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Center 360 youth at graduation ceremony

About Center 360

Center 360 is a grassroots nonprofit organization that offers a comprehensive approach to personal and career development for middle school youth.

Our Mission

Center 360 will empower middle school youth who are at risk of disengaging from school by providing non-traditional enrichment opportunities.​

Our Vision

Middle school youth will be exposed to various career opportunities to broaden their occupational aspirations to unlock their social

and economic potential.​

Our Values

Center 360's core values emphasize fostering community, encouraging creativity, empowering individuals, nurturing growth, and maintaining trustworthiness, all aimed at supporting middle school youth and families in realizing their potential and contributing positively to the broader community.

Community

Community Icon

We foster a strong sense of community within our programs, events and activities and encourage our youth and families to extend this to the larger community. Our goal is to help rebuild the "village" mindset, raising awareness of what true community means and creating a ripple effect. We aim to shift mindsets from survival mode—focused solely on personal struggles—to a broader sense of collective support and acknowledgment of others.

Shining a light on a world of possibilities

Our goal is to empower middle school students who are at risk of disengaging from school by offering them life skills training, personal development, and career enrichment activities. We provide a safe space where youth can learn self-awareness and resilience, develop academic persistence, and be exposed to career opportunities in the fields of music, arts, athletics, and technology.

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Center 360 serves youth in grades 5 to 8. This age group is seen as a critical time before a child becomes a young adult. Once a student enters high school but loses interest in education, they may develop a history of classroom disruptions and poor academic skills. It takes a proactive effort to help these students redirect their lives. Center 360 has found that providing a safe place with programs and consistent support can reinforce positive behavior and lead to successful high school and professional career prospects.

Founders
Story

Center 360 Co-Founders Keisha Hamilton and Akeliah Stewart

After years of community engagement, research, and planning, co-founders Keisha Hamilton and Akeliah Stewart identified a gap in career development and exploration programs for youth in non-affluent areas of Charlotte. In 2015, their vision became a reality with the establishment of Center 360. Together, their mission is clear: to empower and inspire youth in Charlotte through education and career development. Since receiving 501c3 status in 2015, Center 360 has provided free afterschool and out-of-school programs, workshops, tutoring, and enrichment activities to over 500 youth in Charlotte, making a significant impact on the community while building on its goal to expand its reach to new students and families each year.

We are dedicated to addressing the at-risk youth crisis

PROBLEM

Economic hardship, lack of resources, and insufficient support systems contribute to the disengagement of middle school students.

This disproportionatelyaffects underservedcommunities.

Young people who are not engaged in positive activities are at a higher risk of  not completing high school, leading to limited career opportunities, lower earning potential and are more likely to be involved in criminal activity, placing a strain on communities.

This creates a cycle

of poverty, unemployment, and disengagement that is difficult to break without intervention.

SOLUTION

Center 360 tackles this by offering free, out-of-school programs that

youth early,

engage middle school

fostering creativity, building life skills, and encouraging academic success. Our programs provide career exploration, helping students envision a future beyond high school and understand the pathways available to them.

Through mentorship,

community support,

and skill-building

we help prevent students from becoming part of these statistics,

empowering them to graduate and thrive.

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