Legacies Scholars and Empowerment Program

According to the 2014 report entitled, “North Carolina’s Distressed Urban Tracts:  A View of the State’s Economically Disadvantaged Communities”, https://curs.unc.edu/wp-conten..., the city of Concord, which is the largest city located in Cabarrus County, is one of 18 areas designated as an urban distressed tract  Residents of distressed tracts are disproportionately minority( Blacks and Hispanics ), have higher poverty rates, post notably lower rates of educational attainment, are disproportionately headed by a single mother, have a higher percentage of households without a vehicle, and have lower rates of home ownership. In Cabarrus County, NC, only 38.4% of Black students in grades 3-8 and only 29.2% of Black students in grades 9-12 are “College and Career Ready”, compared to 63.8% and 51.4 % of their White counterparts. Students who are “College and Career Ready” while in high school are more prepared to embrace the rigors of post-secondary life and contribute immensely to the economics of their communities (Racial Equity Report Card 2018-2019).  Additionally, Cabarrus County Schools has an Economically Disadvantaged Percentage (EDS) of 41.8% as of 2017, which is calculated based on the number of students receiving free and reduced lunch.  https://www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us. While standardized test scores are not an accurate measure of true ability, they serve as the basis for many important decisions and thus, negatively impact a student’s academic opportunities and outcomes. Black students only represent 20.8% of the student population in Cabarrus County, but represent 42.1% of all short-term school suspensions and 50% of school based juvenile court complaints. (Racial Equity Report Card of Cabarrus County 2018-2019)

The Legacies Scholars and Empowerment Program is designed to expose underrepresented youth in Cabarrus County to unique academic, cultural, and social experiences that assist in leveling the playing field inside and outside of the classroom, while also closing the achievement gap. The program will be available to females throughout the first two years, with a focus on introducing young females from middle school though college to unique STEM and cultural activities. The females in STEM focus kicked off on April 1, 2023 with a field trip to Central Piedmont Community College, in Charlotte, NC to spend the day with Danielle Feinburg, Visual Effects Supervisor of PIXAR Animation Studios and mentor for girls in STEM. The four young ladies who participated in this event are students that I have coached in mathematics over the past two years. They are the inaugural members of the Legacies Scholars Program and through the mathematics coaching they have received, exposure to STEM careers, and empowerment events, these young ladies have been able to excel in the classroom this academic year. The second activity that the Legacies Scholars have participated in was held on May 13, 2023.  The four inaugural members plus two new recruits attended the "Women Inspiring Girls Sneaker Ball" for Mental Health Awareness month.  The Inspire Foundation sponsored the event attended by over 200 middle school through college female students who were exposed to empowerment speakers and an evening of elegance.

The solution proposed by Leading Legacies Consulting Services LLC and the Leading Legacies Scholars and Empowerment Program will focus on providing academic enrichment/coaching services, college search/scholarship assistance, cultural/educational experiences, mentoring to at-risk males and STEM activities for young females in Concord and Cabarrus County, NC.  As the research indicates for the Black students in Cabarrus County, there is a significant percentage of this population who are experiencing inequities with teachers of color in schools, disproportionate school suspension rates and disproportionate juvenile court involvement.  The Leading Legacies Scholars and Empowerment Program aims to address these inequities and promote student awareness of STEM careers and preparedness for career and college opportunities through its empowerment activities. The intent of Leading Legacies Consulting Services LLC is to establish the Leading Legacies Scholars Program as a non-profit organization in order to position this aspect of the company to seek funding for the program's activities.

Currently, there are over 300 non-profit organizations in Cabarrus County, with approximately 25 + identified as providing educational services to youth.  The population of Cabarrus County is approximately 216, 453 in which the following categories are represented in our target market:

25% are under the age of 18.

30% are classified as minority ( African American, Hispanic/non-white).

7.9% are families living in poverty.

Of the 25+ non-profit organizations in Cabarrus County that list themselves as providers of educational services, fewer than  five provide academic tutoring/college scholarship assistance, none provide male empowerment/mentoring services and none focus on females in STEM.  The Leading Legacies Consulting Services, LLC proposes to be a premier organization that will fill in the gaps of the cultural and educational needs for minority youth and underserved organizations in Cabarrus County through the Legacies Scholars and Empowerment Program.  The characteristics of our organization will allow us to stand out from other educational organizations in Cabarrus County in the following ways:

Academic Enrichment

·      Individualized Academic Planning – Weekly planning/tracking of students’ academic progress with guidance counselors and teachers.

·      (STEM) Math and Science Coaching – Weekly academic tutoring sessions to assist students with closing the gaps created by COVID-19 interruption of educational services.

·      Standardized State Test Preparation- Assistance with preparing for State EOG/EOC tests.

College Admissions Assistance

·      ACT/SAT Test Preparation – Assistance with test taking skills for the ACT and SAT (Specialization in Math)

·      College Application and Search Assistance- Assistance with identifying compatible colleges and universities, identifying traditional and non-traditional scholarship opportunities, and assistance with completing the FAFSA.

·      College Tours and Invitational Visits- Exposure to various types of college/university settings, both in-state and out of state.

Cultural Enrichment Activities

·    Empowerment Workshops,  Group Tours to Art Galleries, Musicals, Plays, and other cultural activities.

·      Annual Civil Rights Tour of the South – Sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Women, Inc, .of Atlanta, GA.  This tour begins in Atlanta and continues through civil rights historical markers and memorials throughout Alabama and Georgia.

Target Population

The population of Cabarrus County is = 216,453

Of which 25% of the population is under the age of 18 = 54,113

Of which 30% of the < 18 group are minorities = 16,233

Of which 7.9% come from families in poverty = 1283

We will win 2% of student participants within 24 months = 26 

The Legacies Scholars Program is designed to expose underrepresented youth in Cabarrus County to unique academic, cultural, and social experiences that assist in leveling the playing field inside and outside of the classroom, while also closing the achievement gap. The program will be available to both males and females throughout the year, but the start-up has a focus on introducing young females from high school though undergraduate school to unique STEM and cultural activities. The females in STEM focus kicked off on April 1, 2023 with a field trip to Central Piedmont Community College, in Charlotte, NC to spend the day networking with Danielle Feinburg, Visual Effects Supervisor of PIXAR Animation Studios and mentor for girls in STEM. The four young ladies who participated in this event are students that I have coached in mathematics over the past two years. They are the inaugural members of the Legacies Scholars Program and through the mathematics coaching they have received, exposure to STEM careers, and empowerment events, these young ladies have been able to excel in the classroom this academic year. The second activity that the Legacies Scholars have participated in was held on May 13, 2023.  The four inaugural members plus two new recruits attended the "Women Inspiring Girls Sneaker Ball" for Mental Health Awareness month.  The Inspire Foundation sponsored the event attended by over 200 middle school through college female students who were exposed to empowerment speakers and an evening of elegance, empowerment speakers, and thought-provoking discussions with female professionals in the fields of academia, government, law, higher-education, and mental health/social services.

I, Dr. Monica Lee-Currie, joined this community as a college student from 1982-1986 and returned as a resident in 2000. During the past 23 years in the Concord/Cabarrus County area, I have served in the capacity of a college administrator and professional mathematics educator in the middle, high school, and juvenile justice educational settings of the community.  I have developed a thorough understanding of the needs of the underrepresented and underserved youth of this community and I specifically understand the lack of empowerment and programming for female students to excel in academics and exposed to STEM careers/opportunities.

After many unsuccessful attempts to obtain funding for the Legacies Scholars and Empowerment Program through my consulting services, I was able to brainstorm with community members, professional colleagues, and others in education to strategize on how to fund such a much needed program for youth in this county.  The concept of establishing this program as a non-profit organization in order to seek a more extensive database of grant funding is a route that is currently being taken.  I have identified a seasoned Board of Directors with experience in career and clinical counseling, education, and workforce development and I am in the process of applying for non-profit status.

Currently, there are six female scholars ranging from high school through college being served with an anticipated goal of (26) participants over a two-year span.

I am applying for this challenge for the following reasons:

* The opportunity to network and receive mentorship on how to effectively operate an empowerment program with an emphasis on females in STEM.

* Access to resources that will assist with exposing program participants to unique STEM activities/experiences.

* Learning how to maximize the success of the program in the most efficient way.

* Assistance with financial start-up costs, but not solely dependent on what the challenge can provide.  

Dr. Monica Lee-Currie has previously served as a college vice-president for five years,  a mathematics teacher at the local public high school for 10 years, Math and Science Department Chair at the community juvenile justice educational/residential facility for five years, and currently as a Middle School Math and Science Instructional Coach, all within the Concord/Cabarrus County community.  In July 2023, Dr. Lee-Currie will assume the role of Principal at the Cabarrus Youth Academy.  Dr. Lee-Currie has taught over a thousand students in the community and has been a math coach for the past five years.  

My solution approaches the problem of lack of STEM programming for underrepresented/underserved youth in Concord/Cabarrus County, specifically within the female youth demographic.  The community's reception of the Legacies Scholars and Empowerment Program has been extremely positive and has assisted with the recruitment of new participants.  Through the social media exposure of the two recent activities attended by the participants, many community members have indicated that the Scholars program is a worthwhile opportunity for young girls in our area.

Providing young females in our county to STEM careers/opportunities will allow the young women to develop a focus on math and science and adequately prepare for academic success while in middle and high school to become successful students in the post-secondary arena and the workforce. The community benefits from students who attain degrees and return to their communities to enter the workforce and become productive citizens.

Impact Goal #1

The Legacies Scholars and Empowerment Program will become a premier program for academic, cultural, and social  preparedness within the Concord/Cabarrus County, NC community for underrepresented/underserved youth within the next five years.

Impact Goal #2

The Legacies Scholars and Empowerment Program will focus on the development of young girls in STEM during the first year.

When implementing youth programs, there are many approaches for evaluation methodology that involve different ways to collect data.  For the purposes of the Leading Legacies Scholars and Empowerment Program the evaluation methodology will include a mixed-methods approach of combining qualitative and quantitative data collection.

The data collection will include:

·      Document Review (referrals,  Intake forms, activity reports, academic progress reports, contact logs, surveys & interviews with participants /families/staff)

·      Quantitative - Numeric Data Sources (Pre, Mid and Post-Tests)

·      Qualitative – Data Sources ( Focus Groups, Interviews, Observations, Surveys, and Video collections)

The data collection will be ongoing throughout the year, each year of the program’s implementation.  Year five will serve as the tabulation and tracking period for reporting and dissemination of results.  Interim reporting will take place at the end of each program year to provide the funding source(s) with quality assurance information on the program’s progress and impact within the community, with a five-year comprehensive report prepared for dissemination to the public.

In February 2021, a Customer Development Survey was administered to individuals representing education, government, nonprofit, and private sectors within Cabarrus County.  The survey was designed to assess the need for an entity like the Leading Legacies Consulting Services LLC and the programs that it would provide to youth and nonprofits in the community. A synopsis of the responses indicated the following:

·      11% of the respondents had no knowledge or limited knowledge of any youth empowerment organizations in Cabarrus County that provided academic tutoring, college scholarship search assistance, cultural/educational experiences, or tours for underserved youth.

·      Only 22% of the respondents were aware of any minority male youth empowerment/mentoring programs in Cabarrus County.

·      100% of the respondents believed there is an at-risk youth population in Cabarrus County that would benefit from assistance/or intervention services in the areas of academics, cultural and social activities.

·      100% of the respondents listed the following reasons for youth in Cabarrus County being identified as at-risk: Socio-Economic reasons, juvenile court involvement, academic inequities, absentee fathers/lack of father figures, environmental challenges/disparities in educational opportunities, and lack of access to programs that model productive citizenship.

·      100% of the respondents were not aware of any groups that provide grant-writing services to nonprofits in Cabarrus County and 100% of the respondents feel there is a definite need for such services.

·      100% of the respondents were likely to support or their organization was likely to support a new youth empowerment venture that also provides free services to nonprofits organizations serving youth.

·      50% of the respondents represented the educational community, 22% represented local government, 11% represented the nonprofit community, and 11% represented the private sector.

is important to understand that students who are “College and Career Ready” while in high school are more prepared to embrace the rigors of post-secondary life.  Subsequently, these same students often time return to their respective communities and become productive citizens. Because there is a disparity in college and career readiness within the minority (primarily Black) high school student population, as it relates to their Caucasian counterparts, students of color in Cabarrus County are at a disadvantage of obtaining a college education and/or obtaining gainful employment in their communities. A student who can successfully pursue some form of post-secondary education or acquire a trade skill  paying a substantial livable income can contribute immensely to the economics of their communities. An introduction to STEM careers opens the door of opportunity for youth, especially female youth who are often excluded from the conversations and experiences of the math and science arenas.

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One Full-Time Staff /Program Director

Three proposed Board of Directors

Since 2021 ( Two Years)

Program Director - Dr. Monica Lee-Currie (Black Female), holds the following degrees:

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science

Master of Science in Human Services Administration

PhD in Education with a concentration in Leadership and Educational Administration

Dr. Currie has 19 years of experience teaching in the public school system of North Carolina, five years of academic tutoring, and five years of experience as a former Vice-President of Student Affairs. Dr. Currie’s experience also includes curriculum development, grant-writing, and student programming.  The Boys II Men Male Empowerment Program is a successful program developed by Dr. Currie that has spanned over 20 years with a focus on empowering at-risk males to become productive and successful citizens in society.  Additionally, Dr. Currie is an experienced and successful grant-writer who has written and secured funding for Training and Development programs in Milwaukee, Wi,  Student Affairs programming  in Concord, NC and more recently approximately $300,000 for the Cabarrus Youth Development Center, where she previously served as the Math and Science Department Chairperson in the Education Unit. In the area of educational tours/trips, Dr. Currie has organized numerous interstate college and graduate school  tours, as well as civil rights tours of the South for underserved students, as a means of exposure to educational opportunities that were not available to them.

Proposed Board of Directors Chairperson - Ms. Courtney Currie holds the following degrees:

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Sociology

Master of Arts in Education and Clinical and Mental Health Counseling

Ms. Currie has a wealth of experience as a Career Counselor, Co-Program Academic Tutor, and Director of the Professional Career Development Institute (PCDI) at the University of North Carolina @ Pembroke.  Ms. Currie also  has completed undergraduate and graduate internships with the Robeson County Office of Probation and with and several mental health agencies in Lumberton and Pembroke, NC. As a November 2020 graduate of the first Virtual Concord 101 Program, Ms. Currie gained extensive knowledge of Cabarrus County government agencies and services and has been able to identify an overwhelming need for the types of programs and services that Legacies Scholar and Empowerment Program will provide to the underrepresented  and underserved populations in the county, with an initial emphasis on young females in STEM.

Revenue Model/Primary Revenue Stream

Initial Setup fees = $5,000

Service cost per client per month x 24 months=$124,800

Monthly Recurring Costs (MRR) x 24 months= $52,800

Cultural and Educational Experiences = $50,000

Breakdown

(26) clients @$200 per month for 24 months=  $124,800

MRR @ $2200 per month for 24 months               52,800

(8) Cultural/Educational Experiences for 24 months      50,000

Initial Setup fees         5,000

Total  $232,600

Minimum Support Needed (Grants) for 24 months=             $232,600

Revenue will for the program will come form the following sources:

* Grants ( local, state, national, public and private)

* Once non profit status is established ( charitable donations)

The Leading Legacies Consulting Services LLC has obtained financial sustainability since July 2021 through grant-writing and business consulting.  As of this date, the following clients have paid for consultation and grant-writing services along with successful grants obtained:

Buffalos Concerned for Youth (BC4Y) - Salisbury, NC

Kajeet Homework Gap Grant - $25,000 in Technology for Literacy Program

Dollar General Literacy Foundation - $4,000 for Literacy Program

Stepping Stone Group Home Services for Youth - Salisbury, NC

Accion/Fast Break for Businesses Grant - $10,000 for Operational Costs

S.W.A.G.G.A. - Students with Academic Gifts and Goals to be Acknowledged - Salisbury, NC

Salisbury/Rowan Community Foundation - $3,500 for After-School Mentoring/Tutoring Program