About LNA
Did you know that 28208 is the most impoverished zip code in Charlotte, NC ? Children born into poverty face less than a 5% chance of upward mobility in their lifetime. Despite strong community bonds, Lakeview residents continue to face persistent barriers to housing, healthcare, and opportunity.
But progress is possible—and already happening. In 2014, Charlotte ranked 50th out of 50 major U.S. cities for economic mobility. Today, it’s 38th—a 24% improvement (Changing Opportunity study, Raj Chetty). Still, the opportunity gap remains stark. Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance is working to close that gap by placing power and possibility back into the hands of residents. At the core is our Quarterback Program, a two-generation, place-based strategy and proud part of United Way’s United Neighborhoods Program. Through it, we equip families to lead—not just receive—change. Residents co-design solutions, drive partnerships, and help shape equitable systems across housing, health, education, and economic mobility. (Good Enough Idea Generators)
At LNA, we’ve reimagined Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs into a continuum rooted in culture, community, and collective power. Rather than a linear climb, we view human needs as cyclical and interconnected, where belonging, identity, and purpose are not endpoints but essential building blocks. Guided by our LIVE GR8TLY Core 8 Principles, we design systems that honor this dynamic truth—where thriving means more than survival; it means shared dignity, ownership, and transformation. (Disrupt Things that get in the way of Big Dreams)
The Work Is Working. Let’s Keep Building.
In the last year, LNA has: (Make An Impact)
- Supported over 200 residents through wellness and mobility programs
- Prevented more than 25 household displacements
- Equipped over 100 youth as community changemakers
- Distributed over $150,000 in critical support
- 97% Trust Rate among Residents
With your support, we aim to catalyze another 24% gain in economic mobility, shaping a blueprint for change across Charlotte and beyond.
Whether you’re just discovering our work or ready to take the next step with us—
Your investment makes this movement possible.
How Can You Help:
- Donate – visit our website @ www.LNACharlotte.org and click DONATE.
- Buy Apparel – visit our partner Living St8ments Clothing Brand – website @ www.LivingSt8ments.com, 10% of all proceeds goes to LNA.
- Volunteer – email Chelsey McIvor, LNA’s Community Engagement Specialist, to Join our Newsletter distribution list. – CMcIvor@LNACharlotte.org
- Raise Awareness – follow us and share on Social Media @LakeviewCLT (Facebook & Instagram).
Did you know that 28208 is the most impoverished zip code in Charlotte, NC ? Children born into poverty face less than a 5% chance of upward mobility in their lifetime. Despite strong community bonds, Lakeview residents continue to face persistent barriers to housing, healthcare, and opportunity.
But progress is possible—and already happening. In 2014, Charlotte ranked 50th out of 50 major U.S. cities for economic mobility. Today, it’s 38th—a 24% improvement (Changing Opportunity study, Raj Chetty). Still, the opportunity gap remains stark. Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance is working to close that gap by placing power and possibility back into the hands of residents. At the core is our Quarterback Program, a two-generation, place-based strategy and proud part of United Way’s United Neighborhoods Program. Through it, we equip families to lead—not just receive—change. Residents co-design solutions, drive partnerships, and help shape equitable systems across housing, health, education, and economic mobility. (Good Enough Idea Generators)
At LNA, we’ve reimagined Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs into a continuum rooted in culture, community, and collective power. Rather than a linear climb, we view human needs as cyclical and interconnected, where belonging, identity, and purpose are not endpoints but essential building blocks. Guided by our LIVE GR8TLY Core 8 Principles, we design systems that honor this dynamic truth—where thriving means more than survival; it means shared dignity, ownership, and transformation. (Disrupt Things that get in the way of Big Dreams)
The Work Is Working. Let’s Keep Building.
In the last year, LNA has: (Make An Impact)
- Supported over 200 residents through wellness and mobility programs
- Prevented more than 25 household displacements
- Equipped over 100 youth as community changemakers
- Distributed over $150,000 in critical support
- 97% Trust Rate among Residents
With your support, we aim to catalyze another 24% gain in economic mobility, shaping a blueprint for change across Charlotte and beyond.
Whether you’re just discovering our work or ready to take the next step with us—
Your investment makes this movement possible.
How Can You Help:
- Donate – visit our website @ www.LNACharlotte.org and click DONATE.
- Buy Apparel – visit our partner Living St8ments Clothing Brand – website @ www.LivingSt8ments.com, 10% of all proceeds goes to LNA.
- Volunteer – email Chelsey McIvor, LNA’s Community Engagement Specialist, to Join our Newsletter distribution list. – CMcIvor@LNACharlotte.org
- Raise Awareness – follow us and share on Social Media @LakeviewCLT (Facebook & Instagram).
Our Mission
Our mission is to Engage the residents of Lakeview, Educate them on opportunities and connect them to resources, while advocating for Lakeview’s growth and Empowerment.
Our Mission
Our mission is to Engage the residents of Lakeview, Educate them on opportunities and connect them to resources, while advocating for Lakeview’s growth and Empowerment.
Lakeview Community Leaders
Pastor Dennis R. Williams
Pastor,Faith Memorial Missionary Baptist Church & Board Chair, Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance
A short bio with personal history, key achieve Pastor Dennis R. Williams has had a call to serve for many years of his life. After much experience in the field of education both on the teaching and administrative side, he soon felt the need and calling to change his life path to ministry. Since 2004, Pastor Williams has been serving the Lakeview community through faith.
Email me: DennisRWilliams83@gmail.com
Pastor Dennis R. Williams
Pastor, Faith Memorial Missionary Baptist Church & Board Chair, Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance
A short bio with personal history, key achieve Pastor Dennis R. Williams has had a call to serve for many years of his life. After much experience in the field of education both on the teaching and administrative side, he soon felt the need and calling to change his life path to ministry. Since 2004, Pastor Williams has been serving the Lakeview community through faith.
Email me: DennisRWilliams83@gmail.com
Jamaal Kinard
Executive Director, Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance
Jamaal Kinard is a community organizer/consultant in Charlotte, NC, and a trainer with the Racial Equity Institute. He attended his first REI workshop in 2016, where his life was changed forever! After 10 years of service as an Educator and Coach in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System, Kinard eagerly joined REI in August of 2019. As a community organizer/consultant, he devotes much of his time as the Executive Director of the Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance (LNA), where he is leading the charge on revitalization efforts in his community by focusing on family stability and civic awareness. His ultimate goal is to create a “community organizing” blueprint of principles for all communities, organizations, and institutions to follow, creating an environment where strong families are cultivated and racism is dismantled. Kinard obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Computer Science from Gardner-Webb University, Master’s Degree in Sports Leadership from Northeastern University, and Nonprofit Business Management Certifications from both Wake Forest University and Duke University.
Email me: JKinard@LNACharlotte.org
Jamaal Kinard
Executive Director, Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance
Jamaal Kinard is a community organizer/consultant in Charlotte, NC, and a trainer with the Racial Equity Institute. He attended his first REI workshop in 2016, where his life was changed forever! After 10 years of service as an Educator and Coach in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System, Kinard eagerly joined REI in August of 2019. As a community organizer/consultant, he devotes much of his time as the Executive Director of the Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance (LNA), where he is leading the charge on revitalization efforts in his community by focusing on family stability and civic awareness. His ultimate goal is to create a “community organizing” blueprint of principles for all communities, organizations, and institutions to follow, creating an environment where strong families are cultivated and racism is dismantled. Kinard obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Computer Science from Gardner-Webb University, Master’s Degree in Sports Leadership from Northeastern University, and Nonprofit Business Management Certifications from both Wake Forest University and Duke University.
Email me: JKinard@LNACharlotte.org
Chelsey McIvor
Community Engagement Specialist, Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance
Chelsey McIvor currently serves as LNA’s Community Engagement Specialist. Before moving to the Charlotte area in 2018, she received her Bachelor’s in Human Development at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2012 and worked as an early care educator for 10 years and an assistant director for 2 years in a few child care centers. Chelsey received her certification in Nonprofit Management in 2015 from UNCG. She also supports her work with LNA through Faith Memorial Missionary Baptist Church as an Executive Assistant. Her focus in the neighborhood is the development and well-being of the youth, with a special focus for birth to Kindergarten.
Email me: CMcIvor@LNACharlotte.org