The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) 2021-2022 Annual Report

Who We Are

The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) is an organization of nearly 1500 Charlotte-area women. The League is a diverse group that welcomes all women who support the League’s mission of advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. In addition, League members serve on numerous boards and coalitions throughout the region, as well as lead a variety of business, civic and nonprofit organizations.

• The JLC is a member of The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI), which comprises 295 Leagues throughout the US, Great Britain, Mexico and Canada, with a collective membership of more than 155,000 women.

• Founded in 1926, the JLC has provided more than 1.6 million volunteer hours and $13.7 million in contributions to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

The Journey of a Lifetime - Stages of membership

Provisional – This is the first year of membership in the League. Provisional members are focused on gaining exposure to and a greater understanding of the League’s community involvement, partners and fundraising.

Active – Active members focus on community partners, running the League effectively, communicating our story and fundraising. They receive continuous training to become effective volunteers and civic leaders.

Sustainer – Upon achieving “Active” requirements, members may transition to Sustainer status, remaining involved in League work, fundraising and advising partners and projects.

Leadership Development

Training is at the heart of the JLC’s mission to empower women as they empower others and build stronger communities. Leadership programs include Get on Board, the Leadership Development Institute (LDI) and the Public Policy Institute (PPI). Additionally, monthly Training workshops focus on a variety of professional, leadership, health and personal growth topics.

Mission Statement

Community Projects & Placements

JLC run community projects: Kids in the Kitchen, Done in a Day JLC community partnerships: Alexander Youth Network, Bright Blessings, Center for Community Transitions, Charlotte Bilingual Preschool, Charlotte Speech & Hearing, Classroom Central, Digi-Bridge, Heart Math Tutoring, Renaissance West Community Initiative, Sugar Creek Charter School and Thompson Child & Family Focus

Advocacy

Since 1926, the JLC has been committed to advocating for the issues and causes of importance to its members, including the children and families of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. It builds coalitions with likeminded organizations and promotes awareness and dialogue among JLC membership and the community. The JLC has two committees dedicated to advocacy and public awareness. The JLC’s Advocacy and Public Awareness Committee, in partnership with the JLC Public Policy Institute, educates JLC members, community organizations and policymakers on issues facing the communities we serve. Our advocacy efforts fall into the following activities:

• Drafting policy recommendations

• Acting as JLC liaisons with city, state and federal legislators

• Hosting voter registration drives and Meet the Candidate events

2020-2021 Award Recipients

• Founders Award: Arina Kirk

• Outstanding Service: The Honorable Rickye McKoy-Mitchell

• Spirit of the League: Laura Ashley Crawford

• Provisional of the Year: Frieda Miller

• Sustainer of the Year: Kay Sowers

• Transfer of the Year: Anna Reilly

• Community Partner: Bright Blessings

• Community Placement: Charlotte Bilingual Preschool

• In-League Placement: Social Committee

The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, to developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Vision Statement

The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. will be a leading force in improving the lives of children and families in the Charlotte community.

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment Statement

The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. welcomes all women who value our Mission. We are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations and communities.

Community Impact

The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) commits financial and volunteer resources to community agencies and projects that focus on the most critical needs of the Charlotte community. From June 2018 through May 2023, the JLC partners with our community to ensure that all children are school-ready by focusing on the health and educational needs of children from birth to fifth grade in priority areas of Mecklenburg County.

Thank you!

Thank you to our volunteers who have donated their time, energy, skills and funds to support the JLC’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Thank you to our individual and corporate donors who have allowed us to increase our impact on children and families in the Charlotte community. We are grateful for the generosity of all who support the Junior League of Charlotte. Our work to be agents of change in our community is possible because of you!

JLC Board of Directors

2021-2022

Kellie Lofton President

Whitney Hill Executive Vice President

Christina Gratrix President-Elect

Terri White Executive Vice President-Elect

Walker McLear Chief Financial Officer

Pia Foard Secretary

Brandi Edwards Nominating Chair

Spencer Lash Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Ayanna Wakefield Member-at-Large

Jayna Altman Member-at-Large

Tametta Gray Member-at-Large

Allie Hanson Member-at-Large

Casey Cogburn Member-at-Large

Sherri Sonnier-Johnson Member-at-Large

Amanda Bagwell Member-at-Large

Erin Breeden Member-at-Large

Kate Stewart Member-at-Large

Lori O’Keefe Sustaining Advisor to the President

Whitni Wilson-Wertz Sustaining Advisor to the President-Elect

JLC Management Team

Whitney Hill Executive Vice President

Terri White Executive Vice President-Elect

Christina Gratrix President-Elect

Rachel Besnoff VP of Finance

Ashley Lowery Nominating Vice Chair

Sherri Belfield Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Morgan Squatriglia Risk Manager

Sarah Lynn Davis Human Resources Manager

Becca Walters Human Resources Assistant Manager

Shannon Eckard Community Impact Manager

Carolyn Benton Community Impact Assistant Manager

Juliana O’Rork Communications Manager

Janica Buckley Communications Assistant Manager

Paris McAdoo Education and Training Manager

Briana McNeil Education and Training Assistant Manager

Alexandra Whitesell Fund Development Manager

Caley DeSaussure Fund Development Assistant Manager

Betsy Conway Sustaining Advisor to Executive Vice President

Lisa Johnson Sustaining Advisor to Executive Vice President- Elect

2021-2022 Annual Report Financials:

To view our complete 2021-2022 audited financial statements, please visit www.jlcharlotte.org.