Will Acuff

Experience

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  Center for Health Policy Research (Duke)

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2005

  Research Analyst
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  MMT

  Jan 2007 - Oct 2008

  Director of Operations
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  CentreSource

  Dec 2008 - Dec 2015

  Manager of Strategy
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  Corner to Corner

  Dec 2011 - now

  Co-Founder

  Corner to Corner is a community-led nonprofit co-creating meaningful economic growth with historically underestimated Nashvillians through knowledge, tools, and networks.We do this through 2 primary programs, The Academy and Script to Screen.The Academy: We equip underestimated Entrepreneurs with the tools they need to plan, launch, and grow their own small business. This community-led and community located program has now launched over 819 entrepreneurs, 88% of whom are Black women. In 2022 our graduates put an estimated $21M back into the Neighborhood economy based on Small Business Administration averages.Script to Screen: We help kids fall in love with reading through their love of movies, transforming the joy of creation into literacy gains. With 6 sites serving over 100 kids per year, we have seen tremendous growth in our participants year over year. Since a kids economic outcomes starts with literacy, we work together to lay a strong foundation.Why?A median Black family has 1/10th the wealth of a median white family, with a higher rate of downward mobility. Black- owned businesses are fewer in number & smaller in size, resulting in a $1.6 trillion loss of economic value for all Americans. Exclusionary policies & practices start at birth. Black children face an educational opportunity gap, which is connected to unemployment & low-paying jobs. The economic inequality experienced by the Black community challenges the aims of SDGs 8 & 10. And has a negative impact on all American communities missing out on talent, creativity & production.How our Faith Informs Us:At Corner to Corner we are compelled by the Love of Christ to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. One of the primary ways that we love ourselves and our own families is through taking care of our financial needs. We believe the call to love our neighbors well is a direct invitation to invest in their financial future as well as our own. Show less