March 29, 2016 Participants in the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum pulled off a total surprise for the guy usually behind the camera as they celebrated Steve Johnston's 69th birthday. Referred to occasionally during the celebration as a person of few words, the record should show that the scribe ... Continue Reading →
To Charlotte’s young leaders struggling for the common good
Feb. 16, 2016 Forum co-founder Sarah Stevenson this morning asked Forum participants to honor the memory of MarShawn McCarrel, a 23-year-old Ohio activist who, succumbing to depression, took his own life on Feb. 9. But her message was for the living: "There are young women and men who come in ... Continue Reading →
Four women who went first in elective office
Jan. 26, 2016 Four women who were first to be elected to a local or state office reflected on their experience, the importance of women and specifically African-American women to be at the table, and their assessment of whether public affairs are continuing to move forward or have fallen ... Continue Reading →
Ratchford welcomes Forum to Belmont Regional Center
Jan. 19, 2016 Willie Ratchford, executive director of the City of Charlotte Community Relations department, had invited Sarah Stevenson last summer to bring the Forum to the Belmont Regional Center. The 1975 building has a number of tenants, including nonprofits and city staff departments, ... Continue Reading →
Forum moves to Belmont Regional Center on Jan. 19
Jan. 5, 2016 Sarah Stevenson announced this morning that the Forum will move to Belmont Regional Center, 700 Parkwood Ave., effective Jan. 19. The last meeting at Ivory-Baker Recreation Center will be Jan. 12. In announcing the move, Stevenson cited her longtime association with the city's ... Continue Reading →
‘I like to keep my promise. That’s what I’m trying to do.’
Oct. 24, 2015 Observer reporter Ann Doss Helms and photographer John Simmons attended the Oct. 20 Forum, gathering material for this profile of Sarah Stevenson. The online text: BY ANN DOSS HELMS [email protected] When Sean Garrett was hired to lead the United ... Continue Reading →
Stevenson asks for help sponsoring 2 students from South Africa
July 28, 2015 Sarah Stevenson made an appeal at the Forum this morning for financial assistance to sponsor two young people heading to Johnson C. Smith University this fall. A 90th birthday party for Stevenson scheduled for October will help raise funds for the project, but Stevenson said the ... Continue Reading →
Sarah Stevenson receives J.C. Smith Arch of Triumph award
April 14, 2015 John Powell and Carlenia Ivory joined forces to describe Saturday's Johnson C. Smith University Gala at the Convention Center, where Sarah Stevenson received an Arch of Triumph award given to the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum. Their comments are ... Continue Reading →
Endorsements by facilitator prompts statement
On April 29, 2014, Mary Johnson issued partisan endorsements while facilitating a Forum meeting. Later, Forum co-founder Sarah Stevenson issued a statement saying, "Mary's comments are her views and not those of the Forum, even though she was presiding." The video clips are issued here in the name ... Continue Reading →
The Long Struggle for Equity in Education in North Carolina
For Black History Month, Forum participants suggested a session on some of the history of K-12 education in Mecklenburg County. Speakers were Arthur Griffin, longtime education advocate and former chair of the CMS Board of Education; Richard McElrath, former District 2 member of the board; and Sarah ... Continue Reading →