Cohort 1: Jobs
The Issue at Hand
Even in the current economy, when the official unemployment rate is low and parts of the state are thriving, many families struggle to earn enough to put food on the table, afford a decent place to live, cover basic health care expenses, provide adequate care for their children, and otherwise enjoy the essential elements of a decent life. As a result, the American social compact seems broken for too many in North Carolina. They can no longer rely on the promise that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can expect to enjoy a good life for yourself and a better life for your children.
NCLF brought 35 leaders from across the state to meet five times during 2017 — three times for a full day and twice for a day and a half. Participants included legislators, non-profit, and business leaders to discuss topics including inadequacy of compensation, unavailability of jobs, lack of skills, personal obstacles to work, and financial vulnerability.
Even in the current economy, when the official unemployment rate is low and parts of the state are thriving, many families struggle to earn enough to put food on the table, afford a decent place to live, cover basic health care expenses, provide adequate care for their children, and otherwise enjoy the essential elements of a decent life. As a result, the American social compact seems broken for too many in North Carolina. They can no longer rely on the promise that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can expect to enjoy a good life for yourself and a better life for your children.
NCLF brought 35 leaders from across the state to meet five times during 2017 — three times for a full day and twice for a day and a half. Participants included legislators, non-profit, and business leaders to discuss topics including inadequacy of compensation, unavailability of jobs, lack of skills, personal obstacles to work, and financial vulnerability.
Cohort 1: Jobs Final Report
This report summarizes the proceedings and findings of the first year of NCLF. During five sessions, we explored the question, “How can we enable more North Carolinians to earn enough to support their families?”
The group concluded on promising approaches; Notably, they said North Carolina should close the skills gap, increase job availability, address inadequate wages, eliminate obstacles to work, and strengthen financial literacy. There was further discussion on the minimum wage, tax credits, criminal histories, apprenticeships.
Finally, the report notes NCLF’s success and how the forum’s approach can adapt in the future. As the inaugural group, the organization oscillated between wanting to have conversations on values or having conversations on policy — noting both were vital but had different utility to participants.
Cohort 1: Jobs Final Report
This report summarizes the proceedings and findings of the first year of NCLF. During five sessions, we explored the question, “How can we enable more North Carolinians to earn enough to support their families?”
The group concluded on promising approaches; Notably, they said North Carolina should close the skills gap, increase job availability, address inadequate wages, eliminate obstacles to work, and strengthen financial literacy. There was further discussion on the minimum wage, tax credits, criminal histories, apprenticeships.
Finally, the report notes NCLF’s success and how the forum’s approach can adapt in the future. As the inaugural group, the organization oscillated between wanting to have conversations on values or having conversations on policy — noting both were vital but had different utility to participants.
Participants from Cohort 1
Anita Brown-Graham*, Institute for Emerging Issues
Pete Brunstetter, Novant Health, Inc.
Pearl Burris-Floyd, Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce
Jack Cecil, Biltmore Farms, LLC
Dan Clodfelter, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, LLP
Gene Cochrane*, The Duke Endowment
Sharon Decker, Tryon International Equestrian Center
Martin Eakes, Self-Help Credit Union
Dan Gerlach, Golden Leaf Foundation
Rick Glazier, North Carolina Justice Center
Ann Goodnight, SAS
Maurice “Mo” Green, Guilford County Schools
Robin Hayes, Cannon Charitable Trust and Cannon Foundation
Hank Henning, Commissioner of Guilford County
John Hood*, John William Pope Foundation
Bob Hunter, North Carolina Court of Appeals
Jeff Jackson, North Carolina Senate
Raquel Lynch, Crisis Assistance Ministry
Esther Manheimer, Mayor of Asheville
Frederick “Fritz” Mayer*, Sanford School of Public Policy,
Duke University
Chuck McGrady, North Carolina House of Representatives
MaryBe McMillan, North Carolina AFL-CIO
B.J. Murphy, Mayor of Kinston
Chuck Neely*, Williams Mullen
Jim Phillips, Brooks Pierce
Art Pope, John William Pope Foundation
Robert Reives, North Carolina House of Representatives
Tom Ross, UNC President Emeritus and Terry Sanford Distinguished Fellow
Richard Stevens, Smith Anderson Law Firm
William Thierfelder, Belmont Abbey College
Eugene Washington, Duke University Health System
Andy Wells, North Carolina Senate
Brad Wilson, Blue Cross & Blue Shield North Carolina
Stelfanie Williams, Vance-Granville Community College
Leslie Winner*, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
Anita Brown-Graham*, Institute for Emerging Issues
Pete Brunstetter, Novant Health, Inc.
Pearl Burris-Floyd, Gaston Regional Chamber of
Commerce
Jack Cecil, Biltmore Farms, LLC
Dan Clodfelter, Parker Poe Adams &
Bernstein, LLP
Gene Cochrane*, The Duke Endowment
Sharon Decker, Tryon International
Equestrian Center
Martin Eakes, Self-Help Credit Union
Dan Gerlach, Golden Leaf Foundation
Rick Glazier, North Carolina Justice Center
Ann Goodnight, SAS
Maurice “Mo” Green, Guilford County Schools
Robin Hayes, Cannon Charitable Trust and
Cannon Foundation
Hank Henning, Commissioner of Guilford County
John Hood*, John William Pope Foundation
Bob Hunter, North Carolina Court of Appeals
Jeff Jackson, North Carolina Senate
Raquel Lynch, Crisis Assistance Ministry
Esther Manheimer, Mayor of Asheville
Frederick “Fritz” Mayer*, Sanford School of Public
Policy, Duke University
Chuck McGrady, North Carolina House
of Representatives
MaryBe McMillan, North Carolina AFL-CIO
B.J. Murphy, Mayor of Kinston
Chuck Neely*, Williams Mullen
Jim Phillips, Brooks Pierce
Art Pope, John William Pope Foundation
Robert Reives, North Carolina House
of Representatives
Tom Ross, UNC President Emeritus and Terry
Sanford Distinguished Fellow
Richard Stevens, Smith Anderson Law Firm
William Thierfelder, Belmont Abbey College
Eugene Washington, Duke University Health System
Andy Wells, North Carolina Senate
Brad Wilson, Blue Cross & Blue Shield
North Carolina
Stelfanie Williams, Vance-Granville
Community College
Leslie Winner*, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
*Denotes NCLF Steering Committee Member
Supplements
Policy Memos
The John Locke Foundation and the North Carolina Justice Center put together solutions that were presented and discussed at the Forum. The two groups proposed policies on career development, small business entrepreneurship, and increasing wages/earning.
Policy Memos
The John Locke Foundation and the North Carolina Justice Center put together solutions that were presented and discussed at the Forum. The two groups proposed policies on career development, small business entrepreneurship, and increasing wages/earning.
Background Research
Two data supplements were prepared for participants, one in March 2016, and one in June 2016. The first report outlines economic outcomes, including income, assets, poverty, mobility, assistance, and life expectancy as well as factors relating to economic outcomes including education, family composition, work, wages, development, business climate, and barriers. The second report outlines a wide range of topics including state wage profiles, cost living, economic well-being, and more.
Background Research
Two data supplements were prepared for participants, one in March 2016, and one in June 2016. The first report outlines economic outcomes, including income, assets, poverty, mobility, assistance, and life expectancy as well as factors relating to economic outcomes including education, family composition, work, wages, development, business climate, and barriers. The second report outlines a wide range of topics including state wage profiles, cost living, economic well-being, and more.
Videos
Participants were presented five videos throughout the forum, listed below. Each story captured a different aspect of the problem and revealed how multifaceted the challenge was that we were seeking to address. The stories also reminded us that real people and their struggles often do not fit neatly into any single explanation we might have for why they struggle.
Videos
Participants were presented five videos throughout the forum, listed below. Each story captured a different aspect of the problem and revealed how multifaceted the challenge was that we were seeking to address. The stories also reminded us that real people and their struggles often do not fit neatly into any single explanation we might have for why they struggle.
Making Ends Meet: Ian Trent
Transitioning from Furniture Industry: Dale Crouse
From Behind Bars: Stefan Gilliam
Finding Skilled Workers: Joshua Mauney
The Challenge of Growth: NoDa Brewing
