Preparing for the Count:
Strengthening Our Collective Impact
Monday, April 20th, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Breakfast and networking will be from 9:00-10:00 a.m., and the program will begin at 10:00 a.m.
About
NC Counts Coalition’s 2026 Annual Statewide Convening will bring together members, allies, and partners from across North Carolina to deepen connection, strengthen collaboration, and advance our shared readiness for the 2030 Census and beyond.
This year’s theme, “Preparing for the Count: Strengthening Our Collective Impact,” reflects our commitment to uplifting communities, supporting our coalition members, and equipping partners with the tools needed to drive meaningful, long-term, sustainable change.
Participants will gain insights, strategies, and actionable approaches to engage in NC Counts’ priority initiatives, including census education, civic engagement, digital equity, behavioral health, and community capacity building.
Join us in Wilmington as we connect, learn, and prepare for the work ahead. Together, we will continue to build a healthy, just, and equitable North Carolina.
Together, we MAKE NC COUNT!
GET A GLIMPSE OF WHAT’S COMING AT OUR CONVENING.
WATCH THE VIDEO!
Agenda
9:00-9:45 a.m.
BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING
9:45-11:00 a.m.
WELCOME AND INTENTIONS
Stacey Carless, Founding Executive Director, NC Counts Coalition
GREETINGS FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS
Salette Andrews, City Councilmember, Wilmington
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Michael Jacobs, Chief, Waccamaw Siouan Tribe
OPENING PLENARY: – Fireside Chat Discussion
Stacey Carless, Founding Executive Director, NC Counts Coalition
John Quinterno, Governor’s Census Liaison and State Data Center Coordinator
11:00-11:45 a.m.
LEADING WITH EQUITY: EFFECTIVE PRACTICES FOR GENERATIVE LEARNING
This dynamic plenary session, led by Emerging Equity, will explore how we can strengthen our work through reflection, communication, and curiosity. Grounded in an equity-centered framework, participants will be invited to examine their perspectives, improve how they engage in meaningful conversations, and build deeper, more effective relationships across communities.
Through interactive prompts and real-world application, this session will offer practical tools to support behavioral health, civic engagement, and capacity building. Come ready to reflect, learn, and reimagine what is possible as we work together to create lasting impact.
Tina Vasquez, CEO and Manager, Emerging Equity
11:45-11:55 a.m.
BREAK
11:55 a.m. – 12:55 p.m.
MORNING BREAKOUT SESSION (see below)
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
LUNCH
1:35-1:55 p.m.
AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION – FROM COUNT TO COMMUNITY IMPACT
Reginald Speight, Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development (REDD), N.C. Department of Commerce
2:00-2:25 p.m.
MOVEMENT ACTIVITY
2:30-3:30 p.m.
AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSION (see below)
3:40-4:20 p.m.
FUNDERS’ PANEL – BETTER TOGETHER FUNDERS AND NONPROFITS
Join us for a candid, fireside-style conversation with philanthropic leaders as we explore how funding really works in North Carolina. Hear directly from funders about their roles, how decisions are made, and what it takes to build strong, meaningful relationships.
This session will offer practical insights on securing funding, strengthening partnerships, and reimagining how nonprofits and funders can work together to support community-driven solutions. Bring your questions and be part of the conversation.
Sarah Mann Willcox, Executive Director, N.C. Network of Grantmakers
Linh Pham, Community and Capacity Development Manager, John Rex Endowment
John Francis, Program Officer, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
4:25 p.m.
CLOSING REMARKS
Stacey Carless, Founding Executive Director, NC Counts Coalition
Breakout Sessions
Behavioral Health: Practical Strategies for Youth Wellness
Session Presenter(s):
Debra Allen, EBC-ATOM, Inc.
LaTonya Joyner-Griffin, EBC-ATOM, Inc.
Session Description:
The participatory workshop explores how nonprofits can support youth behavioral health using community-rooted, non-stigmatizing approaches. Participants will engage in exercises to demonstrate how culturally grounded language, trusted messengers, and community-based settings can create safer entry points for conversations about youth behavioral health.
Capacity Building: Tech Tools for Nonprofits:
Smart Systems for Greater Impact
Session Presenter(s):
Wilmenia Gripper, 1,2,3 JUMP
Session Description:
The activity-based workshop features live demonstrations of tech tools and group discussions. Participants will explore accessible tools to automate repetitive tasks, simplify content creation, and strengthen internal collaboration. Participants are encouraged to bring their laptops due to the interactive nature of the workshop.
Civic Engagement: Pathways to Power: Increase the Effectiveness of Your Civic Engagement
Session Presenter(s):
Marques Thompson, Democracy NC Organizing Director
Session Description:
This interactive training session serves as a condensed primer for Democracy North Carolina’s full “Pathways to Power” curriculum. The format blends short, dynamic lectures with guided small-group exercises.
Speakers
Reginald Speight
Assistant Secretary of the Rural Economic Development Division, N.C. Department of Commerce
Other Information
NC Counts Coalition is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to building a healthy, just, and equitable North Carolina through cross-sector partnerships that advance systemic solutions for communities facing systemic barriers, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, LGBTQ+, low wealth, immigrant, and other communities. All staff, board, organizational members, and participants are required to adhere to the following behaviors when representing NC Counts or participating in any activity or event organized by NC Counts:
● Uphold NC Counts’ values of: inclusiveness, empowerment, integrity, resilience, collaboration, learning, and collective impact.
● Act honestly, truthfully and with integrity.
● Treat every individual with dignity and respect.
● Remain nonpartisan at all times.
● Appropriately handle conflicts.
● Act responsibly toward one another and toward the communities we serve.
● Refrain from using any verbally, physically, or visually abusive or harassing language or behavior towards any other participant.
Any failure to adhere to these behaviors will result in consequences for the individual and/or the organization that the individual represents. Examples of consequences include: a verbal or written warning, temporary or permanent suspension from participating in NC Counts Coalition activities, and/or the rescinding of an organization’s membership.
If you experience or witness behavior that is inconsistent with the code of conduct, please notify us at partners@nccounts.org. Personal information related to reports related to this code of conduct will be shared only to the extent necessary to investigate, or as required by law.
Thank you for your cooperation in creating an inclusive environment for NC Counts Coalition members and guests!
We encourage participants to make sure they are vaccinated and boosted before the event and to test at home before arriving. Masking is optional. Additionally, if you’re not feeling well on the day of the event or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, we ask that you stay home.
NC Counts Coalition values the collaboration with our partners and seeks to capture moments of mutual empowerment and growth. Please be aware that by participating in this event, you may be photographed or recorded through pictures, audio, or video. These recordings may be utilized for various purposes including social media, websites, marketing initiatives, advertising campaigns, outreach efforts, promotional materials, and grant submissions. Your attendance at this event implies your consent to the use of your likeness or voice without any expectation of compensation. Furthermore, by attending, you release NC Counts Coalition, its representatives, and all involved parties from any liability associated with the use of media featuring your image, voice, or likeness.
The dress code is “casual”. Because the facility is large, it is hard to regulate heating and cooling to the satisfaction of all. Therefore, it is wise to dress in layers and bring a light sweater to stay warm.
- Can I register at the venue?
- No. In order to ensure adequate space and food availability, we ask all attendees to register IN ADVANCE of the event.
- What accessibility supports are available for this event?
- There will be ample parking in general and designated parking spaces for guests with disabilities. We will also have a designated indoor space that attendees can use for prayer, pumping, etc. Please see the Registration Form for more information or to request additional accommodations.
- Additional information regarding interpretation:
- Simultaneous English-Spanish interpretation will be provided. Please send any interpretation questions to Alexa Anderson at alexa@nccounts.org or by phone at (503) 510-9414.
More information coming soon!
