Meet the Mayor: Vi Lyles
By Angela Lindsay
She did it. Last November, Vi Lyles became Charlotte’s first African-American female mayor after a hotly contested race—one which ended with a much more definitive defeat of her Republican opponent, Kenny Smith, than many residents and experts predicted.…
Learning Language for Fun
By Eren Simpson
Learning foreign languages is a family affair for Shylene Santiago and her eight children.
When Santiago’s now 10-month-old was born, he was born with a heart condition. Because of his fragility, Santiago decided she needed to quit the workforce and stay home with her son, and find a way to work from home to continue to provide for her family financially.…
Lessons to Live by for Daughters
By Lashawnda K. Becoats
Being a mother is a gift. You could not have told me that when I was 18 years old, pregnant in high school and uncertain of what my future would hold. Now it’s hard to believe that my three children (two daughters and a son) are adults.…
Cuts and Conversations: How This Barber Became a Community Leader
By Tonya Jameson
Shaun “Lucky” Corbett didn’t plan to be a community leader, but owning a barbershop left him little choice.
People from all walks of life visit Da Lucky Spot on North Tryon Street between East Craighead Road and Atando Avenue.…
It’s Not Just a White Thing: Autism In the Black Community
By Tonya Jameson
Carter’s parents are working hard to get him the care that he needs.
LaFreda Hendley knew something was wrong with her son, Carter, when he was 1 year-old. By age 1½, Carter knew the letters of the alphabet, but he also had a strange gaze.…
Book Explores the Complexities of Black Men Through the Eyes of Local Leaders
By Kallan Louis
We are currently witnessing rapid and steady growth in Charlotte. As luxury apartments, retail shops and restaurants have residents flooding back to live in uptown and South End, Charlotte’s historically black West End has remained mostly neglected. The often-mentioned Harvard study on economic mobility — which ranked Charlotte last out of 50 major metropolitan areas on economic mobility — reveals how complex the issues truly are.…
Pearls of Hope
By Eren Simpson
Photo courtesy of Marissa Joy Kaplan Photography
What started as a weekly women’s bible study among friends has evolved into a nonprofit organization that’s expanding its reach beyond the members’ living rooms.
In 2013, Katrina McCain and her friends were all attending different churches when they all felt the need for female fellowship opportunities.…
Ready to Grow? Ask Yourself This
By Elizabeth Colen
Elizabeth Colen
Letting go is not always the end; it can be the beginning of something new.
I recently went to the wedding of my only son and it was a very emotional event for me. I’m sure I am not the only mother who has had to “let go”. …
Ask Lashawnda: Lifestyle Advice for Everyday People
By Lashawnda Becoats
People ask me questions everyday. Sometimes it’s because I’m the editor of Pride magazine. Sometimes it’s because they know I’m a certified life coach. Sometimes people follow my fabulous adventures on social media. I love helping people so I decided to create an advice column based on the questions I get.…