Civic Impact Academy
A Unique 10-Week Educational Experience
We are building bridges between communities and local governments through education initiatives that serve you.
The Civic Impact Academy is an educational experience that brings local community leaders and government leaders into the same rooms. Together participants learn from one another and work together to build understanding, trust, and better communities.
Who is eligible to apply to Civic Impact Academy Cohorts?
Civic-minded individuals who are over the age of 18.
Applications Open: July 1, 2024
Program Start Date: September 11, 2024
Program End: November 13, 2024
Who should join the academy and what will they learn?
We are curating a 20-person cohort made of 10 government leaders and 10 community leaders.
Government Leaders
Planning Departments
Communication
Housing and Neighborhood Services
Transportation
Management & Budget Departments
Park and Recreation
Small Business Support and Economic Development
Policy Makers
Public Safety
Community Leaders
Social Impact Entrepreneurs
Activists & Organizers
Community Volunteers
Neighborhood Leaders
Coalition Leaders
Non Profit Program Staff
Media Professionals/Advocates
Curriculum will cover a range of topics including understanding power dynamics in advocacy, local historical context, understanding government systems, local government budgeting, media relations, and storytelling. Participants will apply learnings to solve for real life community challenges in key topic areas most impacting our region including affordable housing, education, healthcare, justice system, environment, land use planning, and access to capital for small businesses.
Where does learning take place?
Cohorts are hybrid experiences. Our first and final sessions are held in-person in Charlotte, NC. All other sessions are held online in our virtual classrooms.
Who is behind the Civic Impact Academy?
Civic Impact Academy is brought to you by Civility Localized, an MWSBE Certified Small Business. This academy comes from the creative mind of Civility Localized founder Christine Edwards, MPA. As experts in community engagement and government contracts, the team at Civility Localized is proud to bring a new civic engagement offering to the market.
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The Civic Impact Academy Advisory Board
The Advisory board is made up of local leaders and changemakers who provide strategic input on the direction of our program curriculum and theory of change for our intended audiences. Our advisory board members have experience in building coalitions, political awareness, local government policy, understanding community engagement ecosystems, equity-based leadership and many wide-reaching community endeavors.
John Walton III, MPA
Through its Economic Development Office, Mecklenburg County houses a BDI program, committed to providing minorities, women, and small businesses equal opportunity to professional services contracts. Through his work as a Business Diversity and Inclusion Compliance Officer, John lends his talents to bridge the gap to access to women, minorities and small businesses.
April Harley
April N. Harley is a proud Howard University alumni and development professional who raised upwards of $15M over five years for the Obama 2008 & 2012 campaigns, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), DNC Conventions, & Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009. After years in both nonprofit leadership and running her own fundraising consulting firm, April is now the Senior Director of Member and Foundation Relations at the Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP). She also serves on the Board of Directors of NC Parents as Teachers.
Kelly R. Little
Kelly R. Little is a Transformational Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Strategist who partners with executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders to elevate personal, professional, and organizational performance.
In local government, Little led numerous department initiatives, including Responsible Fatherhood, Mom as Gateway not Gatekeeper, and Veterans Military Network. Little also implemented the vision to achieve overall goals of “Strengthening Families!” and raised stakeholders’ awareness of the unique challenges Veterans face across the state of North Carolina.