Community and faith-based leaders and workforce development professionals who serve Bertie County came together on Saturday, May 3rd with the goal of developing partnerships to increase access to job skills, employment opportunities, and financial empowerment. The summit was organized by NC Strategic Economic Growth, Reverend Vonner Horton of New Oxley Hill Baptist Church, and Melvin C. Powers, Director of Agency Development with the Choanoke Area Development Association. Representatives from Roanoke-Chowan Community College, Martin Community College, Region Q Workforce Development Board, several area career centers, as well as seven area churches discussed how workforce development offerings can be woven into the church. The discussion aimed to address the challenge of marketing and the benefit of latching onto existing programming; how pastoral care can complement job training and promote next steps in career advancement as well as the role of advocacy and the importance of engaging with industry and public officials.