May 9, 2023 Sherri Chisholm returned this morning with a new staff backed by a refreshed "council" of community and business advisers, and gave an update on an earlier visit on behalf of Leading on Opportunity. Charlotte leaders were embarrassed when a 2014 Harvard study led by Raj Chetty ... 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 →
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 →
Open Forum explores ambulance charges, westside equity issues
Nov. 12, 2019 Tera Long led a discussion of how MEDIC has proposed garnisheeing wages to ensure payment of emergency services and transport – when the better course may be to ensure emergency health care access to all by boosting the county subsidy for emergency services. Winston Robinson led a ... 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 →
Pusuing a dream of a museum focused on African-Americans
Nov. 27, 2018 There were several engaging conversations at the Open Forum this morning. One was about nurturing entrepreneurship. Another was about reviving the understanding of the power of song. But the highlight was watching Winston Robinson bring to a public audience his notion that the city ... Continue Reading →
A millennial calls the question on Nov. 7 election
Nov. 14, 2017 Winston Robinson spent the election season working for candidates. His Facebook feed shows a determined effort to get his millennial peers out to vote in the municipal election. So on Tuesday, his question was timely: How do we get you newly elected officials to do something to ... Continue Reading →