CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte no longer ranks as the worst city in America for economic mobility in a newly-updated study. Harvard's "Changing Opportunity" study ranked the city No. 38 out of 50.
Ten years ago, Charlotte ranked last on the original list, casting a shadow over a city that prides itself on being "The New South."
Sherri Chisholm, executive director of Leading on Opportunity, called it "exponential growth."
"It's pretty phenomenal," Chisholm said. "And I think something that Charlotte as a community should be proud of."
The report is often referred to as the "Chetty Study," named for the pioneering economist behind the research, Raj Chetty. The 2014 report studied the tax returns of people born between 1978 and 1983, and found children born in poverty in Charlotte were likely to stay in poverty into adulthood.
The updated study analyzed people born between 1978 and 1992.
"My family, just like many others, have come to Charlotte in hopes of buying a home, having great careers, and raising children," Chisholm said. "And I want those same opportunities to be true for local Charlotte teens who were born here."
Leading on Opportunity was created in response to the study, to address the systemic issues that lock people in poverty in Charlotte. Its council is a who's-who of civic, corporate, and community leaders. Through public-private partnerships, the group aims to level the playing field by addressing issues like early child care and education, family stability, college and career readiness, and the impact of segregation.
"The policies that we're putting in place, they're not policies for us right now," Tonya Jameson, director for civic engagement for Leading on Opportunity, said. "It's for the children and our grandchildren."
WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" on stories that impact you. If you need help, reach out to WCNC Charlotte by emailing money@wcnc.com.
Policies implemented include the Mayor's Racial Equity Initiative, and investments in the city's housing trust fund and Johnson C. Smith University.
The new report also found Mecklenburg County was the only location where low-income white children didn't suffer any decline in economic mobility.
Chisholm is proud of the city's progress, but knows there's more work to do.
"Everyone deserves an opportunity to have quality education, to have access to jobs, and then ultimately, to better contribute to our community that matters," she said.
Contact Ben Thompson at bthompson@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.