In 2016, LAEDA was selected from more than 100 applications in New Jersey to receive the Neighborhood Builders Grant.  This grant awarded stellar organizations with $200,000 in flexible funding and executive training for the CEO and an emerging leader in the organization.  The training in Charlotte was the third of three trainings.  The first training in Houston, Texas was for emerging leaders, the second in Alexandria, Virginia for the CEOs and the third, bringing together both.  "The Neighborhood Builder designation means so much to LAEDA", said Ray Lamboy, President & CEO.  "This validates all the hard work we've been doing for the past 30 years." 

The training was held over three days and included numerous topics.  Executives were emersed in a discussion of the "Independent Sector" and our roles as leaders in developing our non-profits like any other business in the private sector.  As with businesses in the private sector, non-profits must develop an impactful social solution model, back it up with solid research and performance and attract social impact investors.  "Change the Story Change the World" oriented leaders to the importance of effective storytelling to raising the importance of the issues we are working to address and our impact. "I am so thankful to Bank of America and Ray for selecting me to attend this exciting conference," said Jamila Powell, Program Manager. "The session on storytelling was so powerful.  It really opened my eyes to the nuances of telling a good story that conveys our impact in the world."

The Neighborhood Builders heard from several speakers discussing their organizations and leadership challenges.  One of the keynote address was made by Fr. Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, CA.  One quote that made us thinks was, “Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it.” 

Attendees were treated to numerous downtime events including dinner out a local restaurant and a screening of the Vietnam War documentary at the Mint Museum in downtown Charlotte.  Ray and Jamila host their own Dine Around by endulged in authentic southern soul food downtown at Mirt's Hear & Soul Cafe....delicious.