March 1, 2022

Years before attending high school, many children know what they are really interested in. What if a community gave those children a way to experience whether their interests matched the kind of work involved in one or more of the dozens of skilled trades that exist today? Is that possibly a part of the solution to employers’ staffing difficulties?

A Charlotte nonprofit called “She Built This City” is playing that matchmaker role. Executive Director LaToya Faustin and Corporate Partnerships Manager Marion Pulse shared their work with the Forum this morning.

Faustin said that founder Demi Clark picked the name after being inspired by a song, but also out of frustration that she was regularly the only women in the room as she worked in the trades.

The workforce training niche is populated by an abundance of small, underfunded and uncoordinated efforts. Listen carefully to Faustin and you may conclude that the She Built This City model brings something additional to the table.

Below the video are slides from Faustin’s presentation. The full set of slides may be downloaded as a PDF here. Below the slides are excerpts from the day’s chat box.

 

 

From the chat box

Excerpts from today’s chat box, first about the day’s program, then from candidates in the May 17 primary.

Contact info:
[email protected]
[email protected]

Natheley McElrath:
Are you helping to get the plumbers and electricians licensed?

Jennifer Fleet:
Are you working in conjunction with the Goodwill Center training or can your graduates move into their programming?

Kyle Luebke:
Are you working with local commuity colleges at all?

Winston Robinson:
Is there a pipeline that will assist with career placement?

Danyae Thomas:
The Urban League would love to connect with you. We have a number of certifications through our new initiative Working Women, Thriving Families, Better Communities! We would LOVE to partner with you. There are a number of resources we can collaborate with.

Marion Pulse:
To donate, text UNITEDWESPARK to 44-321 to donate. Also, you can visit our website, www.shebuiltthiscity.org.

Susan Gann-Carroll:
Are you partnered with The ROC, Darren Ash [Goodwill Industries]?

Tim Emry:
I’m sure that Charlotte Area Fund would love to connect and support this program, if they aren’t already.

Susan Gann-Carroll:
I know our students at West Meck are attending an event on Friday, would love to know how we get SBC connected to Whitewater where we have our first middle school trades program. This was opened to build a pipeline of students to our carpentry program at West Meck.

Trevor M. Fuller:
Are you connected with the county’s workforce development efforts?

Shante’ Burke-Hayer:
I am the chair of a mentoring program for young girls, but some of them live in Concord, NC. Are there restrictions on where they have to live in order to participate in the program?

Susan Gann-Carroll:
We would love to talk with you about how to support more carpentry classes in middle schools that feed our programs at West Meck, Independence, Olympic and Harding Institute of Technology (our countywide magnet). Finding an instructor at the middle school level who has the passion and skills to teach a trades course is a big challenge.

Mary Johnson:
Why do students have to access these programs outside of the school system? Why not teach it to them while they are there so they will be ready to be employed when they finish CMS? There are more trades than carpentry.

Jackie Edwards Walton:
Trades are inflation proof – good or bad economy.

Mary Johnson:
Most expert tradesmen do not have a college degree. Does this hinder them from being able to work with students in CMS?

Susan Gann-Carroll:
We are reliant upon bonds to open additional programs. We are limited in funding through CTE to purchase equipment. Also, finding qualified teachers for the trades is a big challenge because of the market demand…. We are in full agreement that exposure in middle school is really important. Would love to partner to impact that opportunity.

Yvette Townsend-Ingram:
I’m so glad that you’re speaking in terms of “wrap-around services” for families because if their basic needs aren’t met, all of the other stop-gaps to education aren’t helpful. How do you compete with retailers like Target, who raised their minimum wage to $24/hr?

LaToya Faustin:
Habitat’s first 3D printed home…printed in just 28 hours: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/habitat-for-humanity-3d-printer-home

 

CANDIDATES IN THE MAY 17 PRIMARY

Rhonda Patterson:
Good morning everyone! I have to drop to get my daughter to an appointment. Great presentation LaToya! See you all soon. Let’s stay connected online. @votepatterson www.rpattersonforjudge.com. I am a candidate for District Court Judge, seat 21!

Shante’ Burke-Hayer:
I do have to run, but this was awesome! and right up my daughter’s alley so I will be looking into this program for her and other mentees. As I mentioned earlier I am running for District Court Judge, Seat 1. Feel free to visit my website to learn more about me www.burkehayerforjudge.com

Jennifer De La Jara:
Great to be here this morning. https://www.jennifer4meck.com

Matt Newton:
Good Morning Everyone! This is City Councilmember Matt Newton and I’m running for District Court Judge (Seat 16) this year. Please visit www.mattnewtonforjudge.com for more information. It’s always great to be with you and THANK YOU for your continued support!

Chris Bazzle:
Hello everyone, thank you all for allowing me to be here today. I am Magistrate Chris Bazzle and I am running for Mecklenburg County District Court, Seat 1 (the Best Seat). I am working to earn your support and your vote! Please learn more and please show your support at https://www.BazzleForJudge.com and https://www.facebook.com/BazzleforJudge. Thank you all!

Jennifer Fleet:
I’m Jennifer Fleet and I’m running for District Court Judge seat number 15. As always I have enjoyed today’s program. Please find more about me and my campaign at http://jenniferfleetforjudge.com/

Belal Elrahal:
Thank you for an excellent forum, as always! I am running for District Court Judge for the Seat that will be vacated by Judge Tracy Hewett (Seat 19). I am an experienced trial attorney, dedicated public servant, and Charlotte native. You can learn more about me and my campaign at: https://www.elrahalforjudge.com

Kyle Luebke:
Good morning everyone, this is Kyle Luebke and I am running for Charlotte City Council At-Large. Please visit www.kyleluebke.com for more info and I would love your support!

Tim Emry:
To learn more about me and the campaign to transform justice in Mecklenburg County, visit https://timforda.com

JeAn R:
Renee Perkins Johnson is running for reelection for City Council District 4. Vote for her.

Jennifer De La Jara:
Please join us! Education Update When: March 14, 6 p.m. Register in advance at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUtduiorjMtHNXXP_bQNQmz1I9EkVLafx7K

Robert Hillman:
My name is Rob Hillman, I am your candidate for Charlotte City Council District 6. To get to know more about my campaign, volunteer or donate, check out my website http://voteforhillman.com. Also, please follow me on social media at the following sites: https://twitter.com/voteforhillman; https://facebook.comvoteforhillman; https://instagram.com/voteforhillman. My phone number is 704-266-3218.