Chi’Mur Knight

As Program Manager for Step Up, I facilitate work readiness workshops covering essential topics including interviewing, job searching, professional etiquette, professional grooming, branding, and the most sought-after topic, resume writing. My main area of expertise is community engagement, where I focus on building and cultivating relationships with local businesses, the Raleigh Chamber, NC Works, and other partners that support and align with our goals. I'm kind of the front person - when I'm not facilitating workshops, I'm out sitting down across the desk from decision makers, explaining to them what our program is about and how they can partner with us to offer more services to the participants. I'm passionate about collaborating with local employers and other community-based organizations to provide a robust service for our participants, including direct referrals to employers, getting local colleges on board to offer paid internships, mentorship opportunities, and possibilities to work for some of those local entities. One of my biggest goals is to establish referral pipelines with organizations we haven't collaborated with yet, particularly around re-entry services, so we can help individuals who are coming home and want a second chance at life by partnering to provide second chance jobs and housing.