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The Community Impact Committee met with Jim Dukes, the executive director of the 2022 WIF grantee Charlotte Art League in their new space at the Trailhead Art Building at 4237 Raleigh Street. They are very excited to be able to offer more accessible studio, gallery, and event space to the creatives in Charlotte. There is a new coworking space for digital artists where they can reserve podcast booths, a high-tech conference room, and a photo/video studio. There is a new coworking space for digital artists where they can reserve podcast booths, a high-tech conference room, and a photo/ video studio. In November there is a call to artists to submit artwork that will be interactive with the viewer for the “Augmented Reality Exhibition.” In this exhibition, CAL is encouraging artists to explore the ways artists can create work using interactive forms to touch, see, and even smell art.

The new digital tools available in CAL’s Digital Arts Accelerator can inspire and expand the artists’ use of video, audio, and other formative techniques to make and explore art.

The grant that Charlotte Art League received from Women’s Impact Fund allowed them to expand their free art programming for homeless and at-risk youth. They were also able to hire a part-time Administrative Assistant to help manage the events calendar, gallery, and other operational needs. CAL is trying hard to eliminate the phrase “we didn’t know you existed.” If members are interested in hosting a private wine tour with Jim Dukes that will help people experience the facility and spread the word about CAL they would be happy to accommodate.

They do have indoor and outdoor space available to rent for parties, corporate events, education, and team building. They do have volunteer needs for:

  • CAL Greeters – focus on greeting guests
  • CAL Tour Guides – help give a tour of the venue, etc.
  • CAL Art Volunteers – specifically help/ assist with artists and vendors. For more information, please contact Jim Dukes at jdukes@charlotteartleague.org.

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Janet LaBar

Executive Director​
jlabar@womensimpactfund.org

With more than 25 years of experience, Janet has a proven track record of leading organizations and teams in developing strategies that foster thriving communities. Her career is dedicated to the well-being of the places she serves, and the people and businesses within them, positioning her as a trusted sounding board, critical thinker, and purposeful protagonist across corporate, government, education, entrepreneurial, and civic spheres.
Janet joined Women’s Impact Fund in June 2025 to guide one of Charlotte’s most respected, women-led philanthropic organizations into its next phase of growth and impact. In partnership with the Women’s Impact Fund team, Board, Advisors, members, volunteers, and key community partners, she will continue strengthening communities by maximizing women’s leadership in philanthropy through collective giving, education, and engagement.
Inspired by her family, teams who dare greatly, and people and communities striving to be their best selves, Janet’s impactful career includes leadership roles as President and CEO of Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, President and CEO of Greater Portland Inc, and Chief Performance Officer of Greater Phoenix Economic Council. As a first-generation Filipino American, her lived experience deeply informs her professional drive to create equitable economic growth and opportunity in the metro areas she’s served.
She holds a BA in Communication Arts from the University of West Florida and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix. Janet and her husband James are proud parents to an older daughter, and a daughter and son who are twins.