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vision for the future that improved the quality of life for all people in Orange County, not <br />just African-Americans would be the most powerful outcome of that partnering and <br />networking. <br />Panel I -Economic Opportunity <br />Linda Gunn, President, NC Institute for Minority Economic Development <br />Scott Gardner, Local Government Relations Manager, Dulce Power <br />Michelle Laws, NCCU Adjunct Professor and Director & Founder, Project Life <br />Line <br />Facilitator: Keith Cook, Member, Orange County Economic Development <br />Commission and Chair of the Orange County Soard of Education <br />Mr. Cook introduced the panelists assembled to discuss the challenges and opportunities <br />before African-Americans who wish to participate more fully in the local economy and <br />achieve greater social and economic well being. <br />Ms. Laws called the Forum pazticipanis' attention to those at the lowest rung of the <br />economic ladder.. <br />"I don't want to sound pessimistic but I sort of feel like that we also nucst bring into the <br />discussion those people who are on the outerfi•inges ofQrange Cota:ty who aren't <br />reaping the prosperity, the economic prosperit7~, and the benefits that we so pro:edly have <br />presented today ". <br />Project Lifeline was created by Ms. Laws in recognition of the human potential in Black <br />men she saw hanging out on the streets of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, those who were not <br />part of any statistical report, but who needed alternatives to high unemployment, drug use <br />and imprisonment. To Ms. Laws, the whole discussion about economics could not be <br />dissected from a discussion about the prison industry, HN and AIDS in the Black <br />community, affordable housing, and quality treatment for mental illness.. <br />Mr. Gardner first spoke from the perspective of Duke Energy and Duke Power and their <br />significant emplo}nnent presence in the Carolinas, He cited inclusiveness, stewardship <br />and teamwork as being core business values at Duke Energy, He felt the corporation was <br />making great strides through initiatives such as the Leadership Development Network for <br />ethnic employees, its outreach to minority vendors and suppliers, and its workforce <br />partnerships with Clemson and Duke aimed at attracting African-American students into <br />engineering professions. Mr'. Gardner also stressed Duke Energy's corporate giving <br />which also reflected its concerns and commitment to diverse communities. <br />On the education front, Mr. Gardner offered his involvement on the Accountability <br />Commission for the state and its push for baseline standards that should help North <br />Carolina students raise their scores on national tests. He also felt that the No Child Leif <br />