Hit Bit Technology – Pride Magazine

A New Shade of Blue: Estella Patterson Prepares to Lead CMPD

May 6, 2026

By Angela Lindsay Estella D. Patterson officially assumed the role of chief of police with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) in December 2025, making her the first woman in Charlotte’s history to hold the position. Patterson, who was born in Colon, Panama, where her military father was stationed, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and her Master of Science in criminal justice from the University of Oklahoma.…

Charlotte’s Rise as a Hub for Black-Owned Businesses

May 6, 2026

By Derik Hicks Charlotte has long been known as one of the fastest-growing cities in the Southeast. Now, recent data from LendingTree shows the city is also becoming a significant hub for Black entrepreneurship. According to LendingTree’s 2023 study analyzing data from the U.S.…

Carolina Panthers cornerback Troy Pride Jr.’s winding journey

May 6, 2026

Carolina Panthers cornerback Troy Pride Jr.’s winding journey By Charles K Harris One of the most critical objectives of memorizing a team playbook is to ensure that both individual players and the team can implement an alternative play straight away, effortlessly, cohesively and seamlessly.…

Why We Should Enthusiastically Celebrate Juneteenth

May 6, 2026

As African American people in the United States, we shape the narrative aroundJuneteenth and what it means. Juneteenth is about more than good food, parades andgood times. It’s a day that reminds us of who we are, what we’ve survived and what weshould continue to build for ourselves and future generations.…

Fuel Flo Entrepreneur Goes Beyond the Pump to Serve Customers

May 6, 2026

By Kurtavia Burton Amber Murray has made it her mission to end gas station inconvenience by bringing the pump to your front door. As the founder of Fuel Flo, she created a business that conveniently delivers gas to you. Simply put, it is “DoorDash, but for gas.”…

CHICKPEA NOT SO TUNA SALAD

March 25, 2026

By Dawn Hilton Williams, The Vegucator Serves up to 8 INGREDIENTS 3–15 oz cans of chickpeas (garbanzos), rinsed and drained 3/4 cup celery, finely diced 1⁄2 cup red onions, finely diced 2 TBSP fresh dill, rough chopped 3/4 cup vegan mayonnaise 2 TBSP stone ground or Dijon mustard 2 TBSP relish (optional) DRY INGREDIENTS Zest of 1 medium lemon 2 TBSP dulse granules (or 1 TBSP nori flakes, ground) 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1⁄2 tsp black pepper 1⁄2 tsp kosher salt (optional) METHOD ADD garbanzo/chickpeas to food processor and quick pulse in 4-5 second intervals for two rounds to break them up (not mushy), remove from processor, add to large mixing bowl and repeat until finished all the beans.…

The Queen City Culture Film Festival Highlights Short Films from Around the World

February 25, 2026

By Derik Hicks Charlotte’s creative landscape continues to evolve, and at the heart of that growth is the Queen City Culture Film Festival (QCCFF), a short-film festival founded by two Black women with deep roots in film, performance and community storytelling.…

From Breweries to Michelin Stars: Charlotte’s Global Culinary Rise

February 25, 2026

By Loán C. Lake With the filming of Bravo’s Top Chef Season 23 and local restaurants recognized by the James Beard Awards and the Michelin Guide, the Queen City is no longer a culinary underdog. Once known primarily for breweries and casual dining, Charlotte is now carving out a reputation as a serious food city, one where Southern tradition meets global influence, and chefs earn national accolades without abandoning their roots.…

Rolling Art, Radical Access and the Power of Community Care

February 25, 2026

By Meeka Clark Michelle “Ms. Bunny” Gregory is a Charlotte native whose roots run deep along the Beatties Ford Road corridor, a historically Black community that helped shape her identity as an artist, mentor, environmentalist, and cultural steward. She was a fashion design major at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, and she’s a graduate of West Charlotte High School, Gregory’s creative foundation was built early — the spirit, pride and resilience of her Charlotte upbringing still echo through the halls of her alma mater, where her mural continues to shine as a reflection of what the community nurtures and sends forward.…

La Becky Roe’s Faith-Fueled Mission for Autism Inclusion

February 25, 2026

By Brenda Porter-Rockwell Advocating for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was not a path La Becky Roe — now the Founder and Executive Director of Charlotte-based Let’s Talk About It…The Autism Center, Inc. — set out to do. It was, she believes, a calling by God placed on her life long before she understood what the work would require.…