Pride Magazine - July 2024 - 2025 "Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine" by Pride Magazine Online

Building better—together

Working with diverse-owned small businesses creates so much opportunity. It enhances our client experience and strengthens our business operations. And it supports our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities.

Care to join us? Visit Truist.com/who-we-are/suppliers to learn how to register your diverse-owned business in our supplier diversity program.

CATS DBE Program Unlocks Opportunities

for Minority, Women and Small Business Owners in Charlotte!

CATS invites minority, women, and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses to become Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certiﬁed. As a DBE, you may have the opportunity to provide essential goods & services supporting CATS in delivering public transit services to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region.

Whether you specialize in:

• Legal services

• Structural steel

• Electrical work

• Geotechnical services

• Interior ﬁnishes

• Engineering

• Welding

• Construction

Expand your horizons and make a difference in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

Access new opportunities, connect with professionals, and receive the support you need to succeed.

Join us in building a stronger community.

The City of Charlotte does not discriminate on the basis of disability. To request a reasonable accommodation or modiﬁcation please email telltransit@charlottenc.gov or call 704.336.7433.

To learn more about the DBE program, visit ridetransit.org and click on Civil Rights.

Scan the QR code to learn more about current opportunities at CATS:

The daughter of an immigrant holds an American flag at her mother’s 2019 naturalization ceremony in Philadelphia.

Photo by Jana Shea/Shutterstock

Make Novant Health your home for healthcare in Charlotte. Find your care team at NovantHealth.org/Doctors

Novant Health is here for you with a network of award-winning hospitals and physician clinics.

Trusted experts: Our primary care and specialty doctors work together to ensure you get all the care you need, from routine to advanced.

Compassion: We connect with you to understand and deliver what is important to you and your family.

Access for all: Our 24/7 virtual care options, extended clinic hours, walk-in care and same-day appointments help you get the care you need, the way you need it.

CEO/Publisher

Dee Dixon

Editor

Alicia Benjamin

Copy Editor

Sonja Whitemon

Lead Writer

Angela Lindsay

Creative Director

Larry Preslar

Design & Production

SPARK Publications

www.SPARKpublications.com

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©Watch Dog Entertainment® LLC

Digital Content Distribution

Account Executive

Nikelle Fesperman

Public Relations

Nepherterra Estrada Best

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Pride Magazine prints with soy ink.

Vol. 32 No. 4 July-August 2024

Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/PrideMagazineNC Find us on Instagram: @pridemagazinenc Find us on LinkedIn: Pride Communications, Inc.

Charlotte’s African-American Magazine

By Dominique Simpson Milton, President and Chief Engagement Officer, Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council

Preserving DEI and Supplier Diversity Programs Strengthens Our Economy

There is much chatter and angst over the recent actions taken to dismantle diversity equity and inclusion departments and affirmative action legislation.

Supplier.io research shows there is a 330-year wealth gap in America today. That means if we are not intentionally focused on DEI and supplier diversity initiatives, it will take 330 years to close that gap.

To paint a more dramatic picture, with the browning of America — the minority becoming the majority — a wealth gap of that magnitude would create more drains on our social systems. By creating and supporting self-sustaining, minority-owned businesses through DEI and supplier diversity programs, we build a more equitable economy. The result is that successful business owners can buy goods and services, pay taxes, hire employees, and strengthen their local economies.

The broad spectrum of sustainability

Don’t allow DEI and supplier diversity to get lost in the new buzz of sustainability or environmental, social and governance efforts.

The push for sustainability has become increasingly urgent. Businesses, governments and communities are recognizing the profound impact of their actions on the environment, society and the economy. However, sustainability is not just about environmental conservation; it encompasses a broader spectrum, including DEI along with supplier diversity. This holistic approach is essential for fostering a truly sustainable future.

DEI and supplier diversity sustainability go hand in hand, representing a commitment to creating a fair, equitable and inclusive environment within organizations, while also promoting economic opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Driving innovation and creativity with inclusion

Diverse perspectives are invaluable assets when it comes to problem-solving and innovation. By embracing diversity in all its forms — whether it be racial, ethnic, gender, or socioeconomic — organizations can tap into a rich pool of ideas and experiences. This diversity of thought fosters creativity and innovation, enabling companies to develop more effective solutions to complex challenges.

Supplier diversity plays a significant role in this process by providing opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses to participate in the supply chain. These businesses often bring unique products, services and perspectives to the table, driving innovation and enhancing the competitiveness of the overall market.

Opportunity development strengthens communities

DEI and supplier diversity initiatives contribute to the economic empowerment of marginalized communities. By providing opportunities for minority-owned businesses to thrive, organizations can help create jobs, stimulate local economies and promote upward mobility. This not only fosters social cohesion, but also helps address systemic inequalities and reduce disparities in wealth and opportunity. Furthermore, investing in diverse suppliers can have a multiplier effect, as these businesses are more likely to reinvest in their communities, thus creating a virtuous cycle of economic development and prosperity.

Enhancing brand reputation and customer loyalty

Consumers are increasingly prioritizing social and environmental

responsibility when making purchasing decisions. Companies that demonstrate a commitment to DEI and supplier diversity are not only seen as ethical and socially conscious but also appeal to a broader customer base. A strong focus on diversity and inclusion can enhance brand reputation, foster customer loyalty and drive long-term sustainable growth.

Conversely, organizations that neglect DEI and supplier diversity run the risk of alienating customers, facing reputational damage and missing out on valuable business opportunities.

Mitigating risks and driving long-term growth

Incorporating DEI and supplier diversity into sustainability strategies can help mitigate various risks and challenges. By building diverse and inclusive workforces, companies can reduce turnover rates, enhance employee satisfaction and productivity and attract top talent from diverse backgrounds. Similarly, diversifying the supply chain can mitigate risks associated with overreliance on a single supplier, increase resilience to disruptions and drive cost efficiencies.

Moreover, organizations that prioritize DEI and supplier diversity are better positioned to navigate evolving regulatory landscapes, respond to changing consumer preferences and adapt to shifting market dynamics, thus driving longterm sustainable growth.

Embracing diversity and inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also a strategic imperative for businesses looking to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. By prioritizing DEI and supplier diversity, organizations can not only create value for themselves but also contribute to a more equitable, resilient and sustainable future for all. P

Mills Automotive Group is a family-owned company th at takes great pride in our position as one of the leading dealership groups in the United States. With a constantly expanding portfolio of over 30 dealerships and a di verse range of brands under the Mills Auto umbrella, we’re well-equipped to cater to cons umer’s automotive needs.

What truly distinguishes us is our unwavering commi tment to our clients. Our experienced sales and service team possesses years of industry experience - all dedicated to delivering a best-in-class customer ex perience.

By Angela M. Haigler

Catch Up on Books About DEI, Multicultural Marketing and Business Matters

“It’s Time to Talk About Race at Work”

by Kelly McDonald

As we witness the rolling back of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the country, there are still some companies and corporations that recognize the importance of DEI. For those companies, actionable, impactful, and no-cost strategies are needed to increase and nurture diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Kelly McDonald provides a roadmap to assist by showing leaders exactly what to do and how so that real progress can be made, regardless of organization size.

“Logra Tu Dream (Achieve Your Dream)”

by Arturo Nava

Do you have a dream and the drive and desire to pursue it but lack the roadmap, inspiration, and Latino role models to assist? This question and others are answered in this innovative collection of stories by self-made Latino leaders. From White House officials to tech innovators to millionaire entrepreneurs, these men and women show what it takes to overcome the odds and achieve the American Dream.

“Hispanic

Marketing”

by Felipe Korzenny and Betty Ann Korzenny

This is the book that has stood the test of time to assist with reaching Latino consumers and it is now in its third edition. The latest version includes 27 new case studies which emphasize digital marketing, theories and discussions on recent changes to Hispanic culture. Also included is a new companion website for course instructors with PowerPoint slides, videos, test bank questions and assignment examples.

“Let

Me Explain Black Again”

by Pepper Miller

Pepper Miller is a Black American subject matter expert, speaker, and mainstay in market research. Her latest book prompts us to dig even deeper to grasp the importance of the Black footprint on American culture. She does this by sharing seven blind spots preventing business leaders from truly understanding the populations they wish to serve — five shape-shifting segments frequently overlooked, five+ important sectors key to showcasing the steps still left to take and many eye-popping statistics, contrary to popular stereotypes, assumptions and beliefs. Our very own Pride Magazine, founded by Dee Dixon, is showcased as an example of successful and enduring Black Media.

“The 85% Niche: The Power of Women of All Colors — Latina, Black, and Asian”

by Miriam Mulèy

Women of color generate nearly $1 trillion in consumer spending and another $230 billion as entrepreneurs. With such powerful numbers, you’d think companies would be bending over backwards to court women of color, but most companies market to women as a monolith, aiming primarily at white women. Miriam Mulèy’s research explores how cultural and ethnic differences shape the way women respond to life experiences. The result is a concise and practical guide to what drives women of diverse backgrounds to consider brands for future purchase decisions. She provides practical insights into these findings and effectively translates these these into compelling marketing best practices. P

STUNNING NEW HOMES

TheVegucator

By Dawn Hilton-Williams

Multicultural Resilience Remembering Our Plant-Based Roots and Wisdom

Multicultural communities have a rich history of whole food, plant-based (WFPB) eating that’s rooted in ancestral tradition. From the nutrient-rich crops of the African diaspora to the “Three Sisters” of Indigenous Native American agriculture, these practices offer inspiration for anyone seeking to improve wellness and embrace our history.

forced onto slave ships. These seeds were then planted in the new land, allowing retain a bridge home though the growing of African crops.

2 Oral traditions — Through stories, songs and instructions to children and other enslaved people, African women ensured the passing down their knowledge.

driven chronic diseases, here are five more reasons to adopt a WFPB lifestyle:

1 Prevention, arrest and reversal of our top chronic diseases

2 Saves an average of $750 annually per household member on groceries

3 Increases energy levels and significantly improves quality of life

4 Supports animal welfare and reduces harm

African Americans, in particular lead the nation in the adoption of veganism, with 8% identifying as vegan or vegetarian compared to just 3% of the overall U.S. population. Our growing embrace of veganism and WFPB living is primarily driven by a deep yearning to take charge of our health outcomes and a desire to align with a compassion-driven collective that’s already active in the battle for humane justice.

Forcibly brought to the Americas in the most detestable conditions, enslaved Africans managed to carry with them knowledge of foods, cooking techniques, and agricultural practices, which they kept alive through:

1 Seeds — During the transatlantic slave trade many women cleverly braided a variety of seeds such as: watermelon, rice, sesame, okra, black-eyed peas and yams into their hair or hid what little, if any, clothing they had, before being

3 Foraging — Enslaved women often searched for wild plants and herbs to supplement their inadequate food rations. They drew upon their knowledge of African plants to identify edible and medicinal plants in their new environment.

Similarly, the Three Sisters, which are corn, beans and squash form the foundation of many Indigenous Native American agricultural and culinary traditions; providing balanced nutrition and profound cultural significance. Unfortunately, because of the merciless relocation of indigenous communities, many struggle to grow their heritage foods and have little to no access to fruits and vegetables.

Why now?

In addition to the fact that Black and Brown communities lead in death and disability from our top preventable, treatable, and in many cases, reversible diet and lifestyle-

5 Conserves 200,000 gallons of water annually per person

Three transition tips

1 Explore 100% WFPB dishes and experiment with new recipes that are available online.

2 Shop for fresh, whole foods at local farmers markets or your favorite grocer; prioritizing the perimeter of the store where the produce and bulk bins reside.

3 If you’re 55 or over, Mecklenburg County provides a free mobile market program traveling to 12 designated site locations across Charlotte that share fresh produce and groceries.

As you embark on your plantbased journey, remember that you’re part of a rich tapestry of multicultural wisdom and resilience. By embracing the nourishing traditions of our ancestors, you can reclaim your health while honoring legacy.

Remember, local nonprofit organizations like Power Is Giving, Inc., are available to support you on your path with free, culturally resonant and BIPOC-focused yearround programs. P

Fondly dubbed the Vegucator, Dawn Hilton-Williams is a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) certified nutrition professional, a clinically-endorsed, vegan chef and author and a wellness equity activist.

Scan the QR code below to view the recipe for Shortcut Hoppin John Salad by chef Dawn HiltonWilliams.

live soulfully

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TLiving the Dream Charlotte History Museum Welcomes

New U.S. Citizens

hose of us born in the United States may sometimes take our citizenship for granted. However, for the hundreds of thousands of people who are naturalized as citizens of this country every year, it can be the most exciting moment of their lives. That is the sentiment shared by Rohit Ghule and his wife Neha when he describes how they felt last July 4th during the naturalization ceremony at the Charlotte Museum of History (CMH).

For eight years now, the CMH has hosted a naturalization ceremony on Independence Day beginning in 2015 (with the exception of a one-year covid interruption). While the museum is not formally a part of the official naturalization

process, as that is the domain of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), this local tradition is something new citizens look forward to each year, according to Charlotte Museum of History President and CEO, Terri L. White.

“It’s important for several reasons. First, we are a museum that focuses on American history, so celebrating those who have done the work and chosen to become a part of that story is vitally important to our mission,” said White. “Second, we want everyone to feel welcomed to Charlotte, and we want them to associate us with a place they can feel comfortable and seen. We’d love for them to return and bring their families back with them and participate in our public programs and exhibits.”

The USCIS welcomed 878,500 new citizens in fiscal year 2023 during naturalization ceremonies held across the U.S. and around the world, according to USCIS.

The Charlotte History Museum participates by offering a program with guest speakers and entertainment for the newest citizens and their families. The day includes musical performances, such as the singing of the national anthem, as well as reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, watching videos from government officials and hearing remarks from the USCIS and a local speaker who works with or represents the immigrant community in some capacity, White explained. The event is free and open to the public.

While both of their children were born here, the Ghules are natives of India and came to the U.S. in September 2012. They were naturalized in North Carolina in the summer of 2023, after a long 11-year journey which began with a road trip to Las Vegas in 2011 from when they lived in Canada.

“We felt love for the country, people, freedom, and much more,” said Ghule. “In 2012, we went to India and applied

Rohit Ghule and his family. Ghule and his wife, who are Charlotte residents, became U.S. citizens in 2023.

Photo courtesy of Rohit Ghule

A naturalization ceremony in San Francisco, California in 2015.

Credit: Department of Homeland Security photo by Jetta Disco

for the L-1A managerial visa. It took 2-3 months from start to end and almost a month after we landed at our new home. The visa process was challenging, and a lot of documentation was needed, then an interview, and so on. We enjoyed every small step during this process.”

Ghule initially arrived in the U.S. to work in Delaware and eventually landed in Charlotte through Accenture, working as an information systems manager supporting U.S. operations for large utilities companies like Exelon Energy and Duke Energy. After a couple of years, the Ghules bought their first U.S. home in Charlotte.

“Charlotte has a diversified culture, a banking hub, a major Indian community, (the Panthers football team), an American (Airlines) hub, a short drive to mountains or beaches. So, it was a dream place to settle down,” he said.

In 2017, the Ghules applied for green cards which they received on the first day of 2018. In December 2022, they submitted documents to obtain U.S. citizenship.

The Ghule’s complex naturalization experience isn’t unique. Becoming a citizen

of America was a “challenging and taxing process” requiring meticulous documentation of every detail of Malaysia native Noel Somasundram’s 43-year stay in the U.S. before he finally obtained citizenship.

“This experience felt tedious and stressful, requiring thorough attention to ensure all requirements were met and all

“[We] are a museum that focuses on American history, so celebrating those who have done the work and chosen to become a part of that story is vitally important to our mission.”

—Terri L. White

aspects of my residency were accounted for,” Somasundram explains.

Somasundram decided to come to the U.S. in 1980 because of his fascination with American culture and his interest in TV shows like “Dallas” and “Peyton Place” during his teenage years. He said while the prospect of new experiences in an unfamiliar land sparked excitement, the unknown made him feel curious about what lay ahead. Despite these mixed emotions, Somasundram was ready to embark on a journey of exploration.

Charlotte resident Noel Somasundram became a U.S. citizen on the 4th of July, 2023.

Photo courtesy of Noel Somasundram

U.S. citizenship naturalization swearing-in ceremony at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in November 2012. Phil Bill / Shutterstock.com

“This fascination, coupled with the reputation of the U.S. as a hub for engineering and technology since the 1970s, led me to choose the U.S. as the destination to pursue my engineering studies,” he said.

In 2019, Somasundram was offered employment by ConMet of Amsted Industries in Canton, North Carolina and eventually settled in Charlotte, near ConMet’s Monroe, North Carolina branch. Still, his most cherished accomplishment eluded him for decades.

Recognizing the importance of professional guidance in navigating the complexities of immigration law, Somasundram’s wife found an immigration lawyer in Charlotte at Patel & Samatova, PLLC, who provided “invaluable support and expertise” and ultimately facilitated a successful naturalization process for him, which culminated in 6 months on July 4, 2023.

“It was a moment of great honor and joy as I embraced my new status as an American citizen,” said Somasundram of the CMH ceremony. “The significance of becoming a citizen on this historic day, 4th of July 2023, added to the emotions, highlighting the values of freedom, democracy and opportunity that America stands for.”

Ghule said he and his wife feel proud to be U.S. citizens, adding that the first thing they did afterward was apply for “the most powerful document — U.S. passports.” They also cherish their right to vote now, he said.

As a new U.S. citizen, the first thing Somasundram did was purchase a U.S. flag and proudly display it at the front of his house.

“My wife and I adorned our home with decorations representing American Independence Day, creating a festive atmosphere. Later that night, we celebrated the 4th of July with a memorable dinner and fireworks display on Lake Wylie surrounded

by neighbors and the spirit of patriotism,” he said.

The most significant aspect of his new status as an American citizen is the profound sense of belonging and identity it offers, Somasundram said. “As an American citizen, I am granted invaluable rights, opportunities and responsibilities that enable me to … make positive contributions to this nation.”

Despite the lengthy procedure and laborious paperwork, both Ghule and Somasundram maintain the process is worth it for anyone who dreams about becoming an American citizen.

“I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone considering immigrating to the U.S. because it’s known as the land of opportunities, freedom and liberation,” Somasundram said. “I would share my experiences of the beauty of this country and the opportunities it offers for personal and professional growth.”

“Nowadays, immigration is a timeconsuming process due to laws or rule(s) chang(ing) frequently, a big wait time, family challenges, etc. If you trust yourself, the U.S. immigration process, and you are patient, you will be the next citizen,” Ghule said.

Although the naturalization ceremony at the CMH is to honor and celebrate the newest citizens, White invites the entire community to come out and share in the celebration. She said, attendees will learn a little bit about how the country’s immigration process works and also “make people feel really special on their big day.”

“Becoming a citizen of the U.S. has provided me with a sense of security, freedom, independence and assurance,” Somasundram said. “I feel empowered knowing that I have the rights and privileges afforded to citizens, allowing me to fully participate in society and pursue opportunities without limitations.”

Naturalization ceremony in the National Archives Rotunda in Washington, D.C., September 15, 2023.

Credit: National Archives photo by Susana Raab

Local Urban Farm Brings Plants and People Together

By Rosanny Crumpton

Pascuales’ Farm, a family-owned urban farm, is located in Northeast Charlotte and is owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo, Eliseo and Wendy Pascual. The Pascuales are passionate about planting and growing healthy food responsibly, connecting people and offering memorable experiences in their event space. They host educational events for children and adult visitors about chickens and all things farming.

farmers who want to start growing their own produce.

Eliseo’s love of agriculture began in the Dominican Republic where he earned a degree in agriculture and later obtained degrees in finance and economics. He had a farm in the Dominican Republic, and he also worked in agriculture on the finance side.

Eliseo moved to North Carolina in 2001 from the Dominican Republic. The idea for Pascuales’ Farm started when he walked the supermarket aisles in Charlotte, paying Eliseo and Wendy Pascual, onwers of Pascuales’ Farm

Pascuales’ Farm currently produces eggs and local produce including cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, different types of pumpkins, strawberries and more. Customers purchase directly from the farm and the Pascuales have regular weekly and bi-weekly customers.

One of the Pascuales’ goals is to inspire other people to farm locally. They want people to visit Pascuales’ Farm to purchase their weekly produce, and they also want to serve as a reference and support for future

Left: A boy is participating in the Pascuales’ Farm “The Plant in Me” workshop which provides an opportunity for children to connect with nature and discover the beauty of plants. Right: Eliseo Pascual working on the farm

attention to where the food we consumed was coming from — California, Canada, Florida and Mexico. He wanted to find a way to grow food in this region.

He wanted to have a share in that market and knew that locally produced food is better for consumers. Not only is it important to make a region selfsustaining, but transporting food takes time and requires added chemicals to withstand transportation. He believes we can source food locally and eat fresh produce that tastes exactly like it’s supposed to without the added chemicals.

Environmental safety and technology is important at Pascuales’ Farm, Eliseo said. “We believe in responsible production. We think that we have to approach the production in a way that we guarantee the safety for the final consumer but also to protect the environment,” he said.

“We don’t use anything that will harm the soil or people. That’s our policy in safety and preservation.”

For Eliseo, environmental safety is important because it’s simple. “If you don’t take care of the land, then you are losing your main resource. That’s very important for anybody working in agriculture,” he said.

Eliseo’s responsibility, seriousness of the profession and respect for the land is evident when talking to him. He said, “If we don’t take care of our environment, we won’t have anywhere to live. How can we stay here in this planet if we cannot preserve it?”

The Pascuales believe in educating people, especially children, about farming because what they learn is a skill they can keep forever. They are hosting summer camps this summer to teach kids about farming. Eliseo explained that when kids learn a whole plant cycle outside the school setting, they have a great appreciation for the final product.

He said children need to understand that food doesn’t come from supermarket shelves. “If people understand the connection between what they eat and the environment, their behavior would be different,” he said. “We need to plant that seed in children because if we do, they will grow up with that. That will be, I think, a better future for them and everybody around.”

Eliseo and Wendy plan to educate and support people interested in farming to support local production. They are part of a grower’s network in Mecklenburg County, and they also participate in a North Carolina State University class for farmers that helps maintain farm regulation and the business of farmers.

Pascuales’ Farm is more than a farm. It’s a place for the community to gather in a farm/country setting and to be in touch with nature. It’s a place to learn about agriculture and production, and for children to learn where food comes from.

“[Farming] is a noble and important occupation that someone can have. In some way you are tied to the lives of the plants and people,” Eliseo said. “To produce something, you need to create the right environment for the plants to be able to produce. It keeps life in our environment.”

Eliseo wants people to know that there are farmers working to produce fresh product that is locally sourced to sustain local communities. This is important and only possible when we support local farmers.

For more information on Pascuales’ Farm, visit pascualesfarm.com P

“If people understand the connection between what they eat and the environment, their behavior would be different.”

—Eliseo Pascual

MADE FOR THE MEETING AFTER THE MEETING

Charlotte’s dazzling and accessible cityscape is ready to level up your next meeting, big or small.

MIDDLE C JAZZ

CHARLOTTE: A HUB FOR CONNECTIONS, CREATIVITY AND CULTURE

Why the Queen City Stands Out as a Jewel for Meetings & Events

Charlotte has become a destination not just for bankers, but for artists, visionaries and travel trendsetters. The city’s magnetic growth has attracted attention from locals and visitors alike looking to host an unforgettable experience in an inclusive, welcoming city. Here are just a few of the Black-owned businesses and places celebrating Black excellence putting Charlotte on the map as a go-to city for conventions, meetings and events.

Eat & Drink

Abugida Ethiopian Café & Restaurant

A bugida’s friendly staff are on hand to walk you through a menu that includes authentic Ethiopian cuisine with a terrific selection of top-quality cuts of meat and vegetarian dishes.

Hippin Hops Brew-Stillery

P art brewery, part distillery, Hippin Hops hosts Black-owned food trucks every Friday, so you can pair a house-made beer or spirit with local bites.

Leah & Louise

H elmed by James Beard-nominated chef Greg Collier, the menu changes frequently based on seasonality, but favorites like the River Chips chicken skins and Mud Island catfish stew remain constant.

Sol’Delish

Enjoy seafood entrees like crab cakes, along with creative, soul-food inspired options like the Everything Green Dip, with a refreshing cocktail on Sol’Delish’s outdoor patio.

Explore

Charlotte NC Tours

This locally owned, full-service tour company offers visitors a chance to see a different side of Charlotte. Explore the Queen City by bike, segway or foot with tour topics spanning African American history, holiday lights, food, city history and ghost tours.

Charlotte Joy Rides

Th e Queen City’s nonprofit bike share system with 343 e-bikes and 34 stations s pread throughout Charlotte’s Center City area. These bicycles feature original work by seven Charlotte artists.

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

Named in honor of Charlotte architect Harvey B . Gantt, the museum aims to present, preserve and promote African-American art, culture and history for the enlightenment of all.

Camp North End

A 76-acr e open-air property serving as a hub for shopping, dining and Black creatives. Visit local artist shops Dupp & Swat and BLKMRKTCLT, browse screen-printed looks from MacFly Fresh Printing Co. and find streetwear fits from Current Nostalgia.

Shop

The Brown Sugar Collab

A curated shopping experience that offers unique and high-quality natural products, handcrafted by over 20 BIPOC women suppliers. Shop a range of items for your home, bath and body, hair and skincare.

Five13 Studio

Step outside of your style box and step into this glamourous women’s fashion boutique in South End. Wardrobe consultations and personalized boutique appointments are available.

House of Africa

A fixture in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood since the 1990s, House of Africa is a one-of-a-kind Charlotte landmark that features African clothing, jewelry and art from the 17th to the 20th centuries.

Lip N Pour

The ultimate custom lip workshop experience in Charlotte. Make an evening out of creating your perfect lip shade with expert guidance.

Nyoni Couture

A high-end, bespoke men’s fashion retail destination in Uptown, helmed by international designer Nyonisela Sioh. Born in Monrovia, Liberia, Nyoni’s concepts are inspired by his African heritage, fused with Western styles.

Nightlife

Lorem Ipsum

S ip handcrafted cocktails, from a menu curated by award-winning mixologist Justin Hazelton, in this cozy listening bar that plays a range of relaxing tunes.

Members Only Tasting Room & Social

Cocktail lounge and event space with a $10 annual membership fee, owned by Johnson C. Smith University business marketing grad Kimberly Wilkinson. Try The Members Only, a Luc Belaire sparkling wine topped with cotton candy.

Middle C Jazz

One of Uptown’s “best kept secrets,” Middle C Jazz offers premium craft cocktails, small plates and a luxurious, intimate backdrop for local, regional and national performers.

SOUTH END CHARLOTTE

HARVY B. GANTT MUSEUM

Natalie Carr is a cross-genre Pop/R&B Charlotte-based singer/songwriter She writes and engineers songs for herself as well as other artists. Carr began releasing music in late 2019 and has been featured on MTV, Billboard Magazine, iHeart Radio and Sirius XM. She has written songs that have had sync placements in film and television.

Carr’s recent release, “Cowboy,” is a song about women empowerment and standing strong despite societal hurdles. She plans to release several more singles leading into her debut EP and her performance at Lovin’ Life Music Festival.

Whitfield Lovell’s ‘Passages’ Exhibit

Exploring African American identity and memories

By John Burton Jr.

“

Any work of art must first of all tell a story.” This quote by Robert Frost epitomizes famed contemporary artist Whitfield Lovell. Recognized as one of the world’s leading artistic interpreters of lost African American history, his artistry is based on found images of African American people who lived during the Emancipation Proclamation through the Civil Rights Movement.

His six-state traveling exhibition “Whitfield Lovell: Passages,” will be on display at The Mint Museum Uptown starting June 29, 2024. Lovell’s compelling multi-sensory journey pays homage to Black ancestry from slavery to the present day. Consisting of two immersive installations and approximately 30 additional

Above: Artist Whitfield Lovell

Left: Whitfield Lovell’s “Because I Wanna Fly,” (2021, Conté on wood with attached found objects.

Below: “Head with Flowers” by Whitfield Lovell (1992, oil stick and charcoal on paper)

works, “Passages” is the most comprehensive exhibition of works by Lovell.

Born in the Bronx, New York from Barbados paternal roots and Southern U.S. maternal roots, Lovell’s upbringing was a cacophony of culture. He attended the High School of Music and Art in New York and later attended the Maryland Institute of Contemporary Art and Parsons School of Design before receiving a BFA from Cooper Union in 1981. Works by Lovell have been featured in major museum collections including The Whitney Museum of American Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Brooklyn Museum, The Studio Museum in Harlem, and the Seattle Art Museum. In 2007, Lovell was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship Genius Grant.

Photo credit: Courtesy of American Federation of Arts, the artist, and DC Moore Gallery

At The Mint, the “Passages” exhibition brings together two of Lovell’s major installations, “Deep River” (2013) and “Visitation: The Richmond Project” (2001), with a selection of freestanding tableaux and works on paper from his acclaimed “Kin” series (2008–2011) and “Spell Suite” (2019–2020).

Also featured is the premiere presentation of his forthcoming “Card Pieces II,” captivating portraits that use found objects such as antique photos from discarded family albums, mug shots and archives found in flea markets. Even the wood comes from old homes where old souls once inhabited. Attendees can

prepare themselves to be riveted by the hidden histories and cultural memories of the African American experience through the collection.

“Passages” delves into the rich tapestry of the African American experience, touching on themes of equality, physical migration, social progress, and selfsufficiency. The artworks are strikingly presented on luscious, deep crimson paper, evoking a sense of warmth, passion, and vitality.

Museumgoers will also encounter two functional telephones that, when lifted, emanate the stirring and familiar melody of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the iconic hymn penned and set to music by brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson. “We’re so excited about this exhibition. There is a vulnerability and sincerity in (Lovell’s) work. You cannot leave his space feeling uncaressed,” said Jennifer Sudul Edwards, PhD, chief curator and curator of Contemporary Art at The Mint Museum. “You fall into the works’ arms because you have no other choice,” Edwards added.

A 2022 analysis of almost 350,000 works acquired and nearly 6,000 exhibitions staged at 31 museums across the U.S. between 2008 and 2020 reveals how drastically

“Deep River” by Whitfield Lovell (56 wooden discs, found objects, soil, video projections, sound, 2013)

Photo

York.

underrepresented female-identifying and Black American artists remain. Times are changing. Diversity among arts executives, curators and board leadership is broadening. More women and people of color are helming the once segregated art spaces which shines a brighter spotlight on diversity.

Change in leadership, the U.S. cultural landscape, and a mounting curiosity about unfamiliar cultures are byproducts of the new art revolution. “There is a shift of desire to understand cultural stories,” Edwards said.

This cultural conversion may be easy for some to accept whereas difficult for others to navigate. “It could be terrifying for some to realize their elders lied and didn’t tell them the whole story. Yet there are beautiful stories (some) people could appreciate and learn from,” Edwards explained.

As the pivoting occurs, it is making an impact. According to a recent report from the art market website ArtNet, the market for work by African American artists grew by nearly 400% between 2008 and 2021.

“There is a certain hunger to see what they heard about but don’t know,” Edwards said. “Lovell’s Passages aids in the evolution. He meticulously articulates honor of the African-American experience through ingenious glimpses into the turbulent past while challenging the viewer to reimagine the future. It is an artful passage worth (seeing).”

Organized by the American Federation of Arts in collaboration with the artist, the exhibition is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Terra Foundation for American Art. The exhibition will fill galleries on Level 3 and Level 4 of the Mint Museum Uptown. P

for the

the American Federation of Arts in collaboration with Whitfield

for the national tour and exhibition catalogue

and the Terra

by the North

for

500 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202 704.337.2000 | mintmuseum.org | @themintmuseum

Whitfield Lovell: Passages is generously presented in Charlotte by PNC. Individual support is kindly provided by Kelle and Len Botkin and Marshelette and Milton Prime. This exhibition is organized by

Lovell. Major support

are provided

National Endowment

Arts

Foundation

American Art. The Mint Museum is supported, in part,

Carolina Arts Council. IMAGE: Whitfield Lovell (American, b. Bronx, NY).

The Red I, 2021, Conté on paper with attached found object, 45 3/4 x 34 x 5 7/8 in. Courtesy of American Federation of Arts, the artist, and DC Moore Gallery, New York.

Photo courtesy of American Federation of Arts, the artist, and DC Moore Gallery, New York.

Whitfield Lovell’s “America,” (2000, charcoal on wood.

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La Noticia Publisher Bolsters and Informs Charlotte’s Spanish-Speaking Community

By Brenda Porter-Rockwell

Hilda H. Gurdian has held many titles, including publisher, CEO, mom, wife, friend, community leader, success coach, faith leader, speaker and author. But behind the titles is simply a hard-working woman who is passionate about helping others manifest the same success she’s seen over more than three decades.

Whether it’s helping inform her Spanish-speaking community in the Charlotte area about the important issues of the day through her media company La Noticia, sharing her faith with her church parishioners or counseling professionals as a

La Notica by the Numbers

Left: Hilda H. Gurdian, publisher and CEO of La Noticia

success coach so they can take their talents to the next level, Gurdian is always there for those in need.

Paying it forward

“I believe in paying it forward. I have been blessed with the best mentors, so I want to help others in the same way others helped me,” said Gurdian.

Born in Venezuela to a family that had already had a successful media business, Gurdian didn’t choose the easy route. Instead of graduating college and returning to help steer the family business, she started her own advertising and marketing agency. As a solopreneur she helped clients create ad campaigns that would run in the family publications, generating revenue for herself and her family.

“I was always inclined to continue in journalism and publications. I love the opportunity to serve my audience with valuable news and information that they can use,” said Gurdian.

By 1986, Gurdian was ready to reinvent success. She closed her advertising business in Caracas, Venezuela and moved

La Noticia is a 30-year-old

Spanish language newspaper

La Noticia prints four Spanish-language papers that serve more than

300,000 readers across North Carolina

to the U.S. with her husband and their two sons. In 1992, Gurdian launched, La Noticia newspaper in Charlotte. Ten years after that she proudly became an American citizen.

The news of the day

Today, Gurdian is the publisher and CEO of La Noticia, her family-owned 30-year-old Spanish language newspaper. La Noticia prints four Spanish-language papers that serve more than 300,000 readers across North Carolina. The paper — soon to be a digital-first publication thanks to her son, Alvaro Jose — has been recognized by the National Association of Hispanic

Above: From left: Diego Barahona A., Editor of La Noticia; Hilda H. Gurdian, CEO of La Noticia, Inc.; and Alvaro Gurdian Jr., Publisher of La Noticia, Inc.

Publications as the “Outstanding SpanishLanguage Newspaper in the Country.”

She credits her family’s success to their passion for the work and to the advice and support of community members who believed in the vision of La Noticia

“We were determined to succeed. This included sacrifices like getting up early, working for 10 to 12 hours every day and being happy about it. No complaints!” Gurdian said.

“We have also been blessed with the best mentors anybody can have,” she said. ”Prominent and kind members of our community who believed in us. They supported us with sound advice at the right time and opened doors of opportunity for us,” she said.

And it’s that early kindness and community support for La Noticia that lives in Gurdian’s heart and plays a leading role in her promise to maintain close ties to her Latino community.

“Our mission is to keep our Latino community informed, so they can make informed decisions. We strongly believe that an informed community is a community that feels they belong in the larger community

and therefore act with confidence and participate,” Gurdian explained.

Now more than ever, she said, local media like La Noticia need to be at the forefront of telling impactful stories.

“An informed community will participate in the growth and well-being of the entire community, including showing appreciation for the democracy that we are blessed to have,” said Gurdian.

Between 2004 and 2005, she also served as on-air host of the local PBS affiliate WTVI “Charlotte Hoy” Spanish television show interviewing prominent members of Charlotte’s Latino community, sharing news and important topics with viewers.

The bounty of success

For the last five years, Gurdian has taken her know-how off the pages of her book, Discover Your Path to Success, and translated that into a second career as a success coach.

“I love the opportunity to advise aspiring entrepreneurs on how to become successful,” she said. A Certified Jack Canfield Trainer of The Success Principle and Certified Living Your Strength Coach,

Gurdian teaches success principles to people at any stage in their career. Canfield, a writer and motivational speaker, focuses on 12 principles said to lead to greater success.

“These are the same 12 principles I used in my journey towards success and continue

to use in my life,” said Gurdian. She said she’s focused on helping those, “who believe in the importance of being a student for life and are ready to come to a success principle class ready to learn new things or refresh a [skillset] they knew but forgot or have not used in a while.”

Her coaching business tag line — #MakeItHappen — aptly reflects the advice she shares in her coaching sessions.

“Work hard every day. Be prepared, so you can take advantage of any opportunity that would come your way. Always strive for growth, but also be grateful for what you have,” Gurdian said.

In addition to finding inspiration from business leaders, Gurdian lets her faith influence her pursuit of success. “Believe in this verse from the Bible — Luke 6:38: ‘Give and it will be given to you.’ Share your talent, time and treasure with others in your community without expecting anything in return,” advised Gurdian.

For the last 23 years she has served as Eucharist Minister at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte, assisting church leaders in delivering Holy Communion and volunteered as an usher greeting parishioners and collecting the weekly offering.

Even with a thriving profession, Gurdian doesn’t plan to slow down. She sees her future doing the same work at the paper and in her coaching business — helping others succeed. P

From George Takei to Japanese Martial Arts

The Influence of Japanese culture on America and the world

By Alicia Benjamin

Anew children’s book, “My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story,” by Star Trek actor George Takei reveals the trauma Takei and his family experienced while living in incarceration camps in California during World War II. Like over 127,000 other Japanese Americans, Takei’s family was taken from their home when he was four years old and forced to live in those camps for three years.

Then-president Franklin D. Roosevelt had issued an Executive Order in 1942 creating the concentration camps to house Japanese Americans, fearing they would become spies for Japan. Takei is recognized internationally for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the 1960s “Star Trek” TV series and films. As an actor and activist, Takei has greatly influenced American culture.

In many other ways, Japanese people and culture have influenced the Western world.

Population

According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau report, 1.6 million people of Japanese descent live in the U.S. and 19,367 live in North Carolina. The top five U.S. cities with the highest Japanese population, according to a 2019 Pew Research Center report, are Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Seattle.

Manga and anime

The Japanese animated TV series “Speed Racer,” about a young race car driver who drives a super-fast advanced car called Mach 5, originally aired for a few years in the late 1960s. Through syndication, the show was very popular in the U.S. through the 1970s

War II, as a child, Yuri Kochiyama and her family were taken from their California home to live behind barbed wire in a camp in Arkansas. A year before that, her Americanborn father was arrested after he had undergone surgery in the hospital. He died shortly thereafter.

These traumatic experiences led Kochiyama to become a political and civil rights activist. After she moved to Harlem in the 1960s, she met Malcolm X and was influenced by his passion to liberate Black people. She worked with Malcolm’s Organization for Afro-American Unity to fight for African Americans’ human rights. Photos from the day Malcolm X was shot at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem in 1965 show Kochiyama cradling Malcolm’s head as he was dying.

Kanso

and drew an estimated 40 million viewers during that time. It started as manga (a graphic series) and writer/producer Tatsuo Yoshida adapted it as an anime (animated) TV show.

The word “anime” wasn’t actually used until the 1990s. Wildly popular, anime films have captured the attention of the world with award-winning projects like “Spirited Away” and “Ghost in the Shell.”

Yuri Kochiyama and civil rights

Like George Takei, after President Roosevelt ordered Japanese Americans to live in concentration camps during World

Kanso is a Japanese interior design concept that values decluttering and calls for a minimalist approach to home décor. Modeled after Zen principles, Kanso favors asymmetry, austerity, naturalness, decluttering and other features. Although similar to the Chinese design aesthetic, feng shui, Kanso emphasizes the overall design and flow of energy in your home to foster calmness and peace. Feng shui focuses on the placement of objects in your home to create good energy.

Japanese martial arts

From self-defense training to character development, various styles of Japanese martial arts have influenced Americans of all backgrounds. The Japanese styles, Judo, Karate and Jujitsu, are among some of the most popular martial arts forms studied in the U.S., according to The National Karate Kobudo Federation. A whole genre of action films wouldn’t exist without the use of martial arts fighting techniques from several Asian traditions. P

Above: Yuri Kochiyama was a social justice and human rights activist who became friends with Malcolm X and worked with his Organization for Afro-American Unity group in the 1960s.

Left: Image from the TV series “Speed Racer,” created by Tatsuo Yoshida Top Right: “Star Trek” actor George Takei is also an author and activist.

Make an Even Greater Impact

You volunteer and donate to your favorite nonprofits because giving back is important to you.

But did you know that by partnering with your local community foundation, your gifts can make an even greater impact?

As our community’s go-to philanthropic resource and partner, Foundation For The Carolinas helps individuals, families and companies achieve their unique charitable goals.

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Join others who share your passion for giving by partnering with our affiliate — Foundation For Black Philanthropy — which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Festival of India Celebrates the History, People and Culture of India

By Angela Lindsay

What started as a small one-day affair at Spirit Square in 1995 has blossomed into a sprawling weekend of vibrant sights, sounds and events. It’s Festival of India — and it’s spectacular.

At its current scale, Festival of India hosts more than one thousand participants — artists and volunteers who all play vital roles in the event’s continued success. Last year, the festival drew more than 20,000 visitors Uptown.

“It’s a family-friendly event that has captivated and educated thousands from the greater Charlotte area, by offering a glimpse into the rich diversity of India’s culture,” said Niketa Mittal, chair of Festival of India and a New Delhi, India native who has been involved with the festival for over 10 years.

Festival of India is organized by the India Association of Charlotte, a nonprofit cultural organization established to serve the large Indian community in the Charlotte region. Its core mission is to highlight and share the rich cultural diversity of the land of their birth with their friends and neighbors around the Carolinas.

Festival of India has become one of the key cultural events in Charlotte and is considered the Indian community’s major contribution to the city, Mittal said. In recognition of that, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles (as past Charlotte mayors have done) will proclaim the opening day, September 14, as India Day of Charlotte, she added.

Attendees can immerse themselves in Indian culture by indulging in Indian cuisine such as samosa chaat, chicken tika masala and dosa, receiving intricately designed henna tattoos, dancing to Bollywood music, exploring yoga, watching classical dance performances, admiring fashion displays, and shopping at the bazaar with vendors offering traditional Indian clothing, jewelry, crafts and other items.

Additional festival highlights include: an Indian art gallery displaying paintings, pottery and handicrafts by local Indian American artists, as well as lessons in traditional Indian painting styles for kids and an art competition for young people.

Exhibits showcase cultural festivals celebrated by Indians, ancient India’s contribution to science and technology, and project submissions by Charlotte-area students based on themes that touch on the ethos of the Indian American experience. Many new exhibits this year focus on Indian history and information on various regions in India.

The festival also includes opportunities to try on traditional Indian attire for women called sari and also the turban, which is the male headgear worn in some areas of India.

Scheduled dance performances take place at Belk Theater and include a medley of classical, modern fusion and Bollywood beats performed by local choreographers and dancers in colorful costumes associated with

The importance and ever-expanding reach of this event is evident in the fact that in 2022, after two turbulent years of Covid with many attempts to restart the festival, Matthews, North Carolina representatives requested that the Festival of India group s cultural diversity initiatives. The result was an agreement to collaborate with Matthews to present a Regional Festival of India, a one-day event in downtown Matthews with a focus on live performances of Indian dance forms in

In addition, this year, as part of its growing partnership with the Charlotte International Arts Festival, Festival of India will host its Saturday event on September 14 at Belk Theater and on Tryon Street from noon to 8 p.m., and the Sunday, September 15 event will be held at Ballantyne’s Backyard from noon to 6 p.m.

“The organization would

involving them in the planning, organization, and execution of events,” Mittal said. “This could create opportunities for grassroots initiatives, skill-building workshops and economic empowerment through cultural

Photo courtesy of Niketa Mittal

Above: Festival of India Chair, Niketa Mittal Below: Two ladies wearing colorful dresses at the 2023 Festival of India

Right: Pride Magazine contributor Angela Lindsay shows off her fabulous henna tattoo applied at the 2023 Festival of India in Charlotte.

Photos by Angela Lindsay

WHERE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

The free MHA Counseling Center: Where Mental Health Matters, offers no-cost counseling and aims to serve uninsured or underinsured individuals in Mecklenburg County. Services are provided by graduate students under the supervision of a licensed Clinical Director. In-person and telehealth options are available.

Free Short-term Counseling is available for uninsured or underinsured Cabarrus and Mecklenburg County youth and adults. MHA will match eligible community members with local licensed professionals to receive a clinical assessment plus an additional six sessions of counseling. In-person and telehealth options are available.

Call our bilingual Mental Health Navigator Monday - Friday at 704-565-3315 to set up an appointment.

Artist’s Honduran and Egyptian Heritage Inspires Her Work

By Ruby Durham

For Jackie Milad, art is not just a means of creative expression — it’s personal. It’s a tool for conversations, a way to bridge heritage and an invitation for viewers to embrace the richness and diversity of multiculturalism.

“Buscando la sirena,” at Mint Museum Randolph, is just one of Milad’s latest installations that she hopes foster crosscultural dialogue.

“With my parents being immigrants and in most cases being isolated from their heritage, going to the museums is a way to connect me to … where the people in my family are from.”

— Jackie Milad

While she uses materials like acrylic, paper, canvas and chiffon on hand-dyed canvas to weave together her favorite collages, Milad is ultimately taking viewers

on an artistic journey deeply rooted by her identity as a first-generation American citizen born to parents who are immigrants from Egypt and Honduras.

Jackie Milad’s piece, “La Cueva de la Sirena: San Carlos” (2023 acrylic, paper, canvas, chiffon, collage on handdyed canvas)

Photo courtesy of the Artist and SOCO Gallery

“In migration, cultural property and traditions are what people take with them.”

— Jackie Milad

Finding her creative voice

From Baltimore, Maryland, Milad grew up wanting to be a creative. Originally studying at Parsons School of Design for fashion led her to study fine arts at Tuff Museum in Boston while simultaneously working with her dad at their familyowned jewelry store.

Attending a fine arts school provided Milad with the opportunity to explore and refine her creative voice.

The University of Maryland was Milad’s next stop as a Gallery Director and Curator. She then worked as a mentor at the Maryland Institute College of Arts. Milad received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University and a Master of Fine Arts from Towson University.

Milad was a Janet & Walter Sondheim Prize Finalist and a Robert W. Deutsch Foundation Ruby Grantee in 2019. She

business, marketing and finances while I learned to make my own art,” Milad said.

Owning her business

When Milad is not traveling, she is nestled at her studio inside a large old industrial building in Baltimore with a community of other artists who share her same passion for art.

“I would describe my space as a place where I have a lot of archives of older work that are scraps that I also use for my newer work,” Milad said. “Sometimes I’m overwhelmed with my own stuff as I do a lot of reading and research.”

Milad’s inspiration for her artwork stems from answers she did not have as a younger child. This quest for understanding often takes her on journeys to museums from the United States to the United Kingdom.

“With my parents being immigrants and in most cases being isolated from their

“I took a trip to Charlotte after receiving an invitation to go to the museum to look at an existing collection and made work in response to it,” Milad said.

At the Mint Museum Randolph, objects from the Meso American Collection is what inspired one of her collages from her “Buscando la sirena” collection, but it didn’t come easy. Milad’s mother is an immigrant from Honduras who was born on Tiger Island with a small amount of recollection to help Milad paint the bigger picture she visualized.

To help bring her vision to reality, Milad sought the expertise of an archaeologist who served as a guide to unravel the mysteries of the indigenous people and settlers from Tiger Island.

“In Buscando la sirena, my work reflects the collision of all of the information, icons, patterns and symbols that make up my Honduran side,” Milad said.

What’s next

Milad’s art will remain on display at the Mint Museum until October 2024. While working with the Mint, she will also revisit Egyptian art, she said.

A trip to The British Museum motivated her to create a commission for the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, said Milad. It was the vast collection of Egyptian art that she discovered at The British Museum that inspired her, she said.

As Milad continues her artistic journey, she remains committed to bridging heritage and fostering crosscultural dialogue through her work. In doing so, she reminds us that art has the power to break barriers and also unite those on a quest to understand their heritage.

“My audience is that little girl or kids who are trying to bridge the gap between the history of their ancient ancestors and

Artist Jackie Milad

Photo credit: Grace Roselli, Pandora’s BoxX

Project

By Kurtavia Burton

Earn Your Masters is a collaboration among three companies: UnitedMasters — a digital music distribution company; Earn Your Leisure — a media outlet for business, entrepreneurship and investing; and Ally Financial, recently named Best Online Bank of 2024. Their goal is to provide independent music artists with lessons in entrepreneurship and financial literacy to broaden their knowledge of the business of music.

Pride Magazine’s Kurtavia Burton caught up with representatives from all three businesses at their recent pitch competition in Charlotte where businesses pitched their ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win $5,000. Winners from pitch contests held around the country will meet in Miami in December for the opportunity to win a $50,000 grand prize.

Steve Stoute, CEO of UnitedMasters

Kurtavia Burton: Steve, what was your vision for Earn Your Masters and how is it progressing?

By Kurtavia Burton

Steve Stoute: Things are progressing well. When I first started talking about building UnitedMasters several years ago, one of the early things that was the foundational truth, was that I wanted artists to earn, or rather learn, that they should never give their masters away to record companies. It’s something that was valuable to them and that they should hold on to that. And it’s something they could pass on to their kids. Having great partners like Ally working with Earn Your Leisure, all the work that we do in spreading the word has helped over the last several years. A generation is changing in which artists are now coming into music, saying, “I want to be owners. I want to own my rights.”

Earn Your Masters is a collaboration among three compa nies: UnitedMasters — a digital music distribution company; Earn Your Leisure — a media outlet for business, entrepreneurship and investing; and Ally Financial, recently named Best Online Bank of 2024. Their goal is to provide independent music artists with lessons in entrepreneurship and financial literacy to broaden their knowledge of the business of music.

Steve Stoute, CEO of UnitedMasters

Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal, Earn Your Leisure

Kurtavia Burton: Thank you for speaking with us. This has been great. What can you tell us about the vision — how it started and where it is now?

Kurtavia Burton: Yes, that’s wonderful. Just hearing it is exciting. What are you expecting to see here today? What is something you may be looking forward to?

Steve Stoute: We’re taking this pitch competition around the country, allowing entrepreneurs to pitch an idea and win $50,000 to help bring that idea to life. That’s one. Two, that there’s a small group of people that walks away from this and aspires to do something different. Instead of sitting on an idea, they take action with that idea. What unlocks something that they were thinking about, or confirms something that they thought about, and they go, “Oh, it’s a sign, let me go do it.” There’s something that leads to an action. That’s what my hope is.

Erica Hughes, Senior Director of Multicultural Marketing, Ally Financial

Kurtavia Burton: Can you tell us a little about your role with Ally?

Erica Hughes: My role is to build programs and content media that help connect Ally with multicultural consumers. We operate out of this mantra to do it right by our communities, our customers and everyone that we’re serving. My team has this mission to bridge the gap between culture and finance. We are at these events to find the best places in culture to bring financial education to communities who often don’t get this education at their dinner tables or in their social networks. We’re excited to be in Charlotte.

Erica Hughes, Senior Director of Multicultural Marketing, Ally Financial

Kurtavia Burton: What are some new innovations or practices you are trying?

Erica Hughes: I’ll say that part of my team’s mission is to be authentic to the communities that we’re serving. You’ll see my team is all here today from different communities. We have people who went to HBCUs and people who went to predominantly white institutions.

We have people from the LGBTQ+ community as well as bilingual persons on the team. When we’re creating these events, it’s from an authentic place on what do we think we would have wanted to know if we were in those chairs of creators, of artists, of musicians and how we curate run-of-show and content to help meet the needs of our community. I think it’s important to me to make sure that we’re reflecting the communities we’re serving.

Troy Millings: First, I want to just congratulate our partners at Ally and UnitedMasters. We created this Earn Your Masters imprint about three years ago. It was to uplift our people through music and through entrepreneurship and through education. For the third year, we said, “let’s just do something different. Let’s hear from entrepreneurs about their visions. Let’s hear about their businesses and give them opportunities to win money to invest in their businesses. We were thinking about cities where we should start that are underrepresented, but there’s so much talent, so many resources, and it’s the number two financial capital in America, especially when you’re talking

about businesses. So, Charlotte was a no-brainer, and I’m glad we chose it because they came, they showed up. It was an amazing turnout.

Kurtavia Burton: That’s so good. How do you feel that you are both walking in your purpose and using your passion to connect others through culture and showing up and being present?

Rashad Bilal: We’re relaying the message of entrepreneurship and investing in providing people with real-life information and examples. This is something we’ve championed from day one and that’s the way that we are. We’re all about our purpose and providing value.

Troy Millings: Yeah, I totally agree. We’re liberating people and giving a world of financial education. It’s been aligned, it’s been destined since day one. And we take the mission very seriously and we’re very blessed to be at the forefront of it.

Kurtavia Burton: Yes, that’s great. Regarding your partnership with Ally and UnitedMasters, do you feel that you are going in the direction that you expected?

Rashad Bilal: It’s a great partnership. It’s one of those things, it gets bigger every time, right? We started and it was panel discussions. Now we’re doing a pitch competition. As we progress and grow, it’s something that I think is adding a lot of value.

Troy Millings: Yes, and we must give credit to both UnitedMasters and Ally. When we started our mission, they saw it early. After sitting down with them, two or three meetings, Earn Your Masters was birthed. A lot of credit to them for having the foresight to see what we have here now.

Kurtavia Burton: Do you all feel you will pick the best talent come December?

Troy Millings: If this is any indication, we’re off to a great start. By the time we get to Miami, we will have had 2,000 applicants, so we’re getting the best of the best. And we’re taking our time in the process of figuring out who’s going to make it.

Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal, Earn Your Leisure

Addressing the Body, Mind and Spirit with Traditional Chinese Medicine

By Sonja Whitemon

The CDC reports that Americans who have experienced adverse childhood experiences are at a higher risk of dying from five of the top 10 leading causes of death with heart disease and cancer consistently leading the list.

Among these experiences are exposure to violence as a witness or victim or emotional and/or physical bullying. Traumatic childhood experiences could also include the loss of a parent through neglect, abandonment or death.

In her book, “The Silent Suicide: The Link Between PTSD, Addiction and Breast Cancer,” author Margot Dragon connects the dots between childhood trauma and cancer, particularly breast cancer, from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Western medicine and emotional factors.

Margot, a graduate of the American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Houston, is a licensed acupuncturist, a hypnotist and an NLP practitioner. She participated in clinical research with the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Woman’s University and now owns Whitespire Center of Oriental Medicine in Concord, North Carolina.

“The Silent Suicide” primarily considers the causes of breast cancer. “I chose breast cancer because it’s the cancer that can best be traced to its emotional roots,” she said. “The breast is literally the nourishment between mother and child. And [breast cancer patients] have a disconnect with their mothers … adoptees and birth moms get a lot of breast cancers. People that have been left in orphanages, or if they had to live with their grandparents versus their mother, they have a lot of breast cancer issues.”

Dragon was awarded a full scholarship to medical school but passed it up in favor of studying TCM, which considers more

than just the physical condition associated with disease.

Unlike Western medicine, TCM involves the body, mind and spirit. “When we look at diseases, the physical will always be equal to the emotional,” said Dragon.

Her own personal experiences drove her interest in the TCM approach to health care. She describes her upbringing as dysfunctional and fraught with medical

issues that were not resolved with the Western style of health care.

A turning point occurred when a teammate on her softball team developed what turned out to be a xanthoma, or stye, on his eyelid. A few years later, he went to the hospital with back pain. Two hospital visits later, doctors discovered the cause of his pain — a grapefruit-sized tumor in his abdomen. That tumor ended up taking his life.

This experience led her to read “The Cancer Prevention Diet” by Michio Kushi. In the book, there was a diagram of the eye that showed the location of her teammate’s stye. Kushi explained that the stye on his eyelid was an indication that his organs were not functioning at full capacity and that there was a propensity for tumor growth in the abdomen. “ So, I got the book thinking that I could have saved his life.”

Her journey with TCM started with studying the diet and the Japanese philosophy of Yin and Yang. She studied how foods function as medicine and they can rebalance the body and help it heal, even with cancer.

Dragon believes that Western medicine should begin to look at cancer from a broader perspective than it currently does because the mind, body and spirit are all interconnected. “[Doctors could] radiate or cut out or chemo the cancer. But if [they] don’t deal with the emotional trauma that is unresolved, the inner child will go right back and pick the same foods that it picked before,” she said.

“I always say everybody is a drug addict. You know, everybody has their drug of choice, whether it’s food or some kind of addiction,” Dragon said. “And if we don’t sober up … and take responsibility, we’re never going to learn how to heal cause our parents are broken parents. They’re broken inner children, and they can’t teach us two major things, and those two major things are not to abandon ourselves and how to learn how to love ourselves.” P

Margot Dragon, acupuncturist and author of “The Silent Suicide: The Link Between PTSD, Addiction and Breast Cancer”

A Charlotte Movement to Unite All Cultures

By Rosanny Crumpton

International Minority Coalition

Founder, Willie Fleming, had a vision in 2017 to create a group of community members that would help change the negative narrative about Black and Brown communities.

At the time, having experienced a term as county president for the African American Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party (AAC-NCDP) and freshly

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International Minority Coalition members and ambassadors meeting to plan for the group’s 2024 events.

rolling off two terms as state president for the caucus, he felt energized to start something new and internationally inclusive. The new mission would be to unite and represent those who are often underrepresented.

The International Minority Coalition (IMC) is a diverse group of approximately 130 members who meet every month to discuss community concerns and support one another in celebrating international cultures across the Charlotte region. Several members of the IMC are elected city, county and state officials.

While it is not a requirement to be a minority to be an IMC member, the group includes African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and other ethnic groups. Some of the International countries represented within the IMC include Afghanistan, Cuba, Ghana, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Jamaica, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines.

While Fleming felt inspired to ensure that concerns of the minority community are presented and addressed, he said a major area of focus is creating a sense of community.

“It wasn’t created to be about race. It’s to bring people together. When people come together, there’s no way we can lose,” he said.

Fleming began sharing his vision of uniting as one organization in 2017. As people seemed interested, he began to organize meetings. “At first, I had nowhere

to meet. I went out to Jyoti’s, on Albemarle Road, and spoke to them. We reserved two tables at first, and by the end of that year, we filled the whole restaurant,” he said.

Ninety-five percent of the members that were there when IMC first started are still members today, said Fleming. While the concept has evolved over the last few years, the IMC mission stands: to ensure the concerns of minority communities are addressed and presented to elected officials, and to come together and unite.

IMC members support one another at events held by various international groups and cultures across the region. They host information sessions to learn about different cultures, and they can be spotted at candidate meet and greets. They also band together with other community organizations to help spread the word about the importance of voting and other issues.

Fleming is most proud of the collaborative work that IMC does with community partners which includes, but is not limited to feeding and providing clothes to the unhoused population, hosting food drives, providing tennis camps to youth for free, providing covid testing and covid vaccines, championing elected officials, and supporting one another through

Willie

international celebrations. The IMC has signature annual events that include a summer picnic and a fall Gala among others.

Fleming is looking forward to helping to uplift minority communities, uniting people of all communities, and ending the myth that we can’t all work together.

“Our motto is, ‘We’re stronger together,’ and that’s what I truly believe. If we can focus on the mission, we can get things done,” he said.”

IMC members are interested in making our communities safer and better places to live and work in, and IMC invites people to join the movement, Fleming said.

IMC meets monthly on the second Sunday of each month at Club Nile in Charlotte. For more information, visit ncimc.org. P

Left: Willie Fleming and Tina Kurniawan, IMF Treasurer. Below:

Fleming, International Minority Coalition founder (left) and Dr. Azeem Elahi at an Aid for Gaza event.

Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Centers recently announced the opening of its newest health facility, the Sugar Creek Health Center in North Charlotte. The private, nonprofit organization provides prescription assistance and high-quality health care on a sliding pay scale.

Unlike traditional health care, CRCHC is a Federally Qualified Health Center that welcomes all community members, focusing on serving low-income, uninsured or indigent patients. The new Sugar Creek Health Center, located at 721 W. Sugar Creek Road in Charlotte, is CRCHC’s ninth location.

After 90 days of renovations, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in May. Presentations and guest speakers included the CRCHC Board of Directors, senior leadership, and the Mecklenburg County Public Health Department. Dental and mobile units were also on-site for community tours.

Chief Administrative Officer Brittany Payne explained ramping up to open was a community effort. “Once we identified a new location, we began increasing our partnerships in the community, ordering office and clinical supplies and completing any needed renovations,” she said.

Sugar Creek Health Center will provide all three of CRCHC’s services in one place: dental services, primary care and behavioral health. “A community member could receive all three services on the same day if preferred,” said Payne.

She also explained some patients have transportation challenges. Providing multiple types of care options under one roof helps eliminate this concern. Conveniently located in a neighborhood, patients are within walking distance of care and follow-up appointments.

Health education and preventative care are the foundation of CRCHC. Payne

New Sugar Creek Health Center facility Opens in Charlotte

By Sasha Manley

Above: (top row, left to right) Tiffany Mallory, Santana Stewart, Madeline Cordonero, Jenniffer Sass, Christina Echevarria (bottom row, left to right) Dorin Chandler, Kabrina Edwards, Brittany Payne

explained why this service plan is effective for their mission: “This approach reduces the burden on emergency services. This model reduces unnecessary emergency room visits. In our communities … health awarenesses increases by engaging in community health initiatives and education programs.”

Three organizational programs are offered to patients: the Health Coaching Program, Affordable Care Act Services and Medication Assistance Program. Each initiative is crucial in educating the community and providing opportunities to those who need them most.

In addition to these benefits, the CRCHC website provides exercise resources, workout guides and online exercise classes. The diabetes corner shares general care tips.

Other specific services include telehealth services, child and health development, DOT physicals, referral coordination, and mammography services. The complete list is on the center’s website.

Serving over 17,000 patients through a convenient enrollment process, prospective patients can call to make an appointment or stop in. Depending on availability, walkins can also be accommodated on the same day. There are 19 providers across all locations.

According to Payne, the most recent demographics for patients for the fiscal year 2023 are 40% white, 21% African American, 38% Hispanic, and 0.6% other. She further explained that “CRCHC has its own unique demographics. Most of the patients served at Sugar Creek Health Center are Hispanic. Hispanics account for 72% of the patients we serve at the Sugar Creek location, 18% are African American, and 10% are white.”

CRCHC is committed to serving the community and putting wellness first. Payne said, “Our mission is to have a positive impact on the health of our community, one patient at a time.” P

Top Left: (left to right) Santana Stewart (CRCHC), WCNC host Mia Atkins, Shamega Brown (CRCHC)

Our Commitment to Support & Strengthen Charlotte

By Kieth Cockrell, Bank of America, Charlotte Market President

At Bank of America, we’re committed to helping our communities thrive, dedicating our resources to address the issues that matter most in the places where we work and live. We’re not just here to help with your everyday banking –we go further. We understand Charlotte’s economy, culture, strengths and challenges and strive to deliver effective solutions and service by matching the right resources to the community’s needs.

When entrepreneurs succeed, our communities do too

Small businesses are the lifeblood of the Charlotte economy, but business owners also need the support of local community members to thrive. Though we’ve made great strides, women and minority business owners continue to face entrepreneurial challenges. Our 2022 Women & Minority Business Owner Spotlight found nearly half of Black entrepreneurs faced issues accessing capital. To help close these gaps, Bank of America works with our partners, such as Seneca Women and Cornell University, to provide women and minority business owners access to educational resources, investment and funding. Our Access to Capital Directory (https://www. accesstocapitaldirectory.com/) helps women, Black/African American and Hispanic-Latino entrepreneurs find and connect with organizations that provide funding for women- and minorityowned businesses.

Additionally, we’ve committed $421 million to over 130 women- and minority-led funds, which are expected to invest in roughly 2,000 companies nationwide, over five years. This sustained commitment helps business owners grow their businesses and generate economic opportunities that create jobs and build wealth for entrepreneurs locally.

Making rewarding jobs more accessible

One of our top priorities is attracting and retaining the best talent – and that is especially important in our headquarters city of Charlotte. Through our recent investment in UNC Charlotte to support upward mobility and social impact programs, up to 190 students of color and first-generation college students each summer receive resources and support systems to transition to campus life. We also partner with 64 HBCUs, including Johnson C. Smith University, to fill internship and full-time positions, host career insight forums and skill development workshops and offer merit-based funding to undergraduate and first-year MBA students in financial services.

We also have a history of supporting Central Piedmont Community College and created a million-dollar jobs initiative dedicated to helping students of color successfully complete the education and training necessary to enter the workforce and become successful here in their hometown. Bank of America’s $10 million gift and partnership with Atrium Health brought the Meaningful Medicine program to Central Piedmont Community College with the opening of a community-based virtual clinic in September 2022. The clinic provides health opportunities for students and employees, in addition to providing career pathways for students at Central Piedmont.

Supporting wealth creation through homeownership

Charlotte was named the hottest housing market of 2023 by Zillow due to both home value growth and growth in owner-occupied households. While it’s easy to see the appeal of living here,

demand has driven up home prices in the region and created affordability challenges. Amidst the current market, it’s critical Charlotte residents have access to sustainable and affordable paths to homeownership, a key pillar to building personal and generational wealth.

Many prospective homebuyers may be able to afford monthly mortgage payments but struggle with having enough cash reserves for the upfront costs. That’s why the Bank of America Community Homeownership Commitment® (https:// www.bankofamerica.com/homeowner) includes two grant programs to help homebuyers get over that initial hurdle with one of the most generous grants in the industry, providing up to $17,500 in combined down payment and closing costs grants. Clients also have access to low down payment mortgage loans, which are competitive, fixed-rate mortgages with a down payment as low as 3%, requiring lower-cost mortgage insurance.

A commitment to supplier diversity

In 2020, Bank of America celebrated 30 years of commitment to engaging with diverse-owned companies. Through our Supplier Diversity program, we support the growth of minority, women, veteran, disabled, service-disabled veteran, LGBTQ+ and other diverseowned suppliers. Which in turn helps communities thrive through business development and job growth.

Our commitment to supplier diversity initiatives includes Cyber Security barrier to entry initiatives, which continue to be a material barrier to entry for diverse businesses; delivering training to small and diverse businesses with insights on accessing capital and credit, expanding their businesses and creating local economic impact; and supporting non-minority owned businesses use of diverse-owned businesses in their supply chains.

From families creating better lives to communities and coalitions promoting the greater good, we’re committed to supporting all kinds of efforts to build a brighter future, here in Charlotte. P

FYI News & Notes

Compiled by John Burton Jr.

Physicians Symposium Raises Funds for Patient Care and Scholarships

The 2024 Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) Carolinas Annual Symposium brought together physicians of all practices — family practitioners, nephrologists, cardiologists, gynecologists, pediatricians, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, neurologists, dentists and others — for a day of activities and educational sessions.

The organization raised $89,000 to fund college scholarships and provide care for 630 patients for a year at the HeartBright Cardiac Resource Center in Charlotte. In addition, they collected 948 pounds of healthy food and 39 blood pressure machines to help those in need in the local area. They also donated to ANPA Nigerian missions.

ANPA represents the professional interests of more than 4,000 physicians, dentists and allied health professionals of Nigerian birth, ethnicity or empathy in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. They provide a platform for medical and scientific dialogue on issues of health within North America, the Caribbean and Africa. The ANPA Carolinas Chapter provides medical services to communities throughout the greater Charlotte region and in other North and South Carolina counties. ANPA Carolinas provides community charity support, mentorship and scholarships to high school students interested in professions within the health-care industry.

Heart disease, diabetes and stroke account for 1 in 3 deaths, and access to care are top health issues in Charlotte. HeartBright bridges a critical health-care gap for the working poor sector of our community. Every $50 donation funds treatment of a patient for one year. HeartBright provides treatment, education, and resource programs for patients and early prevention of these issues in our youth. With the ability to have a comprehensive wellness plan that they can use to manage their disease, patients can improve their health, have hope for their future and be inspired to live healthy and productive lives. In 2023 HeartBright saved the local community 13.7 million in medical costs.

Spectrum Awards Education Grant to Urban League of Central Carolinas

Spectrum announced Urban League of Central Carolinas has received a $45,000 Spectrum Digital Education grant for the Urban Digital Literacy Lift program. Funding will support workforce development programs designed to help participants enter and advance in the workplace through digital literacy curriculums focused on computer and online training.

“The importance of expanding access to essential broadband technologies, education and training is profound in our increasingly digital world,” said Rahman Khan, group vice president, Community Impact for Charter Communications, which operates the Spectrum brand of connectivity services. “Through the Spectrum Digital Education grant program, Charter is partnering with valued nonprofits that share our commitment to create better opportunities for the communities we serve.”

The $45,000 grant is the third Spectrum Digital Education grant for the Urban League of Central Carolinas, bringing total Spectrum support for the organization to $95,000 over the past six years.

“This grant is a great opportunity to further the partnership we have with Spectrum,” said Robyn Hamilton, president and CEO, Urban League of Central Carolinas. “It will bring programs to the community to address digital literacy and increase the Urban League of Central Carolina’s ability to empower community and change lives.”

In 2023, Spectrum awarded $1.1 million total to 46 nonprofit organizations through Spectrum Digital Education, which supports broadband technology programs, education, and training in unserved and underserved communities throughout the company’s service area.

Since the program’s 2017 launch, Spectrum has committed more than $9 million total to the initiative and has awarded 261 grants to 143 unique partners.

UNCC Honors Dontá L. Wilson with Named Building

The newest residence hall at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte was renamed Wilson Hall in honor of Dontá L. Wilson, a Charlotte alumnus who serves as the vice chair on the Board of Trustees. Wilson Hall is Charlotte’s first residence hall named after an African American. The freshman-only, traditional-style residence hall boasts six floors and 676 beds, making it the highest-capacity dorm on Charlotte’s campus.

During the dedication ceremony in April, Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber also announced the new Wilson Believe Fund, a scholarship that will target first-generation students pursuing degrees in education and business.

“Thanks to a generous gift, the university is establishing the Wilson Believe Fund, an endowed scholarship fund that will provide scholarships for first-generation college students majoring in business and education at Charlotte,” said Gaber. “This fund has the potential to change the trajectory of the lives of generations of Charlotte students, their families and their communities. What’s more, in recognition of Dontá’s extraordinary generosity and service to his alma mater, I am pleased to announce that our newest residence hall will be named Dontá L. Wilson Hall.”

Wilson hopes that this building and the new scholarship will help support and alleviate anxiety for first-generation students and their families as they navigate the difficulties of college.

“Navigating the funding processes and living arrangements can be overwhelming and all-consuming,” said Wilson. “When students can focus more on enjoying the experience and performing to the best of their abilities, the benefits extend far beyond the students and our 49er community; it also contributes to the success of their families, the city of Charlotte and the global community.”

Wilson, chief consumer and Small Business Banking officer for Truist Financial Corporation and a member of the company’s operating council was named Digital Banker of the Year by American Banker Magazine. P

Sharon Gaber, UNCC Chancellor, and Dontá L. Wilson

Photo credit: Amy Hart

Minority and Womenowned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Training and Support

Minority Business Development Agency

202-482-2332 www.mbda.gov

N.C. Minority and Women Business Enterprise Coordinators’ Network www.mwbecoordinators.org

National Institute of Minority Economic Development 919-956-8889 www.theinstitutenc.org

MWBE Certification

Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council 704-549-1000 www.cvmsdc.org

Charlotte Business INClusion 704-336-4137 www.charlottenc.gov/Growthand-Development/CBI.com

NC Small Business and Technology Development Center 919-715-7272 www.sbtdc.org

Statewide Uniform Certification Program (SWUC)

*N.C. Dept. of Administration Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses 984-236-0130 www.doa.nc.gov/hub

Corporate Supplier Diversity

Advocate Health Supply Chain Alliance www.advocatehealthsupplychainalliance.org

Balfour Beatty Construction

Chad Humphrey Business Development Director 919-233-5137 chumphrey@bbus.com www.balfourbeattyus.com Bank of America www.bankofamerica.com

Compass Group Aleshia McMath VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 704-328-4000 www.compass-usa.com

Duke Energy

Andrew Grier Supplier Diversity Executive 704-382-7690 andrewgrier@duke-energy.com www.duke-energy.com/ partner-with-us/suppliers

Food Lion

Garland Scarboro Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 704-310-2589 Garland.Scarboro@ RetailBusinessServices.com www.foodlion.com/careers/diversityand-inclusion/supplier-diversity

Novant Health diversityandinclusion@novanthealth.org www.novanthealth.org/ about/our-commitment/ diversity/diverse-suppliers

Piedmont Natural Gas gasadvantage.piedmontng.com/ doing-business-with-us/ Walmart Stores, Inc. www.corporate.walmart.com/ suppliers

Wells Fargo supplierdiversity@wellsfargo.com www.wellsfargo.com/supplierdiversity

Businesses

Administrative Services

Cybertary Charlotte 704-256-4717 www.charlotte.cybertary.com

Global Linking Solutions

704-708-4470 www.gls.com

Advertising Agencies/ Promotional Products

AC&M Group

704-697-4400

www.acmconnect.com

Bitflip Technologies, Inc. 704-293-5049 www.bitfliptech.com

BluePepper Public Relations 704-625-6564 www.bluepepperpr.com

Brand Equity Marketing, LLC 704-372-3982 www.brandequitymktg.com

BrandRPM 704-225-1800 www.brandrpm.com

BRK Global Marketing 704-579-1545 brkmarketing.com

Bullseye Branding and Promotions 704-366-1616 www.bullseyebp.espwebsite.com

CGR Creative 704-334-2232 www.cgrcreative.com

Classic Achievements, Inc. 980-819-9176 www.classicachievements.com

Creative Marketing Ideas 980-938-8555 www.creativemkg.com

Equine Marketing Group 704-663-4487 www.equinemarketinggroup.com

Internet Marketing Charlotte 704-236-6936 www.internetmarketingclt.com Jaunt 704-962-8570 www.ridejaunt.com

KS Image Solutions, LLC 704-786-7763 www.ksimagesolutions.com

Logo Pros 704-545-7408

www.logopros.us

Logo’d Gear 704-334-9333 www.logodgear.com

Lyerly Agency 704-525-3937 www.lyerly.com

MDC Marketing Group, LLC 773-667-2279 www.mdcmarketinggroup.com

Media Power Advertising, Inc. 704-896-0310 www.mediapoweradvertising.com

Motivation Marketing Firm 704-326-2187 www.MotivationMarketingFirm.com

PIA International 704-593-1256 www.piapromo.com

Pride Communications, Inc. 704-375-9553 www.pridemagazineonline.com

QCityMetro.com www.qcitymetro.com

Robinson Thinks www.robinsonthinks.com

S&B Computers and Office Products, Inc. 518-877-9500 www.sbcomputers-office.com

Spark Strategic Ideas, LLC 704-625-2185 www.sparkstrategicideas.com

The Agency Marketing Group 704-564-9694 www.gettheagency.com

The Narmer Group, LLC 678-787-8098 www.thenarmergroup.com

Zuri Creative Services www.zuricreative.com

Architects

CES Group 704-489-1500 www.ces-group.net

“ Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.”

— Michelle Obama

FM Supplies 336-391-8653 www.fmsupplies-fms.com

Neighboring Concepts 704-594-7961 www.neighboringconcepts.com

The Wilson Group Architects 704-331-9747 www.twgarchitects.com

Attorneys

Barbara L. White 704-375-9411 www.barbaralwhite.com

Benjamin M. Li 704-527-0878

Bishop, Dulaney, Joyner & Abner, P.A. 704-945-9850 www.bdjalaw.com

Brady & Kosofsky, PA 704-849-8008 www.bandklaw.com

Central Law Group, PLLC 704-248-0949

Closing Carolina Law Offices of Michelle Vereckey, PLLC 704-283-5555 www.closingcarolina.com

Collins Family & Elder Group 704-289-3250 www.collinsfamilylaw.com

DeMayo Law Offices 877-529-1212 www.demayolaw.com

Douglas H. Kim Law Firm 704-504-0962 www.douglaskimlawfirm.com

Ferguson Chambers & Sumter, P.A. 704-375-8461 www.fergusonsumter.com

Gardner Skelton, PLLC 704-335-0350 www.gardnerskelton.com

GPS Law Group 704-549-1950 www.gpslawnc.com

Hands Law Office, PLLC 704-248-7976 www.handslawonline.com

Hoard Law, P.C. 704-954-8094 www.hoardlaw.com

Houston Law Office 704-595-9146 houston-law-office.business.site/ Ken Harris & Associates 704-343-2620 www.khalegal.com

Kimberly Poe Law Office 704-489-8182

Law Offices of Susan D. Brotherton 704-873-7529

Law Offices of T. Michael Todd 704-343-9700

Lori Keeton Law 704-552-3614 www.lorikeetonlaw.com

Mickle & Bass Law Firm 803-929-0029 www.mickleandbass.com

Mitchell & Suhr PLLC 919-944-4668 www.paulsuhr.com

Ramsay Law Firm, P.A. 704-376-1616 www.ramsaylawfirm.com

Roderick G. Davis Attorney & Counselor at Law 704-632-1500 www.rgdavislaw.wixsite.com/ roderick-davis

Starrett Law Firm, PLLC 704-887-4944 www.starrettlawfirm.com

The Corbett Law Firm, PLLC 704-401-5299 www.facebook.com/ thecorbettlawfirm

The Justice Firm, LLC 704-377-4747 www.thejusticefirm.com

The Law Office of Cheryl R. Watkins 704-552-3993 www.crwatkinslaw.com

The Law Office of Lisa A. Dubs 828-323-1926 www.dubslaw.com

The Law Office of Tamela T. Wallace 704-371-4212 www.tamelatwallace.com

The Law Offices of William H. Harding 704-504-7854 www.williamhharding.com

The Montgomery Law Firm, PLLC 704-312-7360 www.charlottemontgomerylaw.com

The Snow Legal Group, PLLC 704-761-7660 www.snowlegal.com

The Wright Law Firm 704-332-2274

Tippens & Zurosky Attorneys, L.L.P. 704-343-0018 www.tandzlaw.com

York Harmon Johnson 704-375-4480 www.yhjlaw.com

Book Stores

Book Buyers

704-344-8611

www.bookbuyerscharlotte.com/home

Park Road Books

704-525-9239 www.parkroadbooks.com

Main Street Books 704-892-6841 www.mainstreetbooksdavidson.com

The Book Rack 704-544-8006 www.facebook.com/ CharlotteBookRack

Julia’s Café & Books 704-295-4585 www.juliascafe.org

KEMETIC Science Institute 704-910-6783 www.kemeticscienceInstitute.com

Communications/ Media-Related Services

ACP, Inc.

704-676-5880 www.goacp.com

Alliance of Professionals & Consultants, Inc. 704-334-3083 www.apcinc.com

Aquent 704-338-9119 www.aquent.com

BC Forward 866-363-1132 www.bcforward.com

CGR Creative 704-334-2232 www.cgrcreative.com

CITI, INC. 704-969-2484 www.citi-inc.com

Jameson Advisory Group 980-285-7146 www.jagclt.com

Mark III Media 704-269-8640 markiiimedia.com/

Media Power Advertising 704-896-0310 www.mediapoweradvertising.com

Network Cabling Systems, Inc. 704-523-8606 www.networkcablingsystems.com

Yellow Duck Marketing, LLC 704-271-9555 www.yellowduckmarketing.com

Computers/ Printers/Web

Action Graphics

704-393-9393 www.actionprints.com

Allegra Marketing, Print, and Mail 704-376-0938 www.allegracharlotte.com

A Cultivated Mindset

704-780-6535 www.acultivatedmindset.com

Applied Data Technologies 704-847-3000 www.applieddatatech.com

Blueline Technologies 704-542-1514 www.BlueLTI.com

Business Policy Solutions, LLC www.bpolicysolutions.com

Computech Consulting, LLC 704-499-8967 www.computech-consulting.us

Computer House Calls 704-549-4334 www.chc-clt.com/

Computel Systems

704-541-8659 www.computelsys.com

Copy Cat Printing 704-529-6606 www.copycatsouth.com

CPI Training Solutions Inc. 704-593-8999 www.solutionsrus.com

Creech Computer Consulting, Inc. 704-827-5979 www.creechcomputers.com

Experienced Recruiting Partners LLC 518-598-6300 www.experiencedrecruitingpartners.com

Geek Choice 704-331-0739 www.computergeeksnow.com

Hardison Cartridge, LLC 704-564-1203 www.hardisoncartridge.com IT-HenHouse 980-393-3400 www.it-henhouse.com

JCMR Technology, Inc. 704-707-3333 www.jcmr.net

Laury Controls & Design 704-785-6788 www.laurycontrols.com

Liberty Laser Solutions 800-570-1987 www.libertylasersolutions.com

Lorven Group, Inc. 704-899-5200 www.lorvengroupinc.com

MPG Consulting Services LLC 704-659-6767 www.mpgcs.com

Mid-Carolina Reprographics 704-529-0612 www.mid-carolinaplans.com

NTT DATA Consulting us.nttdata.com

Neteffect Technologies

704-504-9040 www.ne-t.com

Patriot Technology Solutions patriottechnology.net

Rush Computer Rentals

800-455-5445 www.rushcomputer.com

SMS Tech Solutions, LLC 800-656-7702 www.smstechsolutions.com

Stratagon, Inc

888-506-3466 www.stratagon.com

Sunshine Media Network

704-249-5022 www.sunshinemedianetwork.com

Syntelli Solutions Inc 877-796-8355 www.syntelli.com

The Imagine Group 800-368-1056 www.theimaginegroup.com

UTD Technology Corp 704-612-0121 x101 www.utdtechnology.com

Xtramile Soft, LLC 704-699-9912 www.xtramilesoft.com

Dentists/Orthodontists

A Smile 4U Family Dentistry

704-549-1199 www.Smile4ucharlotte.com

Alliance Dental Group 704-610-3328 www.allianceddentalgroupnc.com

Carmel Commons

Dental & Imaging 704-879-5897 www.carmelcommonsdental.com

Carolina Aesthetic Dentistry 704-793-4211 www.ncaestheticdds.com

Dasling Dentistry

704-594-9250 www.daslingdentistry.com

Dual Image Orthodontics

704-269-8495

www.dualimageortho.com

Eagle Shembo Dentistry

704-503-0202 www.eagleshembodentistry.com

Eastover Dental

704-842-3542 www.eastoverdental.com

Friendly Dental Group of Ballantyne

704-494-7990 www.friendlydentalgroup. com/ballantyne

Jackson Orthodontics

704-464-0696 www.drjacksonsmiles.com

Matthews Periodontics 803-373-9997 www.matthewsperio.com

Orchard Lake Dentistry

704-849-6700 www.orchardlakedentistry.com

OrthoCare Orthodontics

704-509-4999 www.drcooperortho.com

Palmieri Dentistry

704-662-6880 www.palmieridentistry.com

Rolle Oral & Facial Surgery

704-892-9500 rolle-oralfacialsurgery.com

Sandy Stovall, DDS

704-549-5600 www.stovalldentistry.com

Smart Orthodontics

704-549-8878 www.smartorthodontics.com

Smile Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

704-971-7272 www.mykidsmile.com

SouthEnd Dentistry 704-335-8266 www.southendsmiles.com

Steven H. Ghim, DMD 704-935-2700 www.drstevenghim.com

University Pediatric Dentistry

704-688-1664 www.universitypediatricdentistrync.com

U. Phillip Igbinadolor & Associates

704-494-8484 www.upidental.com

Waverly Dental 704-246-7677 www.waverlydentalgroup.com

Webber Dentistry 704-392-9357 www.webberdentistry.com

Young & Polite Children’s Dentistry 704-587-7336 www.youngandpolite.com

Electrical Services

Adams Electric Company 704-940-6080 www.adams-electric.com

Beam Electric Company, Inc. 704-333-9094 www.beamelectric.com

Gaylor Electric, Inc. 800-878-0577 www.gaylor.com

Infinity Contractors 704-392-3133 www.infinitycontractors.com

Interstate Electric Company, Inc. 704-333-7149 www.interstateelectriccompany.com

IRV Plumbing, Electric & HVAC 704-544-0200 www.irvplumbing.com

Jenkins Electric, Inc. 866-968-9027 www.jenkinselectric.com

Jim Dickerson Co. 704-727-2155 www.jim-dickerson.com McNaughton-McKay Electric Co. 704-527-6555 www.mc-mc.com

Pike Corporation, Inc. 800-424-7453 www.pike.com

Qwest Electric, LLC

704-662-3900 www.qwestelectricllc.com

Starr Electric Company, Inc. 704-568-6600 www.starrelectric.net

Summit Air and Electric 704-597-0940 www.summitairandelectric.com

Watson Electric Company, Inc. 704-947-5151 www.watsonelectric.com

WB Moore Company of Charlotte 704-331-9300 www.wbmoore.com

White Electric Company 704-594-4612 www.whiteelectriccompany.com

Ethnic Food Items/ Grocery Stores

A1 Stop Food Store 704-347-1747

Caribbean Hut 704-527-9505 www.caribbean-hut.com

Carolina Smoothies 704-358-0006

Central Market 704-567-2071 www.centralmarketcharlotte.com

Charlotte International Market 704-527-5771 www.charlottemarketinternational.com

Compare Foods 704-596-3495 www.compareclt.com

Eloquent Creations Catering & Design Services, LLC 704-200-6883 www.eloquentcreationscatering.com

FutoButa 704-376-8400 www.futobuta.com

Honey Butter Bakery 704-421-1390 www.honeybutterbakery.com

Island Grocery 704-532-0322 www.IslandGroceryandGrill.com

Mr. Jim’s Pizza 704-376-5467 mrjims.pizza

New Century Grocery & Food 704-921-1716

Ole Mexican Foods 704-587-1763 www.olemex.com

Organic Marketplace

704-864-0605 www.facebook.com/ organicmarketplacenc

Oriental Food Market, Inc. 704-537-4281

Patel Brothers 704-509-2305 www.PatelBros.com

Sweet It Is! Bakery 704-351-4668 www.sweetitis.net

Truly Good Foods 704-588-0400 www.trulygoodfoods.com

Uptown Catering Company 704-332-5521 www.uptowncateringco.com

Events/Party Planning

Aisha Thomas Events

704-951-4273

Aishathomas.com

Botanica Lights, LLC 704-737-0962 www.botanicalights.com

Creative Catering 704-373-2900 www.creativecateringinc.net

Extravaganza Events 704-343-9200 www.extravaganzaevents.com

It’s My Affair 704-394-4928 www.itsmyaffair.com

Key Signature Entertainment 704-568-1968 www.keysignatureonline.com

Platinum Events By Andrea 704-458-6234 www.platinumeventsbyandrea.com

The Kee Group 704-726-6838 www.keepingeventsepic.com

The Main Event 704-332-5819 (Main) 704-605-6028 www.themaineventnc.com

Engineering

Advanced Enclosure Consulting 704-361-8664 www.aeconsulting-usa.com

Atom Engineering, PLLC 980-938-5231 www.atomengineers.com

C2 Engineering Solutions, PLLC 704-266-0942 www.rcengineering.net

Critek Engineering Group 336-348-1889 www.critekgroup.com

Devita, Inc. 877.4.Devita (877.433.8482) www.devitainc.com

DiCon Consulting www.diconconsulting.com

High Performance Building Solutions, Inc. 704-299-1698 www.hpb-solutions.com

Hinde Engineering, Inc. 704-814-4407 www.hindeengineering.com

Jones Civil Design, P.C. 704-412-8523 www.jonescivildesign.com

Little Diversified 704-525-6350 www.littleonline.com

Shultz Engineering Group 704-334-7363 www.shultzeg.com

Smiley Engineering, Inc. 803-548-4111 www.smileyengineering.com

System WorCx, PLLC 704-996-9924 www.systemworcx.com

Watson Electric Company, Inc. 704-393-0220 www.watsonelec.com

Wescott Structures, P.A. 704-921-0504 www.wescottstructures.com

Willis Engineers, Inc. 704-377-9844 www.willisengineers.com

Financial

Services

Accouting-Tax-Governance 704-303-9998 www.atgadvisors.com

AloStar Bank of Commerce 877-738-6391 www.alostarbank.com

Anderson & Associates 704-347-0090 www.andersonexecsearch.com

Apex Business Group, LLC 980-635-0302 www.apexbusinessgroupllc.com

Beacon Wealth Advisors 704-947-8444 www.mybeaconwealth.com

Carter Insurance 704-542-7500 agents.allstate.com/luthercarter-jr-charlotte-nc.html

Cornerstone Wealth Planning Matthews: 704-849-0123 www.cornerstone4planning.com

Financial Compliance Group, Inc. 704-412-8440 www.financialcompliancegroup.com

Freedom Financial Advantage, LLC 704-905-9867 www.freedomfinancialadvantage.com

GM Financial 704-719-3570 www.gmfinancial.com

J & G Legacy Financial Group, LLC 704-557-9786 www.jandglegacy.com

JP Financial Group LLC 704-543-6269 www.jpfinancialgroupllc.com

M&F Bank 704-332-2121 www.mfbonline.com

Ocean Advisors, LLC 704-523-6914 www.oceanadvisors.com

Rose & Associates Southeast 704-896-0094 www.roseassociates.com

Self-Help Credit Union 704-554-7201 www.self-help.org

The Real Money Coach 517-395-7885 www.therealmoneycoach.com

Tucker Boynton Financial Group 704-366-5085 www.tbfinancial.com

Worth Financial Advisory Group 704-731-0121 www.worthadvisors.com

Fitness/Wellness

Better Bodies 4 Us, LLC 980-721-1866 www.betterbodies4us.com

Club Fitness

704-295-7900 www.goclubfitness.com

Core Elevation Fitness & Wellness www.coreelevationfitness.com

Discovery Chiropractic and Wellness Center, PLLC 704-946-2054 www.discoverychirowellness.com

Energyve Fitness 704-763-6556

“ It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.”

— Lena Horne

Fernando Loor Vera Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

704-512-9397 www.martialartscharlottenc.com

LBX Fitness

704-281-9251 www.lbxfitness.com

My Gym

704-522-6966 www.mygym.com/charlotte

N’Shape with ’N 704-334-4848 www.nshapewithn.com

Toushea Skincare 980-354-1145 www.tousheabodyboutique.com

Ultimate CrossFit 704-497-4099 www.ultimatecrossfit.com

Food/Catering/ Food Trucks

Cake and Craft Creations 704-577-4400 www.cakeandcraft.com

Carolimas Dessert Boutique 843-900-4467 www.Carolimas.com

Catering by Tara 704-492-3791 cateringbytara.com

Creative Catering

704-373-2900 www.creativecateringinc.net

Essie’s Catering 803-329-2228 www.essiescatering.com

FDY, Inc. 704-523-6605 www.fdyinc.com

Frozen Kups 980-258-0226 www.frozenkups.com

Howard & Howard Event Management and Catering 980-349-5750 www.howardandhowardevents.com

Jewell Treats 980-202-2530 www.jewelltreats.com

Manolos Bakery 704-568-2120 www.manolosbakery.com

Popbar www.pop-bar.com 980-237-9750

Popcorn Heaven 803-216-5197 www.popcornheaven.com

Round The Way Eatery 704-408-7381 www.instagram.com/ roundthewayeatery

Zippy Ice Inc. 980-355-9851 www.zippyicecompany.com

Graphic Design

Airboat www.airboatstudio.com

Brinkley Design, Inc. 704-372-8666 leigh@brinkleydesign.com

Cosmopolitan Creative Group 912-507-1708 www.cosmpolitancreativegroup.com

Cynthia Frank Design 704-562-2616 www.artwork.cynthiafrankdesign.com

Goodstuff Creative 704-254-3277 www.goodstuffcreative.com

Moonlight Creative Group 704-332-9918 www.moonlightcreative.com

New Creations

Enterprises, LLC 704-971-7854 www.newcreationsmedia.biz

SPARK Publications 704-844-6080 www.sparkpublications.com

Steele Creek Printing & Design, Inc. 704-697-1755

Steelecreekprinting.com

The Imagine Group 704-597-9015 www.theimaginegroup.com

Virtual Illustrations 704-287-7023 www.virtualillustrations.com

Vistec Graphx, Inc. 704-377-6626 www.vistecmarketing.com

Zuri Creative Services 704-380-0278 www.zuricreative.com

Health Care/Medical

Advantage Vision Center 704-375-3935

www.advantagevisioncenter.net

Americare Health PC 704-535-0400

Arboretum Obstetrics & Gynecology

704-341-1103, 704-841-7225 www.arboretumgyn.com/

Barbara G Green Physical Therapy

704-377-0020

www.barbaragreenphysicaltherapy.com

Brandon Gynecology Associates, PA 705-510-1600

www.brandongynecology.com

Carolinas Eye Center & MedSpa 704-510-3100

Carolina Family Healthcare 704-847-4000

www.carolinafamilyhealthcare.com

Carolina Pediatric Therapy 803-980-4900

Center for Personal Growth 704-655-2828

www.center-for-growth.com

Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry 980-414-6442

www.cltpediatricdentistry.com

Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center 704-523-8027 www.charlottespeechhearing.com

Cynthia Busher 704-522-8300

www.cynthiabusher.com

First Care Medical Clinic 704-225-8548

www.firstcarecanhelp.com

HomeCare for the Carolinas, LLC 704-335-8488

www.homecareforthecarolinas.com

JP Chiropractic & Posture 704-841-1701 www.jpchiropractic.com

Lancaster One Medical 803-286-5700

www.lancasteronemed.com

M.D. Laser Studio 704-664-4247 www.mdlaserstudio.com

Mount Holly Eye Clinic, Inc. 704-822-0099

Planned Parenthood 704-536-7233

www.plannedparenthood.org/healthcenter/north-carolina/charlotte

Premier Pharmacy and Wellness Center 704-496-9182 www.yourwellnesskey.com

PrimeCare Medical Center 704-966-7012 www.primecaremed.org

Speechworks Therapy Services 980-237-6226 www.speechworkstherapy.com

Thuanh Nah Nguyen, MD, PA Internal Medicine & Pediatrics 704-554-8880

Transcendent Accents 704-494-4455 www.transcendentaccents.com

White Diamond Medical Clinic 704-542-9833 www.whitediamondmedical.com

Williams Chiropractic and Wellness, PLLC 980-237-8489 www.drcleyawcw.com

Heating and Air Conditioning

AeroRaq Engineering Inc. 704-469-8463 www.aeroraq.com

Air Diagnostics, Inc. 704-634-1926 www.airdiagnostics.net/

Air One Heating and Cooling, LLC 704-946-2751 www.aironecoolandheat.com

All Systems Restored HVAC & Electrical, LLC 704-909-2826 www.allsystemsrestored.com

AME Consulting Engineers, PC 704-295-4263 www.ame-pc.com

Climate Control of Charlotte 704-588-2066 www.climatecontrolcharlotte.com

Cost Effective Maintenance, Inc. 704-332-9711

E2 Mechanical 704-399-8786 www.catawbamechanical.com

Environmental Controls & Mechanical 704-910-2692

Gordon’s Heating & A/C 704-370-7789

KID Construction Company, Inc. 704-277-4679

Mckenney’s Inc. 704-357-1616 www.mckenneys.com

Mr. Charlotte Comfort 704-512-8096 www.mrcharlotteelectric.com

Native Air & Heat 704-824-0380 www.NativeAirandHeat.com

Performance Air, Inc. 704-394-4748

Premier Diversified Resources 980-944-9068 www.pdresourcesnc.com

Refresco, PLLC 704-293-8011 www.refresco-pllc.com

Superior Mechanical Systems, Inc. 704-335-1942 www.superiormsinc.com

Homecare Services

Advanced Roofing & Exteriors, LLC

704-999-4130

www.advancedroofingandexteriors.com

Alpha Omega Construction Group

844-704-7663

www.alpha-omegainc.com

American Fence

704-523-4936

www.americanfenceclt.com

Apex Exterminating, Inc.

704-573-1197

www.apexexterminatinginc.com

A Devine Lock and Key 704-579-4799

www.adevinelockandkey.com

Bullseye Construction, Inc.

704-889-2855

www.bullseyeconstructioninc.com

Camden Roofing and Construction, LLC

704-858-2141

www.camdenroofinggc.com

Carolina Custom Installations, Inc.

704-568-7277

www.cci-floors.com

Carolina Door Specialties, Inc

704-391-7133

www.carolinadoorspecialties.com

Carolina Lawn Service

919-633-4647

www.carolinalawn.com

Certapro Painters of North Charlotte

704-489-0957

www.certapro.com/north-charlotte

Charlotte Plantscapes, Inc

704-529-1399

www.charlotteplantscapes.com

Environmental Design Landscape, LLC

704-597-2193

www.edlnc.com

Find it K9 Detection (Bed Bug Specialists) 980-505-7878 www.finditk9detection.com

Fresh Bright Corp. 704-763-4229

www.freshandbrightcorp.com

Genesis Construction of the Carolinas 704-266-3737 www.genesiscoc.com

Green Clean Commercial

866-845-4948

www.greencleancommercial.com

HMO Pest Control

704-400-2334

www.hmo-pestcontrol.com

Jiron’s Construction, Inc. 704-626-5395

www.jironconstruction.com

Kim’s Professional Painting 704-349-1810 www.kimsprofessionalpainting.com

Lightning Fast Lawn Care 704-726-4391

MAKK Services Unlimited, Inc. 704-507-1921 www.makkservicesinc.com

Paraclete Incorporated

704-661-2599 www.paracleteinc.co

Queen City Master Services 800-326-5540 www.masterservicescontractor.com

Tillman’s Lawn Care LLC

704-891-7584 altontillman70@yahoo.com

United Painting Services, Inc. 704-684-0357 www.unitedpaintingservices.com

Human Resources/ Executive Search

AccruePartners, Inc.

704-632-9955 www.accruepartners.com

Advocations, LLC. 877-365-9675 www.advocations.io

AF Image Group, LLC 952-240-8228 www.afimagegroup. com/af-image/main

Allegiance Staffing 704-556-1770 www.allegiancestaffing.com

Alpha Labor Contractors, Inc. 704-398-2741 www.alphalaborcontractors.com

Before You Hire, Inc.

704-878-3600 www.beforeyouhireinc.com

Burnett Resources, Inc. 888-273-4108 www.burnettresources.com

BPN Healthcare Concepts 866-623-8880 www.bpnconcepts.com

Career Match Solutions 855-267-6282 www.careermatchsolutions.com

CEO, Inc. 888-242-1755 www.ceoinc.com

Compass Career Management Solutions 704-849-2500 www.compasscareer.com Corestaff Services www.corestaff.com

CRG Workforce 704-665-9555 www.getcrg.com

Be Evolved HR 919-576-9279 www.beevolvedhr.com

Employment Practices Counsel Inc. 980-207-1137 www.epcounsel.com

FirstPoint, Inc. 800-288-7408 www.firstpointresources.com

Galilee Agency, Inc. 704-394-0674 www.galileeagency.com

Greene Group 704-896-3110

HR Unequivocally® 704-644-9152 www.hrugroup.com

Insurance Professional Search, LLC 704-362-5638

Integra Staffing 704-527-9191 www.integrastaffing.com

Jennifer Temps, Inc. 704-510-1556 www.jennifertemps.com

“ To be successful, you must act big, think big and talk big.”

Kavaliro Staffing Services 704-525-3457 www.kavaliro.com

Kforce 704-612-2800 www.kforce.com/find-an-office/ charlotte-north-carolina

Kwin Consulting Inc. 704-287-7653 Ext.101 www.kwinconsulting.com

Language Resource Center Inc 877-322-1244 www.languagerc.net

LeadAdvantage, Inc 501-687-5323 www.leadadvantageinc.com

Link Staffing 888-292-5465 www.linkstaffing.com

Little Gerald Services 704-289-3831 www.lgservicesnc.org

Medical Administrative Solutions 704-944-3571 www.mascodingsolutions.com

Mindseeker Professional Services Inc. 703-466-0474 www.mindseeker.com

Performance Staffing Solutions, Inc. 704-927-1477 www.performss.com

PrideStaff 704-237-4103 www.pridestaff.com

ProLogistix 704-522-9166 www.prologistix.com

Refulgent Technologies Inc. 704-405-4238 www.refulgent-tech.com

Sappenfield Staffing, Inc. 704-332-4710 sappenfieldstaffing.com

Success By Choice 980-282-0982

SourceAbility, Incorporated 704-837-8200

— Aristotle Onassis, Greek Shipping Magnate

Solutions Staffing

704-503-1090

www.solutionsstaffing.com

Staffmark

704-799-3636 www.staffmark.com

Trinity Strategic Consulting, Inc.

704-957-0620

www.trinitystrategicconsulting.com

Vincent Career Training Institute

941-227-2092

www.vincentcareertraining. thinkific.com

VisionCor, Inc.

704-366-7979

www.visioncor.com

Xperience Leadership, LLC

704-896-9881

www.xperienceleadership.com/

Insurance Services

ACOP, LLC.

888-508-2267

www.acopprotection.com

Altmann & Porter Insurance

704-795-9001

www.altmanninsurance.com

Art Stover

704-504-0564

Carolina Insurance School, Inc.

704-489-9440

www.carolinainsuranceschool.com

Dawn Johnson Agency

803-980-1414

www.statefarm.com/agent/ US/SC/Rock-Hill/DawnJohnson-Z4JGF1YS000

Group Insurance Solutions, Inc.

704-543-9314

www.groupinsurancesolutions.com

Hayes Insurance Agency

704-545-3337

www.hayesinsuranceagent.com

Moulton Insurance Group 704-633-7283 www.moultoninsgroup.com/

Parks Insurance Group

704-548-0500

www.goparksins.com

Rankin Insurance Group, Inc.

704-896-9393 www.rankininsurancegroup.com

Janitorial/Custodial

All Things Professional Cleaning, Inc

704-345-3976

www.allthingsprofessional.net

ATL & C Cleaning Service

704-839-0283 www.atlccleans.com

Bucket, Mop, and Broom Cleaning Service LLC

877-784-0781

www.bucketmopandbroom.com

Elite Touch Cleaning Services, Inc.

704-742-2449

www.elitetouchcleaningservices.com

Green’s Commercial Cleaning, Inc.

704-525-5859 www.greenscommercialcleaning.com

JAC Janitorial Services

704-401-7142 www.jacjanitorialservice.com

JC Services Unlimited 980-253-7256 www.jcservicesunlimited.com

Joffie Contracting Services, Inc.

704-392-4442 www.joffie.com

Minit Maids 704-367-9931 www.minitmaids.com

Miriam Davis Cleaning, LLC 704-201-6111 www.miriamdaviscleaning.com

MOLLY MAID of North Charlotte / Matthews 980-342-2350 www.mollymaid.com/n-charlottematthews-concord-huntersville/

Mr. Clean Maintenance Company 980-339-5399

www.mrcleanco.com

Sparkle & Shine Cleaning Co. 314-546-1807

Squeaky Completely Clean www.scclean.net

The Johnson Group 704-522-3544 www.aejohnsongroup.com

Top Pro Cleaners 704-241-6206 www.topprocleaners.com

Latin American Chamber Charlotte

1900 Mexican Grill 704-334-4677 www.1900mexicangrill.com

AC&M Group 704-697-4400 www.acmconnect.com

AFC Custom Granite 704-598-1647 www.afccustomgranite.com

Agua Source, LLC 704-831-8311 www.aguasourcellc.com

America’s Real Estate Group, Inc. 704-540-4646 www.myamericasrealtor.com

Apex Exterminating, Inc. 704-573-1197 www.apexexterminatinginc.com

Arlette Guerra de Hurtado 704-591-1338 www.agpmrealtyinc.com

Avon Products Liz Bell 919-695-6400 Youravon.com/elizabethbell

Avon Products Myriam Gladney 704-814-7318

Baruu Advertising 888-841-0179 www.baruu.com

“ There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.”

Beauty & Body Rituals 704-568-5458

Bonilla Brothers, LLC 704-737-7124 www.bonillaroofingnc.com

Borealis Language Academy 980-207-3958 www.borealislanguage.com

Cambio Coaching LLC 704-497-2340 www.cambiocoach.com

Carnitas Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant 704-563-1651 www.carnitasmexican.com

Celia Estrada Realtors 704-335-4400

Centro Medico Latino, PC 704-333-0465 www.centromedicolatino.com

Concepcion Barajas Painting 704-557-5072 www.concepcionbarajaspainting.com

CSB Promo 704-708-5088 www.csbpromo.com

Culturati Research & Consulting, Inc. 858-750-2600 www.culturatiresearch.com

Daniela Melendez State Farm 704-733-9022 www.mysfrep.com

Dentist Salud 704-705-4744 www.dentistsalud.com

El Progreso Hispano Newspaper 704-529-6624 www.progresohispanonews.com

El Soplon Deportivo 704-238-0260

Elite Touch Cleaning Services, Inc. 704-389-5014 www.elitetouchcleaning.com

Exotic Landscapes & Irrigation 704-537-0842 www.exotic-landscapes.com

—

Colin Powell

H3 Staffing, LLC

www.h3staffing.com

Heits Building Services 919-249-6840 www.heitsofcentralnc.com/

Hernandez Auto Service 828-310-1326

Into Languages Global 704-408-3132 www.intolanguagesglobal.com

JDCS Home Construction 980-721-2882 www.jdcshomeconstruction.com

Johamar, Tires/Wheels 704-847-0175

LaCa Projects

704-837-1688 www.lacaprojects.com

La Noticia, The SpanishLanguage Newspaper 704-568-6966 www.lanoticia.com

Manolos Bakery 704-568-2120 www.manolos.com

Latin American Coalition 704-531-3848 www.latinamericancoalition.org

Latino Community Credit Union

704-531-0201 www.latinoccu.org

Latorre Insurance Group 844-311-9074 www.latorreinsurance.com

Latorre Law Firm 704-342-1111 www.latorrelaw.com

Mellorinas Catering 704-264-6115

Metro Landmarks

704-526-7600 www.metrolandmarks.com

Mundo Uniforms, LLC 704-287-1527 www.facebook.com/ MundoUniforms/ Precise Translating, LLC 704-606-2869 www.precisetranslating.com

Premier Home Healthcare Services 704-521-4901 www.premierhomehealthcare.com

Promotion Magic 704-596-2300 www.promotionmagic.com

Punta Cana Grill

704-529-3599 www.puntacanagrillclt.com

Que Pasa Media Network 704-319-5044 www.quepasamedia.com/charlotte/ RentMeUSA 980-355-9696 www.rentameusa.com

Sign Connection

704-868-4500 www.signcon.com

USTT, Inc. 704-676-0990 www.usttusa.com

Windsor Jewelers 704-556-7747 www.windsor-jewelers.com

Marketing/Public Relations

AC&M Group 704-697-4400 www.acmconnect.com

Apple Rock Displays 1-800-478-2324 www.applerock.com

BluePepper Public Relations 704-625-6564 www.bluepepperpr.com

CGR Creative 704-334-2232 www.cgrcreative.com

Compass Career Management Solutions 704-849-2500 www.compasscareer.com

Digital Divas 201-304-2933

Dream Builders Communication, Inc. 704-727-5006 www.dreambuilderscommunication.com

Eaddy, Perry & Associates, Inc. 704-965-6956 www.eaddyperry.com

Fast Signs 704-599-4949 www.fastsigns.com

Finishing Partners, Inc. 704-583-7322 www.finishingpartners.com

Image Solutions 704-619-1539 www.imagesolutions.biz

International Minute Press 704-782-2020 www.concordimp.com

Jason Robinson www.robinsonthinks.com

Jervay Agency, LLC www.thejervayagency.com

KS Image Solutions, LLC 704-786-7763 www.ksimagesolutions.com

Lockman-Brooks Marketing Services 704-944-3188 www.lockmanbrooks.com

Lyerly Agency 704-525-3937 www.lyerly.com

MDC Marketing Group 980-477-5665 www.mdcmarketinggroup.com

Motivation Marketing Firm 704-326-2187 motivationmktg.net

Mythic Advertising & Marketing 980-500-0828 www.mythic.us

Pride Public Relations 704-375-9553 www.pridepublicrelations.com

The Agency 704-564-9694 www.lepragency.com

The LEPR Agency 910-261-5874 www.lepragency.com

Media/Magazines/ Newspapers/Radio

Beasley Media Group 704-522-1103 www.BBGI.com

BEI Audio and Video 704-362-5333 www.breidingelectronics.com

Chun Group, Inc. 704-332-4167 www.chungroup.org

La Noticia 704-568-6966 www.lanoticia.com

Lake Norman Currents 704-677-9159 www.lncurrents.com

Lake Norman Woman 704-895-6168 www.lakenormanwoman.com

LaRaza — 106.1FM 704-405-3170 www.larazalaraza.com/charlotte Norsan Media 704-759-4428 www.norsanmedia.com

QCitymetro.com www.qcitymetro.com

QuéPasa Media 704-319-5044 www.quepasamedia.com

Pride Communications/ Pride Magazine 704-375-9553 www.pridemagazineonline.com

Radio One — Old School 105.3, Praise 100.9FM 704-548-7800 www.oldschool1053.com www.praisecharlotte.com

Speak Up Magazine 704-980-9885 www.speakupmag.org

The Charlotte Post 704-376-0496 www.thecharlottepost.com

Mental Health

Essential Assessments & Behavioral Health 980-939-5099 www.EssentialHealthNC.com

Pride in North Carolina 252-321-8080 www.pridenc.com

Symmetry Behavioral Health Systems 704-632-9900 www.symmetrybhs.com

The FMRT Group 336-761-0764 www.fmrt.com

Vaya Health 800-893-6246 www.vayahealth.com

Office Supplies/

Services

Aaron’s 877-607-9999 www.aarons.com

Beardsley Office Solutions, LLC 704-395-3081 www.beardsleyoffice.com

Bullseye Branding and Promotions 704-366-1616 bullseyebp.espwebsite.com

Office Depot 704-464-0014 www.OfficeDepot.com

Richa Graphics 704-331-9744 www.richa.com

Shred-It, Inc. 800-697-4733 www.shredit.com

UPS Store - Stewart Creek Crossing 704-392-5099 store5926@theupsstore.com

Optometrists

Advantage Vision Center 704-375-3935 www.advantagevisioncenter.com

Fort Mill Vision Center 803-547-5547 www.fortmillvision.com

Photography/Aerial/ Commercial

Avioimage Mapping Services, Inc. 704-573-7080 www.avioimage.com

Boyle 704-676-0778 www.boyleconsulting.com

Color Star Media 980-819-0255 www.colorstarmedia.com

Flawless Capture Photography & Productions, LLC

704-498-2400 www.flawlesscapture.net

Indigo Photography 704-778-5603 www.indigocharlotte.com

JB Long Photography 803-517-7159 jblongphotography.com

Joanna Dehart Photography 704-517-1819 www.joannadehartphotography.com

Kim Brattain Media 888-394-4753 www.kimbrattain.com

Loyd Visuals 704-615-8743 www.loydvisuals.com

Media Arts Collective, LLC 704-771-9927 www.mediaartscollective.com

Moments by Donna 704-364-1215 www.momentsbydonna.com

Origin Land Surveying and Mapping, Inc. 704-506-5225 www.originlandsurveying.com

PPT Photography

704-293-7459 pptphoto.photoreflect.com Sanborn 704-347-4552 www.sanborn.com

TO2 Photography, LLC 704-879-1592 www.to2photo.com

Plumbers

Agua Source 704-831-8311 www.aguasourcellc.com

Crockett Quality Plumbing LLC. 704-231-1531

Qualityplumbing.Crockett@aol.com

Dependable Plumbing 704-982-6938

Heyworth Plumbing Company, Inc. 704-523-2696 www.heyworthplumbing.com

Morris-Jenkins Plumbing 704-357-0484 www.MorrisJenkins.com

National Plumbing Solutions 704-309-9565

Pay Less Plumbing 704-393-9032

Paylessplumbingofcharlotte.com

Reed’s Plumbing Company 704-399-7785

Rooter Man 866-577-1221 www.rooterman.com

Roper Construction 704-332-6737 www.roperconstruction.com

The Boswell Group 704-289-8986 www.theboswellgroup.com

Printers

310 Signs Co. 704.910.2242 www.310signs.com

Action Graphics 704-393-9393 www.actionprints.com

Allegra Marketing, Print, and Mail 704-376-0938 www.allegramarketingprint.com

American Labels & Printing 704-633-8005

Brightflow Technologies 704-585-1010 www.brightflow.net

Copy Cat Printing 704-529-6606 www.copycatsouth.com

Fast Signs Pineville/Ballantyne 704-275-9204 www.fastsigns.com/pinevilleballantyne-charlotte-nc/ FSI Office 704-598-8971 www.fsiofficefurniture.com

ImageMark 800-632-9513 www.imagemarkonline.com

Image Solutions 704-619-1539 www.imagesolutions.biz

Lake Printing and Design 704-895-3878 www.lakeprinting.biz

Liberty Laser Solutions 800-570-1987 www.libertylasersolutions.com

Marie’s Print Shop, Inc. 704-633-1125

Mid-Carolina Reprographics, LLC www.mid-carolinaplans.com

Proforma Impressions Group 704-575-2743 www.proforma.com/ impressionsgroup

RR Donnelly www.rrd.com

Richa Graphics

704-331-9744

www.richa.com

Social Ape Marketing 980-288-7804 www.socialapemarketing.com

The Charlotte Post Publishing Co. Inc. 704-376-0496 www.thecharlottepost.com

The Image Group 704-597-9015, 800-368-1056 www.theimaginegroup.com

Underground PrintingCustom T-Shirts & More 980-495-0324

www.Undergroundshirts.com/clt Vision Print Solutions 1-800-200-9797 www.visionenvelope.com

Publishing/CustomPublishing Books

SPARK Publications 704-844-6080 www.sparkpublications.com

Real Estate

Canopy Realtor Association 704-372-0911 www.CarolinaHome.com

Morton Malloy Realtors 704-773-6457

Nettie Lark, REALTOR

Morton Malloy Realty 704-340-3862 704-773-6457

Servant Heart Realty Group 704-748-0922 www.servantheartrealtygroup.com/ our-firm

Valarie R. Brooks Real Estate 704-488-2420 www.valarierbrooks.com

Recycling/Junk Removal/Shredding

All Points Waste Service Inc. 704-821-5424

C & M Recycling, Inc. 704-599-1771 www.gotsomeconcrete.com

Carolina Recycles 704-376-4295 www.carolinarecycles.com

Junk King 704-469-4815 www.charlotte.junk-king.com

Shred-It, Inc. 800-697-4733 www.shredit.com

Remodeling

Anointed Flooring, Inc. 704-510-8906

www.anointedflooring.com

Do It All Interiors, LLC 704-877-1351 www.doitallinteriors.webs.com

Interior Motives by Will Smith LLC 704-523-0935 www.interiormotives.ws

JMC Building Group 704-607-7966 www.jmcpaintingcharlotte.com

Mister Sparky 980-391-2487 www.mistersparky.com

Nance Construction 704-910-5613 www.nancegc.com

ToddCo Builders, Inc. 704-277-6338 www.toddcobuilders.com

Restaurants

Asian Basil Thai CuisineCharlotte, NC 704-332-7212 www.eatatbasil.com

Be-Em Asian Kitchen 704-708-4793 www.be-em.com

Dim Sum Chinese Restaurant 704-569-1128 www.dimsumchineserestaurant.com

Golden Taipei 704-494-8688

House of Leng 704-510-5081 www.houseofleng.com

Ishi Restaurant 704-921-9219 www.sushiishi.com

Nikko Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar 704-370-0100 www.nikkosushibar.com

Soho Bistro 704-333-5189 www.sohobistro2go.com

Shun Lee Palace, Inc. 704-366-2025 www.shunleecharlotte.com

Thai House - University 704-717-8006 www.thaihouse.us.com

Thai Orchid 704-364-1134 www.thaiorchidrestaurantcharlotte.com

Thai Taste 704-332-0001 www.thaitastecharlotte.com

Multicultural Cuisine

Azteca Mexican Restaurant (Woodlawn) 704-525-5110

www.aztecarestaurantcharlotte. com/locations/woodlawn

Bobbee O’s BBQ 704-509-6902 www.bobbeeosbbq.com

Chicken Box 704-566-6000 www.thechickenboxcafe.com

Copper Cuisine of India 704-333-0063 www.copperrestaurant.com

Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant 704-921-2414 www.donpedrorestaurant.com

Los Paisas (Colombian) 704-542-5477 www.lospaisasrestaurant.com

Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish 704-333-0455 www.mrcharleschickenandfish.com

Mr. Charles Chicken & Fish

704-595-7410 www.mrcharleschickenandfish.com

Maharani Indian Cuisine 704-370-2455 www.maharanicharlotte.com

Mert’s Heart & Soul 704-342-4222 www.mertscharlotte.com

Monterrey 704-593-0167 www.monterreyuncc.com

Nana Morrisons Soulfood 704-357-3700 www.nanamorrisonssoulfood.com

Oh My Soul

704-891-4664 www./ohmysoulusa.com

Saffron Indian Restaurant 980-297-7722 www.saffron-cuisine.com

Soul Central 980-349-4015 www.soulcentralfood.com

Three Amigos Mexican Grill & Cantina 704-536-1851 www.threeamigoscharlotte.com

Security Alarms and Services

Alpha Alarm Systems, Inc. 980-495-0306 www.alphasecurity.us

Firestop Carolinas, Inc.

704-662-7720 www.firestopcarolinas.com

JP Investigative Group, Inc. 877-990-2111 www.jpgovernmentinvestigations.com

Keyper Systems 704-455-9400 www.keypersystems.com/global/en

Landmark Security, Inc. 704-771-1146 www.landmarksecurityinc.com

LifeGuard Protective Services, Inc. 704-319-3180 www.lifeguardprotective.com

Professional Protection, Inc. 704-523-1660 www.ppi-inc.net

Professional Security Services 1-888-704-7765 www.pssprotection.com

SAF Technologies, Inc. 704-844-0955 www.saftechnologies.com

Security Solutions Group & Investigative Services 540-205-2087 www.ssgis.com

Southeastern Public Safety Group 704-394-1500 www.southeasternus.org

Signs

DAWA, Inc. 704-321-4748 www.dawainc.com

FastSigns - S. Tryon 704-981-8530 www.fastsigns.com/176

Graphical Creations, Inc. 704-888-8870 www.graphi-cal.com

Metrolina Sign Supply 704-343-0885 www.metrolinasignsupply.com

Mohawk Traffic Services, LLC 704-351-5145 www.Mohawktrafficservices.com

Quality Neon, Inc. 704-598-2256 www.qualityneoninc.com

Rite Lite Signs 800-784-5605 www.ritelitesigns.com

Sign Innovations 704-375-2338 www.signinnovations.net

Signs by Tomorrow 844-957-4467 www.signsbytomorrow.com

Signs Now 704-343-9619 www.signsnow.com/uptowncharlotte

Signs, ETC of Charlotte 704-522-8860 www.signsetcofcharlotte.com

Street Sweeping/ Parking Lots

Sweeping Corp. of America 980-225-3109 www.sweepingcorp.com

Tiger Contracting USA 603-760-8575

Tax

Return Preparation

ABC Tax Services

704-735-7900 www.abc-taxservices.com

Accounting Associates 704-864-0284 www.accountingassociatesnc.com

Accounting Payroll & Taxes, Inc. 704-482-1722

Accounting-Tax-Governance 704-303-9998 www.atgadvisors.com

Burchett Financial Services 704-549-9401

www.burchettfinancial.com

Bustle Tax Service 704-873-3946

H&R Block 704-503-1502 www.hrblock.com

Hawkins Accounting & Tax Service 704-509-2399 www.hawkinstax.net

Liberty Tax Service 704-373-1343 www.libertytax.com

Lucas Tax & Energy Consulting 704-968-5506 www.lucastaxandenergy.com

M.N.D. Accounting 866-774-9447 www.mndaccounting.com

Next Wave Tax Services 980-245-0589 www.nextwavetaxservices.com

Proctor & Assocs. 704-385-1040 www.proctortaxprep.com

Storey’s Tax Bookkeeping & Secretarial 704-865-0210 www.storeystaxservice.com

TaxPro 1000 Instant Tax Centers 704-596-3400 www.taxpro1000.com

Taxis

Crown Cab Company, Inc. 704-334-6666 www.crowncabinc.com

Luxury Transportation 704-458-9126

Prestige Wheelchair Transportation 704-332-3939

Rose Chauffeured Transportation 704-522-8258 www.riderose.com

Sunshine Transportation Services, LLC 980-335-7511 www.sunshinetransportationservice.com

Video Production

180 Productions, LLC 704-277-2818 www.180productionsgroup.com

Civilized Films, Inc. 704-904-6368 www.civilizedfilms.com

Color Star Media 980-819-0255 www.colorstarmedia.com

Kim Brattain Media 888-394-4753 www.kimbrattain.com

Rebrand Media 510-862-6757 www.rebrandlifestyle.com

SL Media Productions 704-222-0012 www.bridalshoot.com

Stratagon Inc. 888-506-3466 www.stratagon.com

The Inertia Group 704-301-2551 www.inertia-group.com

Web Design

Brand Equity Marketing, LLC 704-372-3982 www.brandequitymktg.com

Digital Made Simple 502-377-0138 www.digital-madesimple.com

New Creations Media Group 704-971-7854 newcreationsmedia.biz/

Neonsky Creative Media 704-377-4820 www.neonsky.com

STP Ventures, LLC 704-305-6217 www.stpventures.com

The Agency Marketing Group

704.564.9694 www.gettheagency.com

Zuri Creative Services 704-380-0278 www.zuricreative.com

Nonprofits Chambers of Commerce

Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce

866-937-2742 www.caacc.com

Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce

704-837-4050 www.clgbtcc.org

Charlotte Regional Business Alliance 704-378-1300 www.charlotteregion.com

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce cltblkchamber.com

Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte 704-237-0315 www.lacccharlotte.com

Business & Civic Organizations

100 Black Men of Charlotte 704-375-7300

www.100blackmenofcharlotte.org

Altrusa International of Charlotte districtthree.altrusa.org/charlotte Charlotte-Mecklenburg Republican Women 980-355-9604 www.cmrw.org

Chinese-American Association of Charlotte 910-398-4600 www.charlottechinese.com

Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County 704-525-5843

www.meckdemwomen.com

German Language and Culture Foundation 704-906-5850 www.germanfoundation.com

Hmong Southeast Puavpheej www.hmongsoutheastpuavpheej.org

Homes of Hope, Inc 704-982-3634 www.homesofhopestanly.org

InnerVision, Inc. 704-377-5042 www.innervisionnc.org

Internal Revenue Service Charlotte 844-545-5640 www.irs.gov

Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas 704-536-9668 centralcarolinas.ja.org

Latin American Coalition 704-531-3848 www.latinamericancoalition.org

Latin Americans Working for Achievement 704-552-1003 www.lawanc.org

League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg 704-556-4600 goleaguego.org

Metrolina Minority Contractors Association 877-526-6205 www.mmcaofcharlotte.org

N.C. Small Business Administration (SBA) 704-344-6563 www.sba.gov/district/north-carolina

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Charlotte 704-900-3067 www.nawbocharlotte.org

National Black MBA Association — Charlotte Chapter 877-732-0314 www.nbmbaacharlotte.org

National Diversity Council 281-975-0626

nationaldiversitycouncil.org

National Hispanic Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Inc. www.nheo.org

Neighborhood Good Samaritan Center 704-605-6723

704-531-9989 www.ngscenter.org

Philipine American Association of North Carolina www.paanc.org

Pride Educational Empowerment Program (PEEP) 980-264-2148 www.peepcharlotte.org

SCORE

704-344-6576

www.charlotte.score.org

The Diversity Forum 704-527-9191

www.thediversityforum.org

Urban LeagueCentral Carolinas 704-373-2256

www.urbanleaguecc.org

Vietnamese Association 704-607-7661

vietcharlotte.wixsite.com/vietcharlotte

Wat Lao Buddharam & Lao Community Center 704-391-9956

Women’s Business Center of Charlotte 704-509-5884 www.linktr.ee/wbccharlotte Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange 980-355-7000 www.wi-ce.org

Community Services

A Child’s Place

704-536-0375 www.thompsoncff.org/a-childs-place/

Ascend Non-Profit Solutions 704-943-9400 www.ascendnps.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas 704-910-1301 www.bbbscentralcarolinas.org

Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency 704-535-8803

www.carolinarefugee.org

Center of Hope/ Salvation Army (Shelter for women and children) 704-348-2560

migration.salvationarmy.org/ greater-charlotte/shelter-1 Community Link 704-943-9490 www.communitylinknc.org

Crisis Assistance Ministry 704-371-3001 www.crisisassistance.org

Hope Haven, Inc. 704-372-8809 www.hopehaveninc.org

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services 704-336-3000 dss.mecknc.gov/

Refugee Support Services 704-458-3245 www.refugeesupportservices.org

Roof Above 704-347-0278 www.roofabove.org

Safe Alliance 704-332-9034 www.safealliance.org

Supportive Housing Communities 704-335-9380 www.supportivehousing communities.org

United Way of Central Carolinas, Inc. 211 (information and referral services) 704-372-7170 www.unitedwaygreaterclt.org

YMCA of Greater Charlotte 704-716-6200 www.ymcacharlotte.org

“ What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work.”

— Colin Powell

If you’ve got big dreams, we’ve got scholarships that can help make them a reality.

Get the education you deserve at a cost you can afford. Find out how a scholarship from Central Piedmont can help you conquer possibility.

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“

Central Piedmont Scholarship Recipient Being able to go to school without worrying about costs — I’m just grateful.

” Tyler

America’s

America’s #1 business lender, we’re invested in local economies with over $40 billion in business loans. Our commitment includes providing funding to under-resourced business owners and supporting entrepreneurs with the tools and resources to help them

Kieth Cockrell

President,

Kieth

President,

My teammates work closely with entrepreneurs here in Charlotte. We are here to help them start and grow their business, so they can continue to create jobs and keep our community strong.