Johnson C. Smith University
Gets New Cycling Program

March 26, 2022

The first women’s cycling programs at a historically Black college, Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), and at tribal colleges and universities will launch with funding from a three-year grant from Cannondale, EF Pro Cycling, and USA Cycling (USAC). Two tribal schools, the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Navajo Technical University in Crown Point, New Mexico, are the other grant recipients.…

A Second Helping
Andria Gaskins is a romance novelist and great cook

March 18, 2022

By Lelita Cannon

Andria Gaskins holds many titles — doctor, wife, mother, novelist and culinary artist extraordinaire — to name a few. A graduate of Wake Forest University, Gaskins was proprietor and head physician at Gaskins Chiropractic until 2003 when her first son was born.…

Grier Heights Teen Creates Food Pantries

February 27, 2022

By Sherita Pryer In the beginning of the pandemic, 17-year-old Alexandria Brown was challenged by a local Girl Scout to spend 80 hours making a difference in her community. Brown noticed a consistency with people walking 20 minutes or driving 10 minutes to her nearby convenience store.…

Allegra Westbrooks

February 27, 2022

By Giovanni Samuels Advocate for the Right to Read Allegra Westbrooks was a pioneer in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system. She advocated for the Black community’s right to access reading material and developed a strong connection between the community and branches within the system through outreach programs.…

A Second Helping

February 27, 2022

Andria Gaskins is a romance novelist and great cookBy Lelita Cannon Andria Gaskins holds many titles — doctor, wife, mother, novelist and culinary artist extraordinaire — to name a few. A graduate of Wake Forest University, Gaskins was proprietor and head physician at Gaskins Chiropractic until 2003 when her first son was born.…

Dr. Patricia Bath

February 27, 2022

First Black Woman to Be Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame By Sonja Whitemon Some people seem to have been born to be exceptional— their footsteps ordered from birth. Dr. Patricia Bath was among those seemingly destined for greatness.…

Men Moving Mountains

January 1, 2022

Phenomenal Black men in Charlotte who are uplifting the community. Charlotte has an All-Star Team that are performing Amazing Feats. by John Burton, Abena Atiemo and Lelita Cannon…

North Carolina Musicians Influence Music Worldwide

January 1, 2022

By Alicia BenjaminThese legendary Black men from North Carolina have greatly influenced music worldwide. Over the last 100 years, these musicians have elevated the artform of music, not only during their lifetimes, but for generations in the future When J. Cole performed his song, “BeFree,” in 2014 on the Late Show withDavid Letterman, it was clear that Colewas not just singing a song – he wasconveying a serious message.…

Black Men Have Unique Mental Health Challenges

January 1, 2022

By Vanessa Clarke and Alicia Benjamin Admitting to needing help for mental health concerns is stigmatized in the U.S., and the problem is even more pronounced in the Black community. For many African Americans, “it can be incredibly challenging to discuss the topic of mental health due to this concern about how they may be perceived by others,” according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.…

Reclaiming Beatties Ford Road Corridor Through Art and History

January 1, 2022

By Sasha Manley Johnson C. Smith University’s two-part installation highlights the Beatties Ford Road Corridor’s concerns, history and future. Over 60 years ago, a new I-277 expressway ripped through the Beatties Ford Road area off interstate 85 and exit 37, displacing residents, businesses and churches.…