N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension Conference Aims to Strengthen Communities Oct. 22

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Sept. 30, 2020) – Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, in partnership with its Strategic Planning Council, will connect real people with real issues and real strategies during the Grassroots Leadership Conference on Thursday, Oct. 22.

With the current inability to gather in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference will be offered virtually to protect the health and safety of staff and guests. The conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will focus on the theme “Creating Equitable Solutions for Stronger Communities.”

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by Oct. 14 at http://bit.ly/Grassroots2020.

The conference will allow grassroots community leaders and organizations to network, learn about new program initiatives, and identify possible strategies to support equitable solutions that support planning and programming decisions in their communities. 

Jermaine Davis, Ph.D., professor of communication studies at Century College and Organizational Leadership at St. Catherine University in Minnesota, will give a keynote address at the start of the conference. Davis is an exceptional speaker, author and personal development coach.

The keynote will be followed by concurrent breakout sessions on a variety of topics that will allow participants to brainstorm solutions around important community issues.

Who should attend?

•             Civic leaders, community volunteers and community organizations

•             Youth and families

•             Extension users and groups

•             Farm/business owners

•             Landowners

•             Town/city, county, state and federal elected officials

The goal of the conference is to inspire and influence the public across the state and to engage community leaders who have the authority to execute change. The conference is supported by North Carolina Cooperative Extension. For more information, please email Michelle Eley, Ph.D., at mleley@ncat.edu or Crystal Headen at cdheadon@ncat.edu.