When a loved one passes away, the absence of a will can leave families navigating confusion, court procedures, and difficult decisions. During the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum, Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court Elisa Chinn-Gary and attorney Geraldine Sumter explained why wills and trusts remain essential tools for protecting assets, preserving family wishes, and creating a smoother path for future generations.

Cash flow—not revenue—is often the difference between a thriving business and a struggling one. During a recent Coaching for Impact workshop, Chase for Business coach Justin Hurst shared practical strategies for understanding cash flow, managing expenses, improving receivables, and building financial resilience. From customer segmentation to maintaining 3–6 months of operating reserves, business owners learned how to make every dollar work smarter.

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.

Charlotte Realtor Danielle Scurry is redefining real estate as a pathway to legacy, wealth-building, and long-term stability. A second-generation real estate professional and founder of Scurry & Associates, Scurry transformed personal loss into purpose after inheriting her late father’s business in 2017. Today, she helps families across the Greater Charlotte region navigate homeownership with confidence, blending market expertise, education, and a commitment to generational w

HER Gov Summit 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment for women- and minority-owned businesses navigating the evolving world of government contracting. Hosted by TMC Consulting Group, the two-day Houston summit will connect entrepreneurs with procurement leaders, certification guidance, and strategic insight designed to help MWBEs access billions in public-sector opportunities.

At the Sarah Stevenson Tuesday Forum, Lorenzo McNulty of New York Life Insurance Company and Daks McClettie Sr. of State Farm broke down why protecting wealth is bigger than just making money. From funeral costs to life insurance and legacy planning, they challenged Black families to stop romanticizing wealth and start putting numbers on protection. Because income means little if your family is left unprepared.

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?

The first-ever Charlotte Black Women’s Business Directory is dropping this January—bringing 500+ Black women-owned brands into 100+ hotspot locations across the city. In a year where Black women faced record unemployment, this print edition is more than visibility—it’s a lifeline.

America’s progress is measured like coming from -98 to 0 — still far from the abundance we deserve. We keep pouring from our gourds until nothing is left for our own households, and then wonder why the village is starving. The truth is, scarcity was never meant to be our economic model. What happens when we flip the script — when we plant beside the well, refill our gourd, and teach the next generation to draw?

“I Know We Hate Babylon…and valid!” Let me start here, sis: I know we hate Babylon. Believe me, I’m the first one side-eyeing every time...

In early 2025, Target—the big-box giant once praised for its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments—made a stunning pivot. The company quietly scaled back several of its DEI initiatives, including parts of its much-publicized $2 billion investment in Black-owned businesses, bowing to political pressure in a shifting national climate. For many, it was more than a policy change—it was a betrayal. The response was swift and unapologetic. From Ash Wednesday to Activis