Keynote Address
LeVelle Moton
LeVelle Moton is the CEO and founder of the Velle Cares Foundation. The Velle Cares Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to serve and assist community-based organizations that promote health, education and life skills for children and families in at-risk situations. Each year, LeVelle Moton hosts annual events such as the “Back to School Community Day Event” and the “Single Mother Salute” amongst others to enrich and give back to his community.
A 1996 graduate of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) with a bachelor’s degree in recreation administration, Moton became the school’s third all-time leading scorer with 1,714 points during his historic hardwood career as an Eagle from 1992-96, earning the nickname “Poetry `n Moton.”
On March 25, 2009, arguably one of the greatest players in school history was elevated from assistant coach to the position of head coach, becoming the 17th person to be named in that spot in the program’s history.
In his time at NCCU, Moton has won eight championships, 11 coach of the year awards and a USA gold medal. Most recently, he coached his 2019-2020 team to a MEAC regular season championship.
Industry Update
Dr. Michael Bitzer
Dr. Michael Bitzer is the Leonard Chair of Political Science and a professor of politics and history at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC. Serving at Catawba since 2002, he is the Chair of the Department of Politics and the Director of the Center for NC Politics and Public Service, which will be formally established in 2025.
Dr. Bitzer teaches courses in American politics, public administration and policy, law and history. He earned his Ph.D. from The University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs and his Master of Arts in History from Clemson University.
He is a recognized author on topics such as redistricting and gerrymandering in North Carolina and the state’s political dynamics. His work has been featured in numerous national and international media outlets. Dr. Bitzer was named the Swink Professor for Excellence in Teaching in 2011-12 and has previously served as provost, interim dean of students and dean of admissions at Catawba College. He also founded and manages the blog OldNorthStatePolitics.com.
Emily Cadik
Emily Cadik is the Chief Executive Officer of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC), where she leads advocacy to support affordable rental housing financed using the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit). Prior to joining the AHTCC, she was a Senior Director of Public Policy at Enterprise Community Partners, where she led policy and advocacy related to the Housing Credit and other affordable housing and community development issues. While at Enterprise she served on the board of the AHTCC, chairing the Legislative Committee, co-chairing the Marketing Committee, and serving on the Executive Committee since 2016. She also helped to lead the A Call To Invest in Our Neighborhoods (ACTION) Campaign, the nationwide coalition of more than 2,000 organizations and businesses advocating on behalf of the Housing Credit, and remains active in this nationwide advocacy effort. In 2017 she received the NHP Foundation’s inaugural Advocacy Award, and in 2016 was named one of Affordable Housing Finance’s Young Leaders.
Before joining Enterprise she was a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she served as a program coordinator for the Moving to Work demonstration and in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. She earned a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin.