ELEVATING COMMUNITY

COLLECTIVE ACTION 501(c)3 • SERVING GREATER BALTIMORE

Mission

Claude C. Thornton Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated to improving individual and community wellbeing through collective action and economics.

Organization Overview

The Claude C. Thornton Foundation (CCTF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on elevating individual and community wellbeing through collective action and economics. Most notably, co-sponsored by Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute, CCTF hosts an annual Blossoms Blooming Brunch, a safe space for over 100 women in the Mid-Atlantic region to fellowship and for mentors in the community to be celebrated.

CCTF offers the Clarinet Scholarship of $1,000 to rising sophomores studying STEM, education, or related fields. The Clarinet Scholarship provides awardees with monetary and mentorship support to empower underserved students through their academic journey, ultimately promoting exceptional achievement. It also serves to encourage awardees to continue utilizing inquiry-based strategies to gain the academic knowledge and skills needed to be victorious and productive within the community.

CCTF also houses the Greater Baltimore Climate Initiative. The success of the inaugural Greater Baltimore Climate Summit in 2024 is measured by impactful efforts, including a survey of 453 regional stakeholders on priority climate issues, engagement of 312 summit participants at our first event, and raising over $40,000 in initiative funding in less than 90 days. This was done in collaboration with 22 partners, including Morgan State University, Green & Healthy Homes Initiatives, Canopy by Hilton, Environmental Defense Fund, Interfaith Power & Light DMV, and more.

Additionally, the initiative has surveyed 888 regional stakeholders on priority climate issues and engaged 740+ event participants since last November. Well on its way to expanding its impact to serve the state of Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic in 2026, the Greater Baltimore Climate Initiative is expanding to encompass four projects, including the summit, the Building Greater Baltimore Momentum Web Series, the Past Performance Project, and the Community-Environmental Scorecard.

Meet The Board

Cari is the founder of the Claude C. Thornton (CCT) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving individual and community wellbeing through collective action and economics. Through the CCT Foundation, Cari founded the Greater Baltimore Climate Summit in 2024. The success of the inaugural summit is measured by impactful efforts, including robust surveying of 730 regional stakeholders on priority climate issues, engaging over 324 event participants since last November, platforming the most prominent expert speakers on the subject matter, and aligning 22 partners on summit objectives, including Morgan State University, Green & Healthy Homes Initiatives, Canopy by Hilton, Environmental Defense Fund, the HBCU Environmental Justice Collaborative, Interfaith Power & Light DMV, Maryland League of Conservation Voters and more.

Currently, Cari sits on the advisory commission on Environmental Quality in Baltimore County and is a cohort member of Leadership Maryland’s prestigious Emerging Leader Program, a six-month professional development initiative designed for high-potential professionals poised to make significant contributions to their communities and industries. This appointment and executive leadership program further strengthen her leadership acumen and network within Greater Baltimore and Maryland’s economic, environmental, and civic landscape. Additionally, Cari is a Morgan State University alumna with a bachelor's and master's degree in Economics and an alumna of the Harbor Bank Emerging Developers Program’s third cohort (2019-2020).

Cari A. Harris is a multifaceted leader, dedicated to driving organizational, economic and community change. For the past four years, Cari A. Harris has led The Butterfly Effect, a profit-generating consultancy, providing strategic advisory and consulting services to over 100 clients. Her professional expertise as a commercial consultant has been instrumental in driving organizational improvement with a focus on stakeholder engagement, special projects/programs management, economics/finance and compliance.

Cari Harris, MS, PMP

Founder, President and CEO

For nearly two decades, she served the school system through multiple roles, including as an administrator in both Baltimore City and County. She also served her broader community as a Supervising Service Coordinator at Service Coordination, Inc., where she used a person-centered approach to coordinate community services and resources for individuals with disabilities and managed a team.

As a multifaceted woman, Autrese also studied at the Institute for Life Coach Training to become a Board-Certified Coach. The Center for Credential & Education (CCE) notified her that she had met all application and examination requirements for the Board-Certified Coach (BCC) certification in December 2021. She then went on to become the founder and president of See Limitless Life Coaching, which aims to empower community members to embody their most authentic selves and fearlessly execute tangible, actionable goals. In February 2022, Autrese was honored at the first annual Blossom Blooming Brunch for her service and commitment to mentoring young black women. She was also featured in the National Board of Certified Counselors’ BCC Spotlight: Autrese Thornton Discusses the Importance of Advocacy in 2023.

Autrese is passionate about serving and assisting people with gaining their independence by utilizing services and resources in the community. She is a strong advocate for ensuring that people are treated fairly and have an opportunity to be their authentic selves. Autrese believes in building relationships and staying active in her community. She serves as a faith-based leader at New Psalmist Baptist Church, secretary with Birchwood of Kings Park Homeowners Association Board, executive board member and co-chair of the Education Committee for the Randallstown NAACP, associate member of the Baltimore County Democratic State Central Committee, and committee member for the Baltimore County Animal Advisory. She is also a former candidate for the Baltimore County Board of Education Councilmanic District 4.

Autrese M. Thornton currently serves part-time as a Baltimore County Visitation Caseworker for children who are county residents. As a caseworker, she works collaboratively with social workers to monitor visitations for children and parents. In support of the U.S. EPA, she previously advised 150+ universities, local governments, and organizations designing projects and programs worth upwards of $20 million.

Autrese M. Thornton

Co-Founder, Treasurer and CFO

A passionate advocate for youth and underserved populations, Kemi has mentored individuals across Baltimore communities, including Cherry Hill and Edmondson Village.

An alumna of Morgan State University, Kemi is committed to advancing equity and empowerment through her roles, including serving as a general board member for Black Girls Vote Inc. Her current role as Service Coordinator with Service Coordination, Inc., demonstrates her dedication to fostering independence and self-determination for individuals with disabilities. She excels in advocating for resources and facilitating transitions for individuals reintegrating into the community, all while ensuring compliance with state standards and performance benchmarks.

She has provided responsive case management for homeless youth, connecting them to housing, education, and employment resources, and navigating complex systems such as rent court and public benefits. Kemi's varied roles demonstrate her ability to inspire and manage diverse teams, implement effective programs, and advocate for systemic change. Her work reflects a commitment to creating opportunities, fostering empowerment, and building strong, resilient communities.

Kemi Teru serves as the Vice President of the CCT Foundation, leveraging over eight years of experience in the nonprofit sector to drive impactful initiatives focused on youth leadership, advocacy, and community development. Her expertise spans clinical case management, community mobilization, grant compliance, program development, and report writing.

Kemi Teru

Vice President

As an HR professional, she enjoys serving workforces through the enhancement of resource support and employee relations. As Secretary at CCT, she uses her expertise to maintain administrative functions for internal relations of the organization and supports event planning and execution. Inspired by the incredible women that supported her through each stage of her life and career, her involvement with CCT allows her to help others find their way through building of community and skill development.

Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Morgan completed her B.A. in Psychology at the University of Baltimore. Finding her path in human resources in the healthcare system, she currently works as a Labor Relations Specialist.