The Forum will not meet on Tuesday, Sept. 9 due to Primary Election Day.
Early voting ends Saturday. Locations are listed in this Black Political Caucus handout, which includes the group’s endorsements in the Sept. 9 Democratic primary.
Laura Cooper announced a petition to N.C. legislators to “stop the chronic underfunding of our public schools.” More here.
Applications are due Sept. 15 for Blumenthal Emerging Leaders program open to high school juniors and seniors, with a focus on those interested in the business side of the arts. Info here.
Upcoming Events
Through Oct. 19: The 2015 Soul of Philanthropy exhibit returns to the city, Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Dr.
Sept. 3: Commissioners meeting on conditions in Sugar Creek/Reagan Drive area, 5:30 p.m., Government Center.
Sept. 6: Voting canvass in Precinct 25, open to the public, 9:23 a.m., from Delta Center, 5408 Beatties Ford Rd.
Sept. 6: Smallwood community’s Savory Saturday, Five Points on Beatties Ford Rd., 9-11 a.m., free food.
Sept. 9 How to talk about mental health and suicide workshop, free, virtual, 11 a.m.-noon. Register here.
Sept. 9: Understanding the Soul of Money, Animating the Soul of Philanthropy, free, 5:30 p.m., Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 3400 Beatties Ford Rd. Tickets here.
Sept. 10: Suicide prevention training, free, virtual, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here.
Sept. 12: Urban League Awards Gala, 6-10 p.m., Black Tie, The Westin,
Sept. 13: Robot Showcase presented by Queen City Robotics Alliance, free, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Arbor Glen Outreach Facility, 1520 Clanton Rd. Details and free tickets here.
Sept. 16-18: Diamond Tours trip with Dr. Blanche Penn and Petronila Clark to Pigeon Forge and Smoky Mountains Show Trip, $469.
Sept. 19: Applications due for the April 2026 Debutante Cotillion sponsored by the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Rules, fees and online application here.
Sept. 20: Centennial Celebration of Huntersville Rosenwald School #2 (Little School), 1-5 p.m., 508 Dellwood Dr., Huntersville. Register here.
Sept. 20: A Vibe Called Fresh, 1-7 p.m., 1600 W. Trade St.
Sept. 20: 19th Annual Lake Norman Empowerment Festival, free, 5 p.m., Smithville Park, 19710 S. Ferry St., Cornelius.
Sept. 27: Emergency Rsponders Fair on emergency readiness, free, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 5408 Beatties Ford Rd. Register here.
Oct. 2: C.W. Williams Community Health Center’s Women’s Health & Doctor Recognition Fundraising Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Revelry North End, 701 Keswick Ave. #110. Tickets $100 here. Sponsorship package here.
Oct. 4: Delta Days in the City: A Social Action Conference, 9.a.m.-1 p.m., Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Conference Center, 3400 Beatties Ford Rd.
Oct. 10-13: Diamond Tours trip with Dr. Blanche Penn and Petronila Clark to Washington, D.C., $599.
Oct. 18: Alma Adams’ 30th Annual Mad Hattitude Luncheon & Hat Auction.
Oct. 25: Expungement Clinic, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., fee, 3351 Griffith St. Register by Aug. 30.
Nov. 15: TD Elder Trailblazer award luncheon, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Dr. Information on $60 tickets here. More info here.
Dec. 8-12: Diamond Tours trip with Dr. Blanche Penn and Petronila Clark to Lancaster Show Trip & the Dutch Country, $775.
2026
June 22-27: Diamond Tours trip with Dr. Blanche Penn and Petronila Clark to Chicago, $785.
Aug. 25-27: Diamond Tours trip with Dr. Blanche Penn and Petronila Clark to Pigeon Forge and Smoky Mountains Show Trip, $469.
Candidates, Elected Officials, Etc.
Alma Adams 8-27
Joyce Waddell 9-1
Governments, Nonprofits, etc.
Carolina Youth Coalition 8-28
NC Administrative Office of the Courts 8-28 8-29
NAACP 8-28 8-29 8-29 8-30 8-31 9-1 9-2
Obama Foundation 8-27
Podcasts
Audio and/or video resources mentioned by Forum presenters or participants as of possible interest to Forum participants:
Autism in Color, by La Becky Roe and Chavon Robinson, interviews with parents dealing with children on the spectrum. First published April 20, 2021.
Fordcast with Jim Rico by James Giavonni Lockhart, Charlotte-focused monologues about issues people don’t want to talk about. First published March, 29, 2025.
Strong Place with Mental Health America Central Carolinas Executive Director Ayo Johnson, on YouTube. First published July 2024.
Organizations’ Event Calendars
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Alpha Lambda Omega Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Charlotte Alumnae Chapter
Women’s Business Center of Charlotte
U.S. Congress office hours
12th District – Alma Adams
Main office: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m, 10815 David Taylor Dr, Suite 100
1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-noon, North Meck Regional Library
1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-noon, Cabarrus County Govt. Center
2nd & 4th Thursdays, 1-4 p.m., North Meck Regional Library
14th District – Tim Moore
8th District – Mark Harris