A colorful blurred background with circular patterns, stars, and ribbon-like confetti, creating a festive or celebratory atmosphere.
Black and white photo of a woman with tattoos on her neck and arms, sporting a septum piercing and styled hair in dreadlocks tied up.
Text that reads "A New Day" in cursive font with shadow effect.

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Raised

A woman dance performance on stage with balloons in the background.
A young woman in a black workout outfit is performing a ballet pose, standing on one leg with the other leg extended behind her and arms raised. She is indoors at a event with seated audience members watching her performance.
A smiling woman with dark skin and colorful dreadlocks tied up in a bun, attending a group event indoors.
A dancer in a black shirt with a colorful heart design is performing a dance move on a wooden floor, with colorful balloon arrangements and large white letters in the background.
Decorative balloon columns in pink, blue, yellow, and teal framing large white illuminated letters on a stage with a dark blue curtain background.
A bouquet of colorful flowers on a pink table with a portrait-related card in front of it. In the background, blurred figures of people and a person on a computer are visible.
A small bouquet of flowers in a glass vase, featuring white, orange, pink, and purple blooms, placed on a round black table with a promotional card next to it, at an indoor event or conference.
Three young women performing a dance routine in front of an audience at an indoor event, with people seated at tables watching.
A young girl performing a dance or cheer routine on a stage decorated with large balloon displays in pink, navy, yellow, and teal colors. An audience member watches in the foreground, and large white letters spell
Person wearing a straw hat taking a photo with a smartphone at an indoor event with other attendees in the background.
A girl is performing a dance move on the floor at an indoor event, with balloons and large letters spelling 'TEACH' on the side, and decorated tables with people seated in the background.
A woman with dark hair tied back, wearing a black t-shirt with rainbow-colored heart and black pants, is dancing in a studio with a wooden floor. In the background, there are pink balloons and large white letters spelling 'LOVE' with green and pink b
A dancer in a ballet pose with one leg raised behind her and arms extended, in a studio with balloon decorations in the background.
A woman is dancing or performing in a room with a wooden floor, wearing black leggings and a black t-shirt with a rainbow-colored heart. Several people are sitting or standing in the background, observing her performance.
A man with dark hair, a beard, and a mustache is smiling at the camera. He is wearing a green shirt with a light green jacket over it. The background is plain and light-colored.
A woman in a pink dress standing on stage holding a microphone and reading from a paper, with a dark blue curtain and large letters spelling out 'TED' behind her. Balloons are on the left side of the stage, and part of another woman wearing pink is v
Group of seven diverse young adults standing together indoors in front of a white brick wall, smiling for the camera, with some wearing casual T-shirts with logos and one person wearing a tan hat.
A woman with dreadlocks speaking into a microphone at an indoor event, with two seated women and colorful balloon decorations in the background, including large white letters spelling 'LOVE' and a dark blue curtain.
A woman with tattoos, dressed in a floral dress, is speaking into a microphone on a stage decorated with colorful balloons and white large letter numbers. Another woman in a bright pink dress is standing beside her with papers in hand, in front of a
A group of diverse women standing and clapping in a room with a white brick wall background, attending an indoor event.
A woman with blonde hair holding a smartphone in front of her, taking a photo of a person on stage decorated with colorful balloons and the word 'WELCOME' in large letters.
Person in a blue shirt taking a photo of a woman on stage at an indoor event using a smartphone.
Close-up of small gift bags wrapped in clear cellophane with gold accents, filled with assorted candies and snacks, set against a blurred green background.
Close-up view of champagne glasses with bubbles, lined up on a black surface, with a blurred background.
A woman speaking into a microphone at an indoor event, standing in front of a dark blue curtain adorned with pink, navy blue, and yellow balloon arrangements. Large white letters spell out
Two men exchanging a handshake and a microphone in front of a blue curtain. One man is wearing glasses, a plaid shirt, and brown shoes; the other is wearing a white cap with a star, glasses, a white T-shirt with red text, and dark sweatpants with str
Group of diverse people seated at tables with floral centerpieces attending an indoor event, with some standing against a beige wall in the background.
Two men standing side by side with eyes closed, wearing casual attire and name tags, in an indoor setting with a speaker in the background.
A group of people smiling at a presentation or event, with balloons in various colors behind them and a large blue curtain to the right.
A man wearing a white cap and white t-shirt speaking into a microphone at an event, with people seated behind him and colorful balloon decorations on the right side.
A diverse group of people attending a meeting or conference in a well-lit room with large windows. Some are seated at tables, and others are standing, listening attentively, with a few holding drinks or notes.
Two women smiling and posing for a photo against a white brick wall. The woman on the left has dark hair, is wearing a blue top, and has a name tag that says "Anne Pott". She is holding a white device, possibly a selfie stick or phone holder. The wom
People standing and sitting against a white brick wall in a bright room, possibly attending an event or meeting.
A man wearing a white cap, glasses, and a white shirt hugging a woman wearing glasses and a purple shirt. They are on a stage with dark blue curtains in the background.
Two people hugging and smiling at each other in a cheerful indoor setting, with other people in the background.
Two people smiling and hugging, one giving a thumbs-up. They are at an indoor event with other people in the background.
Three smiling people standing close together, with arms around each other, at an indoor event. The man on the left is wearing glasses, a white t-shirt with a Levi's logo, and a white cap with a star. The man in the middle is wearing glasses and a pla
Two women with dark hair are smiling and working at a counter with drinks in bottles behind them.
Two women sitting at a table with wrapped items and large beverage dispensers, one wearing a leopard print headwrap and glasses, the other with braided hair, in a room with geometric wall decorations.
A woman in a red suit speaking into a microphone during an event with a dark blue curtain backdrop and large white letters on the stage
Group of people sitting at a table in a conference or event, some with hand on forehead, engaged in a moment of reflection or prayer.
A diverse group of five adults standing in a row against a white brick wall, attentively listening to someone off-camera in a room with a brick pillar and a door, some with arms crossed, some with hands clasped, dressed casually and professionally.
A person is recording a woman speaking on stage at an indoor event, with colorful balloons in the background; the photo is taken through the back of a smartphone.
A man and a woman are having a conversation at an event. The man is wearing a beige hat, white shirt, beige vest, and white shoes. The woman is dressed in a sleeveless pink dress and high heels, holding a microphone and papers. In the background, a w
People taking a group selfie with a smartphone at an indoor event.
A woman in a red suit holding a microphone and papers, standing in front of a stage with large white letters and colorful balloon decorations.
A woman dressed in a red suit holding a microphone and a paper, standing in front of a blue curtain and a balloon arrangement of pink, red, yellow, and teal balloons. Large illuminated letters behind her spell out part of a word.
A woman in a red suit is speaking at a microphone in a decorated event space with balloons and people seated and standing around.
A diverse group of people standing and clapping at an indoor event. Some are facing forward, others are side or profile view. The room has string lights hanging from the ceiling and windows letting in natural light.
A diverse group of people standing together smiling at an indoor event, with a blue curtain and balloons in the background.
A group of five people standing around a table at an indoor event, some looking at their phones, with a floral arrangement on the table and a display with photographs in the background.
A bald man with gray beard wearing glasses and a dark blue polo shirt posing with a woman with dark hair, wearing a light-colored checked dress, at an indoor event with balloons and people in the background.

The Power of One Step

A woman with dark hair styled in soft waves, wearing a bright pink sleeveless dress with a matching scarf tied around her neck, smiling and holding her hands together in front of her chest.

Emcee

Mikaya Thurmond

Mikaya is a nationally recognized communications strategist, award-winning former WRAL anchor, and CEO of @milanpublicrelations. With more than 13 years of experience in newsrooms and executive boardrooms, she brings clarity, confidence, and connection to every stage she steps on. Her journalism career earned two Associated Press awards, four Emmy nominations, and national appearances on CNN, CBS Evening News, NBC’s Today Show, and The Weather Channel.

Today, she advises leaders and organizations during high-stakes moments and was named one of Ragan’s Top Women in Communications (Class of 2025). A Harvard and UGA alum who now lectures at NC State, Mikaya is also deeply committed to mentorship and philanthropy — even funding an annual college scholarship for a young woman in North Carolina.

Known for her poise and warmth, Mikaya brings energy, purpose, and precision to every event she emcees — and we can’t wait for her to lead us through this powerful evening.

Logo for Mehraki Productions with gold and purple color scheme and a stylized flame design.

Complimentary professional headshots taken onsite during the event courtesy of Mehraki Productions

That’s just one of the many reasons to join us for IMPACT26: A New Day — The Power of One Step on Thursday, April 16 from 12–2 PM at ReCity Network.

This inspiring fundraising luncheon supports the work of StepUp Durham, where we empower job seekers facing barriers to employment with the tools, relationships, and support they need to build sustainable careers.

Seven dancers in black and white athletic jackets and black leggings standing on steps outside a blue house, each with their right hand over their heart as they perform a choreographed pose.
Logo for Walledown Children's Theatre with a city skyline silhouette in teal and black, and stylized white and teal text.

We’re excited to welcome Walltown Children’s Theatre as the entertainment for IMPACT26!

Since 2000, WCT has empowered young people from diverse backgrounds through performing arts and youth development—helping them build confidence, express creativity, and strengthen our community. Rooted in Walltown and serving Durham and the Triangle, their performances celebrate connection, opportunity, and the power of youth voices.

We can’t wait for them to bring that energy to the IMPACT26 stage!

A digital graphic announcing a $30,000 match with a green and yellow color scheme and glowing effects.

StepUp Durham has a $30,000 match—which means your donation can go twice as far.

Here’s what that means: When you give, your gift is matched dollar-for-dollar. There’s no minimum—every gift counts.

This match is for:

  • First-time donors

  • People who haven’t given in the past year (since March 18, 2025)

Your support helps more people in Durham find jobs, earn livable wages, and build a more stable future. Give now and double your impact.

Sponsors

We’re honored to have your support in advancing StepUp Durham’s mission and helping create new pathways to sustainable careers.

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The logo of Duke Human Resources with the word 'Duke' in large blue letters and 'Human Resources' in smaller blue letters underneath.
Duke University Office of Durham & Community Affairs logo

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