2021 Pride Magazine - November/December "Living" Issue by Pride Magazine Online

Living with

PLACES AND SPACES Special Issue

Preserving Black History

Saving the

Siloam School Black Historical Sites Preserving our history

The Prestige of HBCUs HBCUs attract more students

From House Hunting to Moving Day

Buying a home is more than a financial decision; it’s a life event that involves determination and emotional investment. Our experienced lenders are here to help each customer navigate the mortgage process with ease and confidence by providing responsive and personalized service. Whatever your needs may be, we’re here to help you bank the way you want.

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Table of contents For these stories and more, visit us on the web! www.pridemagazineonline.com

From The Publisher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Book Review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Mindful Parent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Special Section Black-Owned Hot Spots in Charlotte. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Saving the Siloam School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Martha Barringer Remembers the Siloam School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Remembering Black Historical Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Features

Creating a Path to Affordable Housing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 The Booming Charlotte Housing Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Protecting Tenants’ Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 The Legacy of the Morgan School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Legal Issues Affecting Seniors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Irvin “Poncho” Eddie’s Dream Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Celebrating the Comeback of HBCUs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Attorney Ticora Davis Takes on Intellectual Property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

On the Cover The Charlotte Museum of History leads a fundraising effort to save the Siloam School. Photo courtesy of the Charlotte Museum of History

Correction: An article in our September-October 2021 issue about Fonda Bryant stated that Bryant, at 26, “devised a plan to take her life.” Bryant was 35 at the time.

56 November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

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Charlotte’s African-American Magazine

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Editor

Alicia Benjamin

Copy Editor

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Lead Writer Angela Lindsay

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Design & Production SPARK Publications www.SPARKpublications.com

Distribution Watch Dog Entertainment®

Account Executive Nikelle Fesperman

Public Relations Nepherterra Estrada

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Copyright© 2021 Pride Magazine All rights reserved. Copying or reproduction, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited. Pride Magazine reserves the right to deny any advertisement, listing or feature that does not meet Pride Magazine standards or that is outside the scope or mission of our magazine. Pride Magazine assumes no responsibility for information, products, services, or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Pride Magazine prints with soy ink. Vol. 29 No. 6 November-December 2021 All rights reserved for PRIDE Communications Inc. Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/PrideMagazineNC Find us on Instagram: @pridemagazinenc

November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

FROM THE PUBLISHER

’m pleased to welcome Floyd R. Davis, Jr. as my guest columnist for this issue of Pride Magazine. Davis has served as president and CEO of Community Link in Charlotte for 18 years. In that leadership role, he has helped individuals and families in the city obtain safe, decent and affordable housing.

Buying a Home Equals Building Wealth By Floyd R. Davis, Jr. Wealth is the net result of what you own minus what you owe. Our community needs to increase what we own to build Black wealth. The most effective way to do that is through homeownership. This is a message we need to send loud and clear to the Black community: Buy a home. Don’t rent forever. It might feel more familiar to rent. Maybe that’s what your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles did when you were growing up or still do now. But it’s not the path to wealth. Each time you make a mortgage payment, you buy a little more of your home and build your wealth. The monthly payment is predictable. You can also take advantage of one of the best benefits offered by federal government, the mortgage interest and real estate tax deduction on your tax return. Claim what you pay in interest and you’ll likely have more money in your pocket, year after year. Compare that to renting. There’s always an increase in the rate when you renew your lease. With every payment, you’re paying somebody else's mortgage and building their wealth, not yours. Real estate gains value. It usually becomes worth more over time, compared to a vehicle, which starts losing value as soon as you buy it. Don’t spend on a flashy ride. Save it for a home, which will increase your wealth and empower you to leave something to your loved ones. There are local non-profit organizations here to help. My own, Community

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Link, has an education and one-onone counseling program for first-time homebuyers. We teach our customers how to improve their credit score, how to identify the best loans for their needs, and what expenses to expect to maintain a home. We teach financial empowerment beyond homeownership, too. (One tip I’ll share here: If your company offers a 401k retirement program, invest in it as much as you can because your company will match your contributions.) Purchasing a home is a powerful financial move. Children who grow up in homes owned by their parents will become homeowners themselves. They realize it’s possible because they’ve seen it. You’ve heard home prices are climbing in Charlotte. Affordable housing is a big issue. But condos are an alternative if there are no affordable single-family homes where you want to live. You might buy a condo now and sell it later to purchase a house. I've seen couples in the condominium building where I live do just that. The Black community can use land and real estate to build generational wealth. It’s an exciting prospect and it’s time to get started. P Floyd R. Davis, Jr. is president and CEO of Community Link in Charlotte.

"Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends and family belong, and laughter never ends."

BOOK REVIEW

Living With Pride Books About Us

By Angela Haigler

“The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story”

“Entertaining Race: Performing Blackness”

by Nikole Hannah-Jones

by Michael Eric Dyson

Ask yourself this question: What would the United States look like if 20-30 enslaved Africans hadn’t arrived on U.S. shores in 1619? Considering the contributions Africans and African Americans have made to society from the chattel slavery economy to today’s cultural and creative contributions, it would be difficult to fathom life without Black people. That’s the general premise of the 1619 Project that takes slavery out of the margins of school textbooks to the front and center of history. This book is an expansion on the award-winning 2019 New York Times journalistic effort heralded by Nikole Hannah Jones. This is a must-read for those wishing to develop a better understanding of the controversy.

Teacher, Preacher, Thinker, Writer are just a few of the labels used to describe Michael Eric Dyson during his expansive career. In his latest commentary on the state of race in America, Dyson explores the many ways Blacks have been required and often forced to “entertain” race. This series of essays spans the mid-90s to the present shared by thought leaders from Cornel West to MC Lyte.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

“The Teller of Secrets”

“Call Us What We Carry”

by Bisi Adjapon

by Amanda Gorman

In this remarkable novel, young Esi Agyekum is a smart and talented Nigerian/Ghanaian girl. She doesn’t understand why the standards for boys are so different from those of the girls in her community. An incident ticks her off and she begins a mission of change to explode traditions and discover herself.

Amanda Gorman stole our hearts when she recited, The Hill We Climb at the 2021 Inauguration. Since that time, she has gained recognition not only as a poet, but for her fashion sense, nabbing a modeling contract with IMG Models. Her new collection features the poem that made her famous as well as others that continue to showcase her bright promise.

(YA/Teen Feature) “The Fourth Kinetic: Clairvoyants” by Brady Moore Charlotte native, Brady Moore sent his manuscript to more than 50 agents before receiving his first nibble. That nibble turned into a huge bite when the novel was sold to a Black publishing house — his dream. As a result, Brady became a published author and the storyteller of a fantastical, science fiction series, the first being The Fourth Kinetic: Clairvoyants. In this tale, 17-year-old Rion Grean learns the special talents he thought were his alone are shared by others. Along this journey, he learns a great deal about himself and the inner strength he didn’t realize he had. P

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THE MINDFUL PARENT

By Shavonda Bean

How to Have More Empathy and Compassion for Others

Viktoriia Hnatiuk / Shutterstock.com

here are many genuinely good, caring people all around. Proof is found in first responders, health care workers, teachers and communities putting aside their own needs to help during one of the worst health crises of our lifetime. However, the apathetic and insensitive response to a pandemic along with natural disasters, the violence that occurs in our communities and limitless instances of insult on social platforms is disheartening. This highlights what I see as a significant decline in empathy, one of the core aspects of humanity. A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Review found levels of empathy dropped 48 percent between 1979 and 2009 among college students and the decline was most drastic between 2000-2009. These numbers are alarming. The more absorbed we become in technology, and the more isolated and divided we are, the less empathetic we are likely to become. Empathy exceeds considering others or placing yourself in someone else’s shoes. It involves the act of respecting, caring for, valuing, understanding and being sensitive to another person's perspective and experience. It is empathy that allows us to support others during challenges, to see beyond ourselves and to recognize that we advance when we work together as a unit. Without empathy, one leans more toward narcissistic, self-centered behavior that leads to isolation, loneliness and maladaptive relationships. Too much can result in absorbing others’ problems and lead to anxiety, anger or excessive emotional wear and tear. On the far end of the spectrum, excessive amounts of empathy are associated with extremism and radicalism. A good balance of empathy supports healthy societies, communities, relationships, careers, and leaders. Moving beyond modeling empathy and towards cultivating, promoting, and building it within ourselves and our children is the target. There are both natural and nurtured aspects of

empathy. Therefore, we can take steps to continue increasing and teaching empathy to our children and families. Consider these for starters: Get uncomfortable. It is easier to empathize with someone like yourself. Push yourself and your children towards the challenge of connecting with someone different and new. If the idea creates discomfort and anxiety, it may help to address this with a counselor or professional. Build relationships with people who can bring insight and community into your life. The more connected you are to other people, the more empathy grows. Explore. Use fictional books, movies, or articles to help children learn to take on the perspective of others and generate ideas around how the characters feel, what they might need and brainstorm potential solutions. Make it fun, it can be interesting to hear their ideas! Check yourself. Ask yourself when you last expressed empathy in a recognizable manner. Sometimes we internalize our empathy and feelings for others but fall short of showing them. If it’s been awhile, act. This helps children and adults feel cared for and seen. Participate in volunteer or community service events as a family. Encourage your child to come up with ideas and take part in these activities with others. Be aware. The more we understand our emotions and improve

self-awareness, the easier it is to connect with the needs of others. When our own emotions are left unregulated, we react impulsively and become less available for other people's perspectives. Work on better understanding and regulating feelings. Therapy can be a great tool here. The challenges we face in the world can easily contribute to burnout, make it harder to engage and make change appear insurmountable. We can turn things around by caring for one person, child, family and community at a time. P Shavonda Bean is a licensed psychological associate and owner of Essential Assessments & Behavioral Health. Visit Essentialhealthnc.com for more information.

November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

We’re here for better. At Truist, our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities. And every day, the pursuit of better drives us—to empower clients with more choices, teammates with more fulfillment, and communities with more hope. We boldly believe in the power of what we can achieve together.

PLACES AND SPACES SPECIAL SECTION

Black-Owned Hot Spots in Charlotte

No Grease! Barbershop

Twin brothers, Damian and Jermaine Johnson are second generation barbers. They are also the founders of No Grease! Barbershop, established in June 1997. Their acumen was imparted to them by their mother—a businesswoman, salon owner and beautician. Shortly after formalizing their business, the Johnson siblings united with fellow master barber, Charlie Petty. With over 75 years of collective experience, they fortified No Grease! into an alliance that “develops people, who develop families, who develop communities.” No Grease! offers franchise opportunities for those interested in the industry. The shop has over 10 locations spanning across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, as well as a barber school in Charlotte, NC.

You Should Know By Lelita Cannon

ith a population inching toward a million residents, Charlotte proper boasts more than the title of the largest city in the Tarheel State. The Queen City is the 15th largest in the U.S. Charlotte is currently the third fastestgrowing major U.S. city, and with that growth comes a beacon for burgeoning businesses. It is home to quite a few wanderlust-worthy locations. Whether you need some R&R, a gift for a friend (or yourself), or simply a reason to venture outside the house, these Charlotte hotspots should be at the top of your list.

The Cocktailery

Tamu Curtis, a native Oaklander and owner of The Cocktailery — a newly opened cocktail supply and beverage lifestyle shop — relocated to Charlotte in 2012. “I saw the city had a lot of opportunity,” Curtis said. “It was growing. It was very community-oriented; people supported small businesses.” She felt she could thrive in such an environment. Curtis believes cocktails are an

experience, and she wants others to experience them from conception to sipping. At her shop, you can find an array of supplies from barware to bitters, mixers to muddlers and strainers to shakers. Interactive, hands-on classes where patrons can learn to craft libations are also offered. The Cocktailery is located inside Atherton Mill in South End. Tamu Curtis, owner of The Cocktailery

Urban Reader

Photo on left by Dana Gray Studio

Photo by Brian Twitty

Urban Reader, a bookseller specializing in African American literature, is Charlotte’s only Black-owned bookstore. The brick-andmortar location opened in July, though the business has been in existence since 2000. “The goal is to rebuild our community with books”, says owner Sonyah Spencer, whose mission is quite clear. “We consign with other Black-owned businesses and authors.” The proprietor’s future plans include potential expansion with a café and a larger section of children’s books. Urban Reader holds monthly open mic events and paint and sip sessions with muralist Tajmah Allison. Taj’s work is displayed throughout the store.

Their mission at The Cocktailery is to “take the mystery out of mixology.”

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Ms. Elsie’s Caribbean Bed & Breakfast

Born from a dream Cheryl Watkins had on March 2, 2000, she opened Ms. Elsie’s Caribbean B&B to celebrate her

Photo courtesy of Janelle Doyle

PLACES AND SPACES SPECIAL SECTION

Photos courtesy of Cheryl Watkins

Janelle Doyle, founder of It’s Poppin! Gourmet Kettle Korn

Cheryl Watkins, owner of Ms. Elsie’s Caribbean Bed & Breakfast

grandmother’s life and their heritage. At the quaint retreat, tucked away in the Cotswold neighborhood of Charlotte, visitors experience the spirit of the islands sans air travel. Boarders are introduced to an eclectic Creole mix of Caribbean cuisine for breakfast. Watkins says, “We have karaoke, island music, dance contests, bingo nights; play

spades, chess, corn hole, and double-dutch. The games bring out the child in our guests, and the competitions can be fierce.” On September 20, 2021, Ms. Elsie’s celebrated 21 years of unsurpassed island hospitality.

The Urban Reader bookstore

Janelle Doyle, who recently made Forbes’ 2021 The Next 1000 List, is passionate about making truly transformative popcorn. She is the founder of It’s Poppin! Gourmet Kettle Korn and Executive Chef Desmen Milligan is the "Flavor Creator" behind sweet, savory and specialty options. Customers can choose from a variety of flavors including Sweet Tea, Cinna Pop, Cookies N Cream, Beer, Mac N Cheese and the most popular — Fried Chicken. Doyle and Milligan’s business ambitions initially focused on a food truck. However, an article about kettle corn scrolled across Doyle’s Facebook timeline one day, and she had an Aha! moment. “Popcorn is a blank slate; you can season it to taste like whatever you want,” she said. “We knew we could create different flavors that are not typical popcorn flavors you'll find elsewhere, plus we wanted to truly

Zamariya

Zamariya Spa of Africa is a hybrid wellness retreat that has been in business since 2017. Owner Anita Dereen grew Zamariya from a mobile operation where she traveled to client homes and physician offices to her current full-service location in Charlotte. Here, she offers therapeutic massage, skincare, waxing, yoni steams, body contouring, weight loss and detox services, as well as classes. Dereen says, “We not only focus on relaxation, but chronic pain. We want to know how you’re doing emotionally, spiritually and physically. You are allowed to be Anita Dereen, owner of Zamariya

Photos by Nevone Blount

Photo courtesy of Sonyah Spencer

It’s Poppin! Gourmet Kettle Korn

transform people’s thoughts and ideas on what popcorn should be.” It's Poppin! Gourmet Kettle Korn was established in February 2017.

Zamariya Spa

November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

Photos courtesy of Monique Douglas

PLACES AND SPACES SPECIAL SECTION

The Brooklyn Collective team and release what you need to for healing your way.” Secure your appointment online at vagaro.com/zamariyaspaofafrica.

The Brooklyn Collective

At the corner of South Brevard and 3rd Street, an intersection for inclusivity, community, culture and collaboration with an emphasis on upward mobility and support of home-grown talent in Charlotte subsists. That crossroads is the Brooklyn Collective.

These three buildings once served as a stratosphere for Black people who endeavored and advocated for progress in the Queen City of the early 1900s. Today, visitors of the Brooklyn Collective appreciate the unique dynamic each historic foundation houses. They might visit the gallery to view works from national and resident artists; register to attend live music events; take in a performance at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center; or enjoy The Grace, the former AME Zion church celebrating 120 years this year. Monique Douglas, co-owner at Studio 229 on Brevard, says guests “always walk

A section of the Brooklyn Collective’s venue space

away feeling educated about a piece of our city’s history and understanding a legacy left behind by the African-American founders. They love the cultural diversity we promote and our always making them feel at home.” P

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PLACES AND SPACES SPECIAL SECTION

Preserving Our Culture Helping to Save the Siloam School

By Angela Lindsay

Photo courtesy of The Charlotte Museum of History

harlotte sits on a mountain of African American history — but you may have to dig below the surface to uncover much of it. That is, in part, because many of the buildings and sites that once stood as symbols of African American pride and progress in the city have been torn down.

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For example, the Good Samaritan Hospital was torn down in 1996 to make way for Bank of American Stadium. The Brooklyn neighborhood — a self-sustained, thriving Black community in Second Ward — was gutted due to “urban renewal.” These are just a couple of examples of the many Black sites that have not only been demolished but could be on the verge of being altogether forgotten. Fortunately, another structure known as Siloam School could be spared the same fate because dedicated citizens and entities are at work trying to preserve this important and historic site. The Siloam School was built around 1920 as a school for African American students who lived in the rural Mallard The Siloam School is one of thousands of Rosenwald-era schools built in the South during the Jim Crow era. It was included in the National Register of Historic Places on September 28, 2007.

Creek neighborhood. The building sits behind what is now Mallard Glen Apartments off Mallard Creek Church Road. Members of the community who utilized their talents as carpenters and tradesmen built the school which was named after Siloam Presbyterian Church. “Not only was this Mallard Creek area home to the Siloam School, but prior to that, it was the home of enslaved people who lived and labored in this area,” said Adria Focht, president & CEO of the Charlotte Museum of History. For instance, the marked graves of Violet and Solomon Alexander are now inside the Thornberry Apartment Complex across the street from the Siloam School, in Adria Focht

a gated area adjacent to the tennis courts. “Most people in Charlotte have no idea that encapsulated in this very small geography is the arc of history from enslavement to emancipation to Jim Crow segregation,” Focht said. “You can draw a straight line from this history to the current racebased inequities in our city, especially in education.” The clapboard one-room building housed students in various grades. It was one of thousands of Rosenwald-era schools built in the South during the Jim Crow era. It tells a story of a rural, black community using largely its own resources to provide an education for their children while facing discrimination and entrenched segregation after slavery ended, according to Fannie Flono, retired Charlotte Observer associate editor and chairperson of the Charlotte Museum of History’s Save the Siloam School committee. The 100-year-old Siloam School is one of the Fannie Flono oldest remaining African American schoolhouses in Mecklenburg County, and one of the few still standing Rosenwald-designed schools in the country.

Photo courtesy of The Charlotte Museum of History

Left: This print reimagines the Siloam School as it would have looked in its heyday, and how it will appear again once restored at The Charlotte Museum of History. Top Right: The Siloam School sits on its original site in north Charlotte, but the historic building is now hidden behind a modern apartment complex. Bottom Right: Vestibule and interior door at Siloam School.

Photo courtesy of Fannie Flono

Photo courtesy of Pixelatoms for Built City

Photo courtesy of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

PLACES AND SPACES SPECIAL SECTION

Focht shared that at a time of institutionalized racism when Blacks weren’t getting a fair share of education resources, a coalition of Blacks and whites figured out how to get Blacks across the South better educational facilities. Rosenwald schools were the result of a collaboration between Dr. Booker T. Washington, other educators at the Tuskegee Institute and Julius Rosenwald, a philanthropist and president of Sears, Roebuck and Co., to build high-quality, free primary schools for African American children throughout the segregated rural South. Siloam School has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2007 but is endangered because of its current state of deterioration and disrepair, according to charlottemuseum.org. To prevent its destruction like other iconic Black buildings that have been lost to time, the Charlotte Museum of History is leading a community fundraising campaign to save not just the physical schoolhouse but also the stories that once echoed through its halls. One story includes Nelson Young, a janitor who walked five miles from his home to the school to light the coal stove and get water November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

Photos courtesy of The Charlotte Museum of History

PLACES AND SPACES SPECIAL SECTION

Left: City of Charlotte grants $50k to Save Siloam School in 2019 Right: Save Siloam School Project supporters at the November 2019 Hidden History Tour by The Charlotte Museum of History Bottom: Local family tours Siloam during November 2019 Hidden History Tour by The Charlotte Museum of History.

from the nearby spring before students arrived each day (charlottemuesum.org). The Save Siloam School Project began with years of advocacy by Silver Star Community, Inc., which has been working to save Rosenwald Schools and Black spaces in Mecklenburg County for more than 10 years, Focht said. After engaging with Silver Star, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission worked successfully to get the Siloam School listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Charlotte Museum of History joined their efforts in 2017 and launched the Save Siloam School Project to coordinate fundraising and preservation work. Since then, the project has grown with the city and county providing significant funding and dozens of community members and organizations joining the project as champions, partners and funders to move it forward. “As the first African American board chair of the Charlotte Museum of History, I am extremely honored and motivated to be a part of this great effort to give life back to this wonderful project,” said Dee Dixon, CEO of Pride Magazine. “To lead the Board during the Siloam School’s resurrection is indeed a part of my personal legacy as well.” The museum’s goal is to raise $1 million through the project. Mecklenburg

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County and the City of Charlotte have pledged $160,000 with the county pledging an additional $150,000 towards the project. The City of Charlotte will give $10,000 from its current fiscal year budget to support architectural services needed to move the Siloam School to its future location on the museum’s campus. As of September, the project has raised $660,000 in cash, pledges and in-kind donations (charlottemuseum.org). While generous corporate contributions have come in from corporations such as Lowe’s, Walmart, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, perhaps the most meaningful backing should come from the very community the school was built to educate. “There are really no sufficient words to express how important it is for the Black community to support this project,” Dixon said. “So many of our beautiful, historical structures have been demolished,

destroyed or forgotten. Supporting the restoration of the Siloam School is an opportunity for us to say ‘not on our watch’ will this amazing piece of history vanish.” Dee Dixon is CEO After restoration, of Pride Magazine Focht says the and also Chair Siloam School will of the Charlotte be a “permanent Museum of History's Board community resource of Trustees devoted to history education and programming, including K-12 field trips, exhibits about racial justice and equity. The school also will have programs that honor the dedication of the African American families who came together to build it to provide their children with a quality education despite segregation and limited financial resources.” Dixon added, “Preserving the Siloam School will ensure that generations to come will be able to actually look at this structure and understand the significance of the Black footprint in helping make Charlotte the great city it is today. The Siloam School says of the Black community: ‘We were here, and we accomplished much!’”

Here’s how you can help save the Siloam School:

• Donate online at charlottemuseum.org/siloam • Send donations to: Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215 • Visit the Siloam School exhibit at the Charlotte Museum of History. P

Fighting Covid

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Please get vaccinated The impact of COVID-19 in our community is staggering. We are still behind in vaccinations. According to Mecklenburg County, as of September 30, 2021, Blacks/ African Americans, who represent 34% of the population, currently represent 42% of COVID-19 community deaths. This higher rate of severe illness and deaths is due to many factors, including a higher rate of medical conditions like asthma, blood disorders, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, immunosuppressant medications, obesity or other longstanding systemic health and social inequities. Please get the vaccine. Vaccines save lives, yours and those you care about.

WE’RE HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS PUBLIC HEALTH HOTLINE: 980-314-9400 | EMAIL: MECKCVMS@MECKNC.GOV

PLACES AND SPACES SPECIAL SECTION

Martha Barringer, 98, attended Siloam School, one of the Charlotte area's oldest remaining schoolhouses.

Martha Barringer,

98, Remembers Her Younger Days at Siloam School By Alicia Benjamin

artha Barringer may be 98 years old, but that doesn’t stop her from cooking her own meals, washing her clothes, gardening, doing crossword puzzles and babysitting her greatgrandchildren. “She’s a very strong woman,” her daughter Maxine said. Ms. Martha, born on September 26, 1923, was the daughter of Will and Rosella Granger Barringer who had 12 children. Her father also had six additional children. Ms. Martha, the only one of her 18 siblings who is living, is also an important historical figure in African American history. She attended the Siloam School in Mallard Creek, one of the oldest remaining schoolhouses in Mecklenburg County and one of Charlotte’s last standing Rosenwald Schools. (See Preserving Our Culture: Helping to Save the Siloam School on pages 20-22) Named Scrub Hill School when she began going to school, the small wooden building that was surrounded by woods was renamed

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Martha Barringer and her daughter, Maxine Barringer.

Siloam School shortly after Ms. Martha started attending, she told Adria Focht, president and CEO of the Charlotte Museum of History, during a recorded interview in August 2021. Maxine talked about some of the memories her mother has shared with her over the years. Ms. Martha’s teacher was Rosella Alexander who gave Ms. Martha a dress because she was one of the smartest students at the school. “She also told me how the boys would cut wood to heat the pot belly stove and how sometimes she had to

walk in the rain with holes in her shoes, so she would put cardboard in them.” Ms. Martha was known as one of the brightest students at Siloam School, and classwork wasn’t the only responsibility she had as a child. Maxine said, “She had to get up early in the morning, do the housework, work on the farm and feed the chickens. Then she had to come back home after school, take care of the home, and whatever time she had left – she did her schoolwork. I couldn’t have made it!” “There have been some changes since then,” Ms. Martha said as she laughed. “Y’all have it good compared to what I had.” Education was important to Ms. Martha’s parents and they encouraged her to do well in school. They both helped her complete her schoolwork. “She would always tell me and my sister and brothers, ‘I want you to do well in school so when you grow up, you’ll be able to do for yourself,” Maxine shared. When one of the community members needed help communicating with other people, Ms. Martha would translate for her because she learned sign language at Siloam. Ms. Martha also had a health scare when she was a pre-teen, Maxine said. She was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Rheumatic fever. “The doctor told her, 'Mom, if you take her out of the hospital, she’ll die.’ They had given up on her, but her mom took her home and she’s been healthy ever since.” Ms. Martha stopped attending school when she was in the 11th grade because she had to help raise her youngest four siblings after both of her parents died. Ms. Martha told her own children, “You gotta have that education. You don’t have to have As and Bs, but get what you can while you’re there.” Three of Ms. Martha’s children are living: Maxine, 65 (the youngest), Gracie Lee Barringer Caldwell, late 70s (the oldest), and Manuel Leonard Barringer. Her sons Andrew Barringer and Glenn Franklin Barringer are deceased. Education continues to be important to the Barringers. Maxine attended Central Piedmont Community College and Rutledge College. Her daughter Dokeya, 40, and Donita, 42, both attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Maxine’s oldest grandson attends Central Piedmont Community College. “Our family is the most important thing other than God,” said Maxine. Her mother expressed the same sentiment when she said, “I thank the Lord and what He’s done for me.” P

PLACES AND SPACES SPECIAL SECTION

Photo courtesy of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Black Historical Sites in Charlotte: Remembering and Preserving the Past By John Burton, Jr.

ccording to the National Register of Historic Places, only two percent of their 95,000 entries focus on the experiences of African Americans. Sadly, this narrative seems to hold true for many of Charlotte’s Black historical sites. Much of the Queen City’s rich Black heritage is vanishing, leaving very little for many to understand about the troubles and triumphs of our ancestors, wiping African American efforts out of public view. The fight to preserve Black historical sites in Charlotte and throughout the U.S., signals a raising of voices by African-Americans to declare the value we place on our history and the historical places we inhabited and often created.

Here are 8 existing Black historical sites in Charlotte Mecklenburg Investment Company

Built in 1922, the Mecklenburg Investment Company Building was a key structure in Charlotte’s Brooklyn neighborhood that housed Black businesses, professional offices, civic and social organizations. It was funded by and named after the Mecklenburg Investment Company, an investment group made up of leaders in the Brooklyn community. Its purpose was to support Black businesses.

Pearl Street Park

Pearl Street Park, located across Kenilworth Avenue near the Metropolitan Complex at 1200 Baxter St., is known as the first Negro playground and first AfricanAmerican park in Mecklenburg County. A little more than six acres, the park was an important social gathering place for Black families. It served as the athletic field for the football and baseball teams at nearby Second Ward High School. The city of Charlotte purchased the park from Thompson Orphanage in 1943. In 2005, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Heritage Committee dedicated Pearl Street Park as the first African American Park in Mecklenburg County. Visitors can listen to stories about the park and learn about its historical importance at an audio history station located in the park.

Mecklenburg Investment Company building, located at 233 S. Brevard Street in Charlotte

The Excelsior Club, 921 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte

The Excelsior Club

Founded in 1944 by the late Jimmy McKee, the Excelsior Club was once a seven-room house on Beatties Ford Road. The club beame a longtime center of social and political activity. At a time when racism and Jim Crow laws kept Blacks out of whites-only establishments, the Excelsior hosted famous musicians such as James Brown, Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong. McKee, an AfricanAmerican bartender at a club for white members, opened the Excelsior Club when he recognized that Black people in the area needed a gathering place to socialize. The club operated as a members-only business and shortly after opening, it became one of the major cultural attractions for Black professionals in the city. Membership included doctors, educators, politicians, lawyers, and prominent businessmen.

The Cherry Community

Pearl Street Park is located at 1200 Baxter Street in Charlotte

Developed in 1891, Cherry is one of Charlotte’s oldest neighborhoods. In the 1900s, Cherry was home to the working class — farmhands, factory workers and railmen. Homeownership increased by almost forty percent from 1905 to 1925. Cherry’s Black population has dwindled from 66 percent in 1990 to only 37 percent by 2015. Most of its original homes and landmarks have vanished. November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

Photo courtesy of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

Alexander Slave Cemetery

First United Presbyterian Church is located in the First Ward neighborhood

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The Grand Theater, located at 333 Beatties Ford Road, opened in 1937. It served as one of the only sources of public entertainment open to African Americans in Biddleville, the oldest surviving predominantly Black neighborhood in Charlotte, during the Jim Crow era until its closing in 1967. The Grand was a tangible reminder of the self-sufficiency of Charlotte’s early Black communities. The theater was an integral part of Biddleville and is located in the area around Johnson C. Smith University, an historically Black college that was founded in 1867. “Most of our audience were students from Johnson C. Smith,” Eloise Taylor told The Charlotte Post in June of 1986. “They always came to the late shows and other specials,” said Taylor, who worked as a ticket seller at the Grand.

Alexander Slave Cemetery

You will find the Alexander Slave Cemetery on the south side of Mallard Creek Church Road, just west of Highway US 29. This cemetery is located on the property that was originally part of the plantation purchased by William Tasse Alexander I in the early nineteenth century. It is estimated to have 25-30 people interred there.

Remembering some demolished Black historical sites in Charlotte

Photo courtesy of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Photo courtesy of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

An old photo of the Grand Theater

The Grand Theater

Home of Thaddeus Tate was located on East 7th Street

Thaddeus Tate House

Built during the 1880s, prominent businessman Thaddeus Tate and his family lived in this Victorian-style brick home at 504 East 7th Street. Tate opened a barbershop in 1882, which prospered for more than 50 years. He co-founded several of Charlotte's leading businesses, including the Afro-American Mutual Insurance Company and the Mecklenburg Investment Company.

Photo courtesy of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

PLACES AND SPACES SPECIAL SECTION

First Ward Neighborhood

First Ward has historically been the Center City's most racially and economically integrated area. It was home to African-Americans, whites, rich and poor folks, and some of the city's finest homes and businesses. In the early 20th century, white children attended First Ward Elementary School and Black children attended Alexander Street Elementary School. Although overtaken by urban renewal currently, First United Presbyterian Church, Little Rock AME Zion Church, and the United House of Prayer for All People–First Ward on North Davidson Street are evidence of the area’s heritage.

Good Samaritan Hospital

This was the first privately funded hospital in North Carolina. Established by Jane Renwick Wilkes, it opened in 1891 and offered Black doctors and nurses the opportunity to practice medicine in Charlotte. “Good Sam” was located at the current site of Bank of America Stadium.

PLACES AND SPACES SPECIAL SECTION

Photo courtesy of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

"Much of the Queen City’s rich Black heritage is vanishing, leaving very little for many to understand about the troubles and triumphs of our ancestors, wiping African American efforts out of public view." Romare Bearden Park sits in the artist's old neighborhood.

Charlotte's first black Baptist church was organized by former slaves in June, 1867. This sanctuary, at 1020 South Church Street, was dedicated in September, 1911, and demolished in 1977.

Romare Bearden’s Old Neighborhood

Renowned artist Romare Bearden was born inside his great grandparents’ home, located at 401 South Graham Street in September 1911. During the summers, Bearden often visited his grandparents which left a significant impression on his work. Their neighborhood, called Third Ward, was razed in the 1960s to make way for urban development and now has a park named in Bearden’s honor – Romare Bearden Park on Church Street in Charlotte.

First Baptist Church – West

First Baptist Church-West can be traced to recently freed slaves meeting under an oak tree in 1867. In 1870, the congregation purchased land at 1020 South Church Street. Church men did most of the labor after leaving their day jobs, the women and children brought food and held lanterns as they worked into the night. The church was finally completed and was formally dedicated in September 1911.

Hotel Alexander

The home of J.T. Willams was located at 205 S. Brevard St.

Photo courtesy of the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

The Hotel Alexander, once located on McDowell Street, was at one time the center of social life in the Second Ward in Charlotte. During the 1940s, it was the only hotel in Charlotte that served Blacks. Celebrities who visited the city also stayed at the hotel. Like many other African American historical places in the area, the Hotel Alexander was a victim of urban renewal and was demolished to make more space for more modern buildings.

Home of J.T. Williams

Born in 1859., J.T. Williams entered Shaw University’s Leonard Medical School in Raleigh in 1883 and became one of the first three black doctors licensed in North Carolina. Williams was a teacher and physician and a diplomat as well as a highly respected businessman. He was president of the Queen City Drug Store Company, one of the first black owned and operated rug stores in NC, In 1898, he was appointed consul to Sierre Leone. P

Hotel Alexander was located on McDowell Street in the Second Ward.

November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

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By Dina C. Lankford Senior Project Manager in Information & Analytics Services (IAS), member of the African American Women Exemplifying Commitment to Equity & Leadership system resource group, and the IAS divisional diversity council at Atrium Health

have always enjoyed listening to stories shared by friends and family, especially those about real life. As an adult, I’m still drawn to authentic stories. Perhaps it’s because I feel a deep sense of connection when someone is vulnerable with me. Now, it’s time to share a story of my own. Earlier this year, I found myself feeling less vibrant, funny, and happy than usual. At the time, I believed it was a normal response to the COVID-19 restricted life we had been living for more than a year. As a social butterfly, it had caused a massive ripple in my routine gatherings with family and friends. There were no more restaurant outings, no more out-oftown trips, no more Sunday dinners and, worst of all, no more hugs and kisses. On top of that, it was now necessary to don a

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mask and gloves for essential activities like grocery shopping and getting gas. As if a worldwide pandemic wasn’t enough, escalating stories of blatant racism bombarded the news and social media. As a Black woman in the United States, they had a profound impact on me. The killing of George Floyd, clearly captured on camera, was too much to bear. How could this happen? How could I ever feel safe again? The hate weighed on me so heavily, I felt it in the depths of my soul. And yet, I still faced daily stressors with family, at work and, of course, in response to the string of unexpected, demoralizing events of the past year and a half. By spring 2021, I reached a breaking point. My director asked how I was. I replied truthfully, “I’m not okay. Never before had I said that out loud, especially not at work. At that moment, I knew I needed help. I could no longer dismiss this as merely a case of the “pandemic blues.” This was serious. How could I get well? Immediately, I remembered my workplace resources and reached out to Atrium Health’s Code Lavender team, the company’s resource for responding to employees in emotional distress. I needed someone to listen without judgment and help develop a plan. Fortunately, an amazing person in Spiritual Care took my call. He listened, asked questions and helped me determine my next steps. After, I scheduled a visit with my Atrium Health primary care provider. I had already established care with this doctor and knew she had my health history. Comfortable with her, I shared the traumatic incidents experienced in the past 18 months. We agreed on a treatment plan, including a leave of absence to heal, regular virtual therapy through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and communicating with my health coach for added support. Once I assembled my

Marek Walica / Shutterstock.com

Bringing My Whole Self to Work I remembered my workplace resources and reached out to Atrium Health’s Code Lavender team, the company’s resource for responding to employees in emotional distress. outstanding care team, I had hope. I knew they genuinely cared and found comfort in my plans to get well. As you may know, mental health – therapy in particular – is still heavily stigmatized, especially in the Black community. You might also wonder if you, too, can get help. As someone who has been there, I encourage you to reject the stigma and do what it takes to get healthy and whole again. I’m grateful to work for Atrium Health, which encourages me to bring my whole self to work, and provides free resources, like Code Lavender and the EAP. Because of these benefits, I had access to the help I needed. Still on my journey to wholeness, I’m on the right path and I have the right people on my side. I hope I have inspired you to put your own health, hope, and healing first – to stay, or become whole again. If you're feeling overwhelmed and think you may need help, call Atrium Health’s 24/7 Behavioral Health Help Line at 704-444-2400 and speak to a licensed professional. For resources and information, visit atriumhealth.org/behavioral-health.

There are no limits to what you can accomplish. You have the power to redefine what’s possible. From being the first to graduate college to becoming the next big star in your field — you work relentlessly to knock down barriers and build a stronger legacy. We call that being empowerful. As you continue to create more financial stability for you and your family, Wells Fargo will be right by your side helping to make it happen. You’ve come this far. We can help you go further. Learn how at:

A Real Estate Group Fights for

HOUSING FOR ALL By Tonya Jameson

enneth Greene still remembers the feeling of closing on his first house. It was the day after Christmas in 2018, but for him it still felt like Christmas day. Most homebuyers can relate to the exuberance that comes with getting the keys to their new house, but Greene also recalls the hurdles that he leapt to get those keys. As a Kenneth Greene first-time homebuyer living outside of Charlotte with limited savings, the odds were stacked against him. Greene, however, gained what many aspiring homebuyers lack – knowledge. Greene teamed with Jaime Young of Canopy Realtors, which has a foundation that specializes in assisting middle-income, firsttime home buyers. “My passion is Jaime Young to help minorities own more,” Young said. “Everybody should have an equal opportunity to own the American dream. We have to build wealth in our community. It can’t just be in one community.” Working with Greene and buyers like him isn’t simply about making another sale, it’s part of the mission of the Canopy Housing Foundation to help first-time homebuyers. The foundation is the charitable arm of the Canopy Realtor Association. The association says it works

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Top 5 Myths to Homeownership

1 2 3 4 5

Income – I can't afford a home because I don't make enough.

Down Payment – You need to have 20 percent down to own a home. Credit – You need a 700 + credit score. Student Loans – I have too many loans. Home Ownership – It's cheaper to rent than to buy.

Source: Jamie Young

to address unmet housing needs and advocates for fair and affordable housing standards and practices. The foundation checks the familiar affordable housing boxes such as supporting Habitat for Humanity. The foundation uses the same criteria for qualification as organizations like Habitat for Humanity. In fact, the foundation conducts a Habitat Support Program to fund regional Habitat for Humanity organizations and its Community Grants Program aids local housing organizations to expand and improve the sustainability of housing in the community. Most impressive, however, is the foundation’s commitment to educating realtors about affordable housing and the needs of minority homebuyers through its Workforce Housing Certificate Program. “We want to go out of our way to make sure that we provide housing for all people,” Young said.

Kenneth Greene’s first home in Gastonia, N.C.

The organization specializes in serving middle-income individuals such as teachers, firefighters, police, nurses and retail workers. Homebuyers applying for down payment assistance must take an eighthour course provided by organizations such as Community Link, Young said. Greene, a store manager, said that education was critical to helping him buy his house in Gastonia in December 2018. Still, it wasn’t easy. “We were denied a good four or five times before we got that yes,” he said. In the homebuyers’ course, Greene learned about finances, budgeting and what to expect during the homebuying process, among other things. He learned tips such as the importance of being able to show proof of an established savings. He learned the hard way that getting a title loan on a car to show proof of savings wasn’t acceptable. He learned about the importance of showing consistent employment at the same company. His wife at the time often switched jobs and that counted against them, he shared. “I’m glad I went through that. It taught me to appreciate everything.” After Greene and his wife divorced, he sold the house and received more than the listing price. He used the money to pay off debt and rebuild his finances. Although Greene is currently living in an apartment, his goal is to buy land and build again. Next time, he says, he’ll know what to expect. Greene’s advice for potential homebuyers is to save, save, save! P

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Finding Joy After the Struggle Chloe-Olivia Gloston and her family continue to rise above their challenges with hard work — and a little help from INLIVIAN

ave a conversation with college student Chloe-Olivia Gloston, and it’s hard to walk away feeling anything but inspired — she has big plans for her future. She’s a musician who first learned piano at the age of three, followed by guitar and several other instruments. She has her own nonprofit, The Chloe Olivia Foundation, that’s dedicated to helping victims of bullying, abuse and those having suicidal thoughts through events and fundraising efforts. In addition, and after graduating from Queens Grant High School a year early, she is now a freshman at Oglethorpe College in Brookhaven, Georgia, where she studies film and media. Gloston’s accomplishments are even more incredible after hearing how much adversity she’s had to deal with in her young life. She and her family — her mother, father, and younger brother — suffered from housing instability, so much so that Gloston had enrolled in four different schools before the age of eight. Immediately following her first-grade year, the family separated after being evicted, with her father staying behind in Charlotte and living in a van while Gloston, her mother, and brother traveled to Rochester, New York to stay with family. “That was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” she says. The time in Rochester was challenging for Gloston, as she experienced bullying and physical abuse from students at school as well as her own family members. “It made my family into the people we are today,” she says, “but it was not without a struggle.” The Gloston family was able to reunite in Charlotte and stayed in a hotel for nearly three months before receiving a Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher, which INLIVIAN helped them secure. “VASH is a program for homeless veterans, and my dad was in the Navy,” Gloston explains. “It helped us get to a place where we were more stable, and it put us in the position where we had a roof over our heads.” That stability translated to Gloston’s schooling as well, and she was able to attend Matthews Elementary and Crestdale Middle School before heading to Queens Grant High School, a close-knit, diverse charter school in Matthews. “This family’s struggles give an extremely personal insight and perspective on how the lack of affordable housing options impacts an entire family’s mental, emotional, physical and spiritual stability,” says INLIVIAN President and CEO A. Fulton Meachem Jr. “Now more than ever, our mission to provide affordable housing options combined with supportive services is vital in helping families break the cycle of poverty and create new legacies for generations to come.” In the Spring of 2020, Gloston knew she wanted to go to college, but wasn’t sure of next steps. “College was a family decision for us, but we knew we wouldn’t be able to afford the full tuition,” she says. Working with INLIVIAN’s Supportive

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Services Youth Outreach Team, Gloston was encouraged to apply for several scholarships specifically tailored for students served through housing assistance. This year, she was awarded two scholarships: one from the Public Housing Authority Directors Association and one from The Chloe-Olivia Gloston Carolinas Council of Housing Redevelopment & Codes. “Being able to see that tuition number go down really helped,” Gloston says. “My mom was not able to go to college, and my dad did go, but didn’t finish — so the scholarships will help me attend and commit to finishing.” Gloston credits INLIVIAN for helping her and her family gain a steady footing in their lives. “I don’t think I — or we — would be where we are without them,” she says. “Even though I’m moving on to the next season in my life, the impact that INLIVIAN had hasn’t left.” For information about INLIVIAN’s housing and resident living services and options, visit https://www.inlivian.com/.

Chloe-Olivia Gloston and her family.

Putting Down Roots: Resources to Help Achieve Your Homeownership Goals By AJ Barkley, Head of Neighborhood and Community Lending, Bank of America

ultivating community and belonging was no easy feat amidst the pandemic; yet, despite limited face-to-face interactions, individuals responded with great resilience. Looking ahead, how do we restore a sense of community after being physically apart? For starters, homeownership has long encouraged residents to connect with neighbors, build a community and put down long-term roots, creating incentive to become involved in their neighborhoods.

According to Bank of America’s 2021 Homebuyer Insights Report, individuals across all generations are looking for belonging when it comes to where they live. In fact, half (51%) of ages 18 to 43 and one third (33%) of ages 57 to 75 say community has become more important over the past year. Furthermore, the National Association of REALTORS® found that to be true as many more Black/African-American millennials become homeowners.

Grant programs and educational resources offer future homebuyers a path to increased stability Beyond a sense of community, homeownership can provide stability and control over one’s living environment. Despite the uncertainty of the past year, 65% of younger homeowners say their financial security has remained stable compared to 51% of younger non-homeowners. Younger prospective buyers are eager to own and nearly half (46%) say that building equity is more important than ever. While many can afford monthly mortgage payments, the upfront costs may

make homeownership seem out of reach. To address the most common barriers to homeownership, Bank of America offers low down payment mortgages, as well as grants to help cover upfront expenses, through its Community Homeownership Commitment. Visit bankofamerica.com/ homeowner to learn more. With one of the most generous grants in the industry, we offer up to $17,500 in combined down payment and closing costs grants (the grants are not a loan, so you don’t have to repay them). Bank of America grants may also be joined with externally provided home buying assistance. Down Payment Grant program helps buyers overcome the biggest barrier to homeownership – down payment. In more than 260 cities and counties across the country, including Charlotte, eligible buyers can receive 3% of the home’s purchase price up to $10,000, whichever is less, to be used toward their down payment. No repayment is required. America’s Home Grant® program offers a lender credit of up to $7,500 that can be used towards non-recurring closing

costs, like title insurance and recording fees, or to permanently buy down the interest rate. The funds do not require repayment and can be combined with funds from the Down Payment grant program listed above. If you’re not yet ready to buy a home but want to take some immediate action to prepare for the future, the first step should be to visit the First-Time Homebuyer Online Edu-Series at bankofamerica.com/ homebuyer. Available in English and Spanish, the series provides an easy-tounderstand roadmap to buying and financing a home.

Hopeful homebuyers can use digital tools to put their best foot forward The last several months have shown us how much we value personal interaction, but we’ve also learned that digital tools can make our everyday lives easy and more efficient. For buyers ready to start their home purchase, the Bank of America Digital Mortgage Experience® allows buyers to secure a mortgage preapproval online at bankofamerica.com/mortgage/digitalmortgage-experience or via their mobile banking app, so they can begin their house hunt with a competitive edge. Then, the Bank of America Real Estate Center® provides a simple way to research neighborhoods, shop for homes and identify properties that may be eligible for the bank’s homebuyer grants. Visit realestatecenter. bankofamerica.com to search for properties. A lot has changed in the past year, but the desire to own a home remains strong. Achieving homeownership is no small feat, but there are numerous tools and resources to help individuals and families begin building a family legacy and longterm wealth. P November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

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The Charlotte Housing Market—A Silver Lining By David Kennedy

in the Pandemic

he housing market has been so hot recently that even a global pandemic couldn’t stop buyers in Charlotte and across the country. Black millennials made up the majority of home buyers by African Americans in 2020. It could be that the silver lining in the pandemic is that low mortgage rates could be causing this group to focus on wealth-building through home ownership.

Across all racial demographics, millions of millennials are emerging as potential buyers generating a historically high demand for homes. The phenomenon of remote working has also contributed to the buying surge. The popularity of Charlotte has made it a top five real estate market in the country. According to data from Canopy MLS, mid-year figures from June continue to smash records, showing 2021 sales across the Charlotte region

ahead of 2020 sales by nearly 17 percent. The average listing goes under contract after just 13 days on the market and the average sales price for a singlefamily home in the Charlotte region topped $350,900, which is 13 percent higher than the average sales price in August 2020. The median sales price, which is the best measure of price over time, reached $290,000, which is 13 percent higher than last August’s median sales price.

Happy days are here if you already own a home and want to sell, but what about the millennial buyers? From a buyer's perspective, it’s a different picture. Demand for housing is strong and the supply of housing inventory is low. Currently, there are 21 days of housing supply, which is critically low compared to a balanced market defined as 6 months of sales inventory. Once a house hits the market, buyers have an average of 13 days to put it under contract or someone else will buy it because multiple buyers submit bids to purchase homes routinely in this market. The Realtors® of the Canopy Realtor® Association help make sense of the statistics. They advise their clients of how the market reflects favorably or unfavorably for their situation. Thirteen days to buy a home is not ideal, but it is possible with a Realtor®. If your bid is accepted, you probably would have to offer to purchase that home above the listed sales price. But consider this, even paying more than the asking price and a 13-17 percent higher sales price, with record low interest rates, you could be paying less for more over the life of your home loan. As the Canopy Realtor® Association reflects upon its 100th Anniversary this year, we are mindful of our industry's past transgressions that resulted in racial discrimination. Today, African Americans are most likely to be faced with a dearth of homes on the market. In partnership with the building industry, Canopy is working with the City of Charlotte's Planning Department, within the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan, to introduce more housing to our market that would be available and affordable. With diverse voices among the decision makers, the path we forge will lead to a future where all housing needs are met. P November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

Protection for Tenants After the

Eviction Moratorium S By Angela Lindsay

ince the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most pressing issues facing many residents has been the struggle to keep a roof over their heads. The federal eviction moratorium provided relief for tenants for the greater part of 2020 and 2021; however, with its expiration in October, per the Supreme Court’s ruling in August, the housing crisis has roared back in full force. “COVID-19 has been difficult for the citizens of Mecklenburg County because many lost their jobs, experienced childcare challenges, wage reductions and illness,” said Erin Barbee, senior vice president of programs and fund development at DreamKey Partners. “All of these factors caused people to choose between food, rent and general necessities,” she added.” It’s our experience that rent was an expense that many tenants were no longer able to pay. Tenants who were usually able to pay were thrust into housing instability

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“The eviction moratorium provided tenants with a sense of safety and security in their homes as they attempted to gain stability.” — Erin Barbee

in a matter of months. As a result, residents in Mecklenburg County experienced a significant increase in evictions.” DreamKey Partners administers emergency Erin Barbee rent, mortgage, hotel and utility assistance for the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The program provides funds to tenants experiencing a hardship because of COVID-19. Applications are open from the first through the 15th of every month until funds are depleted. Currently, $60 million dollars is available to assist renters in need, according to Barbee. As of August, Charlotte’s Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program (RAMP CLT) statistics showed that of the active and eligible applications they received, Black women accounted for 67 percent of the applications from those who identified as Black or African American. The area codes most affected are 28262, 28216, 28208 and 28269, according to DreamKey Partners. “The eviction moratorium provided tenants with a sense of safety and security in their homes as they attempted to gain stability,” Barbee said. “Each time the ban was slated to be lifted it caused a wave of fear and confusion about how to access resources,” she added. “During the last eviction moratorium, North Carolina and [Mecklenburg] the county felt the sense of stability that was slated to last until October 3, 2021. To have it overturned in a matter of days caused residents to feel panicked. This moving target causes

Where to Call for Help For more information or help with housing assistance and/or tenants’ rights issues, contact: • Canopy Housing Foundation (704) 940-3148 • Charlotte Area Fund (704) 372-3010 • Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (704) 376-1600 • Charlotte Family Housing (704) 335-5488 • City of Charlotte’s Dispute Settlement Program (704) 336-2903 • Community Link (800) 977-1969 • Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (855) 411-2372 • Crisis Assistance Ministry (704) 371-3001 • DreamKey Partners/RAMP CLT 704) 342-0933 • Home Again Foundation (704) 241-2003 • Inlivian (704) 336-5183 • Legal Aid of North Carolina 866) 219-5262

“It makes it hard to know what to expect when the law is constantly changing.” — Isaac Sturgill in court. There is also an appeal process tenants can take advantage of if they lose their trial or miss their first court date, he added. “The laws have changed a lot throughout the pandemic and the protections for tenants have changed,” Sturgill said. “There have been a few different eviction protections that tenants could use but they had different rules and different timeframes.” Currently there is no eviction moratorium in North Carolina because the U.S. Supreme Court ended the previous protections. “It makes it hard to know what to expect when the law is constantly changing. People also have been frustrated with the amount of time it takes to get rental assistance or other financial help,” said Sturgill. In August, a U.S. Treasury compliance report found that of the emergency funds that have been distributed across the nation, on average, the national distribution rate is 20 percent while the city of Charlotte has distributed 52.5

percent. RAMP CLT is a program that provides rental, utility and mortgage assistance to those impacted by COVID19 in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The program has dispersed $36.7 million since February to those residents in need of relief, and roughly 17,648 people in Charlotte have applied. As of July, it was estimated that there were more than 200,000 families in the state behind on the rent. Although some assistance is available, the application process and wait can be lengthy, Sturgill explained. To help alleviate some of the burdens facing tenants, Barbee suggests tenants speak with their landlords to make them aware of their situation, create a plan to stay in their homes; apply for rental assistance through the RAMP CLT program as soon as they need help, and, if they are having difficulty with a landlord, contact the city of Charlotte’s dispute settlement team for free assistance with mediation. “Hopefully the rental assistance that is available will be used and the process for getting help will become more efficient,” Sturgill said. “Some people may not get the money in time even after applying. In the long term, wages or the supply of affordable housing going up would help, he said. “There was an affordable housing and eviction crisis in many places in the state before the pandemic — COVID has only exacerbated the problem.” P

additional trauma for tenants who have already experienced immeasurable difficulties because of COVID-19.” Isaac Sturgill, supervising attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina’s eviction prevention project, said their Charlotte office usually opens somewhere between 30 to 50 cases a week, sometimes getting up to 20 calls for assistance in one day, while their statewide hotline gets Isaac Sturgill thousands of calls per week. He said the only legal way to evict a tenant is through the court process where a tenant has the right to present any legal defenses he or she may have November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

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The good news on Type 2 diabetes:

You’re in charge How to manage, beat and reverse Type 2 diabetes

es, Type 2 diabetes can be difficult to cope with. But Dr. Cathy Rolih, a leader at the Novant Health Diabetes Center of Excellence, has good news on that front: Much of it is within your control. Here, she shares insight into treating and managing diabetes, and offers hope for those who’ve gotten the diagnosis. More than 34 million Americans have Type 2 diabetes, about 1 in 10. Certain minority groups, including Black Americans, are also at greater risk than white Americans because of genetics and other factors.

What should newly diagnosed patients do when they learn they have diabetes? The first thing: take a deep breath. The second: learn as much as you can from reliable sources. Don't go to “Dr. Google” and search diabetes. Go to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

What's the worst thing you can do? The worst thing to do is panic and instead, take on a fatalistic attitude. Some people just throw in the towel from the beginning. For starters, work on increasing your physical activity. Nothing is too small. If you’re completely sedentary, walking to the end of the block and back once a day is a good start. Patients with Type 2 diabetes should find a way to lose weight. It’s critical for controlling diabetes, and the better you control your diabetes, the better your long-term outcome.

Can you reverse Type 2 diabetes? I’ve seen a lot of patients make big changes and reverse their diabetes. Two things are key: Weight reduction – not necessarily a lot, 15 or 20 pounds, depending on where the

patient is in the course of their disease – and significantly decreasing carbohydrate intake.

What are some risk factors for Type 2 diabetes? The first is a body mass index, or BMI, over 30. BMI is the calculated number that correlates your weight with your height. The higher the BMI, the greater the risk. People should know what their BMI is. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has a BMI calculator. No. 2: Know your family history. People with a first-degree relative – a parent or sibling – with Type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes themselves. They should be screened. And three: The ADA recommends screening people after age 45. The risk of Type 2 diabetes increases with age.

What are the dangers of not taking this seriously? You may not feel bad when your blood sugar is only a little or even moderately elevated. But elevated blood sugar that

goes on for years has negative effects on the body – potential damage to the eyes, which may result in blindness. Add damage to the nerves, particularly in the legs, which can result in loss of sensation. That results in not being able to tell if you have an injury or an infection, and that can result in the need for amputation of toes, feet and more. Diabetes has a negative effect on the kidneys. And decline of kidney function, over time, can result in kidney failure. And then people end up on dialysis. People who have diabetes also have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Any thoughts for people who know somebody with Type 2 diabetes who are not making changes? I think you can say: I'm concerned about you. I see you're struggling. I'm here to support you.

Learn more at: NovantHealth.org/ home/services.aspx, and, then click on diabetes. November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

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Saving the Cherry Neighborhood’s Jewel

the Morgan School T By John Burton, Jr.

By the 1950s, Cherry had become a flourishing neighborhood near the Center City, especially with the addition of the Independence Expressway and Charlottetown Mall. Over the years, Cherry’s Black population has dwindled from 66 percent in 1990, 55 percent in 2000, to only 37 percent by 2015. Sadly, most of its original homes and landmarks have evaporated largely due to urban renewal and gentrification. Thankfully one of the community’s vital fixtures, the Morgan School still remains. The historic 10-classroom building, constructed in 1925, serves as an architectural and institutional focal point for Cherry. Built to serve Black elementary-aged children, the Morgan School’s presence nurtured the entire Cherry community. Some of the Morgan School alumni include Dr. Vann Stitt, a medical doctor and hospital administrator, former AFL football

Above: The front of the Morgan School Right: Best known for her role as Jenny Willis Jefferson on the television series, The Jeffersons, Berlinda Tolbert was a Cherry resident and attended the Morgan School.

player Richard “Dickey” Westmoreland and The Jeffersons sitcom actress Berlinda Tolbert. “I didn’t come from affluence, I came from working-class people from Cherry,” said Tolbert, who attended the Morgan School until the sixth grade. “I am proof that Cherry and Morgan School can make a difference.” Since 2017, when it last functioned as a charter school, the legendary two-story school has been vacant. The future of the almost 100-year-old building has been greatly debated. For more than 30 years, The Cherry Community Organization (CCO) has sought to regain control of the

Photo courtesy of Berlinda Tolbert

Photo By Rened McCoy

he Cherry community, considered to be one of Charlotte’s oldest neighborhoods, celebrates 130 years of history, heritage and community this year. Developed in 1891 on a portion of John and Mary Myers’ cotton plantation, it was established as a separate town outside of Charlotte's city limits. Poised as a place to bolster homeownership among the Black working class, the community blossomed, increasing Black homeownership by almost 40 percent from 1905 to 1925.

building not only because of its historical value but equally its cultural significance. The non-profit, consisting mainly of longtime Cherry residents, seeks to reclaim the school to develop it into a multi-faceted learning resource center. They believe the Cherry community is capable of “dreaming a dream and actualizing a vision” for The Morgan School. The CCO has launched the “Reclaim Morgan School” campaign coupled with a petition soliciting community support. Their agenda seeks to implement a longterm plan to make Morgan viable for the community through programming, self-sufficiency and sustainability. The plan includes getting Morgan designated as a historical landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. Currently, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has ownership of the building but is looking to sell the property. Morgan School advocates believe the building going to anyone besides the community would foster an ongoing narrative of being told what will happen within their community. The advocates don't want Cherry to experience a similar fate as Brooklyn, Second Ward and so many other Black communities across the nation where Black history has disappeared. The sentiment of many in Cherry is that Morgan School was built by Cherry and belongs to Cherry. “You simply cannot sit back and watch your history and your people vanish,” Tolbert said. “This is one of our opportunities to hold onto that African-American history that is important to this city.” Erasing history, mainly Charlotte’s Black history, should never be an option. Many of what were memory markers for Black Charlotte have simply vanished on the coattails of change. Moreover, the use of public funds should never be used to dispossess and dismantle Black communities any longer. First Brooklyn then Second Ward. Will Cherry be next? Outside the Morgan School today, a weather-beaten metal plate is still affixed. Ironically, these words are embossed, “School maintained in this community for the benefit of its citizens.” P November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

guardianship of an individual must go to court and have that person “declared incompetent based on expert findings.”

Social security retirement benefits

Legal Issues Affecting Seniors By Alicia Benjamin

eniors face a specific set of challenges that may involve legal issues. Various concerns such as how to plan for the distribution of portions of an estate, when and how family members should seek legal guardianship of senior loved ones, who receives social security benefits (including a person’s family members), and fraud and identity theft concerns. Here are a few issues with legal considerations that affect seniors:

Estate planning

Seniors should seek the help of an attorney that specializes in estate planning. An estate lawyer will help seniors create a plan that will ensure their estate will be distributed in an orderly manner after their death. Estate attorneys will collect the necessary financial information from

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seniors to formulate a plan that meets their goals. Tools an estate attorney may use to help develop a plan include wills, healthcare directives, trusts and powers of attorney. The attorneys will also review potential tax considerations and how to easily transfer assets, according to GetLegal.com.

Legal guardianship

Family members of seniors may need guardianship if they lose a significant amount of their mental and/or physical abilities. If an aging loved one hasn’t named a power of attorney before they have diminished thinking or physical abilities, family members may face some legal challenges if their senior family member hasn’t named a power of attorney beforehand, according to AgingCare. com. A power of attorney is a written authorization that gives someone the legal right to represent another person in legal or financial matters. AgingCare.com states, “Guardianship is an option in cases where an older adult has not appointed a power of attorney for health care or finances and is incapacitated due to advancing age, illness or disability.” The person seeking

Seniors can choose to claim social security retirement benefits early at 62, but this may result in a reduction of up to 30 percent of the amount they could receive if they wait until their full retirement age (currently 66 years old and 2 months). If seniors wait to retire at age 70, they will accrue delayed retirement credits that could result in them receiving up to 132 percent of their full retirement benefits. If seniors plan to continue working after they begin collecting social security retirement benefits, the social security administration (SSA) may reduce their benefit amount depending on when they retire and how much they earn, according to the SSA. When a family member dies, their survivor and their children may receive benefits depending on the circumstances. But keep in mind, “While the Social Security Act (federal law) governs an applicant's right to benefits, state substantive law governs some of the family relationship issues that may bear on that right such as the validity of a marriage,” according to the Social Security page of the Cornell Law School website (law.cornell.edu/wex/social_security). Visit ssa.gov to find out more about social security benefits regulations.

Fraud and identity theft

According to Equifax, senior citizens may be more vulnerable to identity theft and fraud than other populations because they typically have more savings and good credit scores. Seniors may not report the crime because they may not know where they can seek help, or they may also feel ashamed and not want family members to know they’ve been exploited. Some common fraud attempts aimed at seniors are telemarketing fraud, investment scams, reverse mortgage fraud and fraudulent charity schemes, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) Foundation. Visit the AMAC Foundation’s website, amacfoundation.org, for more information on common financial scams against seniors. Also, the Senior Law Project operates a toll-free helpline for North Carolina seniors, 60 or older. Call 877-579-7562. P

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November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

“Poncho” Eddie’s Journey to

Buying His Dream Home in Charlotte

By Vanessa Clarke | Photos by Tye Feimster

uring the current global pandemic and at the height of the housing market boom, Irvin “Poncho” Eddie moved to Charlotte from Benton Harbor, Michigan for a new job at Lowe’s Home Improvement. Being from a close-knit family, Poncho was excited to have recently moved back home to Michigan from New Jersey. He had job security as a 24-year professional with the Whirlpool Corporation, and he had just bought a great house that he planned to renovate. Eddie was prepared to live out his life in this small Michigan town where three generations of his family called home. He was content, until he found a new opportunity over 700 miles away in North Carolina.

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Above: View of the Hollywood Room from the second floor; Poncho relaxes in the Piano Room.

In early 2021, Eddie took a chance and applied for a newly created Merchandising position at Lowe’s and was offered the job. He wanted to be sure that his new position would offer a certain amount of security. “Was I going to be able to stretch myself and have a better chance of achieving my goals?” he asked himself. He knew it would be a challenge to step outside of

his comfort zone and his long tenure at Whirlpool Corporation, but he wanted to explore new opportunities. Before taking the position, Poncho received the blessing of his mother, Carolyn Fort, who said, “You’ve been so supportive of the family, and this is for you. Besides, I’ll have somewhere to visit.” With a steady flow of family and friends coming to help him pack for his new journey, Poncho was preparing to move for his new position. He started his search for a new home by working with Diane “Dee” Walker and Valerie R. Brooks Real Estate in Charlotte in April 2021. But the search wasn’t that easy. The two real estate agents showed Eddie 85 houses, placed 15 bids, and was outbid on all of them by cash offers. Eddie felt a bit discouraged, and so he and his friend of 30 years, whom he had been staying with after his move, decided to become roommates until the real estate market slowed down.

Left: The renovated kitchen Above: The updated dining room

The very next day, the bid on what would become his new home in the University City area was accepted. According to Eddie, with such heavy competition from investment firms with cash offers, the competent strategy of Brooks’ team is the only reason they were able to get the house. “They worked their butt off for me,” Eddie said. The more houses Eddie visited, the less sure he became that he would be able to find all the requirements and amenities he wanted in a home. But thanks to Walker and Brooks, Poncho was able

to find a unique home that he could make his own. In the 2500 sq. ft house that Eddie finally decided to buy, with four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, Eddie’s main requirements were found. Though the house is ideal, he was also impressed with the neighborhood. “Wherever I moved, it had to be a diverse area like where I lived in New Jersey,” Eddie said. With that as a starting place, “there could be NO new construction, had to have character, had to fit my piano, and had to be the right place for my chandelier,” he added. “It had the two-story foyer, catwalk stairs, archways that I wanted, the space of an extra room for my family, a formal living room, a family room and a TV room.” During his search for a new home,

November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

Left: Shades of white enhance the bedroom. Center: This elegant red chandelier was on Poncho’s wish list for 15 years. Right: The staircase after renovations.

Eddie visualized the décor he wanted in his mind. With each property, he saw something that he liked and would take with him as style ideas. “I knew that I could make a house look modern and updated,” he said. The home he chose would have to have “timeless features and architecture, and character” so that he could transform it into what he wanted. “If I love it and it puts a smile on my face when I walk through the door, that’s all that matters,” he added. ”It’s not about the trends. It’s not about what’s popular now. It’s about what makes me feel good because it is the only environment that I can control.” Eddie’s home is his sanctuary from the world. “I can’t control my environment at work, at school, on the road or anywhere else, but when I walk through my doors, my house has to rise up to meet me,” said Eddie. “That’s what I want it to do, and that’s where my inspiration comes from.” By the time Eddie finally found his new house, he had the flooring, paint and furniture already coordinated. The biggest piece that he needed to get was a red chandelier that he had been eyeing

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for more than 15 years. The store owner of Red Collections in Greensboro, N.C., told him that if he found the perfect place for it, he would make sure that it was his. After finding the perfect spot in his home, the chandelier became the centerpiece of Eddie’s décor. Along with mixes of metals like copper, bronze and gold, texture, color, and different eras, Eddie calls his interior design style transitional chic — a mix of traditional and mid-century modern with a focus on traditional shapes in a modern material. Nothing is necessarily old or new. Instead, the décor leans toward “clean lines and timelessness” to bring together pieces that will look fresh, regardless of the year. The addition of pieces that he already owned was done to affect how he feels when he’s in his new home. Even with the simplicity of a small statue of a horse that mixes metals and texture, no detail is insignificant. A highlight of Eddie’s home is the Hollywood Room. In this provocative room, he closed off a built-in TV cabinet and replaced it with floor-to-ceiling a herringbone marble piece with a 14 ft.

bookcase. The room is completed with a touch of Hollywood glam that is solidified with a vintage sofa from The Biltmore Estate and a large elegant black and white photo of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater that hangs above the fireplace. In that room and the rest of the house, “the style is inspired by how I want to feel when I walk in a room,” Eddie explained. “I usually sit in a room for hours and visualize it. I get a sense of how I want to put the pieces together, and how I want the colors to flow through the house.” Eddie said he knows it’s important to enjoy your home, but it must also appreciate in value. He plans to extend improvements on his house in the coming year with a waterfall island in the kitchen. But he also said he wants to make the space easy to sell so that he can make a return on his investment. With a budget of $20,000, no corners were cut, but planning was consequential in making this property into a home for frequent visits from family and friends. “I ultimately wanted to create a space where friends and family would come to visit, relax and feel at home.” P

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Reinventing Your Career After COVID By Sunny Jordan, MBA, Strategic Partnerships Manager, WGU North Carolina

OVID-19 has many people asking the question, “What matters most to me and how do I want to spend my time?” The pandemic disrupted life as we know it, and many people are rethinking their life, career, and priorities. With all that is going on in this world, you might be wondering if this is the right time to reinvent yourself. Maybe you are lucky and didn’t get sick, but found yourself scrambling to make ends meet, or caring for a sick family member or child. The pandemic increased our stress and caught us unprepared – physically, financially, and psychologically. That kind of uncertainty may feel uncomfortable and threatening, prompting you to exercise caution and avoid additional interruptions in your life. However, history tells us that society will overcome this great challenge, as it has many times before, so we must think about what life will be like after COVID-19. Think about how you can move forward from survival mode into rebuilding your new self. Last year, most of us indulged in relaxation, increased family time, and virtual companionship from our screens, which over time became unproductive and unmotivating. One explanation for this phenomenon is a quote by Plato: “Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.” We should use this quote as a steppingstone on the path to the next version of ourselves and our careers. With numerous opportunities before you, this is the right time to pursue your dream career. Here’s how:

1. Assess your past experiences

• Think in chronological order, taking your most recent job and working backward. Identify tasks, responsibilities, awards,

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and accomplishments for each job. You can also do this if you are a current college student. • Think about skills and experiences you have that would interest an employer. Write down scenarios where you gained or used those skills. • Ask yourself, “What are my strengths and weaknesses? What skills do I want to improve or showcase?”

2. Develop many possible selves

When you aren’t certain what the future holds for you, or the path you started on takes a detour, here is your opportunity to create a diverse portfolio of options. On this journey of exploration, you may have to experiment, test, and learn more about who you are. This idea of possible selves is your guide to discovering who you might want to become. Have an open mind, be creative, and imagine the endless possibilities available for your future self. Ask, “What does my future look like and how do I want to show up?” This exercise is meant to be freeing and innovative.

3. Explore growing career fields

If you’re looking to change careers during this time when many people are working from home or furloughed from their jobs, try exploring growing industries like cybersecurity. Experts predict that global cybercrime damages will reach $6 trillion in 2021, up $3 trillion from 2015! That’s why jobs like information security analysts are expected to grow by 31%. In the end, when it comes to reinventing your career in this time of crisis, remember this important point: The time to do it is now — but don’t go it alone. At WGU North Carolina, an affiliate of the accredited nonprofit Western Governors University, online programs are designed to help you succeed in your dream career. At WGU, you have an entire team of faculty members and a mentor whose #1 job is empowering you toward success.

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The Resurgence of HBCUs By Ryan Kouame

istorically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) foster a sense of belonging for students of color, provide tools for economic advancement and produce some of the nation’s greatest leaders, like Martin Luther King, Jr., Kamala Harris, Thurgood Marshall, Spike Lee, Toni Morrison and Oprah Winfrey. HBCUs were established after the end of slavery by Black and other leaders in communities throughout the country because most colleges and universities in the South did not allow African Americans to attend these segregated institutions.

Photo by BiksuTong / Shutterstock.com

Notable HBCU Graduates

There are about 106 HBCUs in the U.S. making up three percent of the nation’s colleges and universities but producing 20 percent of African American graduates, according to an article published on uncf. org in April 2020. Although HBCUs have been around, they have gained more

caliber of education, if not higher, which creates a larger return on investment and lowers student loan debt. For example, a semester for a 2021-2022 undergraduate student at a prestigious Black school like Howard University is $28,450 compared to an Ivy League school like Harvard where tuition comes in at $67,720. Affordable tuition is vital because African American households are more likely to incur student debt due to a lack of funding and scholarships. The United Negro College Fund reported last year that nearly 54 percent of Black college graduates between the ages of 25 and 40 have student loan debt compared to 39 percent of White college graduates. The Gallup-Purdue poll, an index study that provides insights

Photo by Roberto Galan / Shutterstock.com

Actor and 1972 graduate of Morehouse College, Samuel L. Jackson

Photo by Rena Schild / Shutterstock.com

Photo by Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Vice President of the United States and Howard University graduate, Kamala Harris

The Howard University Showtime Marching Band

attention and funding over the past few years. With tuition and student debt on a steady incline, this rise in interest and enrollment suggests their relevance in education is more important now than ever. President Barack Obama presents Howard University graduate and novelist, Toni Morrison, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.

Money Matters Tuition rates at HBCUs are nearly thirty percent lower than most predominantly White schools while providing the same

and measurements for meaningful improvements in higher education, found that the unemployment rate for recent African American college graduates was 56 percent compared to the 44 percent of their White counterparts. The growth in HBCU enrollment, grants, and donations generate more funding and increases the quality of education and opportunities for students, which in turn November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

Photo courtesy of Reba Brown

professors in intimate class settings and I was able to study abroad at no cost to my family. This is where I reinforced my love for learning while being immersed in different cultures with people Reba Brown who want to see us win, not those who tolerate us solely for the utilization of our talents and abilities,” said Texas Southern University graduate, Reba Brown. Many HBCUs were founded by leaders in the Black church, so they are rooted in values like faith, community, and service to others. HBCUs provide great value and produce students with great values. Black students are able to learn, create, grow, and mature where there is nurturing and acceptance, and with staff and professors that truly care about their well-being.

The Morehouse College Mock Trial team winning an award in 2006

Campus Climate HBCUs provide safe, inclusive, and nurturing spaces for low-income, firstgeneration and academically underprepared students. Students report feeling more comfortable and secure at HBCUs. They say they perform academically at their best and participate in clubs, organizations, fraternities, and sororities that serve their interests. “I was able to learn more about African-American heritage, establish close relationships with my peers and

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“I chose to attend Morehouse College because of its rich history and legacy,” Hypolite said. He added, “I gained a lifelong cohort of brothers, had the opportunity to sing with artists like John Legend, Common, and Jessye Norman, traveled to South Africa and Zimbabwe as a member of the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program, and even met the CEO of Netflix and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) as a UNCF scholar. “I wouldn’t have received such a culturally enriched educational experience at any other institution.”

“All my friends from Howard are smart Black queens and all of us are ambitious. I didn’t get to experience that until I went to Howard.” — Sasha Gilmer

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Photo courtesy of Ivor Hypolite

establishes equity by leveling the playing field for scholarships, housing, equipment and diversified programs –– ultimately dispelling the rumor many argue that going to an HBCU means sacrificing the quality of education. “I would attribute the spike in HBCU enrollment to the large financial endorsements being given to HBCUs by Fortune 500 companies and notable public figures as well as the spotlight currently being placed on the importance of advancing diverse talent during a time where the systemic ills of the world are Ivor Hypolite being brought to light like never before,” said Morehouse College graduate, Ivor Hypolite. Notably, Jeff Bezos’s ex-wife, donated $40 million to Morgan State University.

Howard University Department Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Robert Palmer, told Forbes Magazine in a May 2021 article that he attributes the increase in HBCU enrollment to racism becoming more clear and more pronounced in society during and after the Trump era. HBCUs provided a haven for Black students and educators who were searching for educational spaces where they could be their authentic selves, which is not always guaranteed at predominantly White schools, and society in general. “Students chose to apply to HBCUs because they knew they would feel safe there,” Palmer said. “As a person who had the unique experience of attending both a predominantly White school and an HBCU, I chose to transfer to Howard University because I felt I was lacking in the cultural department,” said Howard University graduate, Sasha Gilmer. Sasha Gilmer “I grew up living in mostly white neighborhoods and going to white Christian schools until my sophomore year in high school. I wanted to experience school surrounded by like-minded people.” Gilmer said she was always considered the “smart Black girl” and with that label came microaggressions. “I felt like I had to perform, and I wanted to be in a space where there was no need to code-switch,” she added. “All my friends from Howard are smart Black queens and all of us are ambitious. I didn’t get to experience that until I went to Howard.” Attending an HBCU goes far beyond just getting an education, it provides the opportunity to educate the mind in a space that feeds and nurtures the soul. P

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CLAFLIN UNIVERSITY REMAINS A TOP TEN INSTITUTION IN U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT’S 2022 LIST OF BEST HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

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laflin University not only survived—we thrived,” proclaimed Claflin President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack last fall after looking back at how quickly the University’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni adapted to the massive disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By transitioning to innovative teaching and learning modules, and working cohesively as a team; essential administrative functions, academic departments, and other University programs continued to operate effectively. Despite numerous challenges associated with COVID-19, Claflin achieved national accreditation for the School of Education, approval to launch the new Master of Science in Nursing program during the Fall 2021 semester, and record-breaking fundraising success. Claflin’s accomplishments did not go unnoticed as U.S. News and World Report ranked Claflin in the “Top 10” on its list of the nation’s Best Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCUs) for the 11thconsecutive year. Claflin is the only HBCU in South Carolina ranked in the “Top 10.” The prestigious publication ranked Claflin seventh in the Best Regional Colleges in the South category. Institutions in this group focus on undergraduate education but grant fewer than half their degrees in liberal arts disciplines. Claflin was third in the U.S. News ranking of the Top Performers on Social Mobility for Regional Colleges in the South. Claflin is among the colleges that are more successful than others at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of students awarded Pell Grants. “These rankings reflect our ongoing commitment to academic excellence and student success. They also serve as a tribute to our outstanding faculty and staff which during the past year, redefined teaching and learning at Claflin during a global pandemic,” said Warmack. “We applaud our students who also persevered and continued to pursue their dreams of earning a Claflin degree. Our leal and loyal alumni contributed to our impressive rankings by continuing to give generously to support our students and the mission of this historic University.” The U.S. News & World Report’s Best HBCU ranking measures the quality of undergraduate education at historically Black colleges and universities. These HBCUs were compared only with one another for this ranking. A school must currently

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be listed as part of the White House and U.S. Department of Education's Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities to be included in U.S. News' HBCU ranking. To qualify for this U.S. News ranking, an HBCU also must be an undergraduate baccalaureategranting institution that enrolls primarily first-year, first-time students and must be a school that is part of the 2022 Best Colleges rankings. In total, 79 HBCUs were eligible to be included on the

list; 78 of those were ranked, and one was unranked. Regional Colleges rankings are split into four regions: North, South, Midwest, and West. Claflin also made U.S. News and World Report’s lists of colleges recognized for efforts to achieve economic diversity and as a Best Undergraduate Computer Science Program among the Regional Colleges in the South.

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November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

Attorney Ticora Davis

Takes on Intellectual Property Law By Ryan Kouame

Photo by Casey Hendrickson

Photo courtesy of Ticora Davis

ttorney Ticora Davis is an author, entrepreneur and purpose activator. She is also the founder of The Creator’s Law Firm –– a Charlotte-based black-owned and women-empowered boutique legal firm that specializes in intellectual property law and consulting services. Davis, who has worked with such companies as VH1, Black Enterprise and Facebook, was recently named an honoree on the Forbes Next 100 List as an entrepreneur that is redefining the American dream.

right and create a safe space for women in the legal industry. Davis uses her story to encourage, empower and inspire others to pursue their God-given talents despite the trials they may face on the path to purpose.

Left: The Creator’s Law Firm staff. Right: Attorney Ticora Davis, founder of The Creator’s Law Firm. Bottom: Attorney Ticora Davis and Attorney Lyvonne Jones, an intellectual property attorney at The Creator’s Law Firm.

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Photo courtesy of Ticora Davis

Davis has a remarkable story of how she overcame adversity to become the leader that she is today. In 2016, the founding attorney at a firm she worked for previously, fired Davis four weeks after her son was born. Instead of allowing bitterness to take over, Davis started The Creator’s Law Firm out of her home with a seven-week-old baby on her hip, three hundred dollars and a dream –– not to prove her previous employer wrong, but to prove herself

The Do’s and Don’ts of Intellectual Property Law

Intellectual property law is a conversation that is often bypassed in the Black community. With entrepreneurship on the rise –– trademarks, patents and copyrights are critical to sustaining the success of one’s business and brand to avoid lawsuits, cease and desist letters, and other intellectual property protective measures. There is higher encouragement for individuals to protect their brand names and

a growing trend of business owners protecting their actual first and last names to help mitigate fraud due to an increase in influencer partnerships. Here are some insightful tips and savvy information from Davis for women and creatives of color wanting to avoid legal targets and protect their business, brand and legacy: • Get a comprehensive trademark clearance done. This helps identify any legal barriers to your company’s use or registration of its trademarks such as the business name, brand name, slogan or logo by getting it registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). • Apply for a program like the North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Program (NC LEAP) that coordinates with licensed attorneys who volunteer to provide pro-bono legal advice and assistance to small business owners and non-profit organizations. • Partner with a law school with a trademark or patent clinic like North Carolina Central University (NCCU) to assist with your legal needs. Davis recently held the firm’s Second Annual Legacy Trademark Party Experience and announced her retirement from practicing trademark law to expand the firm’s Patent Practice Group. She still plans to provide support and oversight as the CEO and visionary but is passing the baton to allow others to help lead the organization as she charts new territory to service the diverse needs of a growing clientele. If you would like to book, work with, or learn about the services that The Creator’s Law Firm provides, visit www.ticoradavis.com. P

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November-December 2021 | Pride Magazine

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Why More Black Nurses Can Improve Your Health Outcomes

By Roxanne Ward

n any profession, representation matters. Yet when it comes to health care, diversity can literally make the difference between trust and distrust, access and exclusion, or even life and death. Numerous studies confirm that when healthcare teams are diverse, patients do better. So with a progressively diverse U.S. population and a nationwide nursing shortage, a significant increase in Black nurses is critical for improved health outcomes, especially in the Black community. In August, the U.S. Census Bureau released its 2020 data indicating that the nation’s Diversity Index increased to 61.1% from 54.9% in 2010. In Mecklenburg County alone, the Black or African American population is at 30%. Yet consider these 2020 workforce statistics in the Charlotte region. Based on data from Jobs EQ, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance indicates: • Approximately 29% of workers in the healthcare industry are Black compared with 23% of the total workforce. • Black workers are more concentrated in lower-paid subindustries as Home Health Care workers and Nursing Home workers. • While Black workers are overrepresented in healthcare, they have the lowest salary compared to their peers. These statistics might not surprise you, but they do raise concern about appropriate representation in management, access to

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higher-salaried jobs, and the overall impact on Black health issues. Black nurses with an advanced degree can increase the favorability of those outcomes and provide a breakthrough in healthcare research, leadership, and public health. Here are just three examples of their unique impact on Black patients: Trust – When you are at your most vulnerable, comfort and trust are paramount. It can be as simple as a nurse knowing your grooming needs during hospitalization, or as significant as understanding vaccine hesitancy. There is more opportunity to gain trust when there is adequate Black representation in higher positions of care and influence. Cultural Competence – While healthcare providers of all backgrounds enter the field with care and compassion, greater comfort level with a nurse allows for more open communication. Cultural competence takes into consideration how social factors impact the patient. Black nurses increase the potential for understanding Black patients—from financial concerns to spiritual preferences. In turn, patients gain more access to information and quality care. Advocacy – Nurses have a stronger voice to advocate for health equity rights and resources. Understanding the social determinants of health, Black nurses are in a unique position to campaign for change and find solutions—not only in response to health disparities in the Black community, but in areas of

leadership and education within their own organizations. In response to these growing health care needs, Northeastern University’s Charlotte campus has expanded their health sciences focus—bringing new, innovative programs to the region that will not only address talent shortages but combat disparities affecting underserved communities. One of those programs is the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN). Since January 2017, the ABSN program has grown significantly in Charlotte. Not only is it a popular degree for career changers, it’s also fast-tracked. Students go through a 16-month, foursemester program that includes online coursework, hands-on labs, and in-hospital clinical rotations. Additionally, every student who is admitted into the Charlotte ABSN program automatically receives a $20,000 scholarship from Northeastern to help pay for their nursing education. With an increased earning potential in a high-demand field, a faster return on educational investment, and the convenience of a flexible learning format, the ABSN program is ideal for career changers or career advancers. It can be particularly rewarding for Black professionals in the Charlotte area seeking better pay, upward mobility, and the chance to make a real impact on heath equity. To learn more about Northeastern’s ABSN program, visit absn.northeastern.edu or contact an admissions representative at 866-892-3819.

2021 Pride Magazine - November/December "Living" Issue

Articles inside

Celebrating the Comeback of HBCUs

Irvin “Poncho” Eddie’s Dream Home

Legal Issues Affecting Seniors

The Legacy of the Morgan School

Protecting Tenants’ Rights

Black-Owned Hot Spots in Charlotte

Saving the Siloam School

Creating a Path to Affordable Housing

From The Publisher

The Booming Charlotte Housing Market

Remembering Black Historical Sites

The Mindful Parent

Martha Barringer Remembers the Siloam School