The Moore County Chamber of Commerce is one of nine organizations selected by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) to participate in the second cohort of a national program to help strengthen chamber of commerce partnerships with community colleges and community organizations to increase the number of adult learners of color who earn an industry-relevant credential or degree.

“The importance of equitable access to credentials cannot be overstated. In today's rapidly evolving job market, having the right credentials is often the key to unlocking opportunities for personal and professional growth," said Linda Parsons, President and CEO of the Moore County Chamber, in a press release. “This Cohort will allow collaboration among stakeholders and implementing strategies to remove barriers and increase educational attainment and professional success. I am eager to explore ways in which our organization can deepen engagement with employers as a strategy for placing workers after they have earned a credential.”

Partnerships between Chambers of Commerce and community colleges have the potential to significantly increase the number of adult learners of color completing high-quality, relevant short-term credentials and degrees. Lumina Foundation has provided a grant to jumpstart progress to support the development of these partnerships and increase the number of workers with in-demand credentials and degrees. 

The ACCE Foundation and American Association of Community Colleges identified a virtual cohort of teams from nine cities or regions. Each team will comprise a chamber, a community college partner and an organization that directly represents the community.

The Moore County Chamber will team up with Sandhills Community College and the Southern Pines Land and Housing Trust to identify the barriers to credential attainment and create quick-

win solutions to address those challenges. They will join teams from nine other regions to gain access to national subject matter experts, receive customized technical assistance and engage in peer-to-peer learning activities to create a strategy for longer-term collaboration to build momentum after the grant period ends.

“We are grateful for Lumina Foundation’s continued support for the catalytic leadership chambers of commerce provide in the communities they serve,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly in a press release. “Strong cross-sector partnerships are crucial to addressing workforce challenges, building resilient local economies and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.”