As rural communities face rising food insecurity, growing mental health needs, and a fast-changing workforce shaped by artificial intelligence, North Carolina Central University’s Rural Health Hub is bringing together residents, students, and community leaders for a two-day Designing for Social Good workshop aimed at turning local challenges into scalable solutions.

Former United States Representative  Eva Clayton, 91, and Enfield Mayor Mondale Robinson will open the workshop with a keynote on Friday at 6 p.m.

Clayton — North Carolina’s first Black congresswoman — and Robinson — founder of the Black Male Voter Project — will share how local leadership, community-centric initiatives, and cross-sector collaboration drive innovation.

Led by The HBCU Founders Initiative and backed by Eshelman Innovation, with support from OIC of Rocky Mount, the Designing for Social Good workshop will unite Halifax County residents with HBCU students and subject matter experts to build human-centered solutions rooted in lived experience and designed for real-world impact.

To date, the Designing for Social Good Workshop series has been delivered nationwide, engaging more than 250 students from over 10 HBCUs. The workshop's impact has resulted in success stories such as the creation of RapidRelief, an AI-driven platform led by a Jackson State University alumnus that connects insurance providers and government agencies with individuals affected by natural disasters, streamlining support and response efforts.

“Bringing the Designing for Social Good Workshop to Halifax reflects NCCU’s commitment to strengthening rural communities through education and innovation,” Robinson said. “Too often, solutions are created for communities without being created with them. This workshop ensures our residents have a voice — and a leading role — in building real solutions that move Halifax County forward.”

“We developed this workshop to intentionally connect with community members who see themselves as problem-solvers and carry a deep passion for local issues,” said HBCUFI Founder and President Marlon Evans.“By learning design thinking, we find that attendees can ignite their entrepreneurial spark and use a human-centered mindset to build impactful businesses, created for good and rooted in real community needs.”

“Designing for Social Good is about equipping the next generation of innovators to lead with both heart and strategy,” Clayton said. “The methodology of building with empathy begins by listening to the people closest to the challenges. As a passionate two-time HBCU alumnus, I am proud to return to my alma mater and help move that work forward.”

Following the keynote, participants will take part in a hands-on solution-building workshop on Jan. 31 that moves theory into action. Through a guided process, attendees will:

Identify community needs related to food insecurity, access to mental health professionals, and workforce development

Shape ideas into practical solutions through community interviews and rapid feedback

Explore how AI can support innovation in rural communities 

To learn more about the workshop, visit: https://shorturl.at/O6OCD 

To register to attend, visit: https://forms.gle/Tn99f7eFWBtc41mi9