Name: Lou Solomon
Leadership Charlotte (LC) Class: 21
Title/Company: CEO, Interact Authentic Communication
Hometown: Sebring, FL
Education: BA Communications, University of Mississippi; MS Organization Development, McColl School of Business
If you could describe your Leadership Charlotte experience in three words or phrases what would they be?
Clarity of personal purpose. Connection to others. Ownership of community.
What do you remember most vividly from your Leadership Charlotte experience and why?
One of my vivid memories is of the ropes course at Blue Ridge. I was along as the current class president, and I sat on the side lines to watch. It was like an amazing dance of people extending their hands to others. Defenses came down, people helping people. Humanity.
How did your Leadership Charlotte experience affect what you’re doing today?
I forged a network of life-long friendships that are permanent.
I also founded my company Interact the same year I graduated from Leadership Charlotte–and not by mistake. It was the natural next step for me—to help people be their best, most authentic version of themselves.
What’re you doing in the community these days?
In partnership with Leadership Charlotte, Interact hosts the 2-day course, “Voice for a Cause,” designed to help non-profit leaders find their voice and attract the support they need to be successful. We launched the program in 2016 – and we are currently finalizing our list of participants for the December 2018 Class, which will bring us to a total of $50,000 in scholarships awarded to date!