LATEST NEWS FROM CIS l WINTER 2022
ICYMI: BIG NEWS for CIS-Charlotte!
We hope you didn't miss this BIG news, but just in case... On February 3rd in a surprise announcement, CIS-Charlotte received an amazing $5 Million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the largest single gift in our 37-year history! The gift is part of a larger $133.5 million gift awarded by Scott to the Communities In Schools national office and 40 CIS affiliates across the country.

"We are beyond ecstatic about what this transformative gift means for our students," said Men Tchaas Ari, President and CEO of CIS-Charlotte. "It’s no exaggeration to say that the needs of our kids are greater now than during any point in our 37-year history, so this donation comes at a critical time. This gift will allow us to both deepen and extend our programming to reach even more of the CMS students who need us.”

Read more about this transformative gift here in the full press release.
Local and National News Coverage
Special Thanks to These CIS Graduates!
We'd like to give a special shout-out to these two CIS graduates, Kayla Witherspoon and Joy Fields, who joined us at the press conference on February 3 when we announced the MacKenzie Scott gift. They gave interviews to the media and shared how CIS has impacted them.

Kayla is a 2008 graduate from E. E. Waddell High School and holds a B.A. from Winthrop University and an M.B.A. from N.C. A & T University. Today Kayla is a successful real estate broker with her own firm, Property Maven Inc., here in Charlotte. She is featured in this WSOC-TV news story from February 3.

Photo: Kayla Witherspoon with CIS President and CEO Men Tchaas Ari
Joy is a 2021 graduate from West Mecklenburg High School, where she was in our TRiO Talent Search program with CIS TRiO Counselor, Alexis Bibbs. Joy says "CIS has made a huge impact on my high school career and developing me in to the young adult I am now." Joy is a freshman at Winston-Salem State University. Joy and Mr. Bibbs are in this WCNC news story from February 3.

Kayla and Joy were both "rock stars" with the media and we are so grateful for their support and taking the time to be with us on this special day!

Photo: Joy Fields with CIS TRiO Counselor, Alexis Bibbs
Difference Makers® CLT 2022 Kicks Off!
We are thrilled to announce that Difference Makers® CLT 2022 has officially launched! On February 9th, we welcomed twenty inspiring students to our program orientation at Dilworth Neighborhood Grille to share more about this year’s cohort and our vision for the group.  

Initially launched in 2019 as a collaboration between The Gambrell Foundation and Communities In Schools, Difference Makers CLT is a leadership development program for CIS students and community members. We are grateful to The Gambrell Foundation for making this unique program possible! Learn more at this link.
New Partnership with Carolina Youth Coalition
We are excited to share that CIS is partnering with Carolina Youth Coalition (CYC) to provide additional college admissions prep and scholarship opportunities for CIS students. CYC is a local nonprofit that prepares high-achieving, under-resourced high school students to get into, excel in, and graduate from college. CIS will help identify and refer students who qualify to participate in CYC's after-school Fellows program. In turn, CIS will enroll CYC students on CIS caseloads wherever possible. Staff from both organizations will collaborate to host special college and career events for students and parents. A win-win for everyone!

Photo: CIS President and CEO Men Tchaas Ari (left) and CYC Executive Director Aaron Randolph exchanging agency t-shirts.
"Letters from the Lunchroom" Podcast
Check out this “Letters from the Lunchroom” podcast from CIS of Mid-America, featuring CIS National President and CEO Rey Saldaña and our own Shakaka Perry. Perry is a long-time Site Coordinator atGaringer High School, who recently transitioned to a new role as a Reengagement Coordinator with CIS. Check it out - lots of valuable information being shared!
Save the Date! Dine Out For Kids® will be Tuesday, June 21
Dine Out For Kids logo
Our favorite community event, Dine Out For Kids®, is back for a day of delicious dining in support of kids in public schools and local restaurants! It’s been another challenging year for students, teachers and schools. Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 21 and join us to support educational equity and ensuring that all kids have what they need to be successful in school and beyond. More info coming soon on our website!
The late Dr. Maya Angelou, beloved Poet Laureate and civil rights activist, once said this about love:

"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at is destination full of hope."

Angelou's quote resonates strongly with CIS and how we view our mission. It embodies what we do every day to support students: we are passionate about helping students experience success in school and set goals to achieve their dreams, and will not allow any barriers or obstacles to stand in the way.

Here's wishing you a Valentine's Day filled with love that recognizes no barriers.

Happy Valentine's Day from CIS