MDC’s 24 in 2024

We’re excited to share with you 24 ways MDC worked to shape a South where all people can thrive. In 2024…

Reports + Research

1. MDC and UNC-Chapel Hill released reports on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in North Carolina and the South.
2. State of the South released six policy briefs following convenings in Charleston and Atlanta. Topics include Tuition Equity, Guaranteed Income, Heirs’ Property, Inclusionary Zoning, Eviction Proceedings ,and Housing Land Trusts.
3. MDC released Facing South, Moving Up: Why the South’s Future Depends on Upward Mobility by Autry Fellow, Simon Palmore.
4. North Carolina Inclusive Disaster Recovery (NCIDR), a network facilitated by MDC, released Landscape Review of Disaster Resources in North Carolina.
5. MDC’s Home-based Childcare team authored a three-part series on the history, policy, and factors leading to the current childcare crisis.
6. Rural Prosperity and Investment team released Equitable Climate Resilience in North Carolina report.
7. MDC+ NC Idea released Strengthening North Carolina’s Rural Entrepreneurship Future: Rural Entrepreneur & Ecosystem Partner Perspectives report.
8. Men and Women United for Youth & Families CDC (MWUYF) and MDC released the Economic Resilience Hub report.

Convenings + Advocacy

9. LENS-NC (Learning for Equity: A Network for Solutions) hosted a community showcase. Several organizations shared their research, programs, and other partnerships developed in alignment with their participation with LENS-NC.
10. NC Leading From Home (facilitated by MDC) hosts its first in-person gathering.
11. MDC joins advocates calling on legislature to support emergency childcare funding.
12. State of the South hosted 3-day convenings in Charleston, South Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia.
13. MDC’s Economic Security and Mobility team launches Student Debt Relief Coalition (SDRC) website.
14. NCIDR + NC Housing Coalition called on Gov. Roy Cooper and Chief Justice Paul Newby to enact an emergency moratorium blocking evictions and foreclosures following Hurricane Helene.

Organizational Highlights

15. MDC welcomes nine new full-time staff members: Andrea Halsey, Andriana Brockman, Cate Elander, Courtney Alexander, Daniel Bradford, Diana Williams, Jenna Bryant, Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn and Zulayka Santiago.
16. MDC welcomes new board member and elected new board officers.
17. Ralph Gildehaus, Senior Director of Economic Security and Mobility, retires from MDC after 16 years of exceptional leadership.

Programs + Partnerships

18. North Carolina Inclusive Disaster Recovery Network (NCIDR is facilitated by MDC) was recognized as “Best Cross-Sector Partner” at the North Carolina Housing Coalition Awards.
19. Roy Cooper announced that NC will join IRS Direct File in 2025, removing unnecessary hurdles and fees for more than 1.5 million taxpayers in the state. MDC facilitates the NC Tax Credit Coalition, which advocated for the Department of Revenue and Gov. Cooper to pursue Direct File.
20. Great Expectations release 2024 Impact Report, highlighting efforts to support early childhood work in Forsyth County, NC.
21. MDC + Hispanic Federation win historic EPA grant to support environmental justice and equitable disaster recovery in Eastern NC
22. Education Equity team wins IDEO.org’s Reimagine Childcare grant.
23. State of the South launches new website.

 MDC in the news

24. In 2024, MDC made over 17 media appearances, featured in outlets including: News and Observer, Charlotte Observer, EdNC, Decaturish, The Red and Black, Post and Courier, PBS-NC, ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox local affiliates.

None of this was possible without the dedicated work of our staff, board, partners, and friends. Your unwavering support propels our progress.  Thank you.

We hope you’ll consider a special year-end gift to help continue our work in 2025 and beyond.  Click here to donate.

For more on MDC’s work, check out our State of the South report, available in January.