Nov. 18, 2025 The video below is an excerpt from the Forum's Nov. 18 meeting. Facilitator Steve Johnston shared the work under way to ensure the continuation of communications and livestreaming elements of Forum meetings. No changes in the Forum's structure or leadership are involved. "As I ... Continue Reading →
Facilitators convene to assess the Forum’s future
Sept. 9, 2025 The Belmont Center conference room was eerily quiet for a Tuesday morning. It was primary election day, one of the few Tuesdays when the Forum's facilitators could sleep in or jog off to a quiet park. But coffee was brewing, and an agenda was on the table. As facilitators trickled ... Continue Reading →
Facilitators comment on Forum, their roles & Sarah Stevenson
Jan. 21, 2025 Forum facilitators this morning sat down at the presenters' table. and offered their reflections on why they volunteer reliably at the Forum, what their particular focus is in sustaining the group, and what it means to them. Some have been at the forum only a few years. One has been ... Continue Reading →
Helping MWBEs thrive in the construction industry
March 12, 2024 Today’s presenters have had much to do with helping minority contractors find their niche in Mecklenburg private and public construction projects. Young people: Listen to the stories from the presenters. Listen to the many successful minority contractors who spoke during the ... Continue Reading →
Open Forum
Oct. 24, 2023 It was a small crowd that attended or listened to this morning's Forum. But a wide variety of issues were aired. If there was news made, it might have been that a last-minute inform-the-voters effort is under way to shore up support for the school bonds. The District 6 City Council ... Continue Reading →
Sarah Belle Mingo Stevenson, 1925-2023
Page initiated Sept. 26, 2023 Sarah Belle Mingo Stevenson was born Oct. 26, 1925. She died Sept. 26, 2023. A Charlotte Observer remembrance is here. Other media reports included those from WFAE, the Charlotte Post, WSOC-TV, WCNC-TV, WBTV, Queen City News and QCityMetro, More on Stevenson’s life ... Continue Reading →
Forum marks Sarah Stevenson’s 97th
Oct. 25, 2022 ... Continue Reading →
‘Show Our Strength In Dollars’
June 7, 2022 A looming grant application deadline set off a conversation at this morning's Forum about the community investment needed in African-American neighborhoods. And how those investments were not being made in sufficient quantities, even now, to overcome generations of private ... Continue Reading →
Facilitators visit tricked-out Belmont Center meeting room
March 22, 2022 Forum facilitators masked up and met this afternoon at Belmont Center, to examine room upgrades and map out plans for return to the building. A decision was made to resume in-person meetings at 700 Parkwood Ave. sometime after the May 17 primary election. With a new COVID variant ... Continue Reading →
Developer’s story plays out in Beatties Ford Road corridor project
Nov. 9, 2021 In other hands, a rundown strip shopping center might turn into a less rundown strip shopping center. In Chris' Dennis's hands, Chase Bank is a major tenant, a portion of the building has been set aside for a yet-to-be-announced art presence, and the South Carolina native who's been ... Continue Reading →