John T. Stokes' Biography

Strategy And Initiative Leader

Strategy and initiative leader passionate about building relationships with a history of successfully developing and implementing impactful community development programs. Skilled in creating and leading complex projects and initiatives and delivering solid business results. Highly experienced in assisting leaders, and organizations in addressing identified needs and meeting objectives. Exceptional talent in planning, problem-solving, and collaborating to help drive results. Adept at utilizing an inclusive leadership style to engage and connect with stakeholders.

ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE

JDS Consulting, Charlotte NC

June 2023 - Present

Mission: Empowering nonprofits by implementing strategic initiatives to ensure impactful change

Key Responsibilities:

Established and managed a successful consulting firm specializing in non-profit organizations.
Developed and implemented strategic plans and solutions for non-profit clients to enhance their community impact.
Conducted thorough assessments of client needs and tailored services to meet those requirements effectively.
Built and maintained strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and partners within the non-profit sector.

Key Achievements:

Implemented the Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) Loan Program to lend $560,000 to minority businesses. The partnership with the CLIMB Fund, SC Community Loan Fund, SC Community Capital Alliance, and SCACED aids small and minority businesses in the Charleston Tri-County area by increasing access to capital, technical assistance, and financial coaching. A pillar of the CARE Program, which seeks to bring minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs into the economic mainstream, is creating economic empowerment by building income and wealth.
Worked with the SC Community Capital Alliance and SCACED Board Loan Committee to create a program structure that could be replicated in other communities.
Created and executed agreed-upon Memos of Understanding between appropriate entities
Leveraged established network and current SCACED, Alliance, and other CDFI partners to develop a pipeline of minority borrowers.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Truist Financial Corporation, Charlotte, North Carolina

Director of Philanthropy, Truist Leadership Institute

November 2021-March 2023

Led the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Institute’s philanthropic leadership development strategies and programs. To include the development of an enhanced strategy aligning with Truist Foundation Pillars and Initiatives. Oversight of leadership development programs to support existing relationships and offerings.

In 2022, coordinated 113 programs serving approximately 2,958 participants with gift-in-kind totaling $3.37MM in leadership development programs to preK-12 public school educators and students. Worked with 56 partners on the Emerging Leaders Certification of which 11 of them are historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Helped coordinate HBCU Leadership Summit with INROADS – 31 students completed the ELC Program.
Created enhanced philanthropic strategy focused on Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Truist Supplier Diversity Vendors, Truist Foundation Grant Recipients and exploring opportunities with Ariel’s Project Black.
Established partnerships with the Peach Belt Conference, Teach for America NC Alumni Educational Leaders, NC Department of Public Instruction Principals of the Year, State of Georgia Office - Governor's School Leadership Academy, NC Association of Public Charter Schools, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and 3DE to increase impact and outreach. Maintained relationships with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation, NC PAPA, and South Carolina Executive Leadership Institute.

Community Development Manager

January 2020 - October 2021

Managed Community Development activities and relationships in the Metro Region and Triad Region to address identified needs and help the bank exceed CRA objectives. Territory Management involves developing comprehensive solutions and executing multiple projects involving CRA strategies internally and externally. Collaboration with local regional leadership and Exam Management Team to assess goals and drive quantitative outcomes. Consulting with Truist Foundation to help direct recommendations on Local Advisory Councils in assigned territory.

Created and executed the Increasing Access Initiative to improve access to social, financial, and economic capital to increase the capacity and wealth in under-sourced communities of color. Strategies included collaborating with external stakeholders and leveraging internal partnerships with Executive Leaders and business units to identify engagement opportunities. Tactics included: MBC / CRA Non-Profit Capacity Building, Executive Leadership Engagement with NXT | CLT, AMP Up! and Aspire Community Capital and Pride Magazine – Truist Wealth Summit – Bridging the Racial Gap.
Executed CRA Strategies to achieve Community Development Lending, Contributions, and Services Goals for North Carolina and Charlotte MMSA. Total Loans - $181MM, Total Contributions - $395k and Total Services - 442

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (continued)

Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T), Charlotte, North Carolina

Community Development Specialist

June 2007- December 2019

Assisted with the execution of the Truist Cares Program by collaborating with Regional Presidents to identify, submit and review requests for consideration by the Region. Truist Cares Totals - Metro Region Total - $1.1mm - 4 grants / Triad Region - $1.8mm - 18 grants.
Ascertained needs in the community by spearheading two Community Development Councils. Members of the Council included CDFI Directors, Economic Development and Housing Executive Directors, Human Services Non-Profits, Workforce Development Managers and Government staff.
Developed and implemented Go to Market Strategies for the following assessment areas: Charlotte MMSA, Winton-Salem MSA, Greensboro MSA, Hickory MSA, and NC Non-MSA. Utilized Go to Market Strategy for budgetary constraints, community needs, service opportunities, and Community Development Council focus areas to decision contributions. Contribution Totals - North Carolina (Metro Region and Triad Region) - $310,000 / 15 Total Grants, Charlotte MMSA - $200,000 / 15 Total Grants
Managed Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association relationship and created HBCU initiative to introduce High School Students to the HBCU academic environment. Partnered with the following HBCUs: Bowie State, Winston-Salem State, Claflin University, Fayetteville State, Virginia State University, Elizabeth City State University, and Livingstone College.

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

BB&T – CRA Technical Compliance Manager, Business Banker, Regional Credit Analyst

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Nonprofit Management Core Focus Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Economics University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Wood Badge – BSA Leadership Development Program, October 2022

An advanced, national leadership Course to develop skilled leaders who can strengthen Scouting units in achieving the mission of Scouting America.

Rural Economic Development Institute - Class XXVIII, 2018

Provides collaborative leadership skills and rural development strategies to help participants return home and make a meaningful impact in their communities

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (continued)

University of New Hampshire – Carsey School of Public Policy

Fundamentals of the Opportunity Finance Industry
Certificate in Community Development Finance

National Development Council

Economic Development Professional Certification
Housing Development Professional Certification
BB&T Management Development Program

BOARD OF DIRECTORS / COMMITTEES & VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION

Board of Directors

Thread Community Capital
Strategic Assessment Working Group

Community Volunteer

Boys Scouts of America – Troop 63 (Assistant Scout Master)

Past Board of Directors

Charlotte Community Capital Fund – Operations Board
Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Advisory Board – Appointed by Mayor Jennifer Roberts (3-year term)
Corner Square Community Capital Advisory Board
CRA Bankers Collaborative
Dream Key (formerly Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Partnership)
North Carolina Housing Coalition – Policy Committee
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Charlotte Advisory Board
North Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations
South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development
South Carolina Community Capital Alliance
Stratford Richardson YMCA
Truist Advisory Board for Corner Square Community Capital Truist Advisory Board