Name: Lonnie Davis
Leadership Charlotte Class: 32
Title/Company: President & CEO/Jazz Arts Initiative (JAI)
Hometown: New Orleans
Education: Univ. of New Orleans, Psychology and Virginia Tech, Urban Planning
Current personal or leadership goals: Spend more time with my beautiful family.
If you could describe your Leadership Charlotte experience in three words or phrases what would they be?
ENLIGHTENING, HUMBLING, EMPOWERING
What’s a lesson that you learned through LC that has stuck with you and why?
One of the lessons that stuck with me through my Leadership Charlotte experience was that you must allow yourself to be uncomfortable in order to further develop, and accomplish a greater personal or professional goal. I’ve learned to embrace this lesson!
Favorite way to spend a weekend in Charlotte:
I love recreational biking through the city with my family in the warmer months. There seems to be a biking path anywhere you want to go. Charlotte is truly a bicycle friendly community.
Favorite nonprofit or community organization in Charlotte and why:
Jazz Arts Initiative (trick question?). Through JAI’s Jazz Academy (In-schools and In-Communities programs), I’ve had the privilege to work directly with some of the most amazing students in our region. They are our vibrant young leaders of tomorrow. These bright young people demonstrate the tangible benefits of the Arts in Education. All they need is unlimited access to creativity and a platform to express it. JAI’s purpose is to provide that access.
What’re you doing in the community these days?
Trying to further connect our community through creative collaboration and further enrich lives through the arts. In 2015, we look forward to partnering with a number of great organizations including UNC Charlotte, Blumenthal Performing Arts, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American, Festival in the Park, and CharMeck Libraries.