“It’s a great place to raise a family. There’s a great sense of community and belonging here.” – Davida Robinson, Greensboro, NC
For Davida Robinson, returning to Greensboro region wasn’t part of the plan. After nearly a decade in Dallas and several other cities, she didn’t expect to find her future waiting for her in the same place she grew up. But when the world paused in 2020, Davida made a decision that would ultimately bring her back to the Carolina Core—and into one of the most exciting career chapters of her life.
Davida Robinson is now an Operations Leader Trainer at Toyota North Carolina, a role focused on building culture, supporting new team members and shaping the future of Toyota’s newest facility. It’s a position she never anticipated, in an industry she never imagined, but one that aligns perfectly with her background in education and leadership. And the setting couldn’t be more meaningful: just minutes from the rural community where she was raised.
Born in Greensboro and raised in nearby Pleasant Garden, Davida’s journey came full circle when she moved back home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although she had once seen her hometown as “a small town with big character,” she hadn’t pictured herself living there again. But Greensboro had changed—and so had she.
“When I moved back, everyone was so supportive,” she said. “It took me a while to feel like I was home again, but the connections and the people made all the difference.”
Davida initially took a role with the North Carolina Department of Education before hearing about Toyota’s plans to build a major battery plant in Liberty. At first, it seemed unlikely—Greensboro didn’t seem like a place where global companies would invest on such a large scale. But the buzz kept growing, and she applied. A year later, she found herself at the forefront of a one-of-a-kind training and development hub designed to introduce new hires to Toyota’s values and vision.
With more than 25 years of experience in education and leadership development, Davida’s skills were a natural fit—even though she had no background in manufacturing. “What really stood out was how Toyota valued transferable skills,” she said. “They saw what I brought to the table and knew I could make a difference.”
Inside the company, she found something even more valuable than a new role: a welcoming, collaborative culture. “It’s a very warm environment,” she said. “People are kind, they’re helpful, and they want to see you grow.” Her approach to leadership—kindness, compassion, and authenticity—has helped her flourish in a space where those values are truly embraced.
Outside of work, Davida quickly became an active member of the community. Through her mother’s network, she connected with leaders from the Shirley T. Fry YWCA, where she was invited to serve on the board. That led to introductions through Action Greensboro, where she found a new professional network—and a renewed sense of place. As an active member of Impact Church Greensboro, Davida appreciates the area’s strong network of churches that offer small groups, membership classes and a wide range of activities for children, youth and families. She says it is another way to build a loving and supportive community in the Core. Davida was also able to reconnect with her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, by reacclimating her commitment via the Greensboro Alumnae Chapter.
What impressed her most was how much the region had changed. The downtown area, once familiar but quiet, had transformed. From the Civil Rights Museum to the development of LeBauer Park, from local food halls to Broadway shows at the Tanger Center, Greensboro felt vibrant and full of life. “You can really see how they’re trying to connect people and bring young professionals into the region,” she said.
She’s also found plenty of ways to enjoy the region’s slower pace and natural beauty. A cup of coffee from a local shop, a morning ride at Ride United, or a walk around Country Park have become cherished routines. And when friends visit from Dallas, she’s quick to point out the region’s unique geography—“You’ve got the mountains, the beach and everything in between.”
From her perspective, the Carolina Core offers the best of both worlds: opportunity and lifestyle, career growth and community. “It really feels like more of a community now,” she said. “And the diversity here is incredible—you’ll find neighborhoods and people that make you feel like you belong.”
For anyone considering a move, Davida has simple but powerful advice: “Take a chance. I never thought I’d come back, but I’m so glad I did. The Core has so much to offer—more than you might expect.”
Now settled in her hometown with a fresh perspective, Davida Robinson isn’t just building a new chapter—she’s helping to shape the future of the Carolina Core.