GenOne

On April 30th, you’re invited to An Evening with GenOne, a night to celebrate the community and connection with those that make GenOne special.

After a record-breaking event in 2025, we’re looking forward to this being our biggest gathering yet. But we need you in the room to make that happen.

You’ll hear directly from Scholars, share a meal from Porcupine Provisions, and connect with changemakers across Charlotte at The Drum Dilworth.

Join us on April 30 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. for an evening of connection and community as we collectively invest in the futures of local first-generation college students.

Register for free today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-genone-tickets-1985249050351?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please join us in welcoming Tasha, GenOne’s new Operations and Technology Manager!

Tasha is an education and technology professional who is dedicated to expanding access and opportunity for students. As a first-generation college graduate from UNC Greensboro, she is passionate about supporting students from underserved communities as they navigate their path into college. Her work with students in foster care and adoption has strengthened her commitment to advocating for vulnerable students and ensuring they have the resources and support needed to succeed.

At GenOne, Tasha brings a unique combination of technical expertise, operational leadership, and a heart for service. She is dedicated to leveraging technology and data to create systems that work for people—removing barriers, increasing access, and helping every learner reach their full potential.

We’re excited for all the ways Tasha will help our Scholars and the rest of the team behind the scenes and beyond!

Faty is one of three children born to two Senegalese immigrants. Born in Charlotte, she remembers spending her early childhood in Senegal before returning to the United States to start kindergarten.

As a junior at East Mecklenburg High School, Faty decided to join GenOne. As a first-generation Scholar, GenOne was the support system she needed to navigate the college application process with confidence.

“I really didn’t know much at all about the college-going process,” said Faty. “I just knew not to get into debt. I knew that a major goal for me was to go to college debt free.”

After a GenOne trip to the Triangle Area, Faty was very excited to be able to step onto a college campus. When it came to deciding which college she wanted to attend, she ended up choosing @/UNC Charlotte. She’s currently a junior finance major.

Thanks to GenOne, Faty learned how to carry herself and make opportunities for herself before going to college. “Being surrounded by other first-generation students and having older GenOne Scholars create success for themselves was very eye opening and empowering,” said Faty.

Faty leaves some advice for upcoming GenOne Scholars; “don’t count yourself out of anything. I always tell my friends to let the recruiter reject you, don’t reject yourself.”

Read Faty’s full story and discover more inspiring GenOne stories by subscribing to our newsletter!: https://www.genoneclt.org/newsletter

On Tuesday, our Executive Director, Kim Perkins met with other organizations in the Crescent Coalition for a meaningful session focused on the values that will guide our work for our Scholars in the future, and how we can achieve it!

Members had the privilege of hearing from Joe Bost and Towers Mingledorff, two respected voices that spoke about advocacy. Hearing their insights regarding education challenged members’ thinking and inspired them on ways to create more opportunities for Scholars.

“There is something powerful about a group of organizations coming together not just to coordinate, but to align around shared values and a shared vision,” said Kim. “That is exactly what we did Tuesday, and I left feeling energized for what is ahead.”

GenOne is proud to be a member of this incredible coalition of organizations committed to creating real change for students and families in our community!