The Power of One Step
April 16th ReCity Network 112 Broadway St, Durham, NC 27701
Our goal is $150,000. Join us on April 16th, at ReCity Network from 12-2pm for an elevated celebration! Give the gift of stability today
Emcee
Mikaya Thurmond
Mikaya is a nationally recognized communications strategist, award-winning former WRAL anchor, and CEO of @milanpublicrelations. With more than 13 years of experience in newsrooms and executive boardrooms, she brings clarity, confidence, and connection to every stage she steps on. Her journalism career earned two Associated Press awards, four Emmy nominations, and national appearances on CNN, CBS Evening News, NBC’s Today Show, and The Weather Channel.
Today, she advises leaders and organizations during high-stakes moments and was named one of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications (Class of 2025). A Harvard and UGA alum who now lectures at NC State, Mikaya is also deeply committed to mentorship and philanthropy — even funding an annual college scholarship for a young woman in North Carolina.
Known for her poise and warmth, Mikaya brings energy, purpose, and precision to every event she emcees — and we can’t wait for her to lead us through this powerful evening.
Corporate Sponsorship Packet
So, what is StepUp Durham all about?! We are focused on helping people seek and achieve stable employment and careers within our community. Questions? Contact Meg at meg@stepupdurham.org
For Individuals
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Work attire and supplies (boots, scrubs, pants, work shirts, etc)
Communication - getting a smart phone to connect with employers and work, check emails, send resumes
Transportation support (Uber, Lyft, GoTriangle regional pass) until first check
ENER-G session - space, snacks, tech, materials for job seekers to meet and connect with employers and job leads
Mock interview coaching
Interview attire for one person
Coffee and snacks for volunteer trainings
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Hot, delicious, nutrition meals for the full week of Jobs Week
Two meals at Step2 for the adults and children
Six months of virtual programming (for people to join us for online mock interviews, resume sessions, SOR folks to participate in Step2)
Two staff members to attend the annual North Carolina Reentry Conference
Online resume season for 10 people
Summer camp scholarship for one child in Kidz
Incentives and support for someone working on their budget to purchase a car from Wheels4Hope
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Half the meals of a Step2 phase (8wks)
Staff to perform two days of Employment Readiness training within a local incarceration facility for people about to come home from incarceration
Step2: One person to create and get on a budget while building emergency savings
Three months of 1x1 job seeker coaching and placement support
Work attire and supplies for 10 people
Transportation support for 10 people
Interview attire for (almost) an entire graduating class of Jobs Week
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Staffing for one phase of Step2
Online resume or mock interview sessions for 50 people
One year of Success Coaching for one person - onboarding, coaching, and employment obtainment and maintainment for one year
For Corporations
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Incentives and support for someone working on their budget to purchase a car from Wheels4Hope
Gets 10 participants in front of employers
Gets us a membership with Chamber of Commerce
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Help stock our food pantry to provide non perishable food items for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity
Interview attire for (almost) an entire graduating class of Jobs Week
10 people to obtain forklift certifications to secure employment in warehouse, one of our most sought after jobs by participants
Supports us having a seat at the Local Reentry Council for one year
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10 scholarships for children in Kidz attending summer camps
10 people becoming referral ready, achieving the target REACH score
One BUILD apprentice to land permanent employment
10 laptops for job seekers and people completing certificates to land move-up jobs
Pays for 10 staff, board members, and volunteers to attend training on understanding systemic racism
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Pays for one full Jobs Week that supports up to 12 people graduating, the first step in landing employment (average Time-To-Placement FY25 was 65 days)
Stock our food pantry for the entire year to provide non perishable food items and household goods (shampoo, diaper wipes, toothpaste) for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity
Pay for 20 people to complete Peer Support Certifications, a rise and high demand living wage field for people who’ve systemic challenges, physical health set backs, or mental health challenges
Would get their name on our training space
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10 apprenticeships that secure employment for people with the hardest employability challenges
Support 80 volunteers with opportunities to mock interview, write resumes, provide career coaching, help set goals
Space to host 12 Jobs Weeks, 40 ENER-G sessions, and four phases of Step2
One year of Success Coaching for 10 people - onboarding, coaching, and employment obtainment and maintainment for one year
Sponsors
We’re honored to have your support in advancing StepUp Durham’s mission and helping create new pathways to sustainable careers.
