Isaac Coleman Economic Community Investment

Isaac Coleman

People and neighborhoods are impacted by race, poverty and trauma. These factors create barriers to economic success for adults and even impact the health of newborn babies. From early on, these cumulative pressures impact children, hampering the development of the necessary social, emotional, educational, and work skills to achieve self-sufficiency. As a community we cannot leave this talent behind. We need every child in our community to realize their potential and contribute to our community.

Based on recent data, we know our current efforts have not decreased disparities in health, education and economic opportunity. This requires us to think differently and employ different strategies.

What we have learned is that health, safety and wellbeing are culturally created rather than professionally prescribed. If we want to improve the economic opportunity, health and safety of communities then we must engage with communities in ways that allow them to lead. We also know that focusing on individuals alone will not address the pervasive effects of race, poverty and trauma. Three factors that determine the environmental conditions within communities are: equitable economic and educational opportunity, people, and place. By focusing on these factors and harnessing the talents of community members, together we can build a more robust workforce and more resilient neighborhoods.

Improving Equitable Opportunity

Pipelines to jobs
Apprenticeships
Self-sustaining businesses

Connecting People

Rebuilding trust
Fostering a sense of "we"
Building a can do sense that neighbors can work together to get things done
Supporting emerging leaders

Ensuring Positive Place

Healthy public spaces that encourage gathering
Gardens and walking trails
Cultural identity that brings people together

Our goal with this investment is to rebuild the health, safety, and self-sufficiency in our communities.

Named for social justice champion Isaac Coleman, the Isaac Coleman Economic Community Investment plan calls for targeted investments in our communities that are currently working to champion equitable opportunity.

These investments are part of a broader approach, which includes continued partnerships with nonprofit and faith-based organizations, mini-grants to augment emerging and innovative community efforts, support for small businesses, and investments in education and the economy. This mix of formal and informal approaches is intended to strengthen community infrastructure so that meaningful and sustainable change can take root.

Isaac Coleman Grant Review Group

Al Whitesides - Commissioner
Antanette Mosley
Dr. Tiece Ruffin
Drew Reisinger
Ellen Frost
Frank Castelblanco
Gene Bell

On June 23, 2017 the Isaac Coleman Grant Review Group announced recipients for the first round of funding. Applications were evaluated using factors derived, in part, from the THRIVE Model (see Prevention Institute). Seven projects were funded in year 1 (FY2018) for a total of $635,426. Grants were renewed for year 2 (FY2019) for a total of $500,000. It is anticipated that the year 3 (FY2020) grant process will be open only to current grantees.

Isaac Coleman grants are supported by the Community Engagement Team within the Strategic Partnerships Department. Community engagement is a way of partnering that cultivates trust, authenticity and inclusion in support of community outcomes. We aim to cultivate a strong learning collaborative, build relationships across efforts and share learning and resources where appropriate.

Grant Recipients

Asheville Buncombe Institute for Parity Achievement - ABIPA

FY2019 — $42,260
"ABIPA wants to develop a worker-owned co-op to address the social determinants of health, specifically around education and economics. . ."