The North Carolina Community Development Initiative celebrated the first Rosa Parks Day for Community Economic Development. Ms. Parks died in late 2005. She would have been 93 years old on February 4th. Best known for refusing to give up her seat on a public Alabama bus to a white passenger, her act of courage led to her arrest and sparked the civil rights movement. The Initiative and its subsidiary, Initiative Capital, Inc., its corporate and community partners, saluted Rosa Parks, celebrating her life, her vision, and the act of courage that would change the course of American history. "Rosa Parks left a legacy of striving for freedom and equality for all people. In much the same way, the Initiative works to effect change in the communities it reaches throughout North Carolina," said Initiative CEO Abdul Sm Rasheed.

At a reception hosted by the Initiative, Ebonie Alexander and Everett Wallace released the findings of a 10 year economic impact study conducted by National Community Services. The Atlanta based firm found the Initiative made a significant on North Carolina's economy, generating more than $230 million of local development in the state, creating 8,000 jobs and adding tax revenues of more than $18 million in its first decade.