Regional Assets Shared Monthly with Young Professionals
Released by Tameka Kenan-Norman, City of Rocky Mount NC
Young professionals who live and/or work in the city of Rocky Mount, Edgecombe, or Nash Counties, are encouraged to participate in the region’s latest effort, Young Professionals of the Twin Counties.
Organized by Kellianne Davis, who also serves as a community development compliance administrator for the city of Rocky Mount, the group was established August 2015 after a meeting with Senator Angela Bryant and Dorsey Tobias, media relations manager for PNC Bank and co-chair of the Twin Counties Positive Image Action Group. The initial meeting, coordinated by the volunteer-led Here’s To Success campaign as a part of the visioning process, was to bring together a diverse group of young professionals from across the region and create a network that would attract and retain millennials in the Twin Counties.
“The great thing that we took from the meeting was that young professionals really liked being placed at a table and encouraged to talk with people they didn’t know,” says Tobias. “So, we decided to arrange monthly socials to continue that interaction.”
Since that time, Milton and Miles, Chico’s Mexican Restaurant, and Koi Pond are among the facilities which have hosted the Young Professionals of the Twin Counties.
“We don’t have lecture sessions,” acknowledges Davis. “However, we do briefly provide relevant information about the Twin Counties that we feel young professionals are interested in.”
The Koi Pond meeting included an update on the Rocky Mount Mills. Davis notes that the group will meet in May at the Tarboro Brewing Company Taproom and in June at Sweet Taters with a tour of the SpringBoard Lab, also located at Rocky Mount Mills. There, the owners will share their mission and offerings.
In addition to the evening socials, the group encourages young professionals to attend a variety of existing events throughout the region that appeal to young people and families, such as Tackle the Tar and Tarboro’s Happening on the Commons.
“The feedback thus far has been that we need this here,” notes Davis. “If you identify with the title of young professional, then you are welcome to join us any time. We encourage networking between the young in age and the young at heart, those members of the community that believe a younger generation should be supported as the future leaders of our community.”
Approximately 40 to 50 young professionals have attended previous meetings, and according to Davis, there is no age limit. It’s just about promoting and celebrating the assets and culture of the community.
Desiree Dolberry, marketing & events coordinator with the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce and fellow organizer of Young Professionals of the Twin Counties, is impressed with the way young professionals are receiving the new group and the high level of turnout.
“The events are a lot of fun and help demonstrate the growing number of young people in the area,” notes Dolberry.
A social event is planned for May 13, 2016, starting at 5:30pm, in Tarboro NC. Social event details are posted here.
For more information on the Young Professionals of the Twin Counties, contact Davis at kellianne_davis@yahoo.com, text @yopro to 81010, or visit the Here’s to Success Facebook page.