equity: Technology as a Social Determinant of Health 10:30 - 11:30 am

Zoom: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/99411667521 Dr. Kami Anderson, is the Founder and CEO of Bilingual Brown Babies, a specialized service for families of color who are serious about raising their children bilingual in English and Spanish. Bilingual Brown Babies is intended to be a movement that increases the number of children of color who are biliterate in English and Spanish in order to maintain footing in this increasingly competitive global workforce. Dr. Anderson received her Ph.D. in Intercultural Communication from Howard University in Washington, DC in 2007, and published her dissertation entitled, "The Shifting Character of Social and Ethnic Identity among Black American Sojourners" as a monograph in 2009.

Jimmeka Anderson is a Ph.D. student in the Curriculum and Instruction Urban Education program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research interests include critical digital media literacy education and she has immersed her professional development efforts in focusing on technology inequity among historically marginalized students. While serving as the Founder and Executive Director of I AM not the MEdia, Inc. (www.iamnotthemedia.org) for ten years, she has developed curriculum and award-winning community programs that empower youth through media literacy and media creation.

Dr. Cortney Harris is the Executive Vice President of Education at Junior Achievement of the Carolinas.

She is a Leadership expert that challenges people to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters the most. Growing up in Aliquippa, PA, and Rochester, NY taught Cortney unique lessons that are shared through her work in education. believes that every day is an opportunity to transform those feelings that tear us down into something greater, pushing to move the needle in life towards a greater and better change for you. Dr. Harris is a passionate community advocate with 20+ years of experience in nonprofit and educational leadership roles, In her leadership roles with Junior Achievement, StriveTogether, United Way, Uncommon Schools, and Monroe Community College, she consistently and successfully advocated for equitable youth opportunities and access.

Dr. Michelle Johnson is a native of Texas who has called North Carolina home for 25 years. As a graduate student, Dr. Johnson created and taught the first black feminism course, along with other race and gender courses, at UNC Greensboro. After serving as an adjunct professor at Guilford Technical Community College, North Carolina A&T State University, and Chair of the English and Foreign Language Department at Livingstone College, Dr. Johnson transitioned from higher education to found a charter school. She believes that theory must meet practice and that historically oppressed groups must build counter-institutions that challenge current systems of power. She is the co-founder and CEO of The Point Center, LLC and The College Preparatory and Leadership Academy of High Point, where she leads over 90 employees, 850 students and their families.

Economic Equity: Closing the Gender Pay Gap 10:30 - 11:30 am

Zoom: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/95902499135 Arissa El-Amin is multi-passionate with over 15 years of experience facilitating workshops and conducting training around diversity and change for companies, universities, not for profit organizations, and the community. Arissa is a writer, consultant and an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion at Wells Fargo. She has been an adjunct professor and lecturer at UNCC, CPCC and JCSU. Teaching on servant leadership.

Arissa was a conference presenter at the 2012 UNCC Women’s Summit, has has been a speaker or facilitator at Crossroads Charlotte, the Community Building Initiative, Chamber of Commerce, City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County events. She has also provided leadership consulting and coaching for clients nationally and internationally.

Cynthia P. Bush, CFA, is a faculty member with UNC Charlotte's Belk College of Business Finance Department. Before being invited to join UNCC’s finance faculty, she was a financial services executive for almost 20 years at TIAA, where she oversaw $25 billion in corporate investments across the capital spectrum including private equity, high yield bonds, project finance, leveraged loans, mezzanine finance, and commercial real estate.

Prior to TIAA, Mrs. Bush was stationed in London with Citibank’s investment banking arm. She arranged financings for European conglomerates contemplating mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. Mrs. Bush was recruited from Citibank to JP Morgan Chase’s New York investment banking group, where she focused on media/telecom financings.

Kirsten Sikkelee serves as Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Central Carolinas, where she has enjoyed working since 1994. As Program Director, she created Women in Transition (WIT), a transitional housing program with supportive services for unaccompanied homeless women. As Chief Program Officer, Kirsten created a similar program for families recovering from homelessness: Families Together. She co-led fundraising for an $8M campaign, managed the construction of 10 townhomes for Families Together, and renovated a 40-year old, 66-unit facility, home to WIT. More recently, she led a $1M campaign to renovate the fitness center’s 1965-era locker rooms. As CEO since 2009, she leads a YWCA association that also offers 8 Youth Learning Centers, serving over 250 children daily with free, literacy-based out-of-school programming. YWCA Central Carolinas also offers an award-winning co-ed fitness center and racial justice programs for the community.

LUNCH BREAK 11:45 AM- 12:45 PM

Check Out Our 2020-2021 Research and Practice Panels and Our Seed Funding Recipient Videos

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJbixni mINDEH0PIgWPPP7w

12:45 1:00 pm

Giveaways and Trivia!

Join Us for

Zoom link: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/7956436344

AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS 1:15 - 2:15 PM The State of Our Girls Moderator: Janaka Lewis, PhD Panelists: Angela Woods, JD; Maghan Knight; and Tiffany Allen Zoom link: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/95412794626

A Pandemic Within a Pandemic: Intimate Partner Violence Moderator: Shanti Kulkarni, PhD Panelists: Karen Parker, MS; Leigh Norwood, MSW; and Midori Davidson Zoom link: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/94053038842

A Gendered Lens on Affordable Housing and Homelessness Moderator: Erin Barbee Panelists: Adrienne Threatt and Lori Thomas, PhD Zoom link: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/98607517441

The State of Our Girls 1:15 - 2:15 pm Zoom: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/95412794626 Dr. Janaka Bowman Lewis is Director of the Women's and Gender Studies Program, Interim Director of the Center for the Study of the New South, and Associate Professor of English at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she teaches courses in African American women's writing and girlhood studies. She is the author of several book chapters and articles on 19th Century African American women's writing and material culture, a monograph Freedom Narratives of African American Women (McFarland 2017), and two children's books (Brown All Over and Bold Nia Marie Passes the Test). Her current monograph in progress is on representations of black girlhood in American literature and film.

Angela Woods, JD, brings over 20+ years of combined for-profit and not for profit leadership experience to the Crossnore School & Children’s Home. As Chief Operating Officer, she oversees Crossnore's day to day business operations including, finance, human resources, technology and facilities. Prior to this appointment, Mrs. Woods served as the CEO of Girl Scouts Hornets Nest Council, the largest girl leadership organization in the Charlotte NC metropolitan region. Prior the Hornets Nest Council, she was CEO for Girl Scouts Heart of the South (Memphis, TN) and interim CEO/COO of United Way of the National Capital Area (Washington, DC).

Maghan Knight is the Council Director of Girls on the Run Greater Charlotte, a non-profit organization that aims to inspire girls to live joyful, healthy, and confident lives. She received her B.S. in International Health from Clemson University and has spent the past eight years working with youth serving nonprofit organizations. Maghan’s work with the Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children based in Philadelphia, PA allowed her to support health improvement programs in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Since 2017, Maghan has called Charlotte, NC home and has been devoted to empowering young women in her community through her work with Girls on the Run.

Tiffany Allen is the visionary leader behind EmpowHERment’s rapid growth and deep impact.

EmpowHERment is a non-profit organization that exist to increase the pipeline of future female talent.

Tiffany has been working with EmpowHERment since 2013 as the Director of Operations. In 2018, she was promoted to become the nonprofit organization’s first-ever Executive Director. Her success at EmpowHERment has been based on her passion for the success of girls and women, her vast public and private sector experience and project management skills. Before joining EmpowHERment, she previously served as the Program Director of The Center for Community Transitions Women’s Transitional Facility program in Charlotte, NC.

A Pandemic Within the Pandemic: Intimate Partner Violence 1:15 - 2:15 pm Zoom: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/94053038842 Dr. Shanti Kulkarni has been a clinician, program developer, advocate, and researcher in the field of gender-based violence for over 20 years. She is currently Professor of Social Work at UNC Charlotte. Her research agenda is broadly focused on advancing knowledge about the impact of trauma, violence and abuse on marginalized populations to facilitate the development of intersectional trauma-informed prevention and intervention strategies. Her current efforts focus on using community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods to advance intimate partner violence service delivery at local, state, and national levels. CBPR has allowed her to work with survivors, community members, and practitioners to enhance our collective understanding of what violence intervention and prevention strategies are most effective and why, and to facilitate systems change implementation.

Karen Parker is the President & Chief Executive Officer of Safe Alliance in Charlotte, NC, an organization that provides sexual assault and domestic violence services to over 8,000 people annually throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg. At Safe Alliance Karen oversees an agency budget of $7 million + and leads over 115 staff. Additionally she represents Safe Alliance through local, state and national activities and serves as the organization’s lead decision maker and spokesperson. Karen also participates on a number of state and local committees focusing on policy development and advocacy.

In 2009 she was appointed by Governor Beverly Perdue to chair the North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission.

Leigh Norwood is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 16 years in the field. Her experience includes acute trauma response within a law enforcement and area mental health collaborative program, as well as managed care and intensive community-based program administration. During her tenure in these settings, she worked extensively with victims of IPV, both adults and children. Leigh currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services at UNC Charlotte, where she provides individual and group therapy, in addition to administrative supervision of senior staff. Training and supervision are also a significant area of interest for Leigh and she has clinically supervised practicum students and provisionally licensed social workers for a number of years.

Midori Davidson originates from Atlanta, GA (Fulton County), she considers Charlotte, NC to be her home. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology/Sociology at Queens University of Charlotte, and is currently working on her MBA in Human Resources Leadership at the Jack Welch Management Institute—Strayer University. Her focus within HR Leadership is to be able to assist survivors of trauma in transitioning into the workforce. As a survivor of Domestic Violence, having to go through this experience on her own was not only draining, but there were hardly any resources available to assist in this matter.

Currently, Ms. Davidson is a member of the Mecklenburg County Domestic Violence Speakers’ Bureau which also works concurrently with Safe Alliance, where Ms. Davidson volunteered as an advocate for Safe Alliace’s victim assistance program.

A Gendered Lens on Affordable Housing and Homeslessness 1:15 - 2:15 pm Zoom: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/98607517441 Erin Barbee is the Senior Vice President of Programs and Fund Development for the Dream Key Partners, formerly the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership. She is an operational executive with an exemplary record of developing and directing strategic organizational initiatives by partnering with executive management, community leaders and team members to ensure focus and accountability to business goals and objectives.

Key areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to driving organizational change, creation and implementation of innovative ideas, process alignment, team development and collective impact. She is responsible for overseeing the programs that impact economic mobility for the clients served. This includes the financial literacy program, digital literacy program, home buyer education, fundraising, community engagement and management of the House Charlotte program for the City of Charlotte.

Adrienne Threatt is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Hope Vibes Inc., a nonprofit organization birthed in Charlotte, NC to serve homeless communities in this region. The mission of Hope Vibes is to develop creative exit strategies to end homelessness through direct relief, research, innovation and advocacy. Since its inception in 2017, Hope Vibes’ inaugural focus has primarily targeted hygiene and how it impacts the ability of a homeless neighbor to move into a position of life stability. Their creative research process has produced the one of a kind Hope Tank (mobile laundry + shower vehicle) and the first prototypes of their Solar Sinks (solar powered hand washing stations); all of which have been created to meet the needs of individuals currently living on the streets, in tent camp communities and in cars.

Dr. Lori Thomas is an Associate Professor of Social Work. She currently directs research at the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute where she also serves as the Executive Director of the Institute for Social Capital, an integrated community data system. In her role at the Urban Institute, she leads the work of community-engaged researchers and graduate students and facilitates use of linked administrative data by faculty researchers and community organizations. Dr. Thomas’ research examines programmatic and systemic responses to homelessness and housing instability across the life course, particularly among older adults and people with health and mental health disorders. Her research is informed by over 15 years of practice experience in affordable housing, community development, and homelessness, including developing and implementing the first housing first permanent supportive housing program in Virginia.

Breakout Conversation Sessions 2:30 - 3:00pm

What Do You Think?

Join us in breakout spaces to talk about today's topics and what you think W+GRA should focus on next!

Zoom: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/91974722712 Zoom: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/97087035334 Zoom: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/6550215070

Report-out and Closeout 3:00 - 3:30pm Zoom: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/86757 35879

Sharing Ideas Come together to share your recommendations from today, with each group sharing their main concerns, research suggestions, and ideas.

3:30 - 4:00pm Zoom: https://uncc.zoom.us/j/8675735879 “Do work that matters.”

Gloria Anzaldúa

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time and energy to connect virtually today. It means so much that you are willing to hear the stories that are behind the numbers of women and girls impacted by complicated nature of COVID 19 and the ways in intersects with gender. For some, COVID-19 revealed some startling realities. For others, it has highlighted the struggles that have been working to alleviate for years. What I am clear about is that it will take all of us working together in collaboration to make a difference.

The goal of today’s Women + Girls Research Alliance Summit, Recovery and Discovery: Women and Girls in a Dual Pandemic, was to see what we can collectively learn from the challenges this unique moment in history has presented to us. These voices included community voices, local and state leaders, national advocates, educators, and non-profit agencies. What does it mean to engage a community in a discussion that focuses in the needs of women and girls with intentionality? How do we galvanize the resources – human, intellectual, economic - of our collective communities in ways that build a strong future for women and girls?

The 2021 Summit is a call to action to build a more equitable, inclusive, and progressive future for women and girls in the greater Charlotte Metropolitan region. I believe that together we can continue to do the work that matters in creating an equitable world for all women and girls.

-Dr. Michelle Meggs

2021 SUMMIT

The following people helped make this year's Summit possible: Natalie Brown Christine Katziff Dr. Sharon Gaber Dr. Joan Lorden Dena Diorio Vikki Crouse Mary Stover-Williams Marlene Sallo, JD Dr. Keri Revens Susana Cisneros Jimmeka Anderson Dr.Kami Anderson Dr. Cortney Harris Dr. Michelle Johnson Cynthia Bush Kirsten Sikkelee Arissa El-Amin Angela Woods, JD Maghan Knight Dr. Janaka Lewis Tiffany Allen Karen Parker

Leigh Norwood Midori Davidson Dr. Shanti Kulkarni Erin Barbee Adrienne Threatt Dr. Lori Thomas Dr. Byron White Danelle Lee Dr.Tamara Johnson Elaine Jacobs Bridget Anderson Sharon Scarborough Ely Portillo Natasha Stracener Ryan Honeyman Shannon Homesley Shari Dunn Allison Whitenack Dr. Jaclyn Piatak Ashley Nickens Patrice N. Wilson Willetta "Lettie" Ar-Rahmann

Dr. Judy Angela Tjoe Dr. Julie R. Palmer Henrietta Thompson Lauren Tayara Karen Whichard Phin Xaypangna Sonja Gantt Dr. Frank D. Barnes Dr. Michelle Meggs Taylor Rauschenberg Dr. May Ying Ly Curt Walton Lisa Lewis Dubois Betty Chafin-Rash Urban Research and Community Engagement Urban Institute Academic Affairs University Communications Community Relations AISLE

ABOUT W+GRA Our goal is to make a difference in our community by providing fair and unbiased data and analyses, which leaders and activists can use to improve the lives of women and girls in the Greater Charlotte region.

Founded as a community-based organization in 2006 and integrated into the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2010, the Alliance provides faculty, students and the community with opportunities for research and education on women’s policy issues.

We focus on the crucial fields of Employment and Earnings, Civic and Political Engagement, Economic Security, Health and Well-Being, and Violence Against Women.

The Alliance fosters increased collaborations between community members and UNC Charlotte; enhances public knowledge of its educational opportunities and services, and increases both faculty and student research that addresses these fundamental and regional issues for women.

womengirlsalliance.uncc.edu