Recently at the Forum
Announcements
Education & Health
Arthur Griffin Jr., left, shared data showing the crisis in education of Black children, and argued that school leaders are evading responsibility for the system’s failures to meet legal requirements.
CMS Board Chairperson Elyse Dashew, left, and Supt. Earnest Winston gave an update on calendars, success in giving every student Internet access, a summer “camp” to help children make up for lost time, and how long it may take to get student proficiency back on track.
President Trump announced that he and First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for the coronavirus.
COVID-19 updates were from the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services and the Mecklenburg County Manager.
Monika Rhue makes a plea that people let others in the community know all the good that people are doing during this coronavirus pandemic.
A large medical practice shared this information about the caronavirus pandemic with its Meckenburg patients today.
Dr. Tuwanda Williamson, left, will help open the first Oak Street Health clinic catering to adults on Medicare.
A large crowd, including longtime educator Ceretha Sherrill, left, contributed to a discussion of issues still to be dealt with after the resignation of CMS Supt. Clayton Wilcox.
CMS Board Vice Chair Elyse Dashew read a lawyer vetted statement about the suspension of CMS Supt. Clayton Wilcox.
Greg Schermberg sent in a video about his company’s efforts to support family nights at two nearby schools.
Crystal Rountree introduces herself, and a more diverse Teach For America corps now operating in CMS schools.
Janet Harmon and Cory Pharr outlined Smart Start early childhood initiatives, and the new Meck Basics program aimed at growing brains aged 0-3.
Monika Rhue shared plans for a Johnson C. Smith University exhibit on the history of the Beatties Ford Road corridor now undergoing substantial change.
Sonja Chisolm, left, Avice Pretty and Dr. Trasha Black are helping their clients rebuild their lives.
Community Matters
Thelma McKoy taught history to students in schools, and to her Charlotte community through early devotion to Juneteenth celebrations.
Robert Dawkins, left, described how knocking on doors boosted Census accuracy, and how Action NC uses the same tools to influence decisions by government.
Keith Rivers, left, addressed the Forum about protests following the April 21 death of Andrew Brown Jr. in Elizabeth City.
CMPD Chief Johnny Jenning’s statement following the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial in the death of George Floyd.
Marcus Bass, left, from NC Black Alliance and Stephanie Sneed from the Black Political Caucus review efforts to activate black voters and create multi-ethnic political action.
City Council member Malcolm Graham, left and Corridors of Opportunity Project Manager Cherie Smith give an update on Beatties Ford Road corridor projects.
In the run-up to a contentious election, the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry called on Americans to hold on to hope.
Commentary on the protests following the death in police custody of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
April Benson, left, and Patricia Campbell described the upcoming Charlotte Black Film Festival; Paula Riddick collected surveys about hiring a new police chief.
Emiene Wright, left, and Katrina Louis discussed Westside Connect, a startup media project aimed at westside neighborhoods.
Winston Robinson, left, and Tera Long led discussion about westside equity and ambulance charges.
Funeral for Dwayne Collins, who died Sunday after a battle with multiple myeloma, will be Friday, Aug. 30, with viewing at 11 a.m. and service at noon, at Greenville Memorial AME Zion Church, 6116 Monteith Dr.
Brandon Lunsford shared Johnson C. Smith University’s interest in becoming an archive for West End Charlotte historical documents.
Dr. Debra C. Smith recounts the development of a publishing project telling the stories of women who served Charlotte during the civil rights era.
DeAlva Wilson, left, presented at a session on redevelopment plans for the demolished Eastland Mall site.
Jessica Davis, left, and James Mitchell helped guide a Forum discussion of the future of the Historic Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road.
The decision to forgive the man who took his brother’s life set John C Barnett on a course of advocacy.
Malcolm Graham, left, led a panel discussing ways to move public opinion toward giving all people more protection from gun violence.
Derek Webber recounted his efforts to keep his company’s Battle of the Bands in Charlotte, only to leave for Houston.
Government & Politics
District Attorney Spencer Merriweather outlines the challenges faced by the local judicial system during Covid.
Sheriff Garry McFadden, left, on Covid crisis, Elizabeth City, and how Mecklenburg citizens can support residents returning from custody.
U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, left, discussed the American Rescue Plan, American Jobs Plan and the Ignite HBCU Excellence Act.
CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings, left, and Jonathan Chow discussed policing and safety in Charlotte.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, left, and County Board Chair George Dunlap addressed homeless, Covid-19 issues and answered questions.
James Mitchell says he will resign from Charlotte City Council due to his upcoming part ownership of Leeper Construction.
CATS has provided maps for proposed alternate routes for construction of the Silver Line light rail line from Gaston County to Matthews with a possible extension into Union County.
Taiwo Jaiyeoba described his efforts to reorient multiple streams of planning documents into a single comprehensive plan to guide the future of Charlotte’s growth.
George Grandy, left, and Robert Dawkins focused on how the formal U.S. Census process and grassroots efforts are linking up to encourage participation.
Veteran Democratic strategist Sam Spencer explained his opposition to the ballot referendum on increasing the Mecklenburg sales tax to fund arts, parks and education.
Commissioners Chair George Dunlap makes his case for voter support of a ballot proposal to raise the sales tax.
Zhivi Williams, left, and Dr. Yolanda Holmes reported on efforts to overcome lack of diversity and resources on the Women’s Advisory Board to fulfill a role of advising Mecklenburg County Commissioners.
County Manager reviewed major planks of her proposed budget on which Commissioners will begin taking straw votes next week.
During his Feb. 19 Forum presentation, Sheriff McFadden made a specific suggestion of how congregations could help support people leaving detention.
Jean Leier and Warren Cooksey offered an update on the I-77 express lanes and other toll roads in North Carolina.
Fire Chief Reginald Johnson, left, joined Mayor Vi Lyles and Community Relations Director Willie Ratchford in discussing the city’s response to Hurricane Florence. Forum members made suggestions for additional improvements in emergency response.
Stacey Carless, left, and Adam Sotak reviewed how the results of the 2020 Census will affect the funding for government programs.
CMPD’s Shawn Ward helped Forum participants wrestle with a few of the issues facing police officers as they serve the community.
Government & Politics
Housing & Workplace
Ralphine Edwards reviews the initial months in the Charlotte work of Local Initiatives Support Corp.
Najah Roberts, chief visionary officer for Crypto Blockchain Plug, believes cryptocurrency will affect everyone, whether or not they invest in Bitcoin or other digital products.
Serita Russell, left, was lead plaintiff in the successful lawsuit over landlord malfeasance at Lake Arbor Apartments.
Susan Woods offered tips on how to create a federally recognized nonprofit, and then how to seek funding.
Marvin Kelly described Goodwill Industries’ training and other missions and answered questions.
Michael Norman is using his electrical contractor business to give young people a chance for a steady job.
Karen Kovach, left, and Juanita Miller explained Changed Choices’ work with women returning from jail or prison.
Dr. Tonnia Thomas has a nonprofit ready to train people to work in hazardous waste and environmental cleanup projects.
David Sharp, left, joined Patrick Cannon in a discussion of how Sharp’s firms are funneling capital to entrepreneurs who are building businesses.
Three women shared their approaches to success in nonprofit and for-profit businesses in Charlotte.
LaWana Mayfield and Pam Wideman describe some of the tools available to the city to ensure that more Charlotte residents are in safe housing they can pay for.
“Chatty Hattie” Leeper, trailblazing black woman in Charlotte radio, remembers days at WGIV radio.
Dr. Madeline McClenney-Sadler explains Exodus Foundation’s mentoring work with former inmates.
Sherrell Dorsey closed out Women’s History Month, sharing her story of combining her many different interests and skills to blaze a trail for African-Americans in technology.
Rachelle Latimer describes highway contracting work as a difficult business that can be daunting for newcomers.
Patrick Graham, new CEO of Charlotte Works, and his team outlined work of the local workforce development board.
Leaders from Goodwill and Urban Ministry Center explain their work to help people move toward job success, better health, secure housing.
Fulton Meachem and Ken Szymanski, representing two powerful housing interests, discuss affordable housing opportunities in Charlotte.
Housing & Workplace
Candidates & Ballots
Preliminary results from the March 3, 2020 party primaries for offices in which Mecklenburg votes.
Democrat Cynthia Wallace addressed the Forum on her primary contest for the 9th District Congress seat.
Cal Cunningham, left, and Trevor Fuller offered comments on the five-way Democratic primary contest March 3 for the U.S. Senate seat held by Thom Tillis.
George Dunlap, left, and three other candidates in the March 3 primary discussed county and court issues.
Rev. Brenda Stevenson (pictured), N.C. Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed and N.C. Rep. Becky Carney discussed mostly legislative challenges facing the state.
Seven of the eight Democrats in the March 3 primary for 3 county commissioner slots on the November ballot spoke.
Laura Anthony, left, and Jonathan Peebles are running for legislative seats in the March primary.
A challenge to Darrell Bonapart’s candidacy in the N.C. Senate 39 Democratic primary was upheld by the Mecklenburg Board of Elections
Vi Lyles explained her candidacy for re-election as Charlotte mayor, and spoke of a number of things she’s learned in her first term.
Republican Joshua Richardson, left, and incumbent Democrats Dimple Ajmera, Julie Eiselt, James Mitchell and Braxton Winston addressed the Forum.
Brandon Pierce, left, and other candidates for City Council Districts 2, 4 and 6 presented.
Annette Albright, left and Elyse Dashew presented at the second Forum on CMS Board of Education candidates.
Who will guide the education of these children? First of two sessions with CMS school board candidates. (CMS photo)
Inside the Forum
For 40-plus years, the Forum met face-to-face. Then came COVID-19. An update on the path forward.
Sarah Stevenson update: Visitations are now severely limited by virus outbreak, Elloree Erwin reports.
Well-wishers took a 95th birthday celebration to Sarah Stevenson via a drive-thru in University City.
Elloree Erwin offers driving instructions for the Oct. 26 birthday drive-by for Sarah Stevenson.
Dr. Gyasi Foluke, an outspoken advocate for African-Americans and longtime student of African history, has died.
In a proclamation signed by Chairman George Dunlap, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners declared ‘Ms. Sarah Mingo Stevenson Day.’
At year’s end for some years, the Forum has set aside all things serious and gathered for breakfast, fellowship and games.