Meet Chris J. Suggs

I’m a homegrown leader from Kinston, North Carolina, with a proven track record of building durable institutions, strengthening public systems, and turning community vision into real, measurable outcomes.

I’m the Founder & CEO of Kinston Teens, a youth-led organization I launched at 14 that has grown into a nationally recognized model for civic engagement, community revitalization, and youth leadership. Over the last decade, my work has included transforming vacant properties into community assets, managing a portfolio of neighborhood real estate, guiding local government through crisis and recovery, and helping communities build power rooted in local ownership and trust.

I recently completed a four-year term on the Kinston City Council, where I focused on improving City Hall operations, strengthening core services, and advancing neighborhood-level investment—helping lead Kinston to be named a 2025 All-America City.

My work sits at the intersection of community development, governance, and civic engagement, and I’m increasingly focused on sharing lessons learned from my hometown with communities across the country and around the globe.

Click here to learn more about how we can work together, or reach out to me at chris@chrisjsuggs.com to connect.