Belk Endowment executive calls for systemic change in preparing youth for career success

Belk Endowment executive director Kristy Teskey gave the keynote address

Business, education, government and nonprofit leaders from across Durham convened Nov. 4 for Made Durham’s inaugural Power of Partnership Summit.

The event celebrated the partnership’s success in launching a community-wide effort to create an education-to-career system that ensures all Durham youth graduate from high school, earn a post-secondary credential and secure a career by age 25.

Executive Director Meredythe Holmes reported on the state of the partnership. She applauded partners for their commitment to “helping all of Durham’s young people share in the prosperity of our region by securing life-sustaining employment and building a strong talent pipeline for our companies.”

Keynote speaker Kristy Teskey, executive director of the John M. Belk Endowment, called for systemic change to ensure all North Carolina youth attain the education and skills necessary to earn a living wage. She urged partners to commit to the long haul of systems change and “Find your grounding. Be counted and be accountable. Don’t confuse early returns with the big payoff.”

Summit sponsors were (Silver) 21c Museum Hotel, FHI 360, Fidelity Investments, Measurement Incorporated and SunTrust and (Bronze) Piedmont Investment Advisers Inc. and Self-Help.