To kick off Black History Month, QCity Metro launched its fourth annual Great 28 list, which celebrates 28 Black Charlotteans helping to make the city a better place to live, work and play.
Chris Jackson, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, tops the 2024 list.
Under the leadership of Jackson, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont has served more than 30,000 people in our community; since 2021, closes all 34 of its retail stores to celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; participated in a racial equity challenge with United Way; made creating space and time for authentic conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging an organizational priority; established an internal DEIB advocacy group; and unveiled a renewed mission, vision, and value statement for the organization.
Jackson led the charge to increase wages for frontline team members and enhance benefits offerings for all team members, which resulted in an investment of approximately $4 million in team members in 2022.
Additionally, Jackson is walking the talk to honor the nonprofit’s Shared Purpose to help people see possibilities, seize opportunities and prosper. Through his leadership, the organization is committed to growth and career progression for team members. The organization has introduced Pathways, a coach-based model for team members to identify their personal and professional goals and work in partnership with a coach and career navigator to help them to pursue their aspirations.
When asked by the publication why he enjoys doing this work, Jackson simply said, “We advocate for people to be able to participate in the economy with pride, and to wake up each day with a sense of hope and purpose. That’s what drives me.”
Honorees are nominated by individuals and organizations in the Charlotte community. From there, a team made up of QCity Metro staff, readers and volunteers makes final selections.
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