May 30, 2023 Ray High believes it is time for a Charlotte Black Creative Arts Festival. This morning, High offered an early look at his work beginning the process of creating a new community arts tradition in Charlotte, beginning in 2024. Even the story behind the name is illuminating. High said ... Continue Reading →
History doesn’t make people; People make history
Feb. 1, 2023 “Black history is a lifetime. It is not a month. Stop letting other people control the narrative.” – Forum participant Gary Marion Jan. 24, 2023 Perhaps there is no middle way between the stout defenders of Black History Month and Gary Marion's ... Continue Reading →
Event to mark Tommie Robinson’s first 75 creative years
March 28, 2022 Since the Forum moved its meetings to the Belmont Center in 2016, Tommie Robinson was the ageless gentlemen planted firmly in the left front corner of the room. His attendance was so regular, his questions so reliably probing, that facilitators opening each question-and-answer ... Continue Reading →
Black History Month 2021
Feb. 1, 2021 For many years, the Forum marked Black History Month by scheduling speakers and panelists who could offer a perspective on the history of Charlotte-Mecklenburg's African-American community. In the name of upholding that tradition in these pandemic times: The following graphics were ... Continue Reading →
The artist behind the Forum guy with the first question – always
Oct. 4, 2020 The following profile was published by The Charlotte Observer. ... Continue Reading →
Open Forum draws commentary, calls for action
April 30, 2019 Neighborhoods that are hurting. Avenues for supporting others. Strategies for uniting for change and against violence. Working to keep the Forum's discussions relevant The topics brought up this morning ranged widely. And as with discussions over the years, the point was not ... Continue Reading →
Second Ward Gym murals are complete
Feb. 7, 2019 An event at the old Second Ward High School gym today marked the completion of murals created by Charlotte artist Tommie Robinson. The murals depict life at Second Ward High when it was a focal point of teen life in Charlotte's Brooklyn neighborhood. Two local news outlets published ... Continue Reading →
Update on Tommie Robinson’s Second Ward murals
March 29, 2018 The following article appeared in the Charlotte Post. The artist is a regular attendee at the Forum. ... Continue Reading →
Open Forum: Dance, KIPP, voc ed, Council, housing for all
Clockwise from top left: Blanche Penn’s grandchildren J' Nair and Yariah; KIPP Charlotte Principal Elizabeth Simpson; Damiko Faulkner; J.R. and Dr. Trasha Black; Pat Cotham; LaWana Mayfield. July 25, 2017 Today's Open Forum did what Open Forums nearly always do. It put out on the public table for ... Continue Reading →
Tommie Robinson to be on NPR Weekend Sunday
Jan. 7, 2015 Charlotte artist and Forum regular Tommie Robinson reports that he will be on NPR’s Sunday morning show this weekend. He and anchor Rachel Martin talked Wednesday, he said Thursday, They started talking politics, but ended up “talking about a bunch of things.” What of those many ... Continue Reading →