Christine Edwards Pitkin founded the Civic Impact Academy to bridge the gap between residents and the institutions shaping Charlotte's future. Through civic education, advocacy training, and relationship-building, the 12-week program equips community leaders and public servants to collaborate, influence policy, and drive meaningful change. In a rapidly growing city, the Academy is helping more residents claim their seat at the table.

Mary Johnson, Darnell Ivory, Sean Langley, Greg Asciutto, Rev. Dr. Janet Garner-Mullins, and Malcomb Coley joined the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum to examine how highway expansion and proposed data centers continue to impact Black communities in Charlotte. Panelists connected past displacement, environmental inequity, and broken promises to present-day development concerns, questioning whether the city’s growth is once again coming at the expense of historically Black neighb

Retired Brigadier General Twanda “Tia” Young and American Legion Vice Commander Darrell Bonapart offered raw reflections on war, leadership, PTSD, and the lifelong realities veterans carry home during the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum honoring National Military Appreciation Month. From surviving combat trauma to confronting racism after service, the conversation revealed the unseen emotional weight behind military sacrifice — and the urgent need for deeper advocacy, mental h

The future of fashion came to Charlotte as the inaugural Textiles Recycling Expo USA brought together brands like Nike , Target , and Ralph Lauren to discuss sustainability, textile recycling, and circular fashion. With 1,858 attendees and 95 exhibitors, the event positioned Charlotte as a growing hub for innovation, manufacturing, and the future of sustainable fashion.

At the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum, panelists Charles Thomas, Angelique Gaines, Trilby Meeks, and Asha Ellison explored how Charlotte’s Historic West End gets its news. The study found that 81% of residents trust family, friends, and neighbors most for local information—proving proximity builds trust. From churches to community leaders, the conversation asked a bigger question: who gets to tell the story of a community?

More gems just dropped in the Sistah Scene! We discovered a few more beautiful events happening around Charlotte this week and couldn’t let you miss them. #SistahScene #ThingsToDoCLT #CharlotteEvents

Hi Sis! Welcome to the Sistah Scene! Whether you’re a native of the Queen City or a newcomer, there’s so much to explore in our beautiful city.

Charlotte is preparing to host one of gospel music’s biggest nights. The 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards—often called the “Grammys of Gospel”—will take over the Queen City August 12–15, 2026, bringing top artists, live performances, and thousands of visitors to the city. The nationally televised ceremony at Spectrum Center will spotlight Charlotte on the national stage of gospel music and culture.

At Cedar Grove Cemetery, history rests in unmarked ground and government-issued headstones. During the Charlotte Museum of History’s “Marching Home” panel, veterans and community leaders confronted the paradox of Black military service: defending a nation abroad while still fighting for dignity at home. Their stories demand more than applause—they demand remembrance.

This Black History Month, the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum wasn’t interested in polished tributes. It offered something rarer: candor. From the dismantling of Black educational institutions after integration to Soul City’s bold economic vision and Charlotte’s fragmented music scene, elders and professionals confronted what was built, what was lost, and what must be rebuilt. If you want to understand Black Charlotte beyond celebration, start here.

At a Black History Month panel, former students and teachers of West Charlotte High reflected on a time when the school symbolized Black academic excellence and community pride. Their stories revealed both the power of segregated Black educational spaces and the cultural cost of desegregation — raising a pressing question: how do we restore the rigor, presentation, and excellence that once defined West Charlotte?