The Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative (MREI) in Charlotte, North Carolina, has announced a $1.8 million gift from the Gambrell Foundation in support of the Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU).

To date, MREI has raised more than $226 million of its overall $250 million goal, with more than $144 million raised of the $150 million private-sector fundraising goal. Launched in November 2021, MREI is designed to address racial inequities in Charlotte and help remove barriers to opportunity by transforming the historically Black college into a career-focused institution, bridging the digital divide, and establishing a center for digital equity.

The Gambrell investment will support expansion of JCSU’s academic offerings, recruitment of talent through career-oriented incentives, and the appointment of a leader who will champion positive change. With the gift, the JCSU component of the campaign surpassed its $80 million campaign goal.

“It’s an honor for the Gambrell Foundation to provide the cornerstone gift for this important campaign. Through our grants to organizations supporting young people across Charlotte, we see so much potential for them to make a positive impact on our community and world,” said Gambrell Foundation president Sally Gambrell Bridgford. “We need strong institutions like JCSU to make their dreams a reality. That’s why we’re proud to partner with the university to ensure it has the resources to help transform lives.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Drazen Zigic)