About Us

Community Building Initiative (CBI) is a nonprofit organization established in 1997 by government and civic leaders to achieve racial and ethnic inclusion and equity in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. In Fall 2011, after two years of thoughtful deliberations, CBI leadership approved a broadened and deepened mission. While race and ethnicity remain a core programmatic focus, CBI is expanding its work to include other aspects of diversity such as gender, religion, sexual orientation and socio-economic class/economic status. In addition, because of the urgency of the growing economic divide which disproportionally impacts communities of color, CBI will also deepen and strengthen its commitment and capacity to address the fundamental matter of equity.

Our Vision
To achieve inclusion and equity
in our community

Our Mission
To intensify the commitment and increase the capacity of individuals and organizations to build a more inclusive and
equitable community.

Our Core Values

• CBI believes the Charlotte Mecklenburg community is at its best when all of us are included and are treated fairly and with respect.
• CBI believes our community will be inclusive when all individuals and identity groups feel valued and our differences are not only accepted but are respected. Identity groups are composed of individuals in our community who share common characteristics such as race, economic status, sexual orientation, age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religious backgrounds, or physical ability.
• CBI believes our community will be equitable when all individuals and identity groups have equal rights under the law, access to livelihood, education, healthcare and other resources and full opportunity to participate in the political, legal, social, and cultural life of this community.
• CBI believes these values make common sense, business sense, and moral sense and is committed to these ideals for the benefit of this generation and generations to come.

Our Values in Action

• CBI makes connections across difference to raise awareness, to equip people with skills and to inspire response and action.
• CBI partners with individuals and organizations to provide a platform to grapple with timely and significant issues relating to access, equity and inclusion.
• CBI offers expertise in the areas of community engagement and dialogue development to bridge differences in our community.
• CBI advocates to influence individuals and organizations to advance our mission by offering leadership and engagement programs, convening forums and conversations, collecting and disseminating information and responding quickly to issues that call for CBI’s perspective and unique capabilities.
• Finally, CBI recognizes that there may be situations that call for a heightened public response in order to be true to our mission and core values. Certain cases of exclusion or denial of legal rights may demand that CBI speak out or convene a special forum or take other actions including resolutions, letters to newspapers or other media, speaking out at public meetings or other communiques.

Adopted by the CBI Board of Directors on October 18, 2012