Sharing his Story: Meet Jimmy
When Jimmy started his journey with StepUp Wilmington, he knew that he had the opportunity to not only change his…
Best Foot Forward: Meet Brooke
In 2019, Brooke came to StepUp Wilmington looking for support in her job search. Now two years later, when she…
Know Yourself: Meet Alyssa
When Alyssa graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a degree in International Studies and a minor in…
Confidence is Key: Meet Kyava
For Kyava, earning her Medical Assistant degree from Miller-Motte College was a great accomplishment. But when difficulties with her post-graduate…
StepUp Wilmington Launches Beyond Talent
Wilmington, NC – June 15, 2021 – StepUp Wilmington is excited to announce another step forward in its mission with…
Never Stop Learning: Meet Vanessa
The early months of 2020 were a rude awakening to the challenges that the next year would bring for everyone,…
Where Purpose and Passion Intersect: Revisiting Lauren
Did you know that only 27% of people who obtain a college degree actually have a job related to their…
Where Purpose and Passion Intersect: Revisiting LaurenRead More
A Call to Action: A Chat with Deborah Dicks Maxwell of the New Hanover County NAACP
“Whatever I do, I take it to heart and put all the knowledge I have into it,” says Deborah Dicks…
A Call to Action: A Chat with Deborah Dicks Maxwell of the New Hanover County NAACPRead More
Better than We Found It: A Chat with Councilman Kevin Spears
When Kevin Spears was elected to the Wilmington City Council in 2019, he brought to the role not only his…
Better than We Found It: A Chat with Councilman Kevin SpearsRead More
Where Grace Flows: A Chat with Frankie Roberts of LINC, Inc.
“This agency was born out of my own experience,” says Frankie Roberts, who has served as the Executive Director of…
Where Grace Flows: A Chat with Frankie Roberts of LINC, Inc.Read More
Pursuing a Higher Purpose: A Chat with Owen Metts of Owen Metts Realty and The Benefit Connection
Owen Metts, Sr. is a jack-of-all-trades who prefers to keep a low profile and let his work and actions speak…
Breathing New Life: A Chat with Sean Palmer of UNCW’s Upperman Center and of Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church
When Sean Palmer moved his family to Wilmington in 2016 to become the director of UNC Wilmington’s Upperman African American…
Black Business Spotlight: A Chat with Brian Dickey of Gifted Hands Services and Sweet D’s Cuisine
Wilmington native Brian Dickey is a confident believer in the merits of hard work and perseverance. “I know what it’s…
More than a Motto: Sean Bynum on StepUp’s Commitment to Racial Equity
Since 2021 began, StepUp Wilmington has been given numerous reasons to reaffirm our commitment to viewing our work through the…
More than a Motto: Sean Bynum on StepUp’s Commitment to Racial EquityRead More
Translating Your Skill Set: Meet Hugh
“We have a saying in the film industry,” Hugh began. “Just when you think you’re out, they pull you back…
How the Coup of 1898 Is Still Affecting Wilmingtonians Today
Tragically unbeknownst to many, Wilmington, NC, is home to the only successful coup against a locally elected government to occur…
How the Coup of 1898 Is Still Affecting Wilmingtonians TodayRead More
Knowing Your Worth: Meet Kevin
Kevin is a jack-of-all-trades. Whether it’s welding, construction, barbering, or any other number of things, if you’ve got a job…
It Takes a Village: Meet Maureen
Maureen will be the first one to tell you that she owes her recent successes to a number of individuals…
Finding the Right Fit: Meet Ashley
For six years, Ashley worked as a Certified Medical Assistant at Wilmington Health. But after years of working there, she…
Working Towards Perfection: Meet Morghann
“I am a worker. I love to work,” said Morghann, a past candidate of StepUp Wilmington. Since graduating from the…
Felisha’s StepUp Story
If you’re someone who gets nervous when it comes to interviewing for a job, don’t worry, you’re far from alone.…
COVID-19 Update from Leadership
Learn how StepUp ILM has pivoted to address economic development during COVID-19. stepupwilmington.org/for-participants/get-started-2/
Why StepUp Advocates for More than the Bare Minimum
An important service of StepUp Wilmington is education. We work hard to correct misconceptions, inform employers, and advocate for equitable practices. A…
Why StepUp Advocates for More than the Bare MinimumRead More
A Step Behind the Scenes: Meet Sean
In July 2018, StepUp Wilmington decided to bring in their first ever Operations Director and Sean Bynum was the man…
I Am Marvelous Marvette
I am Marvelous Marvette. Motivated, capable and able to be whomever I want to be. Free and not bound to…
Know Your Rights: Updated NC Expungement Laws
North Carolina has unanimously passed new criminal justice reform laws as part of the Second Chance Act that grants additional…
Frontline Worker Highlight: Meet Steve
“I was really unhappy and knew that I needed something new, so I came to StepUp.” When Steve arrived for…
A Letter From a NextUp Graduate
Dear Friends, Although I have a Bachelors Degree and have been a working professional for 6+ years, I experienced lull…
Know Your Rights: FMLA & FFCRA
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to a halt and has left no individual or family untouched. To meet…
Care + Prepare | Keep Our Community Safe
African American’s make up only 22% of North Carolina’s population yet hold 39% of the state’s confirmed COVID-19 cases and…
StepUp Wilmington Prepares for Economic Impact by COVID-19
Will Rikard, Executive Director of StepUp Wilmington, shares the organization’s response to COVID-19’s impact on jobs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBFnySb0XmE&t=3s
StepUp Wilmington Prepares for Economic Impact by COVID-19Read More
The Power of Networking: Meet Lauren
Did you know that 70% of jobs are found through networking? Lauren found this to be true during her experience…
Executive Director, Will Rikard, Talks “Jobs” on the Collective Voice Podcast
StepUp Wilmington’s Executive Director, Will Rikard, sits down with Kevin Mauer to talk jobs on the Collective Voice podcast. Listen…
Executive Director, Will Rikard, Talks “Jobs” on the Collective Voice PodcastRead More
What Diverse and Inclusive Hiring Really Looks Like
You’ve probably heard the terms “Diversity and Inclusion” in the workplace, as many companies in Corporate America have begun implementing…
What Diverse and Inclusive Hiring Really Looks LikeRead More
A Step Behind the Scenes: Meet Tameka
“This process is not microwavable. If you come to StepUp Wilmington looking for an instant meal, it’s going to be…
The Will to Succeed: Meet Oliver
Your surroundings don’t determine your future. Oliver, a StepUp Wilmington graduate, is proof. He grew up in an environment that…
Tackling the Opportunity Gap
What is the Opportunity Gap? The Opportunity Gap is the lack of access to resources and quality education needed to…
Employer Partner Highlight: NHRMC
StepUp Wilmington’s mission is all about getting members of our community into good jobs with fair wages. To make this…
Young Professional Spotlight: Meet Rebecca
A North Carolina native, Rebecca was first introduced to Wilmington upon enrolling into UNCW’s Cameron School of Business. “My time…
A Step Behind the Scenes: Meet Ashanti Gibbs
Six years ago, Ashanti was unemployed and searching for work. A staffing agency recommended StepUp Wilmington and she decided to…
What It Means to Be Successful: Meet Nikkie
Nikkie came to StepUp Wilmington after a long and unsuccessful job search that left her wondering, “what am I doing…
Dressing Our Community for Success: Partner Spotlight
“Come on in and welcome home. We’re here for you.” This is the tried and true phrase that Philippians 3…
Dressing Our Community for Success: Partner SpotlightRead More
BYP Spotlight: Meet Robert
StepUp Wilmington’s Board of Young Professionals is comprised of diverse individuals with a variety of backgrounds and unique experience. Board…
StepUp Wilmington Behind the Scenes: Meet Claus
A non-profit is nothing without the help of its volunteers and supporters. Thankfully, we found both in Claus. Claus was…
From Unemployed to Community Education Advocate: Meet Buc
Shortly after arriving in Wilmington in 2016, Buc was let go from his position and found himself unemployed. During his…
From Unemployed to Community Education Advocate: Meet BucRead More
Why a Job is Sometimes Not Enough
We’ve all seen the reports covering the “lowest unemployment rate in years”. What we’re also seeing is the increase in…
Be Prepared: Hurricane Dorian Preparedness Resources
As Hurricane Dorian makes it’s way up the coast, it is important to prepare for the unknown. Here are a…
Be Prepared: Hurricane Dorian Preparedness ResourcesRead More
Young Professional Spotlight: Meet Amanda
Two years ago, Amanda decided to settle down in Wilmington, NC after living in 6 different countries. Her passion for…
Addressing the “Parent Work Gap”: Meet Anita
20 years after ending her medical management career to stay home and raise her children, Anita was ready to get…
StepUp Wilmington Names Anthony Parnell as Board Chair
StepUp Wilmington has elected Anthony Parnell to succeed Melissa Pressley as Chair on its Board of Directors. Rising from his…
StepUp Wilmington Names Anthony Parnell as Board ChairRead More
SUW Behind the Scenes: Meet Bruce
29 years. At the young age of 16, Bruce was handed two charges that landed him in prison for 29…
Employer Shout-Out: Hollingsworth Cabinetry
StepUp Wilmington has relationships with over 100 employers in the Cape Fear Region. Through these relationships, graduates are placed into…
How Does 1,000 Jobs Impact 10,000 Lives?
Did you know that 1 in 4 members of our community are living below the poverty line? To be exact,…
BYP Spotlight: Meet Elizabeth
Wilmington native, Elizabeth Barfield, was always drawn to bringing awareness and helping form solutions for the disparities in her community.…
Taking the Next Step: Meet April
Like many beginnings at StepUp Wilmington, April’s was a precarious one back in June 2017. After having recently lost her…
SUW Behind the Scenes: Meet Bethany
The true definition of StepUp Wilmington Behind the Scenes, Bethany Leighton is the one-woman show behind the organization’s fundraising initiatives.…
Don’t Let Your Criminal Background Count You Out of a Job
Each year, nearly 700,000 individuals are released from prison with only 30% of that number being able to secure work…
Don’t Let Your Criminal Background Count You Out of a JobRead More
Volunteer Shout-Out: Meet Sylvia!
It’s time to celebrate another employer partner! Say hello to Sylvia from WAVE Transit. Sylvia started her journey with StepUp…
BYP Spotlight: Meet Dalvonte!
Meet Dalvonte! Originally from Chicago, Dalvonte has lived in Wilmington, NC for three years and was immediately drawn to serving…
Employer Shout-Out: Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity
StepUp Wilmington loves to celebrate its employer and community partners! Without them, we would not be able to assist nearly…
Participant Spotlight: Meet Kamisha
In May of 2018, Kamisha relocated to Wilmington from New York City to care for her mother. While she was…
Participant Spotlight: Maureen
Maureen didn’t know what to expect coming to StepUp Wilmington. In the last year, Maureen’s life had completely upended: “In…
Do you know your local living wage?
Do you know your local living wage? At StepUp Wilmington, we urge employers in New Hanover County and beyond to…
Welcome Andrew Cooke to StepUp’s Board of Directors!
Welcome Andrew Cooke to StepUp’s Board of Directors! Andrew began his journey with StepUp Wilmington in 2016 when current Board…
Welcome Andrew Cooke to StepUp’s Board of Directors!Read More
Participant Spotlight: Meet Tara
Two years ago, Tara’s life changed in an instant. Pulling down a 125lb gate at work, she turned her head,…
Participant Spotlight: Meet Gabriel
Gabriel gave StepUp Wilmington a chance on a referral last fall when Hurricane Florence cost him his job. During Jobs…
Employer Spotlight: Verizon Wireless
StepUp Wilmington works with over 100 employer partners who are an integral part of our process. These local businesses in…
Welcome Meghan Cowan to SUW’s Board of Directors!
Meet Meghan Cowan: our new addition to StepUp Wilmington’s Board of Directors. As a graduate of UNCW and her 8+…
Participant Spotlight: Meet Magnolia
StepUp Wilmington works to break barriers of employment, one of them being age. Magnolia defeated society’s odds by getting a…
Displaced By the Hurricane? Know Your Voting Options
Hurricane Florence’s aftermath resulted in thousands of North Carolina residents being displaced from their homes. This sudden change of address…
Displaced By the Hurricane? Know Your Voting OptionsRead More
Hurricane Florence Disaster Relief Resources
New Hanover County Public Information Hotline: (910) 798-6800 Residential debris removal for NHC has begun. Click here for more information.…
In the Wake of Florence: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
In the wake of Florence, even those who have jobs may be experiencing unemployment, unable to get to work or…
In the Wake of Florence: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)Read More
Meet Keisha, StepUp Wilmington’s New Employment Coordinator
A Wilmington native and mother of two beautiful boys, Keisha Hudson joined us on Monday, August 20. She loved her…
Meet Keisha, StepUp Wilmington’s New Employment CoordinatorRead More
Sal’s Journey from Prison, to StepUp, to a New Career
“My experience with StepUp has been a powerful one,” Sal shared with us in an email, just one month after…
Sal’s Journey from Prison, to StepUp, to a New CareerRead More
Phoenix Hometown Hires Reaches Next Level
Organization rebrands as StepUp Wilmington; Announces 1,000 Job Goal Wilmington, N.C. – On Jan. 31, Phoenix Hometown Hires will update…
Spring Life Skills Graduation
On June 28th eleven adults and two children graduated from the 9 month Life Skills Program. It was an evening…
Phoenix Provides Job Training to Youth
In 2017 Phoenix Hometown Hires partnered with the Blue Ribbon Commission to provide job readiness training to 47 students ages…
Gino Graduates from Cape Fear Community College
Every day Gino wakes at 5:30am. After getting ready and eating breakfast he hops on his bike and starts the…
