Initial work to build a broad-based organization affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) in Guilford County, NC is moving forward.

In late December 2024, NC IAF and local leaders began exploratory organizing work with a three-day training and a series of relational meetings and convenings with African American clergy from Greensboro and High Point. These conversations focused on shared community concerns, leadership development, and the possibility of building a long-term, strictly nonpartisan IAF power organization, which would be rooted in local institutions and locally-led and financed.  48 Guilford County clergy participated in two exploratory convenings, 32 lay leaders attended a day long introduction to IAF organizing training, and 12 Guilford County leaders attended the NC IAF 3-day training.

Recently, 35 Guilford County Pastors participated in a May 14, 2026 key meeting with Bishop Herbert Reynolds Davis, NC IAF Senior Leader, where they deepened their engagement in this effort.  At that gathering, participating clergy agreed to formally invite the North Carolina IAF (NC IAF) to support their efforts to organize and develop a broad-based network across the county.

This step marks an important milestone in the early formation of what leaders hope will become a durable, multi-institutional power organization capable of addressing key issues facing families and communities in Guilford County, NC.