Giving Compass' Take:

• Molly Shaw and Dale Erquiaga explain how the city of Charlotte is investing in social capital to help disadvantaged students succeed. 

• How can other cities follow Charlotte's? How can funders support efforts to increase social capital? 

• Learn more about helping disadvantaged students build social capital. 

On a recent evening in Charlotte, North Carolina, 10 high school students from low-income backgrounds met with top executives of the Albemarle Corp., a global specialty chemicals company. The teens were there to meet role models, learn about building a successful career and give the execs advice about how Albemarle could improve its business.

Many young people never get this type of opportunity to make connections and share expertise. For many children and families served by our organization, Communities in Schools, the American dream of upward mobility is just that — a dream, and an unlikely one. Growing up segregated from wealthier families and economic opportunity, they are very likely to remain in cycles of generational poverty. To change this, they need a resource that isn’t measured in dollars.

Sociologists call it social capital, the connections and relationships that help people navigate toward a successful future. Colloquially, it’s who you know and how they can help you navigate careers and opportunity.

The job-shadowing experience at Albemarle was one small step toward delivering this valuable commodity to children who might not otherwise have access to it, and to help them and their families move up the economic ladder in Charlotte. A citywide effort aims to boost economic opportunity, in part by helping children and their families build relationships across socioeconomic lines. These relationships provide valuable information, support and connections they would otherwise lack; empower them to unlock their own potential; and enable them to get ahead.

Read the full article about how Charlotte is investing in social capital by Molly Shaw and Dale Erquiaga at The 74.