Our Story
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Our mission is to Provide exposure, resources, and opportunities to marginalized youth through intentional programming and scholarship in Fayetteville, North Carolina
WHO WE ARE
The Two-Six Project is a 501c3 tax-exemption organization that serves as an incubator for (initiatives including, but not limited to) scholarships, educational programs, sports, and creative activities based out of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Our mission is to provide exposure opportunities for young leaders from marginalized communities through intentional programming and scholarship.
The phrase “Two-Six” stems from the local county code (026) which is specifically used in the Cumberland County Jail system. The local citizens of Fayetteville, North Carolina adopted the term and embraced it as a nickname for the city. At its core, the formation of the Two-Six Project was an intentional response to:
-The deficit narrative of marginalized communities
-The social unrest and racial turmoil sparked in 2020
-The lack of organized outlets to connect young people with innovative networks across underrepresented groups
The organization was founded by then 21-year-old Fayetteville native, Grant Bennett, during his senior year studying at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Forced to relocate back home during the pandemic, Grant and a small group of family and friends from Fayetteville began to outline a greater vision for the city and its youth. The organization started as a way to apply formal structure to already existing connections of the city’s brightest young entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, artists, influencers, and community leaders to curate and share culture to the next generation of youth from the city. Through a series of intentional conversations and grassroots programming such as sports clinics, community activations, and youth engagement, the nonprofit began its journey.
Recognized throughout the country for its work in community engagement, the organization has been a staple in the Fayetteville community since its inception. By establishing relationships with brands such as Google, Nike, Dreamville, Segra Stadium, Cumberland County Schools, Dennis Smith Jr., Vic Blends, Charlotte Hornets, and Fayetteville State University, our programming provides unique growth opportunities for the community. Our programming is our way of authentically engaging with our community. Powered by a team mostly under the age of 30, “The Project” represents a unique platform for the next generation of leaders from Fayetteville, North Carolina.
IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
200+
local students engaged
3000+
people Served at Annual Christmas Giveback Event
$63,000+
In received Grant Awards from Bank of America, Dicks Sporting Goods, Adobe, and the city of Fayetteville
$60,000+
in providing free food, clothes, haircuts, and toys during the holiday season
$30,000+
in sponsoring tournaments, traveling fees, uniforms, and traveling fees for youth travel athletics
$10,000+
in Scholarship Money Since 2020 with over 10 scholarship Awardees
GET INVOLVED
If you’re interested in partnership with the Two-Six Project please follow the links below!
