Mitchell Little is the executive director of the Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO), overseeing an annual budget of approximately $37 million. As the Community Action Agency for Philadelphia, CEO seeks to promote economic mobility out of poverty by collectively challenging Philadelphia to pursue policies and initiatives that work to advance economic justice by confronting long-term racial inequities. The agency also acts as a convener and funder, contracting with a wide variety of grantees to advance initiatives in economic mobility, housing security, employment services, and income supports.

As part of the City of Philadelphia’s Pathways to Reform, Transformation, and Reconciliation, Mitch sits on the Executive Committee along with the mayor and managing director to inform the efforts of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, most notably supporting City offices in creating their own equity plans. He has been instrumental in the creation and coordination of new local programs such as Same-Day Work and Pay, COVID-19 relief grants for barbershops and beauty salons, and housing assistance for returning citizens. Under his leadership, CEO has coordinated Philadelphia’s outreach on the expanded Child Tax Credit, which has been nationally recognized as a model, and successfully advocated for the elimination of commissary surcharges and an increase in free communication at county prisons.

Mitch holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Public and Non-Profit Leadership. Prior to joining local government, he spent 16 years in the nonprofit sector, first as a social worker and family counselor, supporting child welfare system-involved families. He then moved into management, focusing on community development, early childhood education, youth enrichment and diversion programming, and workforce development.