Initiatives
Through his knowledge leadership, research and outreach, Center Director
James H. Johnson Jr. [details ]
leads a team that is focused on advancing knowledge and creating urban initiatives
in three key areas:
Assessing Community Assets
The Center promotes entrepreneurial and market-based solutions for poverty alleviation, job creation and community development in America's economically distressed communities. Its programs focus on:
- Strengthening inner-city work forces
- Growing inner-city businesses
- Helping promising minority and women-owned businesses access capital
- Bringing an entrepreneurial attitude to charitable organizations and government institutions
Dr. Johnson has developed a conceptual model that identifies six types of assets that communities need to compete and thrive in today's highly competitive, knowledge-based economy: political, physical, financial, human, cultural and social. The Center helps communities evaluate their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats relative to those assets and develop a vision and plan for gaining competitive advantage.
Building Sustainable Futures
As a partner in the Kenan Institute's Center for Sustainable Enterprise (CSE), the Center helps businesses and communities develop strategies for achieving a triple bottom line of becoming environmentally, socially and economically sustainable in the New Economy.
Dr. Johnson is recognized as a pioneer in this field.
Developing Human Capital
The Center develops and delivers innovative model and pilot programs designed to develop human capital and better serve distressed communities. These include:
The Kenan Institute Youth Initiative
This initiative provides help to improve the academic performance and overall life chances of disadvantaged public school students in Asheville, Kinston, Pembroke and Siler City, NC, through academic and cultural enrichment programs. The initiative, with funding from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, expands the Center's Durham Scholars Program, originally funded by the W.R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust.
Civic Entrepreneurship Education
The Center partners with the UNC School of Public Health to provide civic entrepreneurship education and training programs to help local government and nonprofit organizations, including state and local public health departments throughout the south, become more businesslike in their approach to solving social problems.
Training And Technical Assistance For Minority Entrepreneurs
The Kenan Institute's Charlotte, N.C., office provides training and technical assistance to minority small business owners and entrepreneurs preparing to launch ventures.
Business Training For Former Prisoners Re-Entering The Workforce
Through a North Carolina General Assembly-funded program, the Center trains ex-offenders in business "soft skills" such as communications, dress, and attitude, to help them get and keep jobs after their release from prison.
Service To Public Schools And County Commissioners
The Center is helping public school officials and county commissioners in North Carolina understand the impact of changing demographics in the state, as revealed by the 2000 Census, and plan strategically to address the challenges and opportunities they face.
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