Feb. 10, 2026
Tuesday’s session was not a bus ride down Memory Lane. It was an occasionally searing experience of recreating the moment in African-Americans’ lives when the cost of “urban renewal” or cross-town busing for school desegregation fell directly on their shoulders.
And some of the commentary was a reminder that this “history” is not just history: The dislocation of Black folks in the name of community improvement continues to this day – most recently in plans to barrel again through Black neighborhoods to widen highways.
Speakers were Dr. Donna Benson, David Belton, Ron Ross, Reuben Flax, Vilma Leake and Mary Johnson. Each had stories to tell that for now are embedded in the overlong video below. As the Forum finds the resources, perhaps those stories will be separated out to give them more exposure.
For now, WFAE’s short report on Tuesday’s event is here. Some of the memorable quotes were published Wednesday by QCityMetro.
Below is the video.
Feb. 12, 2026
The Feb. 10 session was excellent. I applaud the group’s discussion on education and that of Mrs. Belton as a counselor at West Charlotte High School.
David Belton’s father, Mr. Joseph C. Belton, was equally a powerhouse in Charlotte. I and my husband attended J. H. Gunn High School where Joseph Belton was the principal. His impact in education in Charlotte, like his wife, has been tremendous. It was through Mr. Belton that thousands have contributed to this country and the world. Mr. Charlie Dannelly was the assistant principal.
I had a deeply personal relationship with Mr. Belton long before I knew about his relationship with Brown v Board the “Eyes On The Prize.” In fact, it was Mr. Belton who led me to Sarah Stevenson and the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Club.
It was in high school, in 1960, that I led a boycott of the school cafeteria. The school had a parking lot, where you could see both the cafeteria and the parking lot for the cafeteria. You could see cafeteria workers packing up food in their cars before serving the students. By the time the upperclass students got to the cafeteria, the food had run out. The teachers were very angry with me.
At the awards day program in the 1960-1961 year, at the end of the awards program, the last award was reported to be the most important award. The Most Outstanding Citizen Award, Mr. Belton said, would go to a person who sees something wrong and tries to do something about it. He said that year’s award would go to Queen Norwood.
The entire audience said, “Who”?
It was that recognition that led to me becoming the President of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools County-wide Student Council.
It is not just me who benefitted; Mr. Belton’s family and the DeLaines have all made tremendous contributions in education here and throughout our nation in the making of America.
Later, as a school counselor, I witnessed felony child abuse and reported it to school administrators. Mr. Dannelly reported it to the “Black elders.” Mr. Belton’s relative, B.B. DeLaine, contacted me and said, Queen, you have been discriminated against.