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About Us

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 BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+, low wealth, immigrant, and other communities.

Our Vision

A North Carolina where everyone counts and has a fair opportunity to reach their full potential.

Our Values

Inclusiveness

We champion inclusiveness and commit to representation, diversity and inclusivity in all of our work. We will foster a space at our table where everyone is seen, heard and valued.

Resilience

Things don’t always go as planned or hoped for. NC Counts Coalition strives to recover from setbacks, adapt to change and keep our work moving forward in the face of adversity.

Integrity

We will be open, honest and accountable in our relationships with everyone we work with and with each other. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, service, and fiduciary responsibility.

Collective Impact

We are better when we work together. We aim to strengthen our partners because that strengthens our collective impact. Our work will be driven by clear and focused tactics and strategies that are in alignment with our mission, vision and values, and relationships that result in impact.

Our organizing infrastructure is rooted in equity and with our partners we work collectively to reduce silos, maximize resources and incorporate diverse voices with the intention to shift power dynamics and create systemic change that achieves a healthy, just and equitable North Carolina.

Empowerment

We are people-centered. We look at communities holistically and support work that nurtures genuine and transformational relationships within communities. We commit to work that empowers communities by understanding and addressing different forms of oppression that impact people’s lives.

Learning

We will foster a learning community where NC Counts Coalition and partners can share knowledge and learn from each other. We commit to challenging ourselves and looking past short-term impact for long-term solutions that will advance equity.

Collaboration

With an innovative and empowering spirit, we aim to build a broad coalition that crosses issues and brings unlikely allies to the table, facilitating cross sector partnerships and collaborations that result in shared strategies to shape collective impact.

Our History

NC Counts Coalition was established in 2017 to prepare North Carolina for Census 2020. The organization served as a hub to facilitate cross-sector partnerships and coordination among government, planning and community organizations, service providers, businesses and others to support a complete and accurate Census count for North Carolina. NC Counts strategically identified and addressed barriers to Census participation among traditionally undercounted communities (communities of color, foreign-born populations, young children and renters), and aligned stakeholders across the state to expand capacity for census mobilization, and to prevent duplicative efforts.

Board of Directors

Gwendolyn Kea

she/her/hers

Conchita McIver

she/her/hers

Ieshia Robertson

she/her/hers

Dr. Allisa Shepard

she/her/hers

Jorge Sousa, III

he/him/his

Cornell Wright

he/him/his

Board of Directors Alumni

Juliana Cabrales

she/her/hers

Brandy Bynum Dawson

she/her/hers

Demetrius Deloatch

he/him/his

Juan G. Garcia

he/him/his

Dr. Rebecca Tippett

she/her/hers

Our Team

Stacey Carless, Esq.

Executive Director

she/her/hers

Aja Bullock

Policy and Equity Fellow

she/they

Alexa Anderson

Operations Coordinator

she/her/hers

Angélica R. Wind

Regional Director

she/her/hers

Angeline Echeverría

Director of Partnership

she/they

Byron Laws

Training & Capacity Building Manager

he/him/his

Cheryl Bryant

Regional Director

she/her/hers

Frankie Denise Powell 

Regional Director

she/her/hers

Kyle Hamilton Brazile 

Director of Civic Engagement

he/him/his

Maru Quintero

Communications and Outreach Manager

she/her/hers

Mary Jose (MJ) Espinosa

Senior Regional Coordinator

she/her/ella

Melissa Funderburk 

Regional Director

she/her/hers

Nakiya Smith

Regional Director

she/her/hers

Rita Henry

Director of Operations

she/her/hers

Shalondra Greenlee

Director of Recovery and Resiliency

she/her/hers

Tracy J. Mosley

Director of Communications and Outreach

she/her/hers

Wanda Parker

Operations Manager

she/her/hers

Join Our Team

Join our team at NC Counts and be part of a passionate community dedicated to making a difference through data-driven advocacy and community engagement.