Workforce Development

A resilient economy is dependent on inclusive talent development, anti-racist management practices, and business models that align profit and growth with community success. Starting with equity as a core value, creative entrepreneurs are redefining the way businesses are built and operated.

Evan Raleigh

Assistant City Manager, City of Winston-Salem

Evan has worked in municipal government for several years and currently serves as an Assistant City Manager. As Assistant City Manager, Evan has oversight responsibilities for the operation of several city departments which include: Human Relations, Community Assistance, CityLink and the Office of Business Inclusion and Advancement.  He is also responsible for the city’s economic and workforce development programs and manages the city’s federal intergovernmental relations efforts. In addition to his regular management responsibilities, Evan works closely with the Office of the Mayor to lead a variety of special initiatives including the mayor’s efforts to combat the city’s growing poverty rate. 

Evan performs a variety of functions in his role including managing intergovernmental relations, providing support for the city’s housing and community development initiatives, developing strategies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of city service delivery, providing staff support to city council-appointed citizen committees and overseeing the city’s comprehensive performance management program.  

Evan is actively involved in the community and serves as a board member for several local non-profit and philanthropic organizations including the United Way of Forsyth County, Leadership Winston-Salem, Financial Pathways of the Piedmont and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.  Evan is also an appointed member of the Piedmont Triad Regional Workforce Development Board.  A native of Greensboro, NC, Evan, his wife Cierra and their daughter Olivia currently reside in Winston-Salem, NC.   

Austin Robey

Co-Founder, Ampled

Robey is a co-founder of Ampled, a cooperatively owned web platform that allows musicians to be directly supported by their community. He is interested in the development of alternative economies and building a more democratic, equitable, and inclusive online economy. In addition to being a member of NEW INC, Robey is a recent graduate of the start.coop accelerator program and is on the project council of the Internet of Ownership. Robey has a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute and is based in Brooklyn, NY.

Geneva White

Co-Founder, Scope of Work

Scope Of Work (SOW) is a talent development agency for young creatives of color aimed at building equity in the creative sector. SOW was founded in 2016 by artists and educators, Geneva White & Eda Levenson, aimed specifically at supporting 17-24 year old BIPOC creatives with skill-building, mentorship, and help to place them in paid positions in the creative industry across sectors, from design to film to photography and more.

Jahan Mantin & Boyuan Gao

Founders, Project Inkblot

Project Inkblot specializes in Design for Diversity™ their proprietary approach to designing equitable content, products and services. We are a team of futurists, designers, educators, thinkers, makers, and doers with deep roots in diverse industries: product development, tech, arts and culture, advertising and media. We believe the power of design can build equitable solutions now, and for the future. 

Shereen Gomaa

Founder, Delicious by Shereen

Shereen Gomaa immigrated from Egypt to Winston-Salem and in 2014 founded “Delicious by Shereen” a catering company designed to empower members of the Syrian refugee community fleeing war and faced with the challenges of resettlement.  Utilizing cooking skills to achieve financial stability and independence for their families, Delicious by Shereen also provides for refugee women financial planning workshops, networking, and opportunities to successfully integrate into community life.  Recognized by the United Nations High Council on Refugees, Forbes Magazine, and the Winston-Salem Foundation and Women’s Fund, Shereen was also named one of Yes! Weekly’s “Wonder Women of the Triad.”