Charlotte Eagle of the Month

Please meet your Eagle of the Month; Kim Michele Ratliff.  Kim is a native of Charlotte and a 1992 North Carolina Central University graduate.  Currently Kim serves as President of the NCCU Charlotte Alumni Chapter and is also the By-Laws Chair for NCCU National Alumni Association.  Kim serves as a great president because of her passion for North Carolina Central Uninversity and anyone connected to NCCU.

In the fall of 1987, Kim entered North Carolina Central University with six credit hours after completing the Bridge Program at Upward Bound on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte.  She had planned to follow in her mother's footsteps and major in accounting.  During Kim's freshmen year she followed some upper classmen students and led a march to streamline the process of financial aid and the long lines.  This led to Kim appearing on the front page of the Durham Herald.  Although she did not immediatley change her major, her life was forever impacted because of this.

Later Kim changed her major to Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration and minor in History.  During her time in college she continued her passion for social justice and committed herself to learning everything she could about politics.  Upon graduation Kim returned to Charlotte and continued her passion for people in the community, politics and recruiting students to attend her dear old NCCU.

Kim became President of the Charlotte Alumni Chapter in June 2011 and hit the ground running.  Her first planned social event as President was a night of bowling at Strike City.  Then Kim set her goals on a website to showcase the chapter as well as increasing paid membership.  The website was completed in October and membership continues to grow at each meeting.  In November the Charlotte Alumni fed the NCCU Men's Basketball and staff while they were in the city for a game against UNCC 49er's.  Over 200 local alumni attended the game.  Kim never takes credit for the growth of the chapter, she just has an idea and strives with the help of ALL Alumni to reach her goals.  With over 1300 alumni in the Charlotte area there is still room for improvement.  In addition to leading the Charlotte Chapter, Kim is still involved with NCCU on campus events as well.  She is football season ticket holder and gives back her time to participate in workshops, forums and mentoring.  It is truly a 24/7 job for Kim.  With all the NCCU activities in Kim's life she has still managed to be active in the community always advocating for change.  Currently Kim is running for Mecklenburg County Commission At Large.  To learn more about her campaign visit her website at www.kimformeckcounty.com.  We wish Kim the best in her political aspirations.  We know she is committed and will do an excellent job.  Today we salute Kim as our Eagle of the Month and thank her for the job she does to make NCCU and Mecklenburg County great places.

Respectfully Submitted by Kim Michele Ratliff