Pride's 2018 May/June "Business" Issue

May-June 2018

The Business Issue

Charlotte’s African-American Magazine

Closing the Gap

Solutions for digital inclusion

Basal Coffee Not just another coffee shop

The Roll Up CLT A new art program in West Charlotte

Charlotte Latin School Technology Task Force at Work

A PLACE‌ filled with light where each and every heartbeat begins where connections are made bringing health, hope and healing

FOR ALL

Carolinas HealthCare System is

LOWER CLOSING COSTS / NEW HOME

Down payment as low as 3%1 Purchasing a new home may be more affordable than you think. Bank of America® lending specialists can help eligible Charlotte-area homebuyers with a loan that requires as little as 3% down and a special grant program for closing costs.

Affordable Loan Solution® mortgage1

America’s Home Grant® Program

Bank of America offers this fixed-rate loan with a competitive rate and a down payment as low as 3% for low- and moderateincome borrowers.

This credit can help with nonrecurring closing costs like title insurance and recording fees.

• Down payment as low as 3%

• For Charlotte-area borrowers earning less than $56,560 per year2

• No mortgage insurance required • Affordable option for modest-income homebuyers • Maximum income and loan amount limits apply (varies by location) Learn more at bankofamerica.com/affordableloansolution.

• Lender credit of up to $2,500

• Must live in the home as your primary residence and fund the loan with Bank of America Visit bankofamerica.com/mortgage to learn more and find a local lending specialist who can help you get prequalified.3

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Available for fixed-rate purchase loans with terms of 25 or 30 years and on primary residences only. Certain property types are ineligible. Borrower(s) must not have an individual or joint ownership interest in any other residential property at time of closing. Maximum purchase loan-to-value is 97% and maximum combined purchase loan-to-value is 103%. For loan-to-values > 95%, any secondary financing must be from an approved Community Second Program; ask for details. Homebuyer education may be required. Restrictions apply regarding co-borrowers. Maximum income and loan amount limits apply.

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Qualified borrowers must meet eligibility requirements, including, but not limited to, being owner-occupants, meeting certain qualifying income limitations, and purchasing a home within a certain geographical area. Homebuyer education will be required if all borrowers on an eligible loan are first-time homebuyers. The America’s Home Grant Program is a lender credit and not eligible to be used for down payment, escrowed taxes or homeowner’s insurance. No cash back to borrower.

America’s Home Grant Program is available for properties in the following counties: North Carolina: Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Union; South Carolina: Chester, Lancaster and York, and the maximum borrower/co-borrower annual qualifying income limit is $56,560 for properties not located in a low-to-moderate income census tract (LMICT). Qualifying income of $56,560 is 80% of Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) Area Median Income and is subject to change without notice. For properties in eligible counties and located within a LMICT, the maximum borrower/co-borrower annual qualifying income limit is $100,000. The home loan must fund with Bank of America. America’s Home Grant Program is only available with conventional, FHA and VA first mortgage loan products. Bank of America may change or discontinue the America’s Home Grant Program or any portion of it without notice. Please ask for additional details.

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Prequalification is neither preapproval nor a commitment to lend; you must submit additional information for review and approval.

Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. ©2018 Bank of America Corporation. ARSVYKRN | 01-2018 | AD-12-17-0474

PROUD TO GIVE BUSINESSES A LIFT CATS is proud to provide opportunities for businesses to create local jobs through the advancement of transit projects. CATS also seeks to create an environment that gives small and socially or economically challenged local businesses the opportunity to compete for publicly funded contracts by participating in the Small Business Opportunity (SBO) and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Programs.

To date, 11 DBE firms have been awarded contracts of over $13 million to help build the CityLYNX Gold Line Streetcar.

As the major provider of public transportation to Charlotte and the surrounding region, CATS relies on the communities we serve to build and operate the service every day. By working together on these new opportunities, we can all keep our communities moving in the right direction.

For more information, visit ridetransit.org.

CATS. YOUR RIDE IS HERE.

Here, we stay focused on what’s important.

You.

At BB&T, personalized service is one of the things we value most. We understand that to you, simply feeling heard when it comes to your finances is what matters most. That’s why we always take the time to listen and work with you so you can live your best financial life.

Member FDIC. Only deposit products are FDIC insured.

Traditional in design, innovative in implementation.

This is the Latin way.

Charlotte Latin School was founded in 1970 to create an inclusive environment where academic excellence is encouraged, leadership is cultivated, liberal arts are valued and phonics-based reading is essential. We have educated thousands of students in the importance of learning, citizenship, service to others, hard work and Honor Above All. CharlotteLatin.org | 704.846.7207

It’s not too early to think about the 2019-2020 school year!

Learn more at CharlotteLatin.org/admissions.

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ach day at Charlotte Latin School presents a new and exciting opportunity to witness the effects of diversity in action. As an example, I recently collaborated with our social studies teachers and middle school librarian on an eighth grade civil rights project. Our students explored the historical and societal factors that shaped the civil rights movement and ultimately led to the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The students also analyzed primary source documents, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and the lyrics to Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit,” and they engaged in discourse about modern-day civil rights issues including police brutality against unarmed citizens and unequal pay for women in the workplace. As you might imagine, these conversations were shaped by each student’s life experiences and personal background, which made for rich discussions and thoughtful considerations from multiple perspectives.

Our Mission

This is what diversity at Latin is all about. In fact, the school’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity is rooted in our mission statement, which is “to encourage individual development and civility in our students by inspiring them to learn, by encouraging them to serve others and by offering them many growth-promoting opportunities.” Individual development places an emphasis on what each person needs to honor his or her personal identity and values, while civility creates a pathway to affirm others. Acts of civility require empathy, respect and a commitment to courtesy, even in moments of disagreement. As persons within our school community embrace and affirm others, we recognize the value of individual differences (diversity), create spaces for exploring those differences (inclusion) and acknowledge that all human beings deserve justice despite their differences (equity).

While I have the pleasure of leading the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, all Latin community members – from the board of trustees to the students – contribute to the school’s diversity mission and help to foster a welcoming school atmosphere. The office works closely with all school departments to ensure that our commitment to diversity is reflected in the admissions practices, extracurricular offerings and academic curriculum. Our teachers are especially important in this effort, as they anchor instruction and learning experiences within the framework of multicultural education and cultural competency.

The Latin Fellows Program

I look forward to welcoming our first Latin Fellows to the school family. The Latin Fellows program is an equity-focused approach to attracting and retaining faculty from historically underrepresented groups. Fellows are recent college graduates who co-teach alongside experienced faculty members in one of the academic divisions. Over the course of the yearlong fellowship, the fellow gradually assumes a greater degree of lead teaching responsibilities under the guidance of the expert teacher. Fellows also benefit from a competitive compensation package and ongoing professional development opportunities, which include attending the Southern Associations of Independent Schools (SAIS) New Teacher Orientation and the National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference (NAIS) and participating in bimonthly teaching seminars to improve their pedagogical skills. Ultimately, we hope to cultivate an internal pool of talented educators to fill classroom teaching positions as they become available.

It is a wonderful time to be at Latin. If you are a parent seeking a challenging academic experience for your student or an aspiring educator preparing for a career in teaching, then I encourage you to consider all our school has to offer.

Sonja L. Taylor

Charlotte Latin School Director of Diversity and Inclusion

May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

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City living.

Southern charm.

That’s our kind of Modern. Southern. Style.

Exclusively at Belk

May-June 2018

Departments

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12 From the Publisher 14 Notable Names 16 The Mindful Parent 15 By Faith 17 Family Notes 18 Book Review 41 Scene and Seen 50 Events Calendar

Health 43 Can Your Cell Phone

Make You Sick?

Business 44 Innovators Who

Changed The World

46 Enhance Your

Small Business with Technology

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49 FYI News & Notes

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For these stories and more, visit us on the web! www.pridemagazineonline.com

PRIDE

May-June 2018

| MAY - JUNE 2018

Features

| THE BUSINESS ISSUE

The Business Issue

Charlotte’s African-American Magazine

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harlotte Latin C A Culture of safety and resources

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losing The Gap C Charlotte’s digital divide

Closing the Gap

Solutions for digital inclusion

Basal Coffee Not just another coffee shop

The Roll Up CLT A new art program in West Charlotte

32 Charlotte

Latin’s Fab Lab Fabulous innovation by students

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www.PRIDEmagazineonline.com

Charlotte Latin School Technology Task Force at Work

On the Cover

iring Talent H Why employers are investing from within

35 Basal

Coffee A world café

39 The

Roll up Charlotte’s new artist residency program

Donay Fullwood, teaches Middle School math at Charlotte Latin School. Photo courtesy of Charlotte Latin School.

May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

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Lifting up communities by investing in diverse-owned companies

By Regina Heyward, head of Supplier Diversity, Wells Fargo “The rising tide lifts all ships.”

As head of Supplier Diversity for Wells Fargo, I like to use that expression when talking about Supplier Diversity, or growing our relationships with certified diverse businesses.

At Wells Fargo, we have focused on growing diverse businesses by offering executive training, providing access to capital, and partnering with external organizations to broaden opportunities that will benefit diverse-owned businesses, which are so vital to our country’s economy.

My appreciation for community started from a young age. I grew up in Thomasville, Georgia — a small town in southern Georgia.

I remember how the community worked together to lift each other up. We have the same outlook at Wells Fargo. We work across the business as “One Wells Fargo” to impact our community and diverse businesses. The supply Regina Heyward, Wells Fargo head of chain management group works Supplier Diversity with each line of business to define specific diverse supplier spend goals. We define diversity as a value expectation in all deals; we hold ourselves accountable for delivering supplier diversity impact at the highest level of the organization. And most importantly, we benchmark our performance against best in class corporations and we set aggressive goals for diverse supplier inclusion. Since I started my role as head of the Wells Fargo Supplier Diversity in 2014, we’ve grown our diverse supplier spend by over $446 million. Additionally, we’ve set a goal of spending 15% of our procurement dollars with certified diverse suppliers by 2020; but we know there is still a lot of work ahead.

To help us reach that goal, we’re focused on two strategic areas: growing spend with certified diverse suppliers and working with business development organizations and the community to help build a strong network of diverse suppliers.

It’s important to provide diverse businesses access to information, mentors, and advocates within corporate America, as well as entrepreneurial mindset development.

We do that by investing in individuals and broader communities of business.

One example of that work is Pacific Protection Service, Inc., which provides security services. We saw their potential and wanted to invest in their future. To help the company scale and grow, we paid for their President and CEO, Melvin Staples, to attend the weeklong Minority Business Executive Program at the University of Washington Foster School of Business.

In addition to investing in Melvin’s executive education, we engaged a business consultant, The Daniele Group, to work directly with the Pacific Protection team in a oneon-one process improvement engagement that lasted 12 months. It is unique for an organization to directly invest in helping a diverse business improve its operations, but that’s what I know Wells Fargo to be; unique company that is serious about diverse businesses succeeding.

Staples said, “The program gave me new tools when making financial, strategy, and leadership decisions and allowed me the opportunity to meet and confer with other minority business owners.”

Another example: Working with local Minority Supplier Development Councils, Wells Fargo has also funded a “CEO Academy” in five states — California, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, and Texas. A yearlong program, the CEO Academy provides development, training, and mentorship for diverse suppliers demonstrating potential for growth and continued success. The first class of the CEO Academy graduated 90 small business owners this summer who can take what they’ve learned and focus on their next stage of growth.

I also spend a lot of time working with Chambers of Commerce and nonprofit boards because there are so many opportunities that need to be tackled over the next few years in order to make sure that these small businesses can be sustainable. Together with these organizations, we can work on issues facing small businesses such as access to capital.

I’m optimistic about our future — the company’s future, but also the broader community of small and diverse businesses.

This is a journey — one we’re on together.

wellsfargo.com © 2018 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. IHA-5637001

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Charlotte’s African-American Magazine

CEO/Publisher Dee Dixon

Editor-in-Chief

Lashawnda Becoats

Copy Editor Polly Paddock

Lead Writer Angela Lindsay

Design & Production SPARK Publications www.SPARKpublications.com

Creative Director Larry Preslar

Junior Art Director Genna Hardgrove

Distribution Watch Dog Entertainment®

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Account Executive Nikelle Fesperman

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$13.25. Please subscribe online at www.pridemagazineonline.com, mail to P.O. Box 30113, Charlotte, NC 28230 or call 704- 375-9553

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Pride Magazine prints with soy ink.

Vol. 26 No. 3 May - June 2018 All rights reserved for PRIDE Communications Inc. Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/NCPrideMagazine

May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

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FromTheCEO

By Dee Dixon

Remember, Life is a Journey

H

i, folks. I’m writing this column as we prepare for the May/June business issue. I’m conflicted because part of me wants to write something heavy-duty about entrepreneurship and small business issues; however, I’m also about to leave for a “workcation” in Curacao, – a Dutch island in the Caribbean, which takes my mind in a completely different direction.

Keep reading to see what I decided.

So, I have been blessed to travel a good bit, and since I’m in the midst of packing for this Caribbean trip, I’m compelled to share just a few travel tips with you.

Please know that I am certainly not an expert and always learn something new with each excursion.

Look at my new, yellow suitcase with eight wheels.

Isn’t it gorgeous? Just 79 bucks at Marshall’s.

TIP #1: YOU CAN TRAVEL, TOO! Make up your mind. Pick a place. Don’t let fear stop you, let it propel you. Something can happen to you at home or anywhere.

Step outside your comfort zone. Travel alone, if need be.

TIP #2: YOU CAN AFFORD TO TRAVEL! If it is important to you, make the sacrifice. Stop wasting money on everyday things you don’t need. I know someone who spent $10 -$12 per day on eating lunch out. This adds up to a whopping $200 or more per month on lunch!! No way! Now she is making her lunch at home and saving for that family trip. NOTE: Traveling in luxury is not required. All of my trips are budget trips. Save $1 a day for spending money. I did this when I decided to take my first international trip to Ghana. I would physically stash a dollar away each day, and dream about my trip. Open a travel savings account or earmark that tax return for your dream trip.

TIP #3: GET RID OF THAT TIRED, OLD HEAVY LUGGAGE! Invest in the new. Luggage has evolved and is much lighter and easier to manage.

There’s something out there now called the Smart Bag and the Modobag that you can actually ride! Of course, I don’t have (or want) these, but take a look at my

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These mesh bags are super cool, and help you organize to the highest degree.

new, yellow suitcase with eight wheels I’m taking to Curacao. Isn’t it gorgeous? Just 79 bucks at Marshall’s.

TIP #4: GET SOME PACKING CUBES! These mesh bags are super cool, and help you organize to the highest degree. You just put what you want in each one and drop them into your suitcase. As you can see, I have my shoes in one cube and all of my shorts and shirts in the other. This is so fantastic, because now I don’t have to unpack or repack everything if I need to make a few last-minute changes.

TIP #5: TIE A SPECIAL COLORED RIBBON or scarf on the handle of your checked bag. It will make it easier for you to identify.

seasonings, makeup, medicines and various other must-haves days in advance. (Yes, I do carry my own hot sauce.) Of course, it’s not wise to take large bottles or jars of anything, but rather use the small travel bottles and round containers. Label them so you know what’s inside.

By the time you read this article, I should be back from Curacao, God willing.

I plan to share this experience with you in the July multicultural magazine, so stay tuned.

This issue is chock full of good reads. Special thanks to Charlotte Latin for sponsoring and for its support of Pride Magazine!

Remember, life is a journey. Keep your bags packed.

TIP #6: DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE TO DO ALL OF YOUR PACKING! Doing this makes me utterly exhausted. I start sorting the small things, such as my vitamins, toiletries, special

Dee

ADVERTISEMENT

Meet the Owner of City Art Room, LLC:

Kim Daise, MBA

K

im Daise, MBA, 29, is the founder, owner, and operator of City Art Room, LLC located in Charlotte, NC. This visual art service company opened in 2016 and offers unique social art events and professional custom artwork services for individuals, organizations, and corporations. n Learn more about Kim Daise and her successful art enterprise as she discusses her journey in Entrepreneurship.

Q What is your educational and work background?

A Masters of Business Administration, East Carolina University and Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Clemson University. Plus, seven years of professional banking experience.

Q What motivated you to start City Art Room, LLC? A Drawing and painting subjects accurately and creatively has

always come easy to me. The part I have always enjoyed most about creating art is the positive connection, energy, thought provocation and inspiration shared with people during the process or as a result thereof. City Art Room is the merge of my artistic gift, education, and passion - it is one my platforms to share positivity with people and to serve.

Portrait Painting by Kim. 30”x40” acrylic painting of Cam Newton

Q What type of services are offered?

Portrait Painting by Kim. 30”x40” acrylic painting of Steph Curry

A City Art Room conducts Social Art Events such as various types

of sip and paint sessions and corporate team building exercises in studio and at other venues. Using various art mediums, we customize the art experience to meet the needs of the clients.

A wide variety of custom artwork services such as canvas painting, wall murals, small item painting, and corporate art are offered at City Art Room.

Q How many people are on the team?

A We maintain five to seven artists who are skilled and trained in

visual arts. They facilitate events and work with clients on projects.

Q What is your art specialty?

A Personally, I enjoy portrait painting - I like painting faces because of

Q What do you attribute the success of your company to?

A An effective marketing strategy, research, and great customer

service. The company’s success has snowballed from this foundation.

Q What advice would you give to a minority interested in becoming a professional visual artist, or starting any new enterprise, for that matter?

A Start somewhere. Don’t wait to be able to start big and don’t

wait on someone to give you an opportunity. Create your own opportunities using whatever you already have access to and grow every step of the way.

the challenge. Depicting the many emotions and depths of human faces through the optical illusions created by paint is fascinating to me.

Q What is next for City Art Room?

Q What do you enjoy most about your role at City Art Room?

plan to expand into new markets within the next couple of years.

A Talking with customers. Thousands of people visit City Art Room

from all over the world. Sitting off Interstate 85, between uptown and Charlotte-Douglas airport, we get a lot of locals and people from as far as Germany and Panama. It is a joy to sit and connect with people over art from so many different regions and cultures. It is a fulfilling experience.

A We plan to continue growing our flagship store in Charlotte, and

n To learn more about City Art Room, visit www.cityartroom.com 2828 Queen City Drive, Suite B Charlotte, NC 28208 980-500-9149 Find on Facebook and Instagram: @cityartroom May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

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NotableNames

By Jimese S. Orange

DAVID SPELLMON

David Spellmon works for Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools in the student discipline and behavior department. This department works with students within the school district that may have gotten off track.

Spellmon has gained a reputation for going above and beyond by making sure scholars have completed their community service path, by following up with the students to ensure that they are still on the right path. Spellmon has taken groups of students to see the Charlotte Knights play, as well as taken young people to serve lunch at a local men’s shelter.

Spellmon also facilitated a rally at Ashley Park Academy at the beginning of the school year. He has worked to help organize a Teen Day over the summer. P

XENOBIA BAILEY

Acclaimed visual artist and craftswoman Xenobia Bailey brought her ongoing cultural art project, “Paradise Under Reconstruction in the Aesthetic of Funk,” to Charlotte as a resident artist at the McColl Center. Bailey is best known for knitting and crocheting materials into whimsical hats, costumes, quilts, large scale mandalas and tapestries, with colorful repeating patterns and circles. “We can create currency from anything we apply our creativity to,” says Bailey.

Her work is in the permanent collections at Harlem’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the Allentown Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Los Angeles and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. Her hats have been featured in United Colors of Benetton ads, on “The Cosby Show,” and in the Spike Lee film “Do the Right Thing.” P

W. LEE JONES JR.

W. Lee Jones Jr. was named the new Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation director, after a nationwide search following the retirement of Jim Garges. Jones, a licensed architect and member of the American Institute of Architects, served as the division director for Park and Recreation’s capital planning and alliance development services. He was responsible for coordinating the planning, design and construction of the department’s facilities and with overseeing the development of many partnerships. Lee has played an instrumental role in the development of several notable park projects, including First Ward Park, Romare Bearden Park and the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews.

“I am honored to be selected as the next Park and Recreation director for Mecklenburg County. I hope to continue the vision, successes and achievements of this great department, while maintaining the positive motivation and morale of the Park and Recreation team,” says Jones.

Prior to joining Mecklenburg County government in 2004, Jones worked for private architectural firms, and later served as facilities planner for Arlington County, Va and deputy director for Prince Georges County, MD’s Department of Environmental Resources. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in architectural studies from Wesleyan University and a master of architecture degree from the University of Virginia. P

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Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

DR. CLAUDE “T.” MOORMAN

Atrium Health named Claude “T.” Moorman, III, MD, as the new president of Atrium Health’s Musculoskeletal Institute. The Musculoskeletal Institute consists of nationally recognized providers who perform advanced procedures in orthopedics, spine and sports medicine. Throughout his career, Moorman has combined his passion for sports with his medical expertise. After more than two decades as physician for more than a dozen teams, Moorman has considerable experience providing medical care to NFL, collegiate and high school athletic teams. He founded the sports medicine program at the University of Maryland, served as the director of sports medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center and was a team doctor for the Baltimore Ravens.

“It is a tremendous honor to succeed Dr. Ed Hanley, who has built an excellent platform for the department of orthopedics’ success over the past 28 years,” Moorman says. “I look forward to the opportunity to expand on his work with my new teammates from the many disciplines within Atrium Health, and the esteemed programs and colleagues in and around the Charlotte region, to build a world-class program for all our patients.” P

ByFaith

By Rev. Dr. Dwayne Bond

Crushing Pride by Remembering God challenge, he is saying, “Dad, what you are asking me to remember is not important to me, even though it’s important to you!”

Forgetfulness also can lead to disobedience because it “excuses” one’s ability to obey what has been instructed. Moses was telling this “new generation” not to become deceived into thinking that their own hands had anything to do with them receiving all the benefits of the Promised Land. In other words, “Don’t ever think that it’s by your power or might that you receive anything.”

Moses says, “Everything you have is a gift of grace from God.”

A gift of grace “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.”(Deuteronomy 8:17-19)

maybe once every other month, it is not a big deal. Or, if you forget to put the toilet seat down every now and then, it isn’t going to be anything to stress over (depending on who you’re married too).

The bottom line? There are some things that are critical to remember and there are some things that are not so critical, as long as it doesn’t become consistent and habitual.

W

In Deuteronomy, Moses, Israel’s 120-yearold leader, is preparing a new generation destined for the Promised Land after surviving 40 years in the wilderness. Being proactive, Moses encourages them to obey, not following the horrific examples of their predecessors. Throughout his discourse, he tells the people over and over “beware lest you forget.” Why would he say this? And, what does this have to do with “crushing pride” in my life?

Moses understands that forgetfulness tends to lead to arrogance, disobedience and self-sufficiency. Think about it. When we forget over and over to do something, we are communicating to ourselves and others that we don’t need to remember, no matter how important it is or anyone thinks it is.

For example, what happens when you ask your son to clean up his room every day, and he doesn’t? He casually tells you that he keeps forgetting. What is he communicating to you?

Unless he has a mental or developmental

hat was the last thing your husband, wife or someone else asked you to do? Can you remember? I’ll give you a moment to think … do you need more time?

Let’s all face it. We all forget things, don’t we? Forgetting things is really, innocently, a part of life. However, some forgetfulness comes with a high price.

Case in point: If you arrived at work every day saying, “I forgot what time I was supposed to show up,” your boss probably would escort you to the door.” If you forgot to bring the wedding ring to the altar during your marriage ceremony, you’re probably still haunted by your forgetfulness. What if you continue telling your husband or wife that you keep forgetting to brush your teeth every morning, but still want one of those passionate kisses you like? Now, that’s nasty forgetfulness!

But, if you forget to take out the trash

Don’t be deceived

It is so easy for us to think we have had something to do with our progress, success and/or wealth. Everything we have is a gift of grace from God! Yet, pride convinces us to believe, “I did it — that’s why I’m enjoying it.”

It also says, “I go to work every day and make it happen; God didn’t have anything to do with what I accomplished.”

But here’s the leveler: What if God decided to allow your heart to stop beating? Or what if God allowed a blood clot to become lodged in your main artery?

Everything we have, we are and ever will attain to be is because of God, whether we accept that or not.

Listen to me: Remember God! Remember God! Remember God! Don’t forget that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17) It is God who deserves all the glory, not us.

As you seek to crush pride in your life, pray, “Jesus, please keep reminding me that I need you! It’s you who has made me everything I am and provided everything I have. It is you who has given me wealth, success, good friends, a family, a place to live, influence, good health, food to eat, soundness of mind, people who love me, children and life itself.”

God has been good. Let’s honor and remember Him. P The Rev. Dwayne Bond is the lead pastor of Wellspring Church.

May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

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TheMindfulParent

By Shavonda Bean

Finding Truth Behind Lies:

Guiding Children Toward Problem-Solving

R

aising children to be good, respectable, upstanding people means teaching the importance of honesty, trustworthiness, dependability and reliability. I can vividly remember when lying to my parents was one of the seven deadly sins! It was not tolerated. Dishonesty can be normal in the developing child, but at times, it requires direction and parental intervention.

Although children often lie to avoid consequences or responsibility, they lie for many reasons, and how the behavior is managed can reduce cyclical behavior and ongoing consequences.

The impulsive lie

Children, especially those who have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, are often impulsive and act without thinking through the answer or considering consequences. This is also the case for responding in situations when confronted about behavior or assignments. Try to avoid setting your child up for failure. Consider approaching the matter in a way that requires thinking through the responses and addressing the issue. It’s more productive to ask, “What’s your plan for getting that project completed on time?” versus asking if the project is done. Also, offer some time to think it through. Prompt by suggesting your child take a few minutes to review his or her folder or agenda to determine what assignments are due, versus asking “Did you do your homework?” Teach the importance of slowing down to think – it develops self-control and is a lesson that can last a lifetime.

Lying to please

Some children lie because they are more concerned about their parents’ reaction or potentially disappointing them. Children generally prefer to please their parents and make them proud, versus letting them down, and might exaggerate to please or impress others, as well. If your child’s nature aims to please, check yourself. Pay attention to all verbal and nonverbal signals

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you might express as you manage your own frustrations about the lie. Your voice, facial expressions or emotions can cause your child to shut down and answer in a way that will reduce the threat in that moment.

Avoid calling your child a liar. This type of labeling can be damaging and potentially lead to more lying. Stay as calm as you can, and try responding to dishonesty in a way that encourages conversation and a discussion about the reasons your child avoided being honest with you. Place the emphasis on openness and building a trusting relationship.

Teaching opportunities

Some kids lie because they do not see a way through a situation. Try avoiding questions that back your child into a wall.

I often recommend parents avoid asking “Why?” – this almost always leads to a dead end or blank stare. Most children, depending on their age, can’t even answer the “why?” behind their behavior, because they have not developed this level of cognitive reasoning.

Instead, acknowledge the dishonest behavior and use it as a moment to teach. You might

even say, “It seems that you were not honest because you didn’t know what else to do. I can help you with that.” You might even ask the child to talk about how he or she would have handled the situation differently. Guide your child through problems-solving and help him or her think of alternative ways of managing the issue at hand.

Serious risk

Provide clear, consistent and appropriate consequences for more severe lying.

Children need to understand natural consequences to lies as well, and sometimes it’s best not to shield your child from these effects. When lying persists and involves risky choices or defiance, it could also help to seek professional support and guidance.

Like most issues, the sooner they are addressed, the better chance you have at positive outcomes and avoiding more serious behavior problems. P Shavonda Bean is a licensed psychological associate and owner of Essential Assessments & Behavioral Health. Visit Essentialhealthnc.com for more information.

FamilyNotes Compiled by Angela Haigler

Don’t Forget About Charlotte NEXT, After School/Summer Program Locator Soon school-aged children in the area will be out of school and ready for productive activities. MeckEd wants you to know about Charlotte’s NEXT Locator, designed to help parents and guardians match their children’s needs and interests with the right Out of School Time (OST) program. NEXT Locator currently has close to 200 programs and more than 3,000 users. MeckEd is a nonprofit focused on ensuring that all young people in Mecklenburg County have access to the skills and experiences they will need to lead productive, successful lives. For more information visit www.mecked.org

Book Celebrates Hairstyles, Mothers and Daughters Little girls will love coloring in “Mommy Do My Hair” by Yesenia Hernandez, who lives in North Carolina. They will also love reading the book in traditional hardback or soft cover format. No matter the choice, the beautifully illustrated book will artfully explore how girls and mothers bond when moms do their daughters’ hair. Available at Amazon.com

Huntersville Family Selected as Face of National Shoe Chain The Pearsall family of Huntersville will represent Rack Room Shoes this spring in the company’s Real People campaign. Tia Pearsall, her husband, Michael, and their eight-year-old daughter, Nia, were treated to a trip of a lifetime, including a limousine driver, a hotel in the city and five-star treatment at a photo shoot, where they modeled the retailer’s new spring line.

Their images will be featured on the retailer’s website, social media channels and digital advertisements during the spring season. Additionally, their photographs will be on display in all 480 Rack Room Shoes stores nationwide, including the Huntersville store, located in the Northcross Shopping Center.

Charlotte Zipcar Expands Car Sharing Option for Families As car sharing options increase in Charlotte, Zipcar has expanded its partnership with the city to include services in uptown and South End. The city’s Car Share Parking Pilot program enables six Zipcars to be parked in select on-street spaces. The Zipcar Charlotte fleet features a variety of makes and models, including a Toyota Prius named “Queen Charlotte” and a Ford Escape called “Excellence.” Each reservation includes gas, insurance and 180 miles of driving per day, making it a great option for those looking for ways to save money on the high cost of car ownership. There’s also an option for business owners. For more information visit www.zipcar.com/Charlotte

Bring the Family to Drum Circle Saturdays at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Drums 4 Life will share the energy of an African drum circle at two locations of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in May. The circle is a symbol of wholeness and integration, with the center of a circle understood to symbolize Spirit – the Source.

No experience needed to participate. It’s a spontaneous creation of music with a serious beat! Brought to you by the Arts and Science Council and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

Hickory Grove Library: 2 p.m. on May 5 and June 30, 5935 Hickory Grove Rd, 28215 West Boulevard Library: 2 p.m. on May 12 and June 9, 2157 West Boulevard, 28208.

Charlotte Named Sixth Best City for African Americans Economically When it comes to great places for African Americans to succeed economically, Charlotte made Forbes’ list as number six. The Queen City was behind Raleigh, Baltimore and Austin, with Washington, D.C. and Atlanta tying for number one. Charlotte’s median income is $42,000.

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BookReview

By Angela Haigler

Business or Pleasure?

Great Reads for Everyone Children’s Book:

Climb: Taking Every Step with Conviction, Courage and Calculated Risk to Achieve a Thriving Career and a Successful Life

by Michelle Gadsden-Williams It’s not always easy, rising up the ranks in corporate America.

When being a person of color and a woman is added to the mix, there are often nuances that make it even more difficult.

Michelle Gadsen-Williams found the formula for success, locating her niche and keeping mentors by her side at every step. She shares this formula in “Climb,” hoping to help others learn from her mistakes and accomplishments.

Political Risk: How Businesses and Organizations Can Anticipate Global Insecurity

by Condoleezza Rice and Amy B. Zegart Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has penned a book that that highlights a company’s need for political awareness. In today’s society, the political environment isn’t as contained as it once was, and there are so many more outlets, including social media, in which the wrong move politically can impact the bottom line. Citing case studies and providing a framework for study, Rice and Zegart have created a book that all business owners should read in order to be prepared for political ups and downs.

When the Spirits Dance Mambo: Growing up Nuyorican in El Barrio

by Marta Moreno-Vega Marta Moreno-Vega’s classic memoir is back with a new introduction. One part music party, one part history lesson, in this book Moreno-Vega shares with us in moving, lyrical detail her experiences growing up in Spanish Harlem. There she was influenced by the spiritual center of the family, her grandmother, Abuela Luisa, and her spirited older brother, Chachito. Those influences made a positive impact on her life and helped shape her into the scholaractivist she became.

100 Plays for the first 100 Days

by Suzan-Lori Parks Wouldn’t it have been interesting if someone had written a play each day for the first 100 days that President Donald Trump was in office? Oh, wait, someone did: Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks. Parks also wrote a play each day for 365 days in 2002 as an exercise in playwriting.

Parks has been called one of the most prolific and profound playwrights of our era. In “100 Days,” she shows us one of the many reasons why.

Angela Haigler explores the literary world at www.angelicmusings.wordpress.com and on Twitter @angelicmusings

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Islandborn

by Junot Diaz, illustrated by Leo Espinoza Pulitzer Prize-winning author Junot Diaz brings to us in charming prose and gorgeous pictures the story of how a little girl develops a connection to the Island where her parents were born, but she has never seen. Diaz probes the issues of immigration, memories and community in a way that is sure to delight both children and adults.

May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

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Charlotte Works

Food Lion

Shemia Williams

Raechelle Petteway

Talent Solution Specialists As the Job Coordination Unit Director, Shemia coordinates activities of Talent Solution Specialists from partner agencies and develops strategic partnerships with employers and economic development.

Regional Community Relations Specialist Raechelle is responsible for developing and executing integrated community relations programs in support of Food Lion’s philanthropic platform, Food Lion Feeds.

Demetrius Walker

Director of Execution and Implementation – Central Division Demetrius plays a key leadership and

analytical role, primarily focused on identifying and addressing profit and loss opportunities, delivering organizational priorities, and the deployment of his team of twenty-six specialists.

Angela Beverly-Kibler, PHR, SHRM-CP

Director of Associate Relations Angela’s primary role is to promote positive working relationships and to drive associate engagement within Food Lion’s business area by providing functional, technical and process leadership.

Harvey Kee

Category Pricing Analyst II Harvey manages a subsection of the Salty Snacks category, from pricing to merchandising.

BB&T Tricia Haley

SVP & Chief Diversity Officer Haley serves as the vice-chair for the Executive Diversity & Inclusion Council and has oversight of all enterprise-wide diversity and inclusion programs, and develops and implements well-defined diversity goals for all business units.

John Stokes

Vice President, Community Development Specialist John is the Community Development Specialist for North Carolina and Myrtle Beach MMS. He serves as a liaison between the community and the bank to facilitate community development loans, services, and investment opportunities.

Fifth Third Bank Dante Wilkerson

Beasley Media Group Ya Girl Nikki

Power 98 On-Air Personality – 7pm -12am She’s launched the Level Up & Learn Campaign to promote youth literacy and initiated the #WarmCharlotte campaign to collect blankets and clothing for the homeless.

Janine Davis

On-Air Personality and Traffic Reporter for V 101.9 & Power 98 She’s the founder of Girl Talk, Inc. which mentors teens & hosts an annual event, Prom Project, which collects prom dresses, encourages safe prom-practices & teaches etiquette.

Miss Jessica the Girl Next Door Power 98 On-Air Personality – Co Host of No Limit Larry & the Morning Maddhouse – 6am – 10am She’s launched the Power Performers

initiative to recognize honor roll students, hosts an annual Teen Summit, as well as “The Big Cut” to provide free haircuts before the first day of school.

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Financial Center Manager Dante is responsible for leading financial staff members, managing the day to day financial activities and ensuring the growth and development of the center.

Jeremy Allen

Mortgage Loan Officer Jeremy is responsible for evaluating, authorizing, and recommending approval of mortgage loans. He partners with realtors, builders, and down payment assistance organizations throughout Metro Charlotte.

Mingle School of Real Estate/Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association Karyn Lindsey

Vice President of Education and Director of Mingle School of Real Estate Karyn directs the operation of a highly successful real estate school, leads education and diversity programs for Realtors®, and spearheads innovative community partnerships and scholarships.

SDL ENTERPRISES, Inc.

McDonald’s Restaurant of Boyer Street Eugene Reed

General Manager Eugene Reed is the General Manager of the McDonald’s Restaurant on Boyer Street. As GM of a multi-million-dollar restaurant, he is responsible for sales building, inventory control, asset management, and hiring and training of employees.

Neighboring Concepts PLLC Honorine Umukesha

Administrative Support Honorine supports all project managers in whatever way necessary to facilitate project completion.

Grant Thornton LLP Niles K. Brown

Managing Director, Risk Advisory Services Niles assists financial institutions with consumer regulatory compliance engagements, advisory consulting, and anti-money laundering projects.

Duke Energy

Peggy Davis Harris, RN, MHA, FACHE

Director, Diversity & Inclusion A clinician and diversity practitioner, Peggy manages the workforce and community engagement strategy of the organization’s diversity agenda.

Fernando Little, MS

Assistant Vice President Human Resources A native Charlottean, Fernando leads the workforce relations function at CHS NorthEast and CHS University. He has served as a diversity champion in his professional and civic affiliations.

Victor Armstrong, MSW

Vice President - Behavioral Health As facility executive, Victor has

responsibility for operational and strategic oversight of inpatient beds, the psychiatric emergency department, and 10 provider-based, outpatient behavioral health programs on the Behavioral Health - Charlotte campus.

Compass Group Meredith Amyot

Regional Human Resource Manager Meredith Amyot is a Regional HR Manager for Compass Group. She chaired Compass Group’s Community Outreach Committee and is advocate for Diversity and Inclusion efforts within Company.

RuDon Showers

General Manager – Construction and Maintenance, Central Zone RuDon Showers is responsible for safe and efficient execution of construction and maintenance activities to support reliable operation of the electrical distribution system in the greater Charlotte area.

Yovanka Daniel

Director of Small and Medium Business Solutions Focusing on Carolina small and medium businesses, Yovanka is driving new operational approaches, technologies, and services to push customer experiences to the next level.

Atrium Health Arlene Cash, MA

Manager, Diversity & Inclusion Education Arlene leads the planning and development of Diversity & Inclusion centered education and consulting opportunities for teammates throughout the organization.

Anthony Atiase

Project Manager Anthony identifies opportunities for improvement to enhance productivity or drive revenue growth. He is also responsible for implementing specific projects ensuring consistency with purchasing strategies and goals.

Johnson C. Smith University David Julian

Director of Development David Julian is responsible for creating strategies of implementation and execution for the University’s philanthropic programs including major giving, foundation relations, annual giving, donor cultivation, development and stewardship.

May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

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Community Link Harold Rice, Jr. BSW, MBA Chief Program Officer

Harold plays a vital role in spearheading Community Link’s Homeless to Housing and Asset Building programs for low-income households throughout the Carolinas.

Charlotte Country Day School Ken McNish

11th Grade Dean, IB Biology Instructor, Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach Through combining Ken’s passions and expertise in science, the human body, and exercise physiology, he makes science fun and relatable for his students and athletes.

Tameka Woodard

Middle School Director of Studies, Middle School Diversity Team Co-Chair Tameka’s love for learning and collaboration allows her to develop sound, innovative curriculum. Through affinity and DEI activities, she leads efforts to help us grow in cultural understanding.

Belk Hopelyn Brown

Enterprise Sample Manager Hopelyn manages the workflow of samples used for photography to advertise in-store and online product. She also chairs Belk’s Black Employee Resource Group.

Richard Davis

GVP of Planning Men’s, Home, & Kid’s Richard is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction with the goal of meeting/exceeding sales, margin and turn targets.

Extended Stay America Brittni Pickering

Senior Corporate Counsel Advises and provides strategic support on matters involving contract drafting, negotiations, employment, litigation and risk management to ensure compliance, develop solutions and protect company assets.

Wells Fargo Sharon Murphy

Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer (CIO) As CIO of Team Member Technologies, Sharon’s team delivers IT Solutions for team members including Team Member Productivity, Human Resources and Corporate Properties IT.

Bevelyn A. Coleman

Executive Vice President, Deputy General Counsel A member of Wells Fargo’s senior-level Management Committee, Bevelyn is responsible for the leadership and management of the Banking, Operations, Commerce & Global Risk Division, within Wells Fargo Law Department.

Sharon Hoskin Matthews

Executive Vice President, Head of Employee Relations Sharon is responsible for strategic oversight and effective delivery of global workplace issue resolution, employee assistance, and accommodations management consulting; reduction-in-force programs; and HR policy governance.

Theresa Wilson

Executive Vice President, Technology Chief Operating Officer As TCOO, Theresa has oversight responsibility for enterprise technology strategy, process, and operational enablement for Wells Fargo’s Enterprise Information Technology group.

Bank of America Ray Davis

Financial Center Lending Officer Ray Davis has been in the mortgage lending industry for 13 years. Ray believes financial literacy is key and enjoys helping his clients make informed decisions. https://mortgage. bankofamerica.com/raydavis

Wendell Hill

Financial Center Lending Officer Wendell Hill has been in the mortgage lending industry for over 30 years. He enjoys giving back to his community and providing step-by-step guidance to his clients. https://mortgage.bankofamerica. com/wendellhill

Theresa Fair

Financial Center Manager Theresa Fair, in banking for 9 years, takes pride in helping the community visiting the Beatties Ford financial center make their financial lives better.

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CPCC is one of the nation’s best community colleges, offering close to 300 degree, diploma and certification programs.

We make high-quality higher education convenient and affordable: • Nine locations across Mecklenburg County • Three start dates each semester • Online, night and weekend classes • Financial aid and scholarships available • Job placement help

Tour one of our beautiful campuses or attend an info session today! cpcc.edu/go CPCC 20831

THIS CAN BE YOU!

Come visit us!

Careers.microsoft.com

Anything but business as usual.

The future of technology lives in your neighborhood. And we are there to support programs and organizations that provide access to technology so people everywhere can reach their full potential.

At Microsoft, we believe that together, we can make communities stronger. One person at a time.

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A CULTURE OF

Safety & Resources Charlotte Latin School Family Technology Task Force Photos courtesy of Charlotte Latin School

How was Charlotte Latin School’s Family Technology Task Force established?

Charlotte Latin School: As technology steadily becomes more and more central to the lives of Charlotte Latin students in the classroom and at home, parents and faculty recognized the challenge in maintaining a healthy balance of technology usage in the home and within the family. In response to these concerns, CLS Headmaster Arch N. McIntosh, Jr., in partnership with the CLS Parents’ Council, created a 17-person Family Technology Task Force (FTTF) in April 2016.

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curriculum promoting digital citizenship and media literacy in grades three-12.

Balancing media consumption, childhood development and differential learning styles, a plan was formulated to teach digital citizenship and balanced tech use in the classroom – with the health and developmental appropriateness for the child at the forefront of every detail.

What part did the FTTF play?

Charlotte Latin School: Throughout the 2016-17 school year, the CLS Family Technology Task Force facilitated and analyzed the parent survey, hosted multiple parent education events and created a set of parent resources to address current and ongoing challenges the Latin community faces relevant to technology.

What were the first steps that FTTF took?

Charlotte Latin School: To address the challenges Charlotte Latin parents were facing, this group was tasked with developing a consistently updated set of resources on the school’s website regarding technology use at home. The FTTF, led by two faculty members and a parent, began this work in May 2016. A brief parent survey was formulated and issued to all Latin parents that June. In the interim, plans were in motion to host Dr. Catherine SteinerAdair that September, as a parent education kickoff to the school year. Dr. Steiner-Adair, author of “The Big Disconnect,” is a clinical psychologist, consultant and leading expert specializing in child development, education, parenting and workplace/family balance. Her visit served as a catalyst and target for the survey work of the task force.

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How is Charlotte Latin working to ensure that its students use technology effectively and responsibly?

Charlotte Latin School: In 2014, Latin implemented the 1:1 iPad program, because it recognized the many educational benefits of technology. The program’s rollout was intentionally staggered beginning with a pilot year in grade seven. Latin’s Educational Technology Department functions in part to assist the school in determining the best and safest uses for such technology in the classroom. Among the findings from these initial years of iPad use are the concern with setting limits at home and how best the school and family may work together to safely regulate this powerful tool.

In conjunction with technology initiatives, Charlotte Latin School leaders responded to the concerns of parents, faculty and staff, and developed a

With the help of the CLS Parents’ Council and Headmaster McIntosh, the FTTF endorsed the hosting of the following speaker engagements and parent education opportunities: • Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair, September 2016 • Scotty Sells, tech consultant, November 2016 • “Screenagers” viewing and subsequent discussion sessions for parents and students, April 2017 In terms of satisfying the overall charge of the FTTF, a set of parent resources was developed, which can be found on the school’s website. Among its offerings: • A list of suggestions for how parents can manage the most important issues stemming from their children’s technology use.

• Sample parent-child contracts such as those seen in “Screenagers” are available in this location.

• Links to articles and research for parents seeking a deeper dive into select topics.

Like technology, this resource location will evolve as research increases and challenges are identified within the Latin community.

The ultimate goal is for this to become a regular source for parents for further education, understanding and empowerment around the ever-changing world of technology.

What can parents expect from the FTTF in the future?

Charlotte Latin School: The FTTF has met its initial charge.

A smaller committee, Family Technology Committee (FTC), has been developed to continue the work of the task force. The FTC is composed of two parent representatives from each division and a parent leader, who will sit on the CLS Parents’ Council. The charges for this committee are to: • Strengthen the parent-school partnership specifically, with regard to technology use on personal devices and in the home; • Partner with Parents’ Council, faculty/staff and the communications office to support events and endorse applicable website/Parent Ed resources; • Stay abreast of current challenges within the Latin and greater Charlotte communities; and • Further support Latin’s core values and the school’s philosophy of well-balanced technology use. P

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 

    

 

Latin’s Core Values • Honor Above All • Commitment to Excellence • Leadership • Personal Responsibility

• Moral Courage • Respect for Oneself and Others

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Register Now! June 11–July 27, 2018

Charlotte Latin Summer Day Camps offer an amazing range of fun and educational activities for campers age 5-15. In addition, Camp Victor is a weekly, themed day camp with morning, afternoon and full day options. Charlotte Latin Day Camps make your summer easy and your camper’s summer the best ever – featuring lunch options, before and after care and transportation.

Spend the summer with us!

Featuring Camp Victor CharlotteLatinSummer.com 704.846.7277

Closing the Gap in Charlotte’s Digital Divide

By Angela Lindsay

M

any people rely daily on cell phones, laptops, activity trackers and smart watches. However, not everyone has access to the technology that has become increasingly necessary to keep up with and compete in our rapidly advancing society.

According to DigitalCharlotte.org, more than 14 percent of households in Mecklenburg County (almost 56,000 households) have no internet access at all. About seven percent (or 26,000 households) in the county have only mobile internet or dial-up service. Such disparities create what is known as a digital divide.

Defined by Techtarget.com as a gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology and those that don’t, or those that have restricted access, a digital divide often reflects economic and social inequalities, which recent research has shown that Charlotte, in particular, suffers from generationally. However, there are agents at work trying to combat that reality in the Queen City.

“When we intentionally or unintentionally widen that gap or don’t do anything to close it, it has a massive impact on our community’s ability to be resilient and vibrant and healthy and happy and equitable in so many ways,”

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Bruce Clark

says Bruce Clark, executive director at Digital Charlotte.

Launched in 2011, Digital Charlotte was developed as a component of the Queens University of Charlotte’s Knight School of Communication master plan to strengthen digital and media literacy in Charlotte.

Digital Charlotte’s mission is to empower organizations to deliver digital inclusion resources to their communities, and is based on the premise that digital literacy skills are instrumental to creating educational and economic opportunities for all.

In addition, the Charlotte Digital Inclusion Alliance (CDIA), of which Clark is also project manager, is a collaboration of 13 organizations committed to reducing the digital divide in Mecklenburg County from 19 percent to nine percent by 2026, by developing a digital inclusion playbook of focus areas: access, technology, digital literacy, standards and policy, advocacy and opportunity.

“I believe creating a pathway for somebody to be included in the digital world we live in today is necessary to the type of rebuilding we need to do, that creates access to information to creation of content to the telling of one’s own story to changing the narrative,” Clark says.

A 2016 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center reflects a correlation

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between income and internet users, with 75 percent of adults making under $30,000 reporting that they use the internet, while those making $75,000 or more used the internet at nearly 100 percent. Home broadband usage (loosely defined as internet access that is always on and faster than the traditional dial-up method) showed an even bigger disparity, with usage by those making $75,000 remaining around 100 percent and those making under $30,000 plummeting to just over 50 percent. Age, education level, race and age also proved to be factors in the survey, with percentages generally trending higher among younger generations, those with higher educated and Caucasian adults in the home.

In Charlotte, access to online and digital resources is critical, as 80 percent of job opportunities are posted exclusively online and the General Educational Development (GED) examination is now offered only online. Also, seven in 10 teachers assign homework requiring access to the internet—a fact that prompted a reaction from one student that has now touched the lives of thousands more.

“She came up with the perfect question at the perfect time,” says Pat Millen, whose daughter, in middle school at the time, came home one day and told him that her class’s school assignments assumed

that all students had computers at home, when she was aware that wasn’t the case.

Out of her concern, the idea for Eliminate the Digital Divide (E2D) was born. The Pat Millen mission of E2D is to ensure that all students have affordable access to essential at-home technology, and digital literacy training to support academic success and prepare students for college, careers, and beyond. Beginning in 2013, E2D has already worked successfully with 140 schools within the Charlotte Mecklenburg School (CMS) system.

“First and foremost, we’re here to help eliminate the digital divide for Charlotte Mecklenburg School students who are incapable of doing their schoolwork because they don’t have access to technology at home,” explains Millen, president and cofounder of E2D. It all began with E2D trying to find laptop solutions for 54 families at a single elementary school in Davidson in August 2013, eventually ensuring that every school student in Davidson had access to a computer at home. From there, the group assisted every elementary, middle and high school in Cornelius, followed by tackling

% by the numbers

CHARLOTTE'S DIGITAL DIVIDE

14%

of households in Mecklenburg County (almost 56,000 households) have no internet access at all.

the need in five of Charlotte’s high-poverty, Title I high schools. To date, the group has been able to assist more than 5,000 families, with plans to help another 5,000 families this year.

“The short-term goal is to eliminate the digital divide for 100 percent of CMS students and families by the end of 2019,” says Millen. “It’s an audacious goal, but it’s a worthy goal. So, we’re going to give it our best shot.”

E2D refurbishes laptops donated mainly by corporations that are no longer using them, and distributes them to students in need. Much of this work is performed in its Re-Image CLT labs (currently located on the campuses of West Charlotte, South Mecklenburg and Garinger high schools) by high school students, who are hired as technicians following an intensive application process. Those selected receive paid training, and then begin working in the labs after school for three hours a day.

Those who receive these computers must live below the poverty line. E2D manages the distribution by working with CMS to identify where the need exists. It costs about $150 for E2D to rebuild the

computers. While community donations cover $90, the families who receive the computers each pay $60 for their computer, which comes with brand-new software and a six-month warranty. The payoff for Millen and his team has been just as rewarding.

“When I get to actually spend time the student who’s getting a computer for the first time, and you see the pure joy on their faces . . . if I could bottle up that joy, I could sell it to anybody that was in a bad mood . . . That day that single kid gets that computer and realizes, ‘I can do it now’ . . .

That is why we all love our jobs, because we know that the work that we do is very likely transforming a student’s life.”

While Charlotte may have its struggles with economic mobility and generational poverty, E2D is helping create a different kind of cycle. According to Millen, at least 75 percent of the kids who work in the labs were originally E2D recipients, who became proficient enough on their computers to be hired to work in an E2D lab to build computers for the rest of their community.

“That is a beautiful, beautiful ecosystem,” he says. P

About 7% (or 26,000 households) in the county have only mobile internet or dial-up service.

In Charlotte, access to online and digital resources is critical

80%

of job opportunities are posted exclusively online

7 in 10

teachers assign homework requiring access to the internet

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CHARLOTTE LATIN’S FAB LAB GENERATES

Fabulous Innovation By Students

By Tonya Jameson

T

Photos courtesy of Charlotte Latin School

here was a time when engineering and math were taught using simply a chalkboard and books, but students in Charlotte Latin’s Fab Lab program use 3-D printers, laser cutters and other innovative technology to solve problems.

The students are among the first in America to learn in the state-of-the-art Fab Lab, a special learning space founded at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology by professor Neil Gershenfeld. It’s an exciting but rigorous program that is changing the way STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) courses are taught globally.

“The Fab Lab is the gold standard of makerspaces a (collaborative work space) because of the global relationships it nurtures,” said Tom Dubick, of Charlotte Latin’s upper school engineering

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department. “When you commit to a Fab Lab, you commit to sharing and collaborating with the other Fab Labs throughout the world.”

Latin’s Fab Lab was certified in 2015, making it one of about 20 such programs certified in middle and high schools in the country. Fab Labs are in more than 40 countries. Students at them have created projects in health care, agriculture, housing and communications, to name a few.

Latin participates, nationally and globally, with others who work together utilizing art, engineering and other disciplines to problem-solve. The Fab Lab supports Latin’s global studies program and involves alumni and other adults from Charlotte and beyond, Dubick said.

The goal is to create products that solve real-world problems. For example, one Latin class improved a wheelchair for a local man.

Latin separates students by gender in engineering classes in middle school and reunites them in upper school. The same curriculum is taught, but the school found that teaching girls separately provided a

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learning environment in which the girls could try new things without fear, said science teacher Barbara Morrow.

One female student made a bracelet for children with autism. It detected an increased heart rate and then massaged the wearer’s arm, Morrow said. The soothing motion calmed the child.

These young students see things through a different lens at this age. They become passionate about fixing problems they face, or read about, or see. Fab Lab gives them the tools, the environment and the support to come up with innovative solutions to these problems, Morrow said.

Charlotte Latin’s formula for academic success emphasizes the basics: phonicsbased reading, mathematics and writing.

These provide the foundation from which all other learning develops, Headmaster Arch McIntosh, Jr. said. Latin employs innovative programs in which students use the foundational skills they’ve acquired as a springboard from which they examine and address current-day issues.

“What happens in the Fab Lab is a lot like real life, requiring problem-solving skills, time management and new ways of thinking,” McIntosh said. “There’s not another ‘makerspace’ like it in the South.”

Charlotte Latin faculty participants say Fab Lab empowers students with academic knowledge and practical application of the tools, equipment and materials needed to take a concept from design to fabrication.

The labs feature state-of-the art equipment such as laser cutters and more than a dozen 3-D printers. This type of equipment speeds prototyping and encourages students to be open to new ideas.

The most important result is that students can do more than dream up inventions to solve problems in their communities; they actually have the tools to make them real. P

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May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

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Does Your Organization Buy or Build Talent?

Why Employers Are Investing from Within

By Roxanne Ward

W

hen it comes to filling roles to meet the needs of the business, does your management: a. Train current employees and promote from within, or b. Look for external solutions by hiring outside of the company?

There is oftentimes a need to do both, but investing in existing talent could be far more beneficial. While hiring new talent can introduce fresh ideas to your organization, investing in current employees tends to be more cost-effective, takes less time to train, boosts morale and retention, strengthens your leadership pipeline and improves the customer experience.

Take Lowe’s, for example. The home improvement giant is combating a skilled trades shortage in the United States by investing in its employees. Earlier this year, the company launched a new “Track to the Trades” program in Charlotte, and has plans to expand the program nationwide. “Track to the Trades” provides financial support, apprenticeships and coaching to employees who want to build their knowledge and skills in areas such as HVAC, carpentry, electrical and plumbing. With this investment, not only will Lowe’s be better equipped to serve customers, but it will also offer employees a chance to further their educations, stay engaged and feel supported.

Additionally, Scott Ross, senior vice president of omnichannel technology at Lowe’s, says that the company sees opportunity in partnerships that help deliver customized training programs in technology, such as what Northeastern University is doing. He notes, “Lowe’s is more than home improvement. We continue to invest in high-quality talent across all aspects of our business, including the growing technology and digital sectors. As we further invest in our technology capabilities, we are actively looking for ways to attract diverse talent from across the country, as well as in our hometown market.”

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What we are also hearing from employers is that they want to build their workforce, re-skilling and retooling talent from within. From cybersecurity and data analytics to leadership development and project management, they want customized programs that fit the needs of their organizations—not a one-size-fits-all approach or a course plucked from the page of an academic program. They need the flexibility of training on-site, online, on campus or a combination of formats, and it needs to be experiential and connect to their own strategies.

Through its talent solutions consultancy, Northeastern University–Charlotte is now connecting with local employers to meet those business needs, lead change and build employee performance.

For example, Northeastern is working with IBM, one of the largest global technology firms, to authenticate its noncredit, in-house training programs that is recognized by industry, but carries academic transcript credit.

Here in Charlotte, a global advanced manufacturing organization is partnering with the university to tie its employee training programs into Northeastern’s

graduate degrees in energy systems and engineering management. Employees can earn academic transcript credit for attending training already required by their companies.

And in the financial services industry, Northeastern is developing pathways for large institutions to bring in diverse pipelines of talent, including military and underrepresented minorities, to support high-demand fields such as cybersecurity and computer science.

These pathways are not just for individuals looking to get into the organization, but also to develop current employees who are underemployed or interested in moving to another functional area of the organization.

Learning and development programs are one of the best ways to improve business processes and boost the bottom line. When employees feel valued and engaged in their work, they tend to stay longer and contribute more. Because of that investment, both employee and employer win. P If you would like to learn more about Northeastern’s customized professional development programs, visit northeastern.edu/charlotte or contact talentsolutions@northeastern.edu.

Making Charlotte’s Black Coffee Shop

A WORLD CAFÉ W

By Tonya Jameson

Photos courtesy of Basal Coffee

hen Bryce Laguer envisioned opening a coffee shop in Charlotte, he knew he didn’t want it to be just another specialty coffee spot with pretty designs in the latte foam. It needed to be more and do more for the people it served.

Basal, which opened in late March, is the latest offering in Charlotte’s expanding coffee scene. Laguer is turning coffee into a sit-down experience rather than a drivethrough. The lattes do have pretty designs, but they aren’t nearly as cool as the community Laguer is trying to cultivate at the café, tucked away off Freedom Drive.

Basal sits in Wesley Heights in the same building as LaCa Projects gallery

on Bryant Street. The gallery seeks to connect contemporary Latin American artists with Charlotte’s art scene. The mission blended perfectly with Laguer’s goal of creating a coffee café that reflects his ancestry of Mexican, French and African-American roots.

“I want to be able to do what’s expected of a specialty coffee company, but I want to be able to do more, and not just look cool,” said Laguer.

Sitting in the sunlit room bar in one of his two rich navy blue lounge chairs, Laguer, 28, surveys the small café. It’s closed now, and the only people present are construction workers putting the finishing touches on the glass garage-style

Bryce Laguer, owner of Basal Coffee.

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(L-R) Hector Gonzalez, Kristin Kulik, Andrea Laguer and Bryce Laguer.

door that leads to LaCa. There are five wooden tables with metal frame chairs and a wood-topped coffee bar.

He says in his mind, he sees a lesbian at one of the tables near the LaCa entrance.

She’s talking to a Muslim woman wearing a hijab, he said. There’s a Latino woman sitting at the table next to them. Inside the bathroom, a mother changes her baby’s diaper while her drink is prepared. Laguer can see them so clearly. In his mind, Basal will reflect not only the New South, but also the browning of America.

Laguer’s journey to opening Basal is as fascinating as the space his team created.

He’s a New Jersey native, but his family moved to Charlotte when he was in high school. His father played high school football with the late Carolina Panther Sam Mills in New Jersey. The two kept in touch, and Mills urged Laguer’s father to move to Charlotte. After high school, Laguer attended Winston-Salem State, but a series of personal challenges shook him. Mills passed away. His father beat cancer, but his grandmother did not. Laguer had a gig working in a nonprofit, but he lost his job.

He floundered, and ended up being a dishwasher at a pizzeria in Orlando. He pulled himself up and dusted off his brand development degree. He eventually met a Honduran immigrant who hired him to do brand development for his coffee business.

Laguer admired his client’s passion for

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Patrons enjoying this new coffee shop located at 1429 Bryant St. in West Charlotte.

coffee, and started working for him at a coffee shop to better learn the business and help with branding.

He did that for a couple of years and then decided he needed to do something bigger. Laguer, his wife and their two children moved to Charlotte about a year ago after weighing investing in Vespr or moving to Los Angeles or the tri-state area.

Charlotte wasn’t on their list initially, but he knew the city was growing and saw the potential “to be part of that growth. They considered locations in Matthews, Camp North End and Myers Park, but settled on Wesley Heights. Laguer hopes Basal can become part of the fabric of Wesley Heights.

“We’re trying to create a space here that feels democratic. It feels like a place where the world can exist in this location,” he said. “The history of the west side being predominately African-American was a big indicator for me.”

He plans to offer a breakfast and lunch menu reflecting his mixed heritage and his worldly experiences. Basal currently sells baked goods from Suarez Bakery and real Belgian waffles (not the hotel buffet variation) made by chef Hector Gonzalez.

Laguer plans to add a lunch menu, which will be rooted in Latin and AfricanAmerican flavors.

“There’s two sides to the coin,” he said.

“The food and the coffee. They can’t exist without each other.”

Then there’s the coffee. Basal is modeled after the type of coffee bar found in Japan or Australia, Laguer said. He wants it to be like a cocktail bar for coffee. Drinks are served in glasses, not the typical paper cups or quirky mugs. Baristas use everything from shakers to beakers to a stockpot to make the syrups and specialty drinks. There is no fixings station with creamer, sugar and stirrers. Baristas do that.

Laguer recruited Coffee Director Kristin Kulik, 26, from Orlando. The two met at a latte art competition, and then later worked together at Vespr. Kulike moved to Charlotte last October to work at Basal.

“This is life right now,” she said. “I love coffee. This is my life.”

She says the bar will feature coffees from different regions of the United States every three months. The current region is the Pacific Northwest. After she completes the United States, she will expand to featuring coffee from different regions of the world.

Regulars will also get invitations to tastings, also known as cuppings.

“We want to share every possible corner of the world in Charlotte,” she said.

If Laguer has his way, Basal will one day reflect every corner of the world, as well. P

Outside of Basal Coffee

T H E G L A M O U R A N D RO M A N C E O F

29 APRIL 2018 – 29 JULY 2018 | #THEMINTMUSEUM MINT MUSUEM RANDOLPH | MINTMUSEUM.ORG Exhibition organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, with the collaboration of Oscar de la Renta, LLC. Presented to the Charlotte community by Wells Fargo Private Bank, with additional support from the Mint Museum Auxiliary, Moore & Van Allen, and Dickens-Mitchener. IMAGE: Designer Oscar de la Renta poses with models after the showing of his spring 1996 collection in New York, November 1995. AP Photo / Paul Hurschmann.

May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

37

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Jessica Moss, creator of The Roll Up CLT, an arts residency program.

The Roll Up Charlotte’s New Artist Residency Program

By Jimese S. Orange

A

unique artist residency program, utilizing a home and converting the garage into a gallery and work space where internationally renowned artists reside, work and create in the heart of a historic African-American neighborhood, is taking off in Charlotte. It’s called the The Roll Up, and the goal of the program is to connect the artist to the community, to create images from the community and use art to start conversations and solutions around gentrification and systemic racism.

The program is the vision of Charlotte-based arts scholar Jessica Gaynelle Moss, who was awarded a $53,700 grant from the Knight Foundation to fund the program.

“I founded The Roll Up CLT in 2016, with the goal of activating a national network of artist residencies in vulnerable neighborhoods with a concentrated population of the economically disadvantaged,” Moss said. Moss knew she didn’t want to set up the program in just any neigborhood, so she started where she grew up. “Investing in my own community, watering my seeds in the places they were planted and vesting my interests in the neighborhoods that I came from, and that I call home.”

While living in Camp Greene, Moss felt challenged not to become complacent, so she decided to take action: “The only way that I know how to take action, with all of the tools and the skills that I am equipped with, is through the arts...That’s my channel, that’s my strength.”

May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

39

Zun Lee is a renowned photographer and the inaugural artist for the Roll Up CLT program.

Moss’ role as liaison is to assist the artist-in-residence in navigating within the community.

The inaugural artist for the program will be renowned photographer Zun Lee, best known for his critically acclaimed photographic documentary project, “Father Figure.” Last year, his exhibition shed national light on often-overlooked aspects of Black fatherhood , through intimate black-and-white photographs, and graced the walls of the Harvey B. Gantt Center.

“Part of The Roll Up is actually rolling up our sleeves and converting the roll-up garage space into a space where the community can convene,” Zun Lee said. Lee will start his residency on June 1.

“A lot can be done in six months by me being focused. I am a photographer, and I do visual stories by embedding myself in the family or in the neighborhood or community, and this is how I work already... It’s an extension of my practice, “ said Lee. “I’m really excited, because Jessica is local. She already has preexisting relationships, and there is a lot that has been done for us to hit the ground running.”

Lee will create a new body of work during his six-month residency, which will end in November. Lee will also be working with the Lorien Academy of the Arts and have the opportunity to teach photography courses to west Charlotte youths. “Teaching is one thing, but I want to engage these kids in more than just pedagogy, so while I’m there living and working, why not also engage these kids in learning by taking them outside of the classroom to explore the neighborhood with me,” Lee said.

He hopes to impress upon the students a way of taking thoughtful images of themselves, their neighborhoods, families and communities.

“I always had this desire to connect with people and figure out what is magical about their lives, so to speak,” he said. “And the camera gave me a tool to do that. The work happens before and after I take the photo. The photo is just evidence of that work.

The work is about building that relationship so you can get to the moment of pressing the shutter. You have to get to the point to where you are no longer a stranger...It takes investment and building that trust...The images are a result of that.”

The Roll Up Charlotte Artist Residency Program is located at 3003 Minnesota Road, Charlotte.

Follow @therollupclt on Instagram to see history in the making. P

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SceneandSeen

AfroPop The Bantu Experience at The Harvey B. Gantt Center.

2018 Mayor’s Masked Ball – Charlotte held at The Westin.

Photos by Jonathan Cooper

Photos by Kevin Douglas

Women’s History Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

for The Charlotte Club of The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club at The Levine Museum of the New South.

Photos by Kevin Douglas

May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

41

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CHARLOT TE BUSINESS INCLUSION . COM 42

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PrideHealth

Can Your Cell Phone Make You Sick?

By Kallan Louis

L

ike many people, I wake up every morning to the melodic sounds of my smartphone alarm going off.

The tune is called “Morning Scent” — how appropriate. After blindly hitting the snooze option for a couple of rounds, I grab the device from my nightstand, crack open my eyelids just enough to focus my vision and lower the brightness level so I can my view my calendar and messages.

I usually follow up with breaking news, weather forecasts and traffic reports. And, of course, I have to check my social media timelines to stay on top of the culture. And then I follow the same process again on my other smartphone.

Smartphones emit radio frequency, a nonionizing form of radiation similar to that produced by a microwave oven. For years, people in the health community wondered how safe they are to use long-term. The long-awaited results of a 10-year, $25 million study about radio frequency radiation that was released in February showed that while there still is no definitive answer, one of the scientists who led the study doesn’t think there is much cause for concern.

Cell phones, the predecessors to smartphones, have been around since the ‘70s, but mass popularity occurred in the mid ‘90s. The introduction of the iPhone in 2007 was a game-changer. Now, 95 percent of all Americans own some sort of cellular device.

Due to the widespread use of mobile phones, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nominated the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program (NTP) to conduct a study on radio frequency radiation (RFR). NTP scientists exposed lab rats and mice to various levels

of radio frequency radiation nine hours a day in 10-minute increments, some for as long as two years. The highest level of radiation the rodents absorbed was equal to the highest level of cell phone radiation exposure permitted by the FDA and Federal Communications Commission.

The results showed that the male rats had developed tumors in tissues surrounding nerves in their hearts. This is not as alarming as you might think — at least not for humans.

In a press release, John Bucher, NTP senior scientist, explained: “The levels and duration of exposure to RFR were much greater than what people experience with even the highest level of cell phone use, and exposed the rodents’ whole bodies. So, these findings should not be directly extrapolated to human cell phone usage. We note, however, that the tumors we saw in these studies are similar to tumors previously reported in some studies of frequent cell phone users.”

Years of research will need to continue before we will know the facts about cell phone radiation on humans, but for those not willing to take any chances, check out some tips the California Department of Public Health issued last year to minimize exposure to radio frequency radiation:

1

Avoid holding the phone to your head when using it—use the speakerphone or a headset instead.

2 3

Send text messages instead of talking on the phone.

Keep the phone away from your head and body if streaming or downloading.

4

Carry your cell phone in a backpack, briefcase or purse instead of in your a pocket, bra or belt holster.

5 6

Don’t sleep with your phone in your bed or near your head.

Reduce or avoid using your cell phone when there is a weak signal, when traveling in a fastmoving vehicle or when streaming or downloading on the device. P

May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

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PrideBusiness

Innovators Who Changed the World M

By Eren Simpson

any of the technological advances in the last several decades were made by African-American entrepreneurs and inventors; some you’ve heard of, and others you probably haven’t. But here are a few you should know …

Marc Hannah (1956-). Hannah created computer programs that were instrumental in the special effects for movies such as “Jurassic Park,” “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast” and others.

James E. West (1931-).

West is the coinventor of the foil electret microphone, an inexpensive, compact device now used in 90 percent of all microphones. So that song you’re listening to right now was likely recorded using West’s invention.

Shirley A. Jackson (1946-).

Jackson, the first AfricanAmerican woman to earn a doctorate from MIT in nuclear physics, contributed to the inventions of the touch-tone phone, portable fax, caller ID, call-waiting and the fiberoptic cable.

Patricia Bath (1942-).

The first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology, the first female faculty member in the department of ophthalmology at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute, was the first African-American female doctor to receive a patent, for the Laserphaco Probe, which improves treatment for cataract patients.

44

Lonnie Johnson (1949-). Johnson, a nuclear engineer, created one of the greatest kids’ toys of the ‘90s: the Super Soaker.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Garrett Morgan (1877-1963). Morgan started out with only an elementary school education, and worked as a sewing-machine mechanic. But he also patented several inventions, including an improved sewing machine, three-light traffic signal, a hair-straightening product and a respiratory device that became the blueprint for gas masks during World War I.

Percy Julian (1899-1975).

Julian, a chemist, was a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs such as cortisone, steroids and birth control pills.

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PrideBusiness

How to Enhance Your Small Business with Technology

By Kallan Louis

C

harlotte was recently ranked third on a list of the 150 best large cities in which to start a business, according to a study by Wallethub. And the N.C. Department of Commerce says there are more than 800,000 small businesses in the state. So in a competitive business landscape such as, small businesses must keep up with the times, not only to thrive, but to survive. There are many digital resources available to increase productivity, efficiency and help cut costs. And don’t think making technology enhancements to your business means more expenses. Many desktop and mobile apps have free versions with limited features, but more than enough to benefit local business owners. Here’s a list of a few you should consider.

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Favorite Google - If you are using Google only for internet searches, email and GPS, you are missing out.

Its their suite of free product offerings that can provide your business with the essentials, including a word processor, spreadsheets for accounting, documents for slide presentations and 15 GB of space to store it all. And since it is all stored online, you can take your documents anywhere and easily share and work on projects with your team. When you are ready to grow your business online, Google also has products for business listings, advertising and customer analytics.

Project Management Asana - Keep your team organized with Asana. This project management app builds a digital work flow of your projects in one place. The platform also integrates with tons of third party apps to assist in completion of tasks.

SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT

CAREER

Slack - Similar to Asana, but less complex, Slack is more of a communication tool to help your team stay connected and successfully streamline projects.*

Marketing and Communications Canva - Do you need to create marketing material, but you don’t have the budget to hire a professional? Canva is a digital design tool that allows you to create amazing documents and graphics from your computer, tablet or smartphone for free, by just dragging and dropping from the app’s library of templates. You can collaborate and share with your team.*

MailChimp - The world’s leading marketing automation platform sends more than a billion emails a day; in fact, you might be one of the recipients. Send your growing list of customers and potential new clients professional newsletters, memos, updates and other messages en masse instantly or schedule automatic delivery it to automatically deliver at certain time. You can add 2,000 email contacts and send 12,000 emails a month for free.*

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Inventory Management Boxmeup - For businesses that move and store a lot of inventory, Boxmeup might be a useful tool. The free app creates virtual containers in which you list the physical location of your inventory. Then you can generate QR labels for boxes, and use your smartphone to scan and pull up a list of the container contents. This app can also be extremely helpful in the moving and unpacking process if you relocate your business.

Convenient location Affordable tuition Award-winning instructors Early-bird discounts available

mingleschool.com As you become more tech savvy, you may want to venture into open source software, which is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify and enhance. In other words, the creators allow anyone to legally download and use the software for free. Open source software often provides comparable substitutes for some of the most popular and expensive software for businesses. P *There are paid option tiers, as well, that unlock more features.

May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

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High Tech - High Touch From L to R Chris-na Lee, Yolanda Belin, Yve7e Hall, Beryl Miller, Lisa Belin, Jerolyn Adewoyin, Cherrie Felisbret.

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PrideBusiness

FYI News & Notes Compiled by Angela Haigler

Day Runner, Inc., a Charlotte-based ride-share and delivery service, will donate $100,000 to the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. The gift will support the Gantt’s 2018 educational and arts programming initiatives for the Queen City.

Day Runner is the first Black-owned company to become one of the Gantt Center’s major corporate sponsors with a monetary gift of this size.

“It’s our responsibility as a business that earns in this community to reinvest in our community. We take pride in giving back, and we’re pleased to do so with the Harvey B. Gantt Center,” said Marvin Walker, Day Runner, Inc. founder and CEO. In addition to providing support for 2018 programming and select events, the gift will allow for 1,000 students to benefit from Gantt Center resources, field trips, in-school artistic workshops and other programs that encourage youth engagement with the arts.

Courtesy of Kevin Douglas

Day Runner, Inc. gives $100,000 to Gantt Center

Pictured left to right: David Taylor, Gantt Center President & CEO; Marvin Walker, Day Runner, Inc. Founder & CEO; Antoine Bethea, Day Runner, Inc. partner

Loan Program Supports Supplier Diversity A joint program developed between Novant Health and M&F Bank is good news for small and minority-owned businesses wishing to become suppliers for large companies.

The Diverse Supplier Community Reinvestment Program (DSCRP) provides access to capital and a streamlined application process for small business owners who are part of Novant Health’s supplier network and reside in North Carolina, South Carolina or and Virginia.

The new process features a full online application, expedited review by senior commercial lenders and a dedicated underwriting team.

The two N.C. companies created this program to address a real need. Historically, small, diverse businesses have experienced more difficulties obtaining sufficient working capital to compete with larger companies. However, small businesses employ nearly 50 percent of the workforce in the private sector, and tend to employ minority personnel.

Novant Health has committed to a $5 million dollar investment in loan guarantees to its diverse suppliers through this loan program.

The program is also in keeping with M&F Bank’s support of small and minority-owned businesses.

To learn more about this opportunity or to apply visit www. novanthealth.org/supplierdiversity.

Novant Health Launches ‘H: Drive Experience’ for Emerging, Hidden Talent The anticipation ends on May 18 as Charlotte’s inaugural H: Drive participants will be recognized during Opera Carolina’s opening night performance of “I Dream,” presented

by Novant Health.

The H: Drive Experience represents a combination of efforts to target untapped, high-potential leaders who are invested and engaged in the community, but who may not otherwise have access to leadership development opportunities.

The nine-month leadership development program is designed to identify and engage leaders throughout the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area, with a special emphasis on minority communities.

Developed to honor the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his service to others, the program will include a combination of core sessions, coaching and interaction with community leaders. The program will help participants create a clearer sense of purpose, a strengthened leadership voice and a deepened commitment to serve.

For more information visit: http://mynovant.com/hdrive/

May-June 2018 | Pride Magazine

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EventsCalendar

Mark Your Calendar Compiled by Shawn Allison, II

May 5 Christopher’s House of Refuge, is a family care home organization, that provides affordable housing to seniors and disabled individuals, is hosting its first annual Charlotte Health and Wellness Fair for the entire community. Come out for a day of workshops, screenings, testing, exercise, nutritional tips and other elements to lead you toward a healthy lifestyle. Free.

10 a.m. 615 E. 6th St. Get ready for a day full of nonstop house music blaring through thousands of watts of power at the Euphoria in the Park House Music Festival.

Presented by the Charlotte House Movement, this oneday festival will include a slew of local and national DJs, who will go over and beyond to send jolts of great music all through your mind, body and soul! Tickets are $5. 1 p.m. Hornets Nest Park. 6301 Beatties Ford Rd. May 12 Bring all of your beloved family matriarchs down to the Carole A. Hoefener Center for the 2018 QC Mother’s Day Festival.

Guests can enjoy crafts, vendor shopping, art, food, games, swag bags and much more.

Free. 1 p.m. 615 E. 6th St. May 19 Gather your family, friends and lawn chairs and come celebrate one of our city’s most beloved creative figures at the annual RomareFest Celebration.

Hear some great live music, scoop up some art and fellowship in honor of the late, great artist, Romare Bearden.

Free. Noon. Romare Bearden Park. 300 S. Church St.

50

freedom at the 21st Annual Juneteenth Celebration of the Carolinas. Everyone come be a part of this glorious weekend filled with all sorts of African-American elemental greatness bonded with peace, love and unity. Free. House of Africa. 1215 Thomas St.

May 19 Seventh Annual Sweet Escapes to benefit Community Link, with beer, wine, delectable foods, entertainment and an auction. The Piedmont Culinary Guild and the community’s notable chefs are donating and dishing up all the sweet treats and savory eats. A Sign of the Times band brings perfect tunes for listening and dancing (if you’re so inspired), and there will be more than 50 local vendors who have donated to the Silent Auction. $100 per person. 7–10 p.m., Mint Museum – Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd. May 26 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord and head out to Carowinds for Joyfest 2018.

Enjoy riveting melodies from gospel greats Fred Hammond, Tye Tribbett, Tasha Cobbs, Anthony Brown & Group Therapy and many more.

Tickets start at $48. Joyfest.org May 30 For all my fellow hip hop heads, come feel the energy of the legendary Big Boi performing live. As one half of hip hop duo OutKast, Big Boi is on tour promoting his newest album, and will take the stage performing all the hits of his illustrious 25-year career. $25. The Fillmore Charlotte. Ticketmaster.com May 30 – June 9 Brand New Sheriff Productions teams up with director Dr. Corlis Hayes to

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present an adaptation of the Tony Award-winning “Purlie Victorious.” A small-town Georgia preacher sets out to liberate his people and claim a deceased family member’s inheritance from a plantation owner, which ends in victory. $28. carolinatix.org June 8 The City of Charlotte and Black Enterprise magazine have teamed up to give one of the QC’s most rapidly-growing events an extra jolt of soul— Black Food Truck Friday.

Bring the entire family out for a day full of cool community vibes, live performances, vendors and of course, lots of food. Free. 2 p.m. Three Spirits Brewery. 5046 Old Pineville Rd. June 14 – 17 It’s time to celebrate our power, our magic and our

June 19 – 21 On Q Productions rounds out its 11th season with an adaptation of James Weldon Johnson’s “God’s Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse.” A theatrical work exalting the role of folk preacher to that of epic storyteller, this gospel production will use musical interludes to trace the spiritual roots of Black musical genres as a testament to the range and sound of the human voice. $20. carolinatix.org June 23- 24 Fifth Annual Carolina Veterans Appreciation Expo to salute soldiers. June 23, noon-6 p.m, June 24, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and Salute To Soldiers: Jazz and Inspirational Concert. Kids and veterans with I.D. are free.

General public, $5 donation.

3 p.m. Call Joie Cook at 704380-7686, Johnson C. Smith University ahb220.org June 28 Reggae legend Maxi Priest stops in the QC with his latest project, “Easy To Love.” Come and spend an evening with “The Love Doctor,” giving you all sorts of romantic island harmonies from his long-standing career. Tickets start at $28. 8 p.m. The Neighborhood Theatre. 511 E. 36th St. ticketfly.com

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