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Kinston Teens
A youth-powered nonprofit shaping their community into a future of resilience, equity, and opportunity.
A Community Vision Comes to Life.
In East Kinston, transformation is being led by the people who live there. With the leadership of Chris J. Suggs and the youth-powered nonprofit Kinston Teens, the East Kinston Neighborhood Hub is turning a history of disinvestment into a future of resilience, equity, and opportunity.
This isn’t just a plan—it’s a movement grounded in local knowledge, cultural pride, and climate justice.
From Data to Action
Using tools like the Justice40 Screening Tool and CDC’s Environmental Justice Index, the team identified East Kinston as one of the most vulnerable communities in the region. But instead of stopping at analysis, they got to work—hosting workshops, gathering stories, and co-creating a plan with residents at the center.
What the Hub Delivers
Sustainable Design
Solar panels, rainwater systems, and flood-safe siting respond directly to community needs.
Spaces for Healing and Growth
The Hub supports education, wellness, and economic empowerment.
A Phased Approach
Immediate “anchor projects” build momentum while long-term strategies ensure lasting impact.
Powered by People
The process was intentionally inclusive—bringing together youth, elders, and everyone in between. With guidance from landscape architects, climate justice advocates, and academic partners, the community shaped a vision that reflects both urgency and hope.
A Legacy Reclaimed
East Kinston’s story includes funk music, civil rights activism, and deep cultural roots. The Neighborhood Hub honors that legacy while building toward a future where every resident has a voice—and a stake—in what comes next.
This is what it looks like when planning is led by the people it’s meant to serve.