The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance® is excited to announce Jonathan Evans has joined the CLT Alliance Foundation as the program and funding associate.
In this role, Jonathan will be working with the Scale Up CLT program, which offers a business accelerator scholarship for minority entrepreneurs in the Charlotte Region. The program is a partnership with the CLT Alliance Foundation, Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), and the city of Charlotte’s AMP UP program. (To learn more about Scale Up CLT and to apply for the upcoming class, click here.)
In addition to his duties with Scale Up CLT, Jonathan will be working alongside the CLT Alliance research department to secure local and federal grants for the foundation. In his role, Jonathan is striving to uphold the values of the foundation to provide prosperity for all through the power of philanthropy.
“The foundation program and funding associate is a new role with responsibilities that are instrumental to our success,” Chief Advocacy and Strategy Officer Kelly O’Brien said. “Already, Jonathan is connecting with our ScaleUp CLT participants, conducting outreach to our financial supporters, and assisting with the preparation for the next foundation board meeting. He is a skilled networker and provides a fresh perspective on how we can evolve our important work.”
Jonathan was born and raised in Orangeburg, South Carolina. A lover of the arts, politics, and community, he never strays away from the opportunity to give back to the community – from volunteering in the classrooms in Orangeburg, to hosting mental health talks with students in Charleston, to serving as a Bible study leader at C. N. Jenkins Church in Charlotte.
Jonathan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the College of Charleston. He is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration at American University. Jonathan previously worked at GBAO Strategies as a research assistant, where he worked with leaders such as Sen. Raphael Warnock and former U.S. Secretary of Education John King Jr. He also worked with Washington-based non-profit The Hub Project to provide survey research and strategic consulting.
In his spare time, Jonathan loves to read, collect vinyl, go hiking, go out for brunch, sing, and play piano, drums, and trombone. He served at his home church, Jones Chapel, as co-minister of music for six years before expanding his musical ministry to other churches and choirs. Additionally, Jonathan is a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International. He is also an avid Carolina Panthers, North Carolina A&T State University, and South Carolina State University fan.
Jonathan is passionate about social and political advocacy, creating equity for minorities, and providing a safe space for Black youth. He lives by the Bible verse Galatians 6:9 which says, “Be not weary in well-doing, for, in due season, ye shall reap if ye fade not.”
