Revitalizing a 50-year diaspora institution for the next generation.

Executive Summary

As Public Relations Chair (2021–2023) and strategic advisor (2024–2026) to the Liberian Community Association of Greater Charlotte (LIBAC), I led a multi-year organizational transformation of a 50-year-old diaspora nonprofit serving one of Charlotte's fastest-growing immigrant communities. This work spanned crisis response during COVID-19, communications strategy, and a comprehensive organizational development initiative positioning LIBAC for long-term sustainability. Timeline: 2021–2026 (5 years). Scope: 501(c)(3) serving thousands of Liberian immigrants in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Context: A Community at a Crossroads

Founded in 1996 (originally as LICOMA) to unite Liberian immigrants fleeing civil war, LIBAC had become critical infrastructure for Charlotte's Liberian diaspora — one of the largest in the United States. But by 2024, the organization faced an existential crisis.

Leadership Crisis

• Founding leadership aging out without succession plan
• Board burnout and disengagement
• No institutional knowledge transfer system
• History of contentious leadership transitions

Mission Drift

• 1990s mission no longer relevant to 2024 community needs
• Programming disconnected from second-generation Liberians
• Unclear value proposition to potential members
• No strategic vision beyond annual cultural events

Operational Dysfunction

• Financial instability (event-dependent revenue model)
• No strategic plan or measurable objectives
• Fragmented communication (no centralized database, reliance on word-of-mouth)
• Minimal partnerships with other Charlotte organizations

Community Disconnection

• Declining volunteer participation
• Low awareness of LIBAC activities outside core members
• Second-generation Liberians (U.S.-born youth) felt disconnected from organization
• No formal needs assessment of community priorities

The COVID-19 Catalyst (2020–2021)

The pandemic intensified existing challenges while creating urgent community needs:

• Liberian immigrants (many in service industries) faced job loss
• Language barriers complicated access to unemployment benefits
• Lack of centralized information on COVID resources
• Isolation exacerbated mental health challenges
• Community members needed burial assistance as COVID deaths mounted

Phase 1: Crisis Response & Communications (2021–2023)

Role: Public Relations Chair & Membership Chair. As an appointed committee member, I led LIBAC's pandemic response and external communications strategy.

Humanitarian Aid Coordination

• PPE Distribution: Organized donation drives and distributed masks, sanitizer, and hygiene products to 100+ families
• Food Security: Coordinated need-based food vouchers for families experiencing job loss
• Housing Assistance: Connected members to mortgage/rent relief programs
• Burial Support: Established fund to assist families with funeral expenses (contributed to 8 burial expense funds)
• Senior Care Packages: Delivered canned goods and hygiene products to elderly community members

Communications Infrastructure Building

• Social Media Revitalization: Rebuilt dormant Instagram (@libac) and Facebook presence
• Database Development: Created first centralized contact database (transitioned from paper lists to digital system)
• Newsletter Launch: Established regular email communications to keep community informed
• Community Resource Guide: Compiled places of worship, recommended businesses, and city/state information for new immigrants

Membership Growth & Engagement

• Volunteer Recruitment: Launched campaigns to rebuild volunteer base
• Event Promotion: Marketed youth development programs (back-to-school events, scholarship recognition)
• Cultural Celebrations: Promoted Independence Day festivities, bowling events, and community gatherings
• Economic Empowerment: Spotlighted Liberian-owned small businesses

Phase 2: Strategic Assessment (Sept–Dec 2024)

Role: Volunteer Strategic Advisor. After stepping off the board to focus on my MPA studies and corporate career, I was invited back in 2024 to lead LIBAC's organizational renewal as the 2020–2024 administration prepared to transition.

Introduction to LIBAC Deck

I developed a comprehensive Introduction to LIBAC presentation to articulate history and mission, create materials for partnership development, establish credibility for grant applications, and onboard new board members. It became LIBAC's first professional marketing collateral and was used in presentations to city council members and corporate sponsors.

Organizational Assessment

• SWOT Analysis: Facilitated board workshop identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats — key insight: cultural credibility was the strength; lack of systems was the weakness
• Community Engagement: Surveys distributed to 100+ members; focus groups with elders, youth, women, entrepreneurs; town halls for open input
• Financial Audit: Identified unsustainable revenue model (90% event ticket sales); no grant funding despite 501(c)(3) status; minimal expense tracking

Key Findings

• Community wanted: youth programming, professional networking, immigration support, mental health resources, advocacy
• Generational gap: second generation felt LIBAC was "for my parents, not for me"
• Equity concerns: women and youth felt underrepresented in leadership

Phase 3: Strategic Planning & Roadmap (Oct 2024 – Jan 2026)

I designed LIBAC's first written strategic plan with measurable 3-year goals across five priority areas: Membership Growth, Youth Engagement, Financial Sustainability, Community Impact, and Advocacy & Civic Engagement.

Implementation Roadmap

• Oct–Dec 2024 — Foundation: Assessments, community engagement, leadership evaluation, mission/vision refresh
• Jan–Mar 2025 — Strategy Development: Finalize plan, improve communications infrastructure, launch fundraising
• Apr–Sep 2025 — Implementation: Execute priorities, enhance operational systems, rebrand if necessary
• Oct–Dec 2025 — Sustainability: Succession planning, leadership pipeline, knowledge management
• Jan 2026 — Transition Support: Equip incoming administration with playbooks and transition documents

Governance Restructuring

• Board Competency Matrix: Identified expertise needed in fundraising, legal/compliance, communications, youth programming, financial management, and grant writing
• Committee Structure: Designed five charters — Fundraising, Community Engagement, Program Development, Communications, Advocacy
• Advisory Council: Recommended creating an advisory board of subject-matter experts (immigration lawyers, nonprofit consultants, corporate sponsors)

Deliverables

• Introduction to LIBAC Presentation — mission, history, leadership, desired impact
• Revitalizing LIBAC Strategic Roadmap (12 slides) — mission/vision, SWOT, governance, 3-year plan, sustainability
• Operational Toolkits — board recruitment, fundraising playbook, communications templates, volunteer management, event planning
• Organizational Handbook (50+ pages) — history, bylaws, committee charters, financial procedures, SOPs, institutional knowledge
• Transition Package for 2026 Leadership — strategic plan with Year 1 action items, KPI dashboard, stakeholder database, partnership pipeline

Immediate Outcomes (2021–2024)

• Served 100+ families during COVID-19 pandemic
• Distributed PPE, food vouchers, housing assistance; contributed to 8 burial funds
• Rebuilt social media presence; created first centralized contact database
• Promoted youth events, cultural celebrations, small business spotlights
• Positioned LIBAC as trusted community resource during crisis

Strategic Planning Outcomes (2024–2026)

• First comprehensive 3-year plan in organization's 50-year history
• 75+ members engaged in needs assessment
• Board restructuring with 5 specialized committees
• 50+ pages of toolkits, templates, and SOPs
• Full transition package for 2026 administration
• Professional materials for funders, city officials, corporate sponsors

Long-Term Impact

• Mission Clarity — clearly articulated mission reflecting contemporary diaspora needs
• Governance Professionalization — structure mirrors nonprofit best practices, enabling institutional grants
• Financial Sustainability Pathway — membership dues + grants + sponsorships + events reduces event dependency
• Intergenerational Bridge — youth programming and second-generation leadership for organizational continuity
• Civic Infrastructure — able to partner with city government, school systems, and workforce development agencies
• Cultural Preservation — documentation ensures 50 years of community-building isn't lost during transitions

Approach Principles

• Diaspora-Centered Design — honored language nuance, generational dynamics, and trust built through shared heritage
• Crisis + Strategy Integration — used pandemic response as a catalyst for permanent infrastructure
• Capacity Building, Not Dependency — plain-language toolkits, editable templates, embedded training
• Bridging Corporate & Grassroots — translated Fortune 500 methodologies for volunteer-led capacity

Lessons Learned

• Pro bono requires boundaries — even for community work
• Documentation is an act of love — treating institutional memory as community preservation
• Change agents need internal champions — leadership endorsement creates permission to lead
• Second-generation engagement requires intentional programming, not invitations to adult events