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Charlotteâ€™s Multicultural Resource Magazine 2018-2019

Our Queen Charlotte! ANNUAL BUSINESS AND SERVICES DIRECTORY STARTING ON PAGE 46

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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, 112 DBE firms have been awarded contracts of over $89 million to help build the LYNX Blue Line Light Rail Extension. 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.

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July-August 2018

Departments 10 From the Editor 41 FYI News & Notes 42 Seen and Scene 43 Calendar of Events 46 Annual Business

Directory

Features 12

eading on L Opportunity Meet Stephanie Kripa Cooper-Lewter

he First T Queen of Color Queen Charlotte

iversity Paves D the Way Five leaders who shine

how Me the Money S The new multicultural mainstream

PS Store U Serving the needs of growing small businesses

ood Lion F Set Guinness World Records Most bagged lunches

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

Features

PRIDE | MAY - JUNE 2018

thnic Cuisine E Good eats with good people

hemoCars C Helping people when it matters the most

ello, Curacao H Publisher Dee Dixon explores the Dutch island

ips from a Pro T Creating workplace diversity

uccess Through Others S Wells Fargo is building capacity in diverse owned businesses

hoenix Moon Acupuncture and Apothecary P Meet Crystal Cliff

ongratulations SPARK C Family owned business receives award

Charlotte’s Multicultural Resource Magazine 2018-2019

| THE BUSINESS ISSUE www.PRIDEmagazineonline.com

Our Queen Charlotte! ANNUAL BUSINESS AND SERVICES DIRECTORY STARTING ON PAGE 46

On the Cover

Painting of Queen Charlotte by Allan Ramsay.

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

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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

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Junior Art Director Genna Baugh

Distribution Watch Dog Entertainment®

Account Executive Nikelle Fesperman

Public Relations Nepherterra Estrada

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Copyright© 2017 Pride Magazine All rights reserved. Copying or reproduction, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited. Pride Magazine reserves the right to deny any advertisement, listing or feature that does not meet Pride Magazine standards or that is outside the scope or mission of our magazine. Pride Magazine assumes no responsibility for information, products, services, or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Hablamos Español July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

FromTheEditor

By Lashawnda Becoats

Community Pride Around the City

hen we started planning this issue earlier this year, we weren’t thinking about the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle. After the hoopla surrounding the ceremony, we knew this was going to be a great issue. To be honest, we just loved the idea of highlighting Queen Charlotte. In our planning, we realized that many people in this community, especially if you are new to the city, may not be aware of Queen Charlotte’s African heritage. I love this story and our cover. I hope you’ll enjoy the article on page 13, too. It’s filled with so many fun facts about her life. In this issue, we also have a story on the diverse leaders who serve in our city. It’s refreshing to see how representation looks different when everyone can be included at the table. See page 17. Congratulations to the SPARK Publications team; they deserve the accolade. See page 40. As always, I hope you are living your life to the fullest! Have a fun and safe summer. This is one of my pieces of art. It sits on my nightstand and serves as a personal reminder: Being a queen starts with how you see yourself.

Run toward your life, Lashawnda

Lashawnda Becoats @Runtowardyourlife

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

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Stephanie Kripa Cooper-Lewter Heads

Leading on Opportunity By LaShawn Hudson

Feature

tephanie Kripa Cooper-Lewter says she knows what it feels like to live near the poverty line and to feel marginalized due to those circumstances. As an infant, she lived at an orphanage in India that was founded by Mother Teresa, until she was later adopted and sent to America on an immigration adoption visa. She had a happy childhood with her adoptive mother, but in her 20s, she found herself struggling as a single mother, barely making ends meet while working toward her undergraduate degree in social work at Bethel University in Minnesota. “I received food stamps and welfare,” says Cooper-Lewter. “I remember being a

single mother and going to the grocery store and receiving certain looks because I wasn’t married.” Fortunately, the ill treatment she received 25 years ago did not deter her. In fact, it made her stronger, and set her on a path to build a foundation in advocacy and philanthropy for people she says tend to be “voiceless.” Copper-Lewter eventually earned her PhD in social work from the University of South Carolina, and later married and had a second child. Now 45, she says she’s thankful for those tough years; she hopes to use her own experience to help families and children in the Charlotte area overcome poverty. In February, she beat out 100-plus other candidates to become the executive director at Leading on Opportunity. The organization was birthed in March 2017 by a 19-member task force committee in response to a 2014 Harvard University and UC-Berkeley study that revealed Charlotte ranked 50th out of 50 in economic mobility among the largest U.S. cities. The study also concluded that poor children born in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have a one in four chance to move out of poverty in their lifetimes. Cooper-Lewter says those

Stephanie Kripa Cooper- Lewter, executive director at Leading on Opportunity.

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

startling statistics keep her motivated to foster change. “As a mother of children that are multiethnic, this issue is really concerning to me,” says Cooper-Lewter, who relocated to Charlotte from South Carolina for the job. “I have a 10-year-old son; he is Indian and African-American. I want to make sure that whatever world I’m building for him is the same world that I want for other kids.” In her new role, Cooper-Lewter will be leading the effort to improve economic mobility on a systemic level by addressing the key determinants of early childhood education, college and career readiness and family stability. She’ll simultaneously focus on the crosscutting factors of segregation and social capital. James E. Ford, cochair of the Leading on Opportunity Council, says Cooper-Lewter brings a unique skill set to the position. “As a woman of color, she understands race and gender and how they intersect,” he says. “Those two things were really important to us as we were selecting a candidate. She understands how those two things can determine opportunity. She’s not color-blind, and that’s a good thing.” Cooper-Lewter is passionate about leveling the playing ground for all children, regardless of their backgrounds. “Your zip code should not predict your destiny,” she says. “Your race should not predict your destiny. Your gender should not predict your destiny. It’s troubling when statistics suggest that it can.” Leading on Opportunity will not be a direct service organization providing vouchers or other programming. Cooper– Lewter says it will focus on “creating a collective movement around priorities that our communities say are important.” The task force is creating a community dashboard that will outline and track the organization’s progress. Cooper-Lewter says she’s most excited about getting the opportunity to do the work that aligns with her life’s purpose: “I am from India, I lived in an orphanage there and there are thousands of girls abandoned in India. I’ve been given a lot…. My path could’ve been different. I have a great sense of responsibility to give back and to help others.” P

The Royal Familyâ€™s First Queen of Color

Queen I Charlotte Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

By Tonya Jameson

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

Feature

n May, millions of people around the world were swept up in the fairy-tale wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Their magical romance reminded us of the beauty of young love. Their nuptials held an even more special meaning for African Americans, as we watched the biracial Markle marry into the royal family. Black Twitter buzzed as we celebrated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex unapologetically incorporating elements of Black culture into the wedding on an international stage. At a time when it seems America is more divided over race, the wedding reinforced the importance of positive representations of people of color.

The excitement over Markle sparked conversations about the significance of a Black woman marrying into the royal family, but it also sparked another conversation about history and firsts. While some consider Markle to be the first African American to marry into the royal family, the city of Charlotte’s namesake, Queen Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, was the first woman of color to marry into the royal family. Queen Charlotte, of Moor ancestry and German roots, was married to King George III, who ruled England during the American Revolution, more than 250 years ago. Markle’s biracial heritage is cause for celebration, or at least complimentary acknowledgement. Queen Charlotte did not enjoy that type of sentiment. Her mixed ancestry was often downplayed or criticized in descriptions of her physical appearance, which made reference to such things as the width of her nose. Author Stephanie Myers, based in Washington, D.C., said research shows the current royal family is descended from Queen Charlotte’s granddaughter, Queen Victoria. Myers visited the city of Charlotte earlier this year to discuss her 2016 book, “The Invisible Queen,” which chronicles the life of Queen Charlotte and details her contributions to the world. Charlotte is one of about 20 places throughout the world that pay homage to the queen by incorporating her name into the city’s name, from Charlottesville, Virginia to Charlotte, N.Y. The city of Charlotte recognize

Historical Queen Charlotte Highlights Wife of King George III for 57 years

At age 14, she wrote a letter to Fredrick the Great protesting the Seven Years War involving Prussia, Austria, Britain, France and Spain

Mother of 15 children

Was a botanist and expanded England’s Kew Gardens

Spoke four languages

Supported the abolitionist movement

Queen Charlotte’s family home in Germany was Mirow Castle in Mecklenburg-Strelitz, 150 miles west of Berlin

Was an early patron of Mozart

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Supported the sugar boycott, because sugar cane was harvested by slaves

the queen with its name and nickname, a road, a college and statues. When the Mint Museum opened uptown in 2012, it featured a collection celebrating the queen’s coronation. Still, many native Charlotteans and transplants know little about the woman who became the city’s namesake. In April, the Charlotte Museum of History hosted Myers to discuss her book and to celebrate the city’s 250th anniversary celebration. Adria Focht, president of the Charlotte Museum of History, wanted to host Myers, because Focht wanted to educate people about the city’s namesake. Focht read online discussions about Queen Charlotte. Several people wrote that it was wellknown among people in Charlotte that the queen had African ancestry, but Focht believed differently. “We wanted to reveal, as Charlotte is our symbol, who was Queen Charlotte?” Focht said. “She was this amazing, multifaceted woman of mixed ancestry. She was a really dynamic woman. She is really a great symbol for our city, and we should really know more about her.” Queen Charlotte lived from 1744 to 1818. Her mother was a descendent of a Moorish branch of the Portuguese Royal House in the 13th century. Her father ruled northeast Germany during the early

Stephanie Myers

Adria Focht

Helped establish the first public maternity hospital for poor women

King George III bought Buckingham House for Queen Charlotte in 1761

Hosted American diplomats John and Abigail Adams, as well as Thomas Jefferson

Set up the first known decorated Christmas tree at Queen’s Lodge, Windsor, in 1800.

Exchanged letters with French Queen Marie Antoinette July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

1700s, and that’s where Queen Charlotte was raised as a child. In the mid-1700s, the royal family in England began searching Europe for a wife for King George III, then age 22. Charlotte’s name surfaced, and the royal family sent an emissary to Germany to meet her. At age 17, she sailed from Germany to England to meet and marry King George III. She was Queen of England and Ireland for 57 years. She was a mother of 15 (two died as infants). She supported the abolitionist movement. She was a caregiver, diplomat, philanthropist, musician and more. Queen Charlotte extended her generosity to an eight-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and even sang an aria with him when he visited England. He dedicated Opus 3 to her. She took care of King George as he struggled with what has been described historically as mental illness and/or porphyria, which causes abdominal pain, mental illness and even paralysis. He would later be called “Mad King George,” and was the subject of a 1994 movie, “The Madness of King George.” His attacks occurred without warning, and often required the king to be confined to his quarters. Queen Charlotte acted as his caregiver and managed his duties as king. At one point, their eldest son, King George IV, Prince of

Wales, petitioned parliament to challenge his father’s fitness to rule the monarchy. Queen Charlotte fought her son’s power grab. Myers admires Queen Charlotte’s confidence and strength. She said the recent royal wedding paid tribute to Queen Charlotte in numerous ways. The wedding was held in St. George’s chapel, which was one of Queen Charlotte’s favorite places,

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Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Myers said. Prince Harry and Markle asked that in lieu of gifts, money be given to their favorite charities, which support causes that address women’s empowerment, conservation, the environment, homelessness, HIV and the armed forces. It’s a gesture that Queen Charlotte would have appreciated. She was a huge philanthropist, and a lover of science and botany, and she supported indigent women of all ages and circumstances. She gave money to finance maternity hospitals for unmarried pregnant women, homes for elderly, homeless women and an embroidery school for indigent girls, Myers wrote. Then there’s the young Black cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason taking stage in front of the entire world during the recent royal wedding. Queen Charlotte invited young, Black violin prodigy George Bridgetower (of African and Polish parents) to perform at Windsor Castle in the late 1770s, Myers wrote. “There’s a page that has been turned,” Myers said. “I feel there was a real moment here. I believe the royal family will open up. Royal families all over the world will open up. Our community brings a lot to the table.” For a few hours in May, elements of our culture melted hearts throughout the world. Bishop Michael Curry’s fiery sermon could’ve been snatched from the pulpit of any Black church. The Kingdom Choir’s rendition of “Stand by Me” wasn’t a gospel song, but it definitely tugged at the soul, as gospel choirs are known to do. This was a chance for African Americans to bask in our culture in a way that we haven’t since the Obamas left the White House. It was the royal family’s wedding, but it was Black America’s moment. P

Diversity T Paves the Way

By Angela Lindsay

in Local Leadership

Feature

he current leadership slate in Charlotte is likely the most diverse it has ever been, with minorities and women holding prominent positions, from the mayor to the district attorney to the fire chief to the chief of police and sheriff, as well as the city planner, school board chair, transportation CEO and the chair of the board of county commissioners. The Charlotte metro area is also home to 230,000 foreign-born people, making the city itself more diverse than ever. Five countries account for 47 percent of the foreign-born population in the area, including Mexico, Vietnam, El Salvador, Honduras and India. According to the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte’s international business relationships are continuing to grow, as well, with more than 1,000 firms from 45 countries represented. This diverse population also has made its mark on the Queen City by assuming visible positions in the community to ensure that all their voices are heard, and that everyone’s interests are well-represented. We invite you to meet a few of the new leaders:

Dimple Ajmera

31, Charlotte City Council member at-large Councilwoman Ajmera is widely known for her leadership in bringing new life and opportunities to the 69-acre former site of Eastland Mall, taking on this daunting task with a sustainable vision and fortitude. The native of Rancho Cucamonga, California, is a passionate advocate for affordable housing. She played an integral part in securing the funding and neighborhood’s support for the affordable housing development, St. John’s Place, which serves some of the most vulnerable members of our community. “One of the most important responsibilities in my role is to deliver on my promise of creating a sustainable, equitable and safe Charlotte,” she says. While she feels diversity is adequately represented in Charlotte’s leadership more than ever before, she says, “We must continue to improve on recruiting and supporting more women of color to run for a public office.”

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

Dr. John C. Chen

Tagbo Ekwonu, MD

Chen is dedicated to devising creative methods to engage at-risk youth. He has started several tutoring initiatives at local high schools to help Asian students, particularly Hmongs. These students’ parents often don’t speak English and lack a formal education. Chen has worked to assess the needs of the students, and convinced others to join his efforts and to help out by tutoring. His community involvement has included Crossroads Charlotte, the FBI Multicultural Advisory Council and Charlotte E.A.S.T. A contributing columnist for the Asian Herald newspaper in Charlotte, he also serves as a member of the United Way of Central Carolina and is the founder and chair of the Charlotte Dragon Boat Club. Over the years, Chen worked tirelessly to build bridges between Asians and their Charlotte neighbors, by identifying common concerns and bringing programs to Charlotte to increase diversity and improve the quality of life. In 2012, then-mayor Anthony Foxx recognized Chen as the first Global Leader Award winner at the Mayor’s International Community Awards.

One of the most important roles that Nigerian-born Ekwonu fulfills is “to promote and support access to affordable health care to the underserved members of the community, through education and access to available resources in the community.” When he is not serving his patients, he is serving the community in a variety of ways, including supporting the annual YMCA Martin Luther King Day Prayer Breakfast, fund-raising to support the HeartBright Foundation through a yearly Golf Tournament and Symposium ($150,000 donated this year), supporting the United Negro College Fund through the Maya Angelou Women Who Lead luncheon and mentoring high school students interested in a career in medicine through the Wake Forest University mentoring program. He also supports the Harvey Gantt Center Jazzy Night events and hosts/sponsors health fairs. While he feels it is a step in the right direction that Charlotte in 2018 has seen African Americans in leadership positions unlike anything achieved ever before, it is still a work in progress. “We will continue to need progressive and diverse leaders to address the desperate need for affordable housing, upward mobility for the poor and disparities in the CMS school system,” he says.

Chairman of the Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce

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Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Our most popular event!

Jewelry Handbags Shoes Accessories Proceeds benefit philanthropic programs for at-risk area children

13th Annual Event

Baubles & Bags

Saturday, August 11 • 9–3

Rocio Gonzalez-Zornosa

52, executive director of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte (LACCC) “I feel my role in (the LACCC) is to be a bridge between cultures,” says Gonzalez-Zornosa, who was born in New York and raised in Bogota, Colombia. “We identify gaps to find solutions. The Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte is involved in many committees with the city, other organizations, in many different industries. We collect information and share these opportunities with our membership and with our community at large. We offer connections, access, mentoring and educational programs. We are an organization open to all, because we believe by supporting each other, we will continue to strengthen our economy and our relationships.” She and her team have made a difference in the lives of many small business owners who, from their educational programs and contacts, have broken the barrier of closing over $1 million in annual production—increasing employment opportunities, positive economic impact, more civic involvement, more positive impact in the community and giving back to the city of Charlotte. It is her wish, she says, to continue to connect many Latino and non-Latino businesses, professionals and corporations and to foster success through unity. “The city of Charlotte has improved and embraced diversity; I feel we can still work on being more inclusive. I would like to see members of the Latino and Asian communities have a higher number of representatives in the decision-making, positions to have the whole community’s voice at the table. I call upon those members of our city of Charlotte to follow their hearts and step forward to be our voice and make a difference!”

Third Annual Day of Service

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

Esther Ramirez-Pevney

52, president of the Puerto Rican Cultural Society of Charlotte (PRCSC) In her more than 10 years as president of the PRCSC, Ramirez-Pevney has been instrumental in the expansion and recognition of the organization over the last four years, including its Puerto Rican Festival at Symphony Park. “I think the most important responsibility in any leadership role is to educate and bring people together,” says the Manhattan native. “In the case of my role at PRCSC, it’s not only what I think, it’s actually part of our mission.” Another notable accomplishment was the joint effort between PRCSC and other groups and individuals to provide relief efforts after hurricane Maria. The effort lasted more than seven weeks and resulted in sending over 300 tons of food and supplies to Puerto Rico. “If I think of my role in civic engagement, I would honestly state that there is very little representation of diversity. I just spent weeks working with groups, trying to get the word out about voting in primaries. It was very noticeable that there were almost none, if any, Hispanics/Latinos running. I would imagine that the same is true about representation from the LGBT community. However, if I look at my role within the organization I chair, I would say that the diversity is widely represented in those who have been part of our board, our memberships and those who participate in and those who attend our events. “On a more personal note, I grew up in a truly diverse environment, and when I made a choice to relocate, it was very important to me that I not be separated from an open and inclusive society. I don’t think that Charlotte is that far from it. Yes, there is still what I consider ignorance and intolerance from some, but for the most part, I have found a great deal of diverse culture here in this town. It’s not perfect, especially in local government, but I think the opportunity is there for improvement.” P

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Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

The New Multicultural Mainstream

Feature

HOW ME THE MONEY By Gail Cox

t is no secret that more than 120 million multicultural consumers are transforming America. At 40 percent of the U.S. population today, these consumers are a large, growing and young segment of the population that will soon represent more than 60 percent of it. The change in demographics creates a shift in buying power and marketplace influence that demands companies evaluate their multicultural planning efforts — not based on “the right thing to do” or based on “future population growth,” but instead based on it being a business imperative.

American Population Growth Depends on Immigrants and People of Color

More than 90 percent of U.S. population growth during the past 15 years was driven by nonwhite populations, with Hispanics accounting for the majority. This trend is expected to continue, while the white population is expected to decline steadily and

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

% by the numbers

THE NEW MULTICULTURAL MAINSTREAM

Get Ready for BOC 2018 Delivering Value to Support Future Needs

40%

of the U.S. population today are multicultural consumers

Soon multicultural consumers will represent more than

60%

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of the 11 million households formed during the past decade, eight million were multicultural households.

The coveted millennial generation represents

25%

of the population

30%

of the voting-age population SPONSORED BY

40%

of the working population

Almost half

of millennials today are nonwhite.

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Older populations are considerably less diverse, and younger generations are significantly more diverse.

Nonwhites are now the majority in California, Florida, Texas, Georgia, New Mexico, Nevada and New Jersey

significantly over the next few decades. It is worth acknowledging rumblings regarding the future status of unauthorized immigrants in this country — even if the most aggressive immigration policy were in place, Hispanics would remain the largest ethnic segment, contributing more population growth than any other segment. Birth rates for whites recently dipped to a 30-year low, and fertility rates have dropped below replacement level. Upward trends in birth rates, household formation rates, immigration and intermarriage rates for people of color are contributing to higher nonwhite growth in population and consumption. For perspective, of the 11 million households formed during the past decade, eight million were multicultural households. Also, more than 50 percent of babies born each year in the United States are nonwhite.

people of color are already the “majorityminority” in some cities, counties and states. Nonwhites are now the majority in California, Florida, Texas, Georgia, New Mexico, Nevada and New Jersey, and in significant counties all over the country. While the largest sub-segments nationally are 18 percent Hispanic and 13 percent African American, the largest ethnic/racial group varies significantly by region. For example, Charlotte is 10 percent Hispanic and 22 percent African American. Ethnic populations also vary by age or generation. Older populations are considerably less diverse, and younger generations are significantly more diverse. The coveted millennial generation represents 25 percent of the population, 30 percent of the voting-age population and 40 percent of the working population; today almost half of those in this generation are nonwhite.

The Big Shift Has Already Occurred

The Opportunity of the Multicultural Market

By 2044, the United States will be a “majority-—minority” country, and the majority of the population will be multicultural, while whites will be the minority; however, due to the geographical concentration of nonwhites in some areas,

Ethnic buying power will continue to grow much faster than that of whites, and nonwhites contributed to or drove expenditure growth across many industries, such as paint, insurance, transportation, health care, electronics, entertainment and

personal care. In some cases, nonwhite consumers even buoyed industries, such as auto, food, dairy, apparel and education, that otherwise would have seen negative growth during the same period. For example, according to the Harvard State of the Nation’s Housing 2017 study, nonwhites drove more than 70 percent of the net growth in homeownership. Multicultural consumers skew significantly younger, they have many more years of buying power and they are therefore projected to drive 60-80 percent of total expenditure growth. Strategic companies that want to leverage the higher remaining cumulative lifetime spending of ethnic consumers will weave new strategies into their businesses, to attract today’s multicultural consumers, employees and suppliers and tomorrow’s new households and families. Successful companies will then create lasting loyalty and a significant impact to their bottom lines. P

Gail Cox

Gail Cox is vice-president of strategic planning, AC&M Group.

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@RLGcounsel July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

Feature

UPS Store Serves Needs of Growing Small Businesses By Kallan Louis

n 2007, retired couple Phillip and Lillie Oden moved to Charlotte from Cleveland. Listening to the advice of family and friends, the Odens decided to continue working post-retirement. They had previous experience in small business and customer service. Phillip’s family owned a cleaning service and Lillie worked as a workmen’s compensation supervisor. After much research, they decided to purchase a UPS Store franchise along Beatties Ford and Sunset Road. The Odens arrived at the right time. According to Lillie, the area had just began to develop and the UPS Store was one of the first businesses in the shopping center. Literally at the center of attention, the store proudly stands as an anchor, sandwiched among the other small businesses to its left and right in the plaza. “Back then, the area was not built up like it is now,” said Lillie. “So that was a good opportunity, because people were moving into the area and they were trying to build up that side of Charlotte. There wasn’t anything close around that area for people to go get copies made, fax service, shipping and etc.” The store location provided a steady stream of business for the Odens. Lillie

Phillip and Lillie Oden

described the area as a diverse mix of middle-class and lower income residents. The customers’ needs varied, from individuals needing small personal services for loved ones to local government agencies needing complex projects completed in a time crunch. “All UPS Stores provide the same services,” said Lillie. “You have to cater to the needs of your specific area. For us, there was a lot of printing. People needed a lot of flyers, brochures, funeral programs and business cards. So we found that base there.” After 10 years, UPS Store franchises owners need to make a decision to renew, sell or close the store. Phillip had become ill, so the couple’s priorities had changed.

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Understanding the community wanted the store to remain, Lillie chose to sell the store. “It was a good 10 years,” she explained. “I enjoyed serving the customers. I’m glad someone came along and picked the ball up and kept it going in that area, because they do desperately need us there and they appreciate the store being there.” Jon Prather, the new coowner and store manager, has more than 30 years’ experience in the local printing business, so he felt that owning a UPS Store would be a good fit. “My number one priority when I took Jon Prather over was to retain the existing customers,” said Prather. “Since we took over, we have seen about a seven percent growth.” Prather is focused on building on what the Odens established. He was able to keep a longtime store associate, purchase new equipment and add some new vendors. Prior to taking on this role, Prather had not had a history of working directly with customers one-on-one, but he has enjoyed the experience of relationship-building in the community. P

Feature

Food Lion Sets Guinness World Records™ Title for the Most Bagged Lunches Assembled in One Hour

ood Lion is known for being a retail leader in the grocery industry, but now the East Coast grocer has another title to add to its list — GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title for Most Bagged Lunches Assembled in One Hour. Hundreds of Food Lion company leaders and associates gathered in Hot Springs, Va., and packed 10,320 bagged lunches for the hungry on Sept. 19, 2017. This effort was part of Food Lion’s 60th anniversary celebration and the company’s commitment to eliminate hunger through Food Lion Feeds, its hunger-relief initiative. “At Food Lion, we’re honored to

celebrate 60 years of feeding, caring and nourishing our communities,” said Meg Ham, president of Food Lion. “While I’m proud of what our team accomplished by setting this new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title, I’m even more excited about the opportunity we have to connect with our neighbors to help fight hunger, while drawing attention to an issue facing nearly nine million people in the towns and cities we serve.” The bagged lunches were donated to two food banks, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and Feeding America Southwest Virginia, and will be distributed to schools and others in need within the community

of Hot Springs, Va. An official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator verified the count. This GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title attempt was part of Food Lion Feeds’ commitment to provide 500 million meals to individuals and families in need by the end of 2020. Through Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion is working to create a better tomorrow, by uniting with customers and partners to help eliminate the difficult choices many families are forced to make when they are struggling with hunger. Since the launch of Food Lion Feeds in 2014, the grocer has donated more than 320 million meals through associate volunteerism,

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

in-store campaigns, in-store food rescue programs and equipment donations. Food Lion, based in Salisbury, since 1957, has more than 1,100 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than 63,000 associates. Food Lion is known as a leader in diversity. Recently the company received a score of 100 percent on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. P Food Lion staff Benny Smith, Courtney James and Christy PhillipsBrown contributed to this report

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Good W Eats

By Jimese S. Orange

Feature

hether it’s bringing unique and authentic ethnic foods from across the globe here or expanding famous eateries within Charlotte city limits, our options are better thanks to minorities making their mark on Charlotte’s culinary scene.

Jai Food ‘Heart Food for the Soul’

with the Good People of Charlotte

Jai is the Lao (Laotian) word for “heart,” the equivalent of “Spirit,” and the inspiration behind this mother-daughter collaboration and owner Linda Simthong. Jai Food specializes in catering, family meals, pop-ups and lunch and dinner deliveries. “We serve up authentic Southeast Asian flavors and favorites...with a vegan and vegetarian twist. Healthy, fresh, flavorful and delicious... delivered straight to your door and forever imprinted in your Jai,” said Simthong. She takes us beyond the usual in this heart-to-heart conversation.

Fresh Summer Rolls

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

PM: What inspired you to open this business? Simthong: “My mom. She’s the official O.G.! I’ve witnessed her cook and sell her delicious foods, candies and desserts to the local community, Asian markets and just straight up knocking on people’s doors. My family has always wanted to preserve my mother’s food knowledge and recipes. She’s Thai Issan — her village is in the northwest part of Thailand, which is very close to Laos.” PM: What is the most authentic item on the menu? Simthong: “Green Papaya Salad (“Thum Mak Hoong”) is a traditional Lao salad using unripe green papaya and fresh ingredients pounded with love using a traditional pestle and mortar. There’s balanced flavors of sweet, spicy and savory. Go for the extra spicy level.” PM: What is on your menu that’s a ‘must try’ item? Simthong: Nam Khao. It’s a delicious Lao crispy coconut rice and fresh herbs salad with lettuce wraps. Top it off with dried Thai chilies, and each bite is pure paradise. PM: As the owner, what’s your favorite item on the menu? Simthong: Nam Khao and Papaya Salad. I can’t pick one. We focus on regional flavors and favorites, so the menu items we offer are our favorites.

Jai Foods Kitchen

Located inside the Asian Corner Mall 4520 N. Tryon St. #25 Charlotte www.jaifoodclt.com

Must place orders in advance for pickup or delivery. Also, follow on Facebook and Instagram @ jaifoodclt to stay abreast of pop-up times and locations.

Famous Toastery The N.C.- born and hugely popular original Toast restaurant in Davidson has gone national, with franchises up and down the East Coast and as far west as Denver, CO. Famous Toastery’s latest franchisee is making his mark on the minority-owned business landscape in Charlotte. Justin Griffith played professional football for eight years and coached in the NFL for four years. Wanting a change in life that included more family time, Griffith and his wife moved back to Charlotte in 2015. He frequented the original Toast restaurant in Davidson and loved the food so much that he decided to join the Famous Toastery franchisee family. Store #31 in uptown Charlotte is where you can support this minority-owned business and enjoy delicious brunch and lunch fare every day of the week. Griffith shares his passion for all things Famous Toastery in this interview. PM: Tell me about some fan favorites on the menu. Griffith: If you are an omelette person, the best omelette to me on the menu is the avocado omelette. We’re talking about avocado, tomato, bacon and Parmesan.” When it comes to lunch, for me, it’s the Left

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Coast BLT. It’s like a regular BLT, but when you add avocado and brie and pesto mayo to this sandwich, it takes it to another level. PM: What’s a ‘must try’ item on the menu? Griffith: What’s been a hit is the mac and cheese. It’s outstanding, with Gruyere cheese and Parmesan cheese, and you have a choice of adding chicken or shrimp on top of it. People love it. PM: What are some unique offerings at the uptown location? Griffith: We get to be creative with our weekly specials, and the kitchen manager, Ian Murphy, creates quiche specials that sell out every time. Most recently, he made a quiche with crab, peppers and Parmesan that was outstanding. People are also raving about The French Toast casserole special with cream cheese icing.

Famous Toastery

330 S. Tryon Street Charlotte www.famoustoastery.com/location/uptown-charlotte-nc

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

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Facebook

ChemoCars By Eren Simpson

hen someone is diagnosed with cancer, the last question on his or her mind should be, “How am I going to get to my treatment?” When his mom was being treated for stage four pancreatic cancer, Zach Bolster heard about the struggle some patients have getting to and from treatment due to lack of transportation, often leading them to quit treatment altogether. So Bolster started volunteering to take patients to and from their treatments, and he soon realized this was a huge need. “My mom was going through treatment, and we saw how hard it is to fight cancer. It’s scary, it’s intimidating. It felt out of control, and my mom had the support of my sister, my father and my wife, and we did everything we could so she could focus on getting better, and it was really hard … and we saw a lot of people didn’t have that same support system,” Bolster said. He said one of the biggest challenges was the need for an on-demand ride. So one day, out on a walk with his sister, he said, “Why don’t we get these people an Uber or Lyft?” and that’s how ChemoCars was born. All patients have to do is call the 24-hour service line and request a pickup. ChemoCars then works with an Uber or Lyft driver to get patients to and from their appointments. You don’t need a special app or a smartphone; you just need a cell phone to call the service, and so the driver can get in touch with you to notify you that your driver has arrived and what kind of car he or she is driving.

Zach Bolster and patient Patricia C. getting ready for a ChemCar ride. Photo by Kate Kmetzsch.

Feature

Helping People When It Matters Most

Patricia C. Photo by Kate Kmetzsch

“Cancer is super expensive,” Bolster said. “There are so many out-of-pocket expenses, and even though ChemoCars is super cost effective, not everyone can afford an Uber or Lyft, so we’re funded through donations and grants, so it’s completely free to patients.” ChemoCars recently received the SEED20 Wells Fargo People’s Choice Grand Prize of $20,000, and all of that money is going to provide rides for patients to receive their lifesaving treatments. Bolster understands being new to Charlotte—he and his wife, Patricia, moved her from New York when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. He knew it was important to try to meet as many people and get in touch with as many organizations as possible to get ChemoCars off the ground, so he got involved with SEED20 to help get the word out about his organization. Created by Social Venture Partners, the annual SEED20 program identifies, highlights and connects the community to the region’s most innovative ideas for tackling pressing social challenges. “We were thrilled to take home the grand prize, which was voted on by the audience, and we’re really appreciative,” Bolster said. “It’s introducing us to people who will help our program thrive. I can’t say enough good things about SEED20.” ChemoCars’ first ride was in May 2017, and in its first year, the organization provided 2,000 rides. To date, the service has provided more than 4,000 rides for cancer patients. “Riders love it, and we’re working really hard to make transportation simple and stress-free so they can focus on what matters most, and that’s getting better,” Bolster said. Bolster and his wife quit their 70-hour-a week jobs in finance and real estate in New York, and now work full-time on growing ChemoCars. Sadly, Bolster’s mother passed away just five weeks after her diagnosis, and it’s in her memory that the entire family works hard every day to make ChemoCars a success. P To learn more about ChemoCars and donate a ride for lifesaving treatment, visit www.chemocars.org. 32

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PrideTravel

Hello, Curacao! By Dee Dixon

Feature

t didn’t take me long to decide to travel to Curacao. It took a bit longer to learn how to pronounce it, though. It’s “Kur-uh-sow” (rhymes with cow), depending on who you ask. Anyhow, I had never in my life heard of this place, until I read about it in one of my “Travel and Leisure” emails: “13 Fun Things to Do in Curacao!” A photo of the lively, vibrantly colored buildings mesmerized me, and after realizing it was about a four hour flight from Charlotte, I was completely sold. Here’s the lowdown. Curacao is the “C” of the ABC Islands, following Aruba and Bonaire, in the Caribbean. Owned by the Dutch, it is about 40 miles from the coast of Venezuela. The history is interesting. Africans got there via the slave trade, of course. They were often bought and sold in the capital, Willemstad which is where my two bedroom Air B&B apartment was located. The main language spoken there is called Papiamento, which is a combination of Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch. My brother from Kansas City, Lloyd Dixon, was able to join me on this excursion. We had a blast, sightseeing, exploring, shopping, eating delicious food and learning about the culture. Have you traveled to Curacao? If so, shoot me an email and let's chat. I would definitely go back! Having fun at Mambo beach, one of many in Curacao.

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, please enjoy some of our best moments in Curacao, captured on our camera.

1 A stone silent conversation with“Chichi” art sculpture which means “big Sister in Papiamentu. 2 I was mesmerized by the colorful architecture. 3 Dining by the sea. 4 Our Air B&B apartment was in uptown Willemstad. 5 Hmm...Lloyd and I favor the ostriches. 6 Intriguing Street art near our apartment. 7 I love to purchase from the locals. (They love it, too!) 8 Lloyd ate an ostrich burger. I did not. 9 Our guide at the Christoffel National Park was spot on.

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Log on to pridemagazineonline.com to see more photos.

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

Feature

Tips from the Pros:

Creating Workplace Diversity By Kallan Louis

iversity in the workplace is more than just a matter of the morally right thing to do. It is an invaluable resource for business owners that can create a pipeline to top talent and ideas. A study from the Harvard Business Review discovered that some of the most heavily relied upon methods to cultivate workplace diversity, including mandatory diversity training, are some of the least effective ways to transform companies into more inclusive environments. In fact, those methods can have a negative impact and cause animosity among employees. “The reality is that a business is not nearly as strong as it could be if it does not include the input and perspective of folks from different backgrounds,” said Shalanna Pirtle, Shalanna Pirtle a partner at the law firm Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, who practices employment law. “By ‘backgrounds,’ I mean socioeconomic status, national origin, gender, race, sexual orientation, work experience – all of the factors that make us who we are. That type of diversity is critical to coming up with new ideas and asking important questions.” Pirtle wears multiple hats at Parker Poe, serving as the firm’s diversity and inclusion

committee chair. She assists in carrying out the firm’s mission of building on initiatives to improve the diversity and inclusion of its employees, developing a pipeline for minority students interested in the legal profession and collaborating with clients and local organizations who share the firm’s commitment to giving everyone a voice at the table. Pirtle shared a few thoughts on how business owners can create a workplace diversity.

Intentionality

Pirtle’s overarching piece of advice is to be intentional and transparent about your diversity efforts: “Intentionality is more than just saying I want to have more voices at the table – it is taking steps to actually get those voices to the table. That is usually encompassed in the proverbial saying ‘put your money where your mouth is.”

Appointment of Leadership to Own Diversity Efforts

Pirtle suggested selecting one or two leaders who are energized about diversity and inclusion to own the responsibility on behalf of the business. From there, build a team. Pirtle said that’s how Parker Poe grew its diversity and inclusion committee over the last 15 years.

Recruitment in Targeted and Nontraditional Ways

Pirtle said business owners and employers need to think outside the box regarding recruiting. Her firm targets HBCUs,

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minority job fairs and alumni networks. She also suggested connecting with minority associations within your industry, advertising open positions through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce, the Latin American Chamber of Commerce and in minority-focused publications, and offering incentives to current staff members for helping to find new hires.

Development of Minority Talent Pipelines

Business owners can create a pipeline of minority professionals through student development and mentoring programs. For more than a decade, Parker Poe has hosted THRIVE, a program to help minority students navigate law school and successfully transition into legal careers.

Establish Employee Resource Groups and Activities

Establish groups in which employees who share demographics, such as gender and ethnicity, can meet, support each other and create programs. Offer entertaining opportunities for employees to learn and engage different groups of people. While there is a financial commitment associated with some of these options, some cost only time and a willingness to invest. Pirtle believes that’s a small price to pay to ensure the overall cohesiveness of your team and long-term success of the business. P

Success Through Others

How Wells Fargo is Building Capacity in Diverse Owned Businesses By Regina Heyward, head of supplier diversity, Wells Fargo

Feature

n 2017, Wells Fargo achieved $1.27 billion in diverse supplier spend – a milestone for the Regina Heyward company. We have achieved this by growing diverse businesses offering executive training, providing access to capital and partnering with external organizations to broaden opportunities that benefit diverseowned businesses, which are so vitally important to our country’s economy. One of the major success factors in executing our diverse spending growth strategy has been the investments Wells Fargo has made in growing capacity and working hands-on with diverse suppliers,to help them achieve their dreams. We work across the company to impact our community, and that includes helping scale diverse businesses. I recall attending a conference in Atlanta, where I met Tracey West, a local baker who had developed a line of pound cakes based on her Aunt Ola’s recipes. After tasting Tracey’s delicious pound cake, I began mentoring her on business scaling techniques, including customer acquisition, packaging optimization and marketing. But we didn’t stop there. Tracey was a featured guest of Wells Fargo at the National Minority Supplier Development Council’s conference in 2017, where we provided a platform for Tracey to display her cakes and meet potential customers from other companies. The result: In less than a year, Tracey expanded her business, Tracey West Irresistible Pound Cakes, to customers in the airline and consulting industries. Tracey says, “Wells Fargo has been a supporter of my business since 2016. After being a featured guest last year, Wells Fargo made it possible for me to grow and expand into industries that wouldn’t have been possible without their support. Thanks to Wells Fargo for believing in me and supporting my business. I look forward to continuing our relationship into the future!” Working directly with diverse owned businesses is a passion and skill set of the

Tracey West, owner of Tracey West Irresistible Pound Cakes

supplier diversity team at Wells Fargo. The group leads 14 diverse supplier development programs across the country, in partnership with major universities such as Dartmouth and Stanford. These programs focus on targeted operational improvement initiatives

that improve margins and reduce costs for the business owner. One example: Working with local minority supplier development councils, Wells Fargo has funded a “CEO Academy” in five states — California, Minnesota, New

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

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, who will be taking what they’ve learned and focusing on their next stage of growth. One CEO Academy graduate is Kevin Thomas, who leads Thomas Enterprises, a transportation and logistics company in Greensboro with nearly 50 employees. Kevin participated in the CEO Academy led by the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council. The curriculum included sessions on company culture, building the right team, competing for contracts and preparing for new contracts. Kevin says the CEO Academy provided an opportunity to learn from others and think strategically about the future of his company. “We may work in different industries, but minority CEOs have many of the same problems [as other leaders],” Thomas says. “Through the CEO Academy, I’ve learned the importance of taking a step back to implement change, with a focus on the big picture — and I believe that we’ll see real gains for our customers and their customers because of it. We’re all trying to

Kevin Thomas, CEO of Thomas Enterprises, participating in a CEO Academy session

return value to the marketplace, and this is about helping everyone grow together.” These development programs are just a small part of Wells Fargo’s overall commitment to diverse communities. In 2016, Wells Fargo committed to offering $75 million in grants and lending to help diverse-owned small businesses access capital and technical assistance by the end of 2020. Wells Fargo has also made pledges to African-American and Hispanic home buyers, recognizing that homeownership is a key factor in achieving the American dream. This pledge goes beyond lending, with additional focuses on increasing the diversity of our sales team, and initiatives focused on home buyer education and counseling. Here at Wells Fargo, we remain committed to our “Vision & Values.” Our vision states that we want to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Our five values are: what’s right for customers; people as a competitive advantage; ethics; diversity and inclusion; and leadership. Making positive contributions to our communities through creating economic opportunity definitely achieves all five of these values. P © 2018 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved.

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Feature

From Police Officer to Holistic Healer:

Meet Crystal Cliff By Eren Simpson

rystal Cliff is the owner of Phoenix Moon Acupuncture and Apothecary in Plaza Midwood and an award-winning female business owner, but her success didn’t happen overnight. Cliff grew up in a family of police officers and teachers, but from the age of six knew she wanted to do something in medicine. “I had no choice but to blend all those things together at some point,” Cliff said. Cliff eventually went to work for the Charlotte Police Department, where she worked for nine years as a police officer, and simultaneously enrolled in college to start her biology degree, intending to go to medical school. But then Cliff suffered a traumatic brain injury, which took away her photographic memory, limiting her ability to make the grades required for medical school. But her love for things such as anatomy and physiology persisted, and she ended up helping a friend study for the subjects when the friend was in massage school. Cliff went to check out the massage school, and when she saw the teacher leading the community meeting work on a patient who had chronic pain — due to four spinal fusion surgeries —walk away from the table feeling better

than she had in years, she knew she’d found her calling. “It heals people, helps people, I still get to work with the body; I need to do this,” Cliff said. So she quit the police department, finished her undergraduate degree during the day while she went to massage school at night, and two weeks after she graduated, the school brought her back to teach anatomy and physiology to new students. Cliff ended up teaching for six years, and managed two massage companies: a private practice and a seated chair massage company that worked with major businesses in and around Charlotte. “It was a really great time, but I sustained a great number of injuries on patrol — I worked in a really tough area in Charlotte — and I knew I couldn’t do massage forever, because my body wouldn’t hold up,” Cliff said. “Even though people said I was good, it was not my calling.” Fortunately, while she’d been training for her national certification exam, she learned about Eastern medicine, such as acupuncture and, acupressure, “and that lit a spark in me that never went out, because it was energy-based medicine and cultural folk medicine,” Cliff said. Cliff then found an acupuncture school in Asheville, and for nine months worked

full-time at the massage school and drove up and back to Asheville four times a week. But in May 2010 she gave up her job, packed up her life in Charlotte and moved to Asheville to finish acupuncture school. She graduated in 2013, and came back to Charlotte to set up her new venture. With her network of former students and professional connections, Cliff was able to set up shop and build her new business. Cliff said her practice is different from many others because she is a classical Chinese practitioner, which means she treats everything from the skin and surface level to the DNA level. “Spirit is a huge component in Taoistbased Chinese classical medicine,” Cliff explained. “It takes into account the aspect of spirit, the individual, the spirit of organs … It’s definitely a spirit, body and mind medicine.” Her practice, Phoenix Moon Acupuncture and Apothecary, has been operating for five years now, and she recently received the National Association of Women Business Owners 2018 Rising Star Award. The award is given every year to a member “who demonstrated entrepreneurial creativity and determination in successfully managing a business less than five years old.” To learn more about Cliff’s practice and classical Chinese medicine, visit www.phoenixmoonacupuncture.com. P

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

Dear Fabi, Larry and Sofi Preslar, Feature

We're writing this letter to share the wonderful news with our readers, in case they are unaware of it. We are so, so thrilled that your familyowned business – Spark Publications, Inc. – won the Charlotte Business Journal’s 2018 First-Generation Family Business Award for “overall excellence, innovation, ethics, philanthropy and contribution to the strength of the region.” Wow! This is not surprising to us at Pride Communications, because you have demonstrated all of these qualities and more while providing the extraordinary design and production of Pride Magazine for many, many years. Thank you for serving and investing in Pride Communications with excellence, encouragement and kindness. We have been extremely fortunate to have you on our team, giving us the assurance that every magazine we publish is of the highest quality. You have been a vital factor in our success, and we are truly grateful and so proud of your accomplishments. We are amazed at all you and your staff, affectionately known as the “Sparklers,” produce: magazines, catalogs, books, digital and interactive formats for national associations, entrepreneurs and trades. And you do it so well! Without a doubt, you are the best of the very best. We appreciate you and wish you all the best as you celebrate your 20th anniversary this month! Take care, and may God continue to bless and prosper your business. With love and appreciation,

Dee, Lashawnda, Tye and Nikelle

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

PrideBusiness FYI

Compiled by Angela Haigler

New Latin Fellows Program Welcomes Inaugural Participants

Valeria Hernandez

Rozlyn Humphrey

Valeria Hernandez and Rozlyn Humphrey will join Charlotte Latin in the fall as new teachers in a new program designed to increase diversity within the school’s faculty. The Latin Fellows program gives one year of guidance, training and experience to recent college graduates from underrepresented groups who have expressed interest in teaching as a career. The fellowships are also for novice educators who desire the opportunity to develop their teaching skills in a supportive environment. The program was open to applicants throughout the Southeast. “Valeria and Rozlyn are wonderful professionals who will represent Latin and the fellows program well,” said Sonja Taylor, Charlotte Latin director of diversity and inclusion. Valeria Hernandez graduated with a BA in history from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, with a 4.0 GPA. Hernandez is fluent in Spanish. Rozlyn Humphrey graduated with a BS in early childhood education from Columbia College in Missouri and an associate of applied science degree in early childhood education from Aiken Technical College in South Carolina, where she also received certification for early childhood development.

‘Shakespeare in a Chair’ Making Moves

Mark Williams’ innovative literacy program for elementary and middle school youths will expand to additional middle schools in the fall, in part due to a grant from MeckEd/ Charlotte NEXT. “Shakespeare in a Chair” brings the Bard’s plays to young people, to spark their interest and help them learn. Studies show that reading Shakespeare as early as elementary school makes kids smarter, by enhancing their spoken and written language skills. Next year, 2019, will be an exciting year for “Shakespeare in a Chair,” as plans are underway to launch a Grier Heights Shakespeare Ensemble in the fall, and in the spring a trip to London, Rome and Venice (the location of some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays). “Shakespeare in a Chair” was one of five Out of School Time providers selected by Charlotte NEXT, a program of MeckEd, which will serve 200 Charlotte-Mecklenburg middle school students.

West Charlotte Volleyball player headed to Australia for National Competition Natalia Walker will take her skills to Australia to represent North Carolina in the Down Under Sports National Volleyball competition on July 16. She will compete for individual honors and a team championship title. Walker graduated in May, but was the volleyball captain for West Charlotte High School for the past two years, and received the MVP award. She was also named to the Volleyball All Conference Team for the 2018 season. She’s been accepted to UNC Chapel Hill and will be attending this fall under full scholarship.

City Start-Up Labs to Equip “Returning Citizens” with Entrepreneurial Skills Thanks to a grant from the Kaufmann Foundation, Charlotte’s City Start-Up Labs (CSL) for millennials will be able to reach a new population: the formerly incarcerated, or returning citizens. CSL is the first organization from Charlotte to receive this Kaufmann Foundation award, and is one of 20 nationwide recipients out of an applicant pool of 780. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation grant is for nonprofits that have demonstrated uncommon solutions to leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs who have been excluded, due to demographic, socioeconomic and geographic barriers.

Urban Farm Coming to East Charlotte Aldersgate Community and Carolina Farm Trust are collaborating on a major agricultural and cultural initiative that will continue to help transform Charlotte’s east side. The nonprofit, 6.7-acre Urban Farm at Aldersgate will serve as a food source – and learning lab – for the east side community and beyond. Plans call for the first seeds to be planted this spring, and for the farm to be operational by fall. The farm will feature an aquaponics system, mobile kitchen, beehives for pollination and a hoop house with produce for sale. It will differ from a traditional farmers’ market, in that it will grow its own produce year-round and source other foods – meat and eggs, for instance – from farms within 100 miles of the property. The Urban Farm is expected to be open daily, and to become a hub of community engagement for Aldersgate residents and their neighbors. Both EBT and SNAP will be accepted, ensuring the working, year-round farm is truly a resource for all.

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

SceneandSeen

Black Blood opening Night Exhibit at The New Gallery of Art.

AfroPop Block Party at Camp North End Photos By Michael Maxwell

Photos by T. Ortega Gaines

2018 Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas Carolinas Annual Symposium Golf Outing. 42

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EventsCalendar

Mark Your Calendar Compiled By Shawn D. Allison, II

July 7 Get ready for an evening of music unlike any other, and experience “Sisters in Song” live onstage. Four top female jazz vocalists -Dionne Farris, Julie Dexter, Kathleen Bertrand and Rhonda Thomas -- will pay tribute to legendary R&B/Jazz icons Phyllis Hyman, Anita Baker, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, in a riveting spectacle of vocal exuberance. Tickets start at $25.50. carolinatix.org

July 3

Start your summer off by spending an intimate evening with the sultry and soulful sounds of Grammy Award-winning R&B songstress Jill Scott. “Jilly from Philly” is on a nationwide tour, and she’ll be stopping in the QC to deliver her trademark neo-soul flavor for your ears to enjoy. Ovens Auditorium. 8 p.m. Tickets start at $81. Ticketmaster.com

July 7-8

Gregory Reed / Shutterstock.com

Step back in time and get ready to boogie at the Official ThrowBack Reunion this weekend. Filled with food, music, games, fashion, hairstyles, live performances and more from the 1960s to present, this is the generational summer jam that you don’t want to miss! $35-75. eventbrite.com

July 10-15 One of America’s most beloved literary masterpieces, “The Color Purple,” will be in the QC with an all-new, ravishingly reconceived production that is a glory to behold. Don’t miss this stunning reimagining of an epic story about a young woman’s journey to love and triumph in the American South. Belk Theater, Tickets start at $25. blumenthalarts.org

July 12 Lights, camera, action and color—get ready for the second annual CineOdyssey Film Festival. This three-day festival’s emphasis will be on showcasing the works of filmmakers of color, from the African, Caribbean, Latino Asian, and Native American diasporas. filmfreeway.com

July 14 Get a taste of the motherland at the firstever Afri-Can-Licious Food Festival. This family-friendly festival will feature local African restaurants, licensed caterers, African dance performances, live music, games, authors, vendors, prizes and much more. $20. 11 a.m. The International House. 1817 Central Ave.

July 25

Jazz Around Town sets a scintillating summer smooth jazz mood, featuring saxophonist Jeanette Harris and trumpeter Lin Roundtree performing live. These two prolific instrumentalists have created some of the finest contemporary jazz, and they

want to show you their musical magic for this unforgettable evening. Tickets start at $47.75. 704-372-1000.

August 3 It’s time to feel the rhythm of our nation, as the one-and-only Janet Jackson returns to the QC. Jackson is making a statement for her “State of the World Tour,” and she’s out to prove why she will forever be the Queen of Pop. PNC Music Pavillion, 8 p.m. ticketmaster.com

August 5 Take a tropical cruise on Lake Norman this evening at Reggae on the Lake. Enjoy a soothing evening on a specially-chartered yacht, with cocktails, soothing reggae tunes, delicious food and positive energy — it’s sure to bring some island delight to the QC. Tickets are $45. Purchase only at Reggae Central. 1506 Central Ave. 704-377-2782

August 11 Come out for one of the QC’s biggest cultural gatherings—the 2018 Puerto Rican Festival. Bring your ‘familia’ out for a whole day to engage with some prideful and jubilant Boricuas, dance some samba, play games, enjoy authentic Puerto Rican cuisine and more! Free. Noon. Symphony Park. 4400 Sharon Rd.

August 22-31 Experience one of Broadway’s most beloved and acclaimed productions, Disney’s “The Lion King.” The Tony Award-winning musical fuses one of the most imaginative creative teams in a story filled with hope and adventure, set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. Tickets start at $30. blumenthalarts.org

August 25 It’s time to rock the runway with purpose and pride at the third annual Rock the Curves Fashion Show. Enjoy an evening of plus-size designers, retailers, makeup artists, hairstylists, live entertainment and more. A portion of proceeds will go toward a local charity. Tickets start at $15. 6 p.m. Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel, 2800 Coliseum Centre Drive Charlotte, eventbrite.com Get ready to make some noise at Memorial Stadium, because it’s time for the 2018 Queen City Battle of the Bands. Come out and rep your HBCU, fraternity, sorority and your heritage, as you will get to hear a number of HBCU sound machines make a joyful noise into the atmosphere. $15. 310 N. Kings Dr. Crowntickets.com

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

Resource directory presented by Pride Communications

Minority and Womenowned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Training and Support

N.C. Coordinators’ Network www.mwbenetwork.org N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development 919-956-8889 www.theinstitutenc.org

MWBE Certification Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council 704-549-1000 www.cvmsdc.org info@cvmsdc.org City of Charlotte Small Business Opportunity Program www.charlottebusinessinclusion.com 704-336-4137 N.C. Small Business and Technology Development Center 919-715-7272 www.sbtdc.org Statewide Uniform Certification Program (SWUC) *N.C. Dept. of Administration Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses 919-807-2330 www.doa.nc.gov/hub Women Wrule Women, Minority and Small Business Certification Assistance and Government Contracting 803-517-4030 www.womenwrule.com

Corporate Supplier Diversity

Compass Group/Foodbuy Priscilla Wallace Supplier Diversity Manager 704-328-1129 supplierrelations@compass-usa.com www.cgnad.com Duke Energy Andrew Grier Supplier Diversity Executive 704-382-7690 andrewgrier@duke-energy.com www.duke-energy.com/ suppliers/default.asp Food Lion Garland Scarboro Manager, Diversity and Inclusion 704-310-2589 Garland.Scarboro@ RetailBusinessServices.com www.foodlion.com/careers/diversityand-inclusion/supplier-diversity/ Novant Health Kevin J. Price, MBA, MHA Director, Supplier Diversity & Performance 704-384-3543 kjprice@novanthealth.org www.novanthealth.org/ supplierdiversity Piedmont Natural Gas David Britsky Senior Diversity Sourcing Specialist 704-731-4116 supplierdiversity@piedmontng.com www.piedmontng.com/ about/supplier-diversity Walmart Stores, Inc. Michael Byron Senior Director of Supplier Diversity 479-277-5458 SupplierDiversity@wal-mart.com http://corporate.walmart.com/ suppliers/supplier-diversity Wells Fargo Regina O. Heyward Head of Supplier Diversity 704-206-0054 regina.o.heyward@wellsfargo.com www.wellsfargo.com/supplierdiversity

Advertising Agencies/ Promotional Products 3 Keys Marketing Products 704-249-5572 www.3keysmarketingproducts.com The Plaid Penguin 704-919-1726 www.theplaidpenguin.com AC&M Group 704-697-4400 info@acmconnect.com www.acmconnect.com Ad Concepts, Inc. 704-366-1616 www.goadconcepts.com AdSpark Promos 704-781-8790 www.adsparkpromos.com Alliance Document Solutions, Inc. 704-583-3409 www.adocument.net BluePepper Public Relations 704-625-6564 www.bluepepperpr.com Brand Equity Marketing, LLC 704-372-3982 www.brandequitymarketing.com info@brandequitymarketing.com BrandRPM 704-225-1800 www.brandrpm.com CGR Creative 704-334-2232 www.cgrcreative.com Carolina Corporate Wear, Inc. 704-540-4613 www.carolinacorporatewear.com sales@ccw5.com Charlotte Hotel TV 704-806-5692 www.charlottehoteltv.com info@charlottehoteltv.com Classic Achievements, Inc. 980-819-9176 www.classicachievements.com cs@classicachievements.com

Balfour Beatty Construction Calvin Stevens Director of Business Development and Diversity 919-233-5137 cstevens@balfourbeattyus.com www.balfourbeattyus.com

Businesses

Creative Marketing Ideas 704.684.5543 www.creativemkg.com cs@creativemkg.com

Administrative Services

Equine Marketing Group 704-663-4487

Bank of America www.about.bankofamerica.com Visit “Our Story, How We Work, Supplier Diversity.”

JP Hamilton Business and Administrative Services 704-248-6924 www.jp-hamilton.com

Cybertary Charlotte 704-256-4717 http://charlotte.cybertary.com charlotte@cybertary.com

KS Image Solutions, LLC 704-786-7763 www.ksimagesolutions.com info@ksimagesolutions.com Logo’d Gear 704-334-9333 www.logodgear.com

Logo Pros 704-545-7408 www.logopros.us logopros1@gmail.com Lyerly Agency 704-525-3937 www.lyerly.com elyerly@lyerly.com Main Street Mobile Billboards 888-788-7492 www.mainstreetmobilebillboards.com Media Mark.US 803-329-7942 www.mediamark.us Media Power Advertising, Inc. 704-896-0310 www.mediapoweradvertising.com

ResourceListings

Minority Business Development Agency www.mbda.gov

Carolinas HealthCare System Donnie Moore Manager of Supplier Diversity 704-512-7772 donald.moore@ carolinashealthcare.org www.carolinashealthcare.org

PIA International 704-593-1256 www.piapromo.com Pride Communications, Inc. 704-375-9553 www.pridemagazine.net QCityMetro.com 704-442-1565 www.qcitymetro.com Robinson Thinks www.robinsonthinks.com Rutherford Media Group, LLC www.rutherfordmedia.com Spark Strategic Ideas, LLC 704-625-2185 www.sparksi.com The Agency Marketing Group 704-333-0667 www.gettheagency.com Zuri Creative Services 704-380-0278 www.zuricreative.com Yellow Duck Marketing, LLC 704-271-9555 www.yellowduckmarketing.com

Attorneys A. Gray Bonds 704-347-2545 Williams & Exum, P.A. 704-332-5583 www.jjexumlaw.com Mickle & Bass Law Firm 803-467-6423 www.mickleandbass.com Barbara L. White 704-375-9411 www.barbaralwhite.com Benjamin M. Li 704-527-0878 July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

Resource directory presented by Pride Communications

ResourceListings

“ Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it. ” — S. Scott Peck

Brady & Kosofsky, PA 704-849-8008 www.bandklaw.com info@bandklaw.com

Closing Carolina •Law Offices of Michelle Vereckey 704-283-5555 www.closingcarolina.com

Cheryl R. Watkins 704-552-3993 www.crwatkinslaw.com Cheryl@crwatkinslaw.com

Lisa Andrew Dubs 828-323-1926

Douglas H. Kim Law Firm 704-504-0962 www.douglaskimlawfirm.com GPS Law Group 704-269-4223 www.dsimmons.com Gardner Skelton, PLLC 704-335-0350 www.gardnerskelton.com Hoard Law, P.C. 704-954-8094 www.hoardlaw.com Houston Law Office 704-595-9146 The Montgomery Law Firm, PLLC 704-749-3135 charlottemontgomerylaw.com Ferguson Chambers & Sumter, P.A. 704-375-8461 www.fergusonsumter.com Hands Law Office, PLLC 704-248-7976 www.handslawonline.com service@handslawonline.com Ken Harris & Associates 704-343-2620 www.kenharrisandassociates.com Kimberly E. Fox, PLLC 704-439-2720 www.kimfoxlaw.com

Morris York Williams Surles & Barringer, LLP 704-375-4480

The Law Offices of Javá O. Warren 704-594-4144

CCITI, LLC 704-969-2484 www.citi-llc.com

The Wright Law Firm 704-332-2274 www.wright4justice.com RoderickWright@Wright4Justice.com

IASO Sport Center 704-201-7791

Echols Purser & Glenn, PLLC 704-540-2550

Paul A. Suhr 919-876-4707 info@paulsuhrlaw.com www.paulsuhrlaw.com

Zamora Law 704-728-9633 www.zamora-law.com INFO@ZAMORA-LAW.COM

Ramsay Law Firm, P.A. 704-376-1616 www.ramsaylawfirm.com

Book Stores

Robinson Law Group www.rlgcounsel.com 704-944-3583 Shapack & Shapack, PA 704-375-7500 Collins Family Law Group 704-286-6881 www.collinsfamilylaw.com Starrett Law Firm, PLLC 704-887-4944 www.starrettlawfirm.com Susan D. Brotherton 704-873-7529 Law Offices of Michael Todd 704-343-9700 Tamela T. Wallace 704-371-4212 www.tamelatwallace.com Bishop, Dulaney, Joyner, Abner, P.A. 704-945-9850

Kimberly Poe Law Office 704-489-8182

Central Law Group, PLLC 704-248-0949 http://www.clglawgroup.com

Law Offices of Michael A. Demayo 704-333-1000 www.demayolaw.com

The Justice Firm, LLC 704-377-4747 www.thejusticefirm.com admin@thejusticefirm.com

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Book Buyers 704-344-8611 Lillian’s Library Antiques 704-636-4671 Main Street Books 704-892-6841 www.mainstreetbooksdavidson.com The Book Rack 704-544-8006 www.thebookrack.com

Communications/ Media-Related Services Advanced Imaging Systems 704-525-4392 Aquent 704-338-9119 www.aquent.com

Karin Lukas Technical Writing, LLC 704-756-0458 Media Power Advertising 704-896-0310 www.mediapoweradvertising.com Network Cabling Systems, Inc. 704-523-8606 www.networkcablingsystems.com Yellow Duck Marketing, LLC 704-271-9555 www.yellowduckmarketing.com Watson Electric Company, Inc. (704) 947-5151 www.watsonelectric.com

Computers/Printers/Web Allegra Marketing, Print, and Mail 704-321-8890 www.allegracharlotte.com Application Consultants, Inc. 704-573-7677 Applied Data Technologies 704-847-3000 www.applieddatatech.com info@applieddatatech.com

Atlantic Communication Products, Inc. 704-676-5880 www.goacp.com

Blueline Technologies 704-542-1514 www.BlueLTI.com info@BlueLTI.com

Brand Equity Marketing 704-372-3982 www.brandequitymarketing.com info@brandequitymarketing.com

Business Policy Solutions, LLC 704-921-9556 www.bpolicysolutions.com info@bPolicySolutions.com

CGR Creative (704) 334-2232 www.cgrcreative.com

NTT DATA Consulting 800-745-3263 http://americas.nttdata.com/

Resource directory presented by Pride Communications

Carolina Cartridge & Supplies 704-347-2447 www.ccsinside.com

Laury Controls & Design 704-785-6788 www.laurycontrols.com

Computech Consulting, LLC 704-499-8967 www.computech-consulting.net

Logical Advantage, LLC 704-377-5066 www.logicaladvantage.com

CGR Creative (704) 926-9933 cgrcreative.com

Lorven Group, Inc. 704-899-5200 www.lorvengroupinc.com

The Best Computer Fixers 704-333-2827 www.cfcomputerstore.com

MPG Consulting Services LLC 704-807-6376 www.mpgcs.com info@ mpgcs.com

Computer House Calls 704-549-4334 http://www.chc-clt.com/ Computel Systems 704-541-8659 Copy Cat Instant Printing of Charlotte 704-529-6606 www.copycatsouth.com CPI Training Solutions Inc. 704-593-8999 www.solutionsrus.com cpi@solutionsrus.com

Virtual Information Systems Consulting 750 704-659-0665 www.visc750.com

Southpark Doc 704-365-6505 www.southparkdentistcharlotte.com

Xtramile Soft, LLC 704-699-9912 www.xtramilesoft.com info@xtramilesoft.com Zenmonics, Inc. 704-971-7315 www.zenmonics.com

Carlos A. Sanchez, DDS 704-938-7505

JJ Computer Services 704-542-6254 Limelight Web Development 818-264-4256 www.limelightwebdevelopment.com

Paperless Digital Solutions, LLC 704-357-8881 www.usascanning.com

Hardison Cartridge, LLC 704-770-3533 www.hardisoncartridge.com

Eastover General Dentistry 704-842-3328 http://www.eastoverdental.com

Metrolina Printing & Promotional, LLC 704-262-3939 www.metrolinaprintpromo.com

Experienced Recruiting Partners LLC 518-598-6300

BC Forward 866-363-1132 www.bcforward.com

Synergy Network Concepts 704-333-1996 http://www.snconcepts.com

Dentists/Orthodontists

Neteffect Technologies 704-504-9040 www.ne-t.com

Geek Choice 704-331-0739

Kathleen Boyd, DDS, MS, PA 704-637-3636 www.kbendo.com

Metalogix, Inc. 704-543-1616 www.metalogixinc.com sales@meta-logix.net

Dat-A-Syst, Inc. 704-523-3548 www.datasyst.net

www.experiencedrecruitingpartners.com

SMS Tech Solutions, LLC 800-656-7702 www.smstechsolutions.com

Rush Computer Rentals 800-343-7368 www.rushcomputer.com

AAA Dental Office 704-364-6666

Carmel Commons Dental & Imaging 704-540-2443 www.carmelcommonsdental.com Dasling Dentistry 704-594-9250 www.daslingdentistry.com Derek C. Barnes, DDS 704-849-6700 www.drderekbarnes.com Diane E. Haberl, DDS 704-663-3001 Dual Image Orthodontics (704) 269-8495 www.dualimageortho.com

The Regal Group 704-882-9061

Friendly Dental of Ballantyne 704-494-7990 www.friendlydentalballantyne.com

The Network Team, Inc. 980-263-2856 www.thenetworkteam.com

Jackson Orthodontics 704-464-0696 www.drjacksonsmiles.com

Matthews Periodontics 704-815-5440 www.matthewsperio.com Michael Stout Dentistry 704-332-7737 www.michaelstoutdentistry.com

ResourceListings

Classic Graphics 704-597-9015 www.knowclassic.com info@knowclassic.com

JCMR Technology, Inc. 704-707-3333 www.jcmr.net Contact@JCMR.net

Smile Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics 704-971-7272 Orthodontic Care 704-509-4999 (Northlake) 704-548-1653 (University) www.drcooperortho.com Palmieri Dentistry 704-662-6020 www.palmieridentistry.com Renda L. Welch, DDS 704-786-9123 Rolle Oral & Facial Surgery 704-892-9500 www.rolleoralfacialsurgery.com Sandy Stovall, DDS 704-549-5600 SouthEnd Dentistry 704-335-8266 www.southenddentistry.com A Smile 4 U Family Dentistry 704-549-1199 www.Smile4ucharlotte.com Susan M. Collins, DMD 803-324-3277 Steven Ghim, DDS 704-293-0213

“ I'm convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverence.” — Steve Jobs

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

When we work together, we grow together.

We’re here to help. Learn more about Wells Fargo Supplier Diversity. You believe in your business — and why not? You’re making big plans and hitting exciting goals. We’d like to hear more about it. We work to build relationships with innovative and growing companies owned by members of the business community. It’s a win-win. We gain strong suppliers, and they enjoy new opportunities to expand and enhance their businesses. These partnerships also contribute to the economic vigor and cultural vibrancy of the places where we live and work. So our communities benefit most of all. For more information, please contact the Wells Fargo Supplier Diversity team at supplierdiversity@wellsfargo.com.

Resource directory presented by Pride Communications

University Pediatric Dentistry 704-688-1664 www.universitypediatricdentistrync.com

S.W. Webber Jr., DDS 704-392-9357

White Electric Company 704-858-1090 www.whiteelectriccompany.com

Ethnic Food Items/ Grocery Stores

Plaza Sundries (704) 333-1410 Sweet It Is! Bakery 704-351-4668 www.sweetitis.net Tropical Nut & Fruit, Co 704-588-0400 www.tropicalfoods.com

A1 Stop Food Store 704-347-1747

Uptown Catering Company 704-332-5521 www.uptowncateringco.com info@uptowncateringco.com

Ann Doa Sakura Oriental Market 704-525-9840

Events/Party Planning

Carolina Smoothies 704-358-0006

Blessed Occasion Event Planner 980-236-7023

Beam Electric Company, Inc. 1-855-225-2326 www.beamelectric.com

Central Market 704-567-2071 www.centralmarketcharlotte.com

Botanica Lights, LLC 704-737-0962 www.botanicalights.com

Gaylor Electric, Inc. 800-878-0577 www.gaylor.com

Central Oriental Market 704-532-9888

Xin Chen, DDS English-Chinese 704-405-5690

Electrical Services Adams Electric Company 704-940-6080 www.adams-electric.com

Qwest Electric, LLC 704-662-3900 www.qwestelectricllc.com Interstate Electric Company, Inc. 704-333-7149 www.interstateelectriccompany.com IRV Plumbing & Electric 704-544-0200 www.irvplumbing.com Jim Dickerson Co. 704-331-0544 www.jim-dickerson.com Jenkins Electric, Inc. 800-438-3003 www.jenkinselectric.com John Roper Electric Company 704-365-5648 www.johnroperelectric.com

Compare Foods 704-596-3495 www.comparesupermarkets.com Corner Store 2 803-366-3116

Extravangaanza Events & Props 704-343-9200 www.extravaganzaevents.com

Divine Pies Bakery 704-372-7202 www.divinepiesonline.com

Itâ€™s My Affair 704-394-4928 www.itsmyaffair.com

Celestial Cakes 704-258-1209 www.celestialcakes.com

Occasions Catering and Event Planning 704-333-1060 www.occasionscater.com

Eloquent Creations Catering & Design Services, LLC 704-200-6883 www.eloquentcreationscatering.com Honey Butter Bakery 704-421-1390 www.honeybutterbakery.com Lucky Oriental Grocery 704-568-8666

Hinde Engineering, Inc. 704-814-4407 www.hindeengineering.com Jones Civil Design, P.C. 704-412-8523 www.jonescivildesign.com Laurene, Rickher & Sorrell 980-235-2624 www.lrspc.net Mitchell Consulting Incorporated (704) 766-0851 www.glmitchell.com Shultz Engineering Group 704-334-7363 www.shultzeg.com Smiley Engineering, Inc. 803-548-4111 www.smileyengineering.com System WorCx, PLLC 704-996-9924 www.systemworcx.com Watson Electric Company, Inc. 252-237-7511 www.watsonelec.com Wescott Structures, P.A. 704-921-0504 www.wescottstructures.com Willis Engineers, Inc. (704) 338-4664 www.willisengineers.com

New Century Grocery & Food 704-921-1716

Engineering

Anderson & Associates 704-347-0090 www.andersonexecsearch.com

Ole Mexican Foods 704-587-1763 www.olemexicanfoods.com

Advanced Enclosure Consulting 704-361-8664 www.aeconsulting-usa.com

ATG Accounts & Advisors 704-385-7274 www.atgadvisors.com

Atom Engineering, PLLC 704-687-6019 www.atomengineers.com

Carter Insurance 704-542-7500 agents.allstate.com/luthercarter-jr-charlotte-nc.html

McNaughton-McKay Electric Co. 800-521-0917 www.mc-mc.com

Summit Air and Electric 704-597-0940 www.summitairandelectric.com

Tribble Creative Group 704-376-1943 www.tcgevents.com email@tcgevents.com

High Performance Building Solutions, Inc. 704-299-1698 www.hpb-solutions.com

Financial Services

Mr. Jimâ€™s Pizza 704-376-5467 www.mrjims.pizza

Starr Electric Company, Inc. 704-568-6600 www.starrelectric.net

The Main Event 704-332-5819 www.themaineventnc.com info@themaineventnc.com

Elm Engineering, Inc. 704-335-0396 www.elmengr.com

Wadsworth Estate 704-332-3050 www.wadsworthestate.com

Major Contractors, Inc. 704-392-3133 www.majorcontractors.com

Pike Corporation, Inc. 336-789-2171 www.pike.com

Creative Catering 704-373-2900 www.creativecateringinc.net

DiCon Consulting 980-202-2011 www.diconconsulting.com

Organic Marketplace 704-864-0605 www.organicmarketplacenc.com Oriental Food Market, Inc. 704-537-4281 Overseas Oriental Food 704-522-9111

C2 Engineering Solutions, PLLC 540-314-1578 www.rcengineering.net

Cornerstone Wealth Planning Matthews: 704-849-0123 www.cornerstone4planning.com

ResourceListings

U. Phillip Igbinadolor & Associates 704-494-8484 www.upidental.com

WB Moore Company of Charlotte 704-331-9300 www.wbmoore.com

Resource directory presented by Pride Communications

ResourceListings

First Legacy Community Credit Union 704-375-5781 www.firstlegacyccu.org eRates Mortgage 855-693-7283 www.eratesmortgage.com Freedom Financial Advantage, LLC 704-905-9867 www.freedomfinancialadvantage.com GM Financial 704-719-3570 www.gmfinancial.com M&F Bank 704-332-2121 www.mfbonline.com Metro Retirement Plan Advisors 704-412-8170 www.myplanadvisor.com AloStar Bank of Commerce 877-738-6391 www.alostarbank.com Ocean Advisors 704-523-6914 www.oceanadvisors.com

Popbar www.pop-bar.com/charlotte 980-237-9750

N’Shape with ’N 704-334-4848 www.nshapewithn.com

Sadie’s Café 704-532-5570

PlantFitGym 704-449-1476 www.plantfitgym.com Total Life Changes 980-349-5747 shop.totallifechanges.com/ discoveryourfigure Toushea Body Boutique 980-354-1145 www.tousheabodyboutique.com 8 Street Studio 704-372-4289 www.8thstreetstudio.com th

Ultimate CrossFit 704-650-5956 www.ultimatecrossfit.com

Food/Catering/ Food Trucks

Rose & Associates Southeast 704-896-0094 www.roseassociates.com

Big “L” Enterprises 704-392-8717 www.biglfood.com

Shear Expressions, Inc. 704-847-8571

Cake and Craft Creations 704-577-4400 www.cakeandcraft.com

Tucker Boynton Company 704-366-5085 www.tbfinancial.com US Financial Services 704-531-9999 Beacon Wealth Advisors 704-947-8444 www.mybeaconwealth.com Worth Financial Advisory Group 704-731-0121 www.worthadvisors.com

Fitness/Wellness

Catering By Tara 704-492-3791 www.cateringbytara.com Creative Catering 704-373-2900 www.creativecateringinc.net Essie’s Catering 803-329-2228 www.essiescatering.com FDY, Inc. 704-523-6605 www.fdyinc.com

Better Bodies 4 Us, LLC 980-721-1866 www.betterbodies4us.com

Heaven Sent Catering 704-399-0088 www.heavensentcatering.net

Club Fitness 704-295-7900 www.goclubfitness.com

Howard & Howard Event Management and Catering 980-349-5750 www.howardandhowardevents.com

Core Elevation Fitness & Wellness www.coreelevationfitness.com info@coreelevationfitness.com

Jewell Treats 980-202-2530 www.jewelltreats.com

Energyve Fitness 704-763-6556 www.energyve.com First in Flight Gym 704-866-0040 50

My Gym 704-522-6966 www.mygym.com/charlotte

Las Delicias 704-568-2120 Nona’s Sweets 704-717-6144 www.nonassweets.com

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

SouthernCakeQueen 843-800-0766 www.southerncakequeen.com

Arboretum Obstetrics & Gynecology 704-341-1103, 704-841-7225 www.arboretumobgyn.com Barbara G Green Physical Therapy 704-377-0020 www.barbaragreenphysicaltherapy.com

The Southern Gourmet 704-675-7412 www.thesoutherngourmet.net

Carolinas Eye Center & MedSpa 704-510-3100 www.carolinaseyecenter.com

Zippy Ice Inc. 980-355-9851 www.zippyicecompany.com

Carolina Family Healthcare 704-847-4000 www.carolinafamilyhealthcare.com

Graphic Design

Carolina Pediatric Therapy Cooperative 803-980-4900

Brinkley Design, Inc. 704-372-8666 Classic Graphics 704-597-9015 www.knowclassic.com Cynthia Frank Design 704-562-2616 Linda K Blake 704-408-8865 www.blakeweddinginvitations.com Moonlight Creative Group 704-332-9918 www.moonlightcreative.com Moore Creative Ink, Inc. 704-726-6007 www.moorecreativeink.com SPARK Publications 704-844-6080 www.sparkpublications.com Steele Creek Printing & Design, Inc. 704-583-0600 TC Design Solutions, Inc. 704-971-7854 www.tcdesignsolutions.net Virtual Illustrations 704-287-7023 www.virtualillustrations.com Vistec Graphx, Inc. 704-377-6626 www.vistecmarketing.com Zuri Creative Services 704-380-0278 www.zuricreative.com

Health Care/Medical Advantage Vision Center 704-375-3935 www.advantagevisioncenter.net Americare Health 704-941-2080

Centers for Advanced Medicine and Clinical Research 704-895-9355 www.drbuttar.com Center for Integrative Medicine and Wellness 704-543-2325 www.medicineandwellness.com Center for Personal Growth 704-655-2828 www.center-for-growth.com Center for Speech Excellence, Inc. 704-375-5231 www.speechexcellence.com Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry 704-377-3687 www.cltpediatricdentistry.com Charlotte Primary Care 704-342-8115 Crown Clinic 704-527-5522 www.crownclinicpa.com Cynthia Busher 704-522-8300 www.cynthiabusher.com HomeCare for the Carolinas, LLC 704-335-8488 JP Chiropractic & Posture 704-841-1701 www.jpchiropractic.com Lancaster One Medical 803-286-5700 www.lancasteronemed.com M.D. Laser Studio 704-664-4247 www.mdlaserstudio.com Mount Holly Eye Clinic, Inc. 704-822-0099 www.mounthollyeyeclinic.com

Resource directory presented by Pride Communications

Environmental Controls & Mechanical 704-910-2692

Camden Roofing and Construction, LLC 704-858-2141

Kim’s Professional Painting 704-349-1810 www.kimsprofessionalpainting.com

Planned Parenthood 704-536-7233 www.plannedparenthood.org/healthcenter/north-carolina/charlotte

Gordon’s Heating & A/C 704-370-7789

Carolina Hydroplanting, LLC 704-913-1113 www.carolinahydroplanting.com

Millennium CCF and DJF, LLC (704) 622-9409

Premier Pharmacy 704-496-9182 www.yourwellnesskey.com Speechworks Therapy Services 980-237-6226 www.speechworkstherapy.com Starks Pediatrics 704-717-2826 www.starkspediatrics.com Massage by Lindsay 704-720-7354

KID Construction Company, Inc. (704) 277-4679 www.kidconco.com Mckenney’s Inc. 704-357-1616 www.mckenneys.com

Queen City Master Services 800-326-5540 www.queencitymasterservices.com

Native Air & Heat 704-824-0380

Certapro Painters of North Charlotte 704-489-0957 north-charlotte.certapro.com

Performance Air, Inc. (704) 394-4748

Charlotte Plantscapes, Inc 704-529-1399 www.charlotteplantscapes.com

Refresco, PLLC 704-293-8011 www.refresco-pllc.com

Heating and Air Conditioning

Bless Hurr Soil 484-714-2819 www.blesshurrsoil.com

A-1 Quality Insulating Service 704-331-9294

Superior Mechanical Systems, Inc. 704-335-1942 www.superiormsinc.com

AeroRaq Engineering Inc. 704-469-8463 www.aeroraq.com

Homecare Services

Air Diagnostics, Inc. 888-611-3011 www.airdiagnostics.net

Advanced Roofing & Exteriors, LLC 704-999-4130

Barrett & Garrett Heating & Air 704-391-2077 CATAWBA Mechanical Services, Inc. 704-399-8786 www.catawbamechanical.com Climate Control of Charlotte 704-588-2066 www.climatecontrolcharlotte.com Cost Effective Maintenance, Inc. 704-332-9711

Cook’s Pest Control LLC 704-399-8919 www.cookspestcharlotte.com

www.advancedroofingandexteriors.com

AME Consulting Engineers, PC 704-295-4263 www.ame-pc.com

American Fence and Supply Co., Inc. 704-523-4936 www.americanfenceandsupply.com A Devine Lock and Key 704-579-4799 www.adevinelockandkey.com Bullseye Construction, Inc. 704-889-2855 www.bullseyeconstructioninc.com Carolina Custom Installations, Inc. 704-568-7277 www.cci-floors.com

Carolina Lawn Service 919-633-4647 www.carolinalawn.com

DLS Landscape 704-583-0777 www.dlslandscape.com Carolina Door Specialties, LLC 704-391-7133 www.carolinadoorspecialties.com Fresh Bright Corp. 704-526-6922 www.freshandbrightcorp.com

PMG, Inc. (704) 398-6676 www.professionalsmgmt.com Tillman’s Lawn Care LLC altontillman70@yahoo.com (704) 891-7584 Lewaro Interiors Inc. (980) 430-1951 www.lewarointeriors.com

ResourceListings

Thuanh Nah Nguyen, MD, PA Internal Medicine & Pediatrics 704-554-8880

United Painting Services, Inc. 800-961-5927 www.unitedpaintingservices.com

Human Resources/ Executive Search AccruePartners, Inc. 704-632-9955 www.accruepartners.com Advantage Personnel Solutions, LLC 704-612-9500 www.advantageaps.com Advocations, LLC. 704-960-1783 www.advocations.org Allegiance Staffing 704-556-1770 www.allegiancestaffing.com

Genesis Construction of the Carolinas 704-266-3737 www.genesiscoc.com

Alpha Labor Contractors, Inc. 704-398-2741 www.alphalaborcontractors.com

Get The Lead Out, LLC 704-376-3594 www.gettheleadout.biz

Before You Hire, Inc. 704-878-3600 www.beforeyouhireinc.com

Jiron’s Construction, Inc. 800.555.6789 www.jironconstruction.com

First Rate Staffing Solutions (980) 989-1535 www.frssonline.com

“ Nothing will work unless you do. ” — Maya Angelou

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

ResourceListings

Resource directory presented by Pride Communications

Burnett Resources, Inc. 888-273-4108 www.burnettresources.com

Logical Advantage, LLC 704-377-5066 www.logicaladvantage.com

VisionCor, Inc. 704-366-7979 www.visioncor.com

ATL & C Cleans, LLC 704-635-8480 www.atlccleans.com

BPN Healthcare Concepts 866-623-8880 www.bpnhealthcareconcepts.com

Medical Administrative Solutions 704-944-3571 www.mascodingsolutions.com

Xperience Leadership, LLC (704) 896-9881 www.xperienceleadership.com

Bucket, Mop, and Broom Cleaning Service LLC 877-784-0781 www.bucketmopandbroom.com

Career Match Solutions 813-412-6560 CEO, Inc. 704-372-4701 www.ceohr.com Compass Career Management Solutions 704-849-2500 www.compasscareer.com Corestaff Services 704-248-3453 www.corestaff.com Employee Benefit Advisors of the Carolinas, LLC (704) 442-4400 www.enviroequipment.com EPC Background Check Solutions (980) 227-1137 www.epcounsel.com

OnShoreNation, LLC 704-579-0898 www.onshorenation.com Performance Staffing Solutions, Inc. 704-927-1477 www.performss.com PrideStaff 704-237-3646 www.pridestaff.com ProLogistix 704-522-9166 www.prologistix.com FirstPoint, Inc. 800-288-7408 www.firstpointresources.com

Ethel Harris, Inc. 704-377-8600 www.ethelharris.com

QCentric Consultants (800) 260-5728 www.qcentricconsultants.com

Galilee Agency, Inc. (704) 521-2779 www.galileeagency.com

Quality Personnel 704-332-2527 qualitypersonnel.org

Insurance Professional Search, LLC 704-362-5638 www.insuranceprofessionalsearch.com

Refulgent Technologies Inc. 704-405-4238 www.refulgent-tech.com

Integra Staffing 704-527-9191 www.integrastaffing.com Jennifer Temps, Inc. 704-510-1556 www.jennifertemps.com Job Corps - NC OA/CTS 704-371-6997 www.jobcorps.gov/home.aspx J.W. Smith and Associates, LLC (919) 649-4055 jwsmithconsulting.com Kavaliro Staffing Services 704-525-3457 www.kavaliro.com Language Resource Center Inc 877-322-1244 www.languagerc.net LeadAdvantage, Inc 704-577-7891 www.leadadvantageinc.com Link Staffing 704-525-4555 www.linkstaffing.com 52

Metro Staffing 704-535-3559 www.metrostaffingservice.com

Sappenfield Staffing, Inc. 704-332-4710 https://sappenfieldstaffing.com Simply Virtual 1-888-814-9800 www.simply-virtual.com SourceAbility, Incorporated 704-837-8200 www.sourceabilityinc.com Solutions Staffing 704-503-1090 www.solutionsstaffing.com Sign World, Inc. 704-529-4440 www.signworldnc.com Staffmark 704-503-0029 www.staffmark.com Staff Xperts 980-333-4113 www.staffxperts.com Trinity Strategic Consulting, Inc. 704-957-0620 www.trinitystrategicconsulting.com

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

CRG Workforce 704-665-9555 www.getcrg.com Greene Group 704-896-3110 www.greene-group.com

Insurance Services

Elite Touch Cleaning Services, Inc. 704-266-0623 www.elitetouchcleaningservices.com Greenâ€™s Commercial Cleaning, Inc. 704-233-1482 www.gccpride.com

Allstate Insurance: Bob White 704-376-3479 www.allstate.com/bobwhite2

All Things Professional Cleaning, Inc (704) 345-3976 www.allthingsprofessional.net

Altmann & Porter Insurance 704-795-9001 www.bcbsnc.com

JAC Janitorial Services 980-201-9099 www.jacjanitorialservice.com

Carolina Insurance School, Inc. 704-489-9440 www.carolinainsuranceschool.com

JC Services Unlimited 980-253-7256 www.jcservicesunlimited.com

Carolyn Green, Lutcf 704-504-0564 www.allstateagencies.com/ carolyngreen/welcome Dawn Johnson Agency 803-980-1414 https://www.statefarm.com/ agent/US/SC/Rock-Hill/DawnJohnson-Z4JGF1YS000 Group Insurance Solutions, Inc. 704-543-9314 www.groupinsurancesolutions.com Hayes Insurance Agency 704-545-3337 www.hayesinsuranceagent.com Zxiva Insurance 980-236-1548

Joffie Contracting Services, Inc. 704-392-4442 www.joffie.com Miriam Davis Cleaning, LLC 704-201-6111 www.miriamdaviscleaning.com MOLLY MAID of South Charlotte / Matthews 704-714-1150 www.mollymaid.com Mr. Clean Maintenance Company 980-339-5399 www.mrcleanservices.com The Johnson Group (704) 522-3544 www.aejohnsongroup.com

Landmark Insurance Agency 704-633-7283

Squeaky Completely Clean 910-797-4683 www.scclean.net

ACOP, LLC. (212) 945-8167 tchalk33@yahoo.com

Sparkle & Shine Cleaning Co. 803-470-3336

Prestige Insurance Agency, Inc. 704-321-3900 www.prestigeinsagency.com

Top Pro Cleaners 704-241-6206 www.topprocleaners.com

Rankin Insurance Group, Inc. 704-896-9393 www.rankininsurancegroup.com

Janitorial/Custodial AAA All In A Call 704-975-9765 www.aaaallinacall.com

www.sparkleandshinecleaningcompany.com

Latin American Chamber Charlotte 1900 Mexican Grill 704-334-4677 www.1900mexicangrill.com Mellorinas Catering (704) 264-6115

foodlion.com/supplierdiversity

Resource directory presented by Pride Communications

ResourceListings

“

I f you can't fly then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you keep moving forward.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Metro Landmarks Architecture, PC (704) 333-2011 www.metrolandmarks.com AC&M Group 704-697-4400 www.acmconnect.com AFC Custom Granite 704-598-1647 www.afccustomgranite.com Allstate-Alvarado Insurance Agency, LLC 704-846-9700 www.agents.allstate.com/j-calvarado-charlotte-nc1.html America’s Real Estate Group, Inc. 704-540-4646 www.americasre.com Amway - Miriam/Jorge 954-805-8061 www.amway.com/miribel Apex Exterminating, Inc. 704-573-1197 www.apexexterminatinginc.com

Cambio Coaching LLC 704-497-2340 www.cambiocoach.com Carnitas Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant 704-563-1651 www.carnitasmexican.com Celia Estrada Realtors 704-335-4400 Centro Medico Latino, PC 704-333-0465 www.centromedicolatino.com Cloud 9 Confections & Bakery 704-334-7554 www.cloud9confections.com JV Painting, LLC (704) 942-1514 Agua Source, LLC (704) 831-8311 www.aguasourcellc.com

Elite Touch Cleaning Services, Inc. 704-606-3509 www.elitetouchcleaning.com Exotic Landscapes 704-537-0842 www.exotic-landscapes.com Fast Signs 704-531-8000 www.fastsigns.com Fiesta Maya Mexican Restaurant 704-509-9402 www.fiestamaya.com Ganetti, Inc. 704-804-2003 Heits Building Services 919-361-5555 www.heitsofcentralnc.com/ HPS, Inc. 704-552-8077 Into Languages Global 704-408-3132 www.intolanguagesglobal.com

Arlette Guerra de Hurtado 704-591-0359

Concepcion Barajas Painting 704-557-5072

JDC Construction 980-721-2882

Arronte Law Firm, PLLC 704-774-6292

CSB Promo 704-708-5088 www.csbpromo.com

Johamar, Tires/Wheels 704-651-3671

Culturati Research (858) 792-0500 www.culturatiresearch.com

AVON Products Myriam Gladney 704-814-7318

La Noticia, The SpanishLanguage Newspaper 704-568-6966 www.lanoticia.com

Daniela Melendez State Farm 704-733-9022

LaCa Projects 704-837-1688

Baruu Advertising Group LLC 888-841-0179 www.baruu.com

Dentist Salud 704-771-2268 www.dentistsalud.com

Las Delicias Bakery, Inc. 704-568-2120

Beauty & Body Rituals 704-568-5458 www.bbrituals.com

El Progreso Hispano Newspaper 704-529-6624 www.progresohispanonews.com

AVON Products Cynthia Garcia 704-999-5581

Bonilla Brothers, LLC 704-737-7124 www.bonillaroofingnc.com 54

Borealis Language Academy 704-281-1656 www.borealislanguageacademy.com

El Soplon Deportivo 704-238-0260

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Latorre Insurance Group 704-566-8181 www.latorreinsurance.com Law Offices of Stefan R. Latorre, PA 704-344-0004 www.latorrelaw.com

Linzac Corporation, Inc. 704-307-0551 Mundo Uniforms, LLC 704-287-1527 Neighboring Concepts 704-374-0916 www.neighboringconcepts.com Parks Insurance Group 704-831-6677 CGR Creative (704) 334-2232 cgrcreative.com Precise Translating, LLC 704-488-5584 Premier Home Healthcare Services 704-521-4901 www.premierhomehealthcare.com Punta Cana Grill 704-529-3599 www.puntacanagrill.com Que Pasa Mi Gente Newspaper 704-319-5044 www.charlotte.quepasanoticias.com RentMeUSA 980-355-9696 www.rentameusa.com Sign Connection 704-868-4500 www.signcon.com Promotion Magic (704) 596-2300 www.promotionmagic.com USTT, Inc. 704-676-0990 Windsor Jewelers 704-556-7747 www.windsor-jewelers.com

Marketing/Public Relations CAC & M Group 704-697-4400 www.acmconnect.com

Resource directory presented by Pride Communications

Apple Rock Displays 1-800-478-2324 www.applerock.com

CGR Creative (704) 334-2232 www.cgrcreative.com Compass Career Management Solutions 704-849-2500 www.compasscareer.com Delargy’s Print Solutions 704-597-1422 www.delargysop.com Digital Divas www.digitaldivasevents.com Dream Builders Communication, Inc, 704-896-7336 www.dreambuilderscommunication.com Eaddy, Perry & Associates, Inc. 704-965-6956 www.eaddyperry.com Fast Signs Matthews/ Ballantyne 704-841-4033 www.fastsigns.com Finishing Partners, Inc. 704-583-7322 www.finishingpartners.com BluePepper Public Relations (704) 625-6564 www.bluepepperpr.com CHDS Manufactures Representatives 704-504-1032 www.hdsreps.com IT Factor 310-910-1837 Image Solutions 704-619-1539 International Minute Press 704-782-2020 www.concordimp.com Jervay Agency, LLC 704-780-7004 www.thejervayagency.com KS Image Solutions, LLC 704-786-7763 www.ksimagesolutions.com Lockman-Brooks Marketing Services 704-944-3188 www.lockmanbrooks.com The Lyerly Agency 704-525-3937 www.lyerly.com

Mental Health

Pride Public Relations 704-375-9553 www.pridepr.net

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Solutions 980.938.4100 www.cardinalinnovations.org

Media/Magazines/ Newspapers/Radio

Essential Assessments & Behavioral Health 980-939-5099 www.essentialhealthnc.com

Asian Library 704-332-4167 www.chungroup.org CAM Talent Agency 614-488-1122 www.camtalent.com La Noticia 704-568-6966 www.lanoticia.com Lake Norman Currents 704-749-8788 www.lncurrents.com Lake Norman Woman 704-895-6168 www.lakenormanwoman.com LaRaza — 106.1FM 800-975-0760 www.larazalaraza.com Breiding Electronics, Inc. 704-362-5333 www.breidingelectronics.com Norsan Media 1(800) 975-0760 www.norsanmedia.com Qcitymetro.com 704-442-1565 www.qcitymetro.com Qué Pasa Media 704-319-5044 www.quepasamedia.com Pride Communications/ Pride Magazine 704-375-9553 www.pridemagazine.net Radio One — Old School 105.3, Praise 100.9FM 704-548-7800 www.oldschool1053.com www.praisecharlotte.com Solid Rock Business Solutions (704) 222-4633 solidrockbusinesssolutions.com SPARK Publications 704-844-6080 www.sparkpublications.com The Charlotte Post 704-376-0496 www.thecharlottepost.com WGIV —103.3FM, 1370 AM 877-342-7770 www.wgivcharlotte.com

The FMRT Group 866-761-0764 www.fmrt.com Pride in North Carolina 704-567-8690 www.pridenc.com

Advanced Imaging Systems 800-365-1038 www.aisimc.com Boyle Consulting Engineers, PLLC 704-676-0778 www.boyleconsulting.com Moments by Donna 704-364-1215 www.momentsbydonna.com Edison’s Photographics 704-333-0123 www.edisonsphotographics.com Indigo Photography 704-335-0948 www.indigocharlotte.com

Symmetry Behavioral Health Systems (704) 369-3921 www.symmetrybhs.com

JB Long Photography 803-517-7159 www.jblongphotography.com

Office Supplies/Services

Joanna Dehart Photography 704-545-5850 www.joannadehartphotography.com

Aaron’s 877-607-9999 www.aarons.com Ad Concepts, Inc. (704) 366-1616 www.goadconcepts.com Richa Graphics (704) 331-9744 www.richa.com Beardsley Office Solutions, LLC 704-395-3081 www.bosrepair.com Carolina Marking Devices 800-888-7196 www.caromark.com Shred-It, Inc. 888.750.6450 www.shredit.com UPS Store - Stewart Creek Crossing 704-392-5099 store5926@theupsstore.com

Optometrists Advantage Vision Center 704-375-3935 www.advantagevisioncenter.com Fort Mill Vision Center 803-547-5547 www.fortmillvision.com

ResourceListings

A Design Company (704) 910-0113 www.robinsonthinks.com

Mythic Advertising & Marketing 704-227-0700

Kim Brattain Media 704-562-9161 www.kimbrattain.com Lisa Adams Photography 704-334-3231 www.lisaadamsphotography.com Media Arts Collectives, LLC 704-771-9927 www.mediaartscollective.com Origin Land Surveying and Mapping, Inc. 704.852.9453 www.originlandsurveying.com PPT Photography 704-293-7459 www.pptphotography.com Rob Armstrong Photography 704-904-3466 www.robarmstrongphotography.com Sanborn 1-866-726-2676 www.sanborn.com Timeless Arts, LLC 803-493-7086 www.timelessartsonline.com

Plumbers Agua Source 704-831-8311 www.aguasourcellc.com

Photography/Aerial/ Commercial

Dependable Plumbing 704-982-6938

Avioimage Mapping Services, Inc. 704-573-7080 www.avioimage.com

Heyworth Plumbing Company, Inc. 704-523-2696 www.heyworthplumbing.com July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

ResourceListings

Resource directory presented by Pride Communications

Tew Equipment Solutions, Inc, 704-573-5476 www.tewequipment.com

Lake Printing and Design 704-895-3878 www.lakeprinting.biz

Junk King 1-888-888-5865 www.charlotte.junk-king.com

Roper Construction, LLC. (704) 258-1531 www.roperconstructionllc.com

Marie’s Print Shop, Inc. 704-633-1125

Shred-It, Inc. 888.750.6450 www.shredit.com

National Plumbing Solutions 704-309-9565 Neely Brothers Construction Plumbing, LLC 803-322-1065 Pay Less Plumbing 704-393-9032

Mid-Carolina Reprographics, LLC 704-529-0612 www.mid-carolinareprographics.com

All Points Waste Service Inc. 704-821-5424 www.allpointswasteservice.com

Remodeling

Soho Bistro 704-333-5189 www.sohobistro2go.com Shun Lee Palace, Inc. 704-366-2025 www.shunleepalacecharlotte.com Ishi Restaurant 704-921-9219 www.sushiishi.com

Perfect Image Printing, Inc. 704-841-2464 www.perfectimagemktg.com

Anointed Flooring, Inc. 704-510-8906 www.anointedflooring.com

Reed’s Plumbing Company 704-399-7785

Proforma Impressions Group 704-575-2743 www.proforma.com/ impressionsgroup

Bolton Contracting Company, Inc. 704-399-5010 www.boltoncontracting.com

Rooter Man 704-647-0105 ww.rooterman.com

Image Solutions (704) 771-5038 www.imagesolutions.biz

Do It All Interiors, LLC (704) 492-9741 www.doitallinteriors.webs.com

Thai Taste 704-332-0001 www.thaitastecharlotte.com

Printers

Rainbow Printing Co. 704-861-1820

Free Agent Electric 704-502-4677

Caribbean

Action Graphics 704-332-1164 www.actionprints.com

Richa Graphics 704-331-9744 www.richa.com

M.A.N. Construction 704-400-5157

Anntony’s Caribbean - University 704-598-6863

Allegra Marketing, Print, and Mail 704-708-5818 www.allegracharlotte.com

Squeegee Tees & More, Inc. 704-888-0336

Mister Sparky 704-341-2270 www.mistersparky.com

Quality Drain Cleaning & Plumbing Repair 704-231-1531

American Labels & Printing 704-798-0638 Fast Signs Matthews/ Ballantyne 704-841-4033 www.fastsigns.com BEC Car Printing Co., Inc. 704-873-1911 www.beccarprinting.com Carolina Cartridge & Supplies, Inc. 704-347-2447 www.ccsinside.com The Charlotte Post Publishing Co. Inc. 704-376-0496 www.thecharlottepost.com Classic Graphics 704-597-9015, 800-368-1056 www.knowclassic.com Copy Cat Instant Printing of Charlotte, Inc. 704-529-6606

Metrographics 704-375-2474 www.metrographicsprinters.com

Nikko Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar 704-370-0100 www.nikkosushibar.net

Tower Guys, Inc. 704-845-1004 www.towerguysinc.com Vision Print Solutions 1-800-200-9797 www.visionenvelope.com Vision Forms & Supplies, LLC 704-940-0741

Publishing/SelfPublishing Books SPARK Publications 704-844-6080 www.sparkpublications.com

Today-Design Studio (860) 227-6656 www.today-designstudio.com ToddCo Builders, Inc. 704-277-6338 www.toddcobuilders.com

Restaurants Asian 88 China Bistro 704-335-0288 www.88chinabistro.com

Real Estate

Ben Thánh Vietnamese Restaurant 704-566-1088

Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association 704-372-0911 www.CarolinaHome.com

Cuisine Malaya 704-372-0766 www.cuisinemalaya.com

Recycling/Junk Removal/Shredding

Delargy’s Office Supply, Inc. 704-597-1422 www.delargysop.com

C & M Recycling, Inc. 704-599-1771 www.gotsomeconcrete.com

ImageMark 704-865-4912 www.imagemarkonline.com

Carolina Recycles 704-376-4295 www.carolinarecycles.com

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Dim Sum 704-569-1128 Fujo Uptown Bistro 704-954-0087 www.fujobistro.com House of Leng 980-207-3518 (University) 704-510-5081 (Mallard Creek) www.houseofleng.com

Thai House - University 704-717-8006 www.thaihouse.us.com Thai Orchid 704-364-1134 www.thaiorchidrestaurantcharlotte.com

Indian Copper Cuisine of India 704-333-0063 www.copperrestaurant.com Maharani Indian Cuisine 704-370-2455 www.maharaniindiancuisine.com Saffron Indian Restaurant 980-297-7722 www.saffron-cuisine.com

Hispanic Azteca Mexican Restaurant (Woodlawn) 704-525-5110 www.aztecarestaurantcharlotte.com Cantina 1511 704-331-9222 www.cantina15eleven.com Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant 704-921-2414 www.donpedrorestaurant.com Los Paisas (Colombian) 704-542-5477 www.lospaisasrestaurant.com Three Amigos Mexican Grill & Cantina 704-536-1851 www.threeamigoscharlotte.com Monterrey 704-593-0167 www.monterreyuncc.com

Resource directory presented by Pride Communications

Luna’s Living Kitchen 704-333-0008 www.lunaslivingkitchen.com

Chicken Box 704-566-6000 www.thechickenboxcafe.com La’wan’s Soul Food Restaurant 704-665-7225 www.lawans.com Mert’s Heart & Soul 704-342-4222 www.mertscharlotte.com Nana’s Soul Food Kitchen 704-357-3700 www.nanassoulfoodkitchen.com Price’s Chicken Coop 704-333-9866 www.priceschickencoop.com Soul Central 980-349-4015 www.soulcentralfood.com

Security Alarms and Services Alpha Alarm Systems, Inc. 704-598-5829 www.alphasecurity.us Firestop Carolinas, Inc. 704-662-7720 www.firestopcarolinas.com Keyper Systems 704-455-9400 www.keypersystems.com JP Government Investigations 877-990-2111 www.jpgovernmentinvestigations.com Landmark Security, Inc. 704-527-7756 www.landmarksecurityinc.com

K.M. Armstrong Associates, Inc. (704) 366-1776 www.kmaa.com Professional Protection, Inc. 704-523-1660 www.ppi-inc.net Professional Security Services 1-888-704-7765 www.pssprotection.com SAF Technologies, Inc. 704-844-0955 www.saftechnologies.com Security Solutions Group & Investigative Services 540-220-0052 Southeastern Public Safety Group 704-394-1500 www.secpd.com Touch Attention Protective Services (TAPS) 704-493-5740

Signs

Petrie Sign Installation 704-599-6977

H&R Block 803-222-7468

Pronto Signs 704-890-4554 www.prontosigns.biz

Liberty Tax Service 704-373-1343 www.libertytax.com

Quality Neon, Inc. 704-598-2256 www.qualityneoninc.com

Lucas Tax & Energy Consulting 704-968-5506 www.lucastaxandenergy.com

Rutherford Media Group, Inc. 704-373-2522 www.rutherfordmedia.com

Marilynn Allred (H&R Block) 704-827-5761

Sign Innovations 704-375-2338 www.signinnovations.com

Storey’s Tax Bookkeeping & Secretarial 704-865-0210 www.storeystaxservice.com

Signs, ETC of Charlotte 704-522-8860 www.signsetcofcharlotte.com

TaxPro 1000 Instant Tax Centers 877-842-8560 www.taxpro1000.com

Signs by Tomorrow 844-957-4467 www.signsbytomorrow.com

Village Tax Service 704-695-1201

Street Sweeping/ Parking Lots A + Power Sweepers & Pressure Washing 704-921-6732 Supreme Sweepers, LLC 888-698-9996 www.supremesweepers.com

Bunn Barber Specialties 704-650-2242 www.bbunnspecialties.com

Tax Return Preparation

Creative Enterprising 803-283-4688

ABC Tax Services 704-735-7900

DAWA, Inc. 704-321-4748 www.dawainc.com

Accounting Associates 704-864-0284

ResourceListings

Bobbee O’s BBQ 704-509-6902 www.bobbeeosbbq.com

LifeGuard Protective Services, Inc. 704-319-3180 www.lifeguardprotective.com

Taxis Assistance Travel & Transportation, Inc. (919) 489-5050 www.assistancetravel.com A & S Taxi 704-938-5440 VIP Transportation Services 704-200-2347 www.ondutylimo.com Crown Cab Company, Inc. 704-334-6666 www.crowncabinc.com Luxury Transportation 704-458-9126

FastSigns - S. Tryon 704-527-9102 www.fastsigns.com/176

Accounting Payroll & Taxes, Inc. 704-482-1722

Prestige Wheelchair Transportation 704-332-3939

Graphical Creations, Inc. 704-888-8870 www.graphi-cal.com

Burchett Financial Services 704-549-9401 www.burchettfinancial.com

Video Production

McCallum Sales, Inc. 704-377-2367

Bustle Tax Service 704-873-3946

Apollo Video Productions 704-814-8899 www.apollovideoclt.com

“ Either you run the day, or the day runs you.” — JIm Rohn

July-August 2018 | Pride Magazine

Resource directory presented by Pride Communications

Civilized Films, Inc. 310-435-2125 www.civilizedfilms.com

ResourceListings

Story Street Studio 404-405-1229 www.storystreetstudio.com Kim Brattain Media 704-562-9161 www.kimbrattain.com •Rutherford Media Group 704-373-2522 SL Media Productions 704-451-3566 The Inertia Group 704-301-2551 www.inertia-group.com

Web Design The Agency Marketing Group 704-333-0667 www.gettheagency.com Cohesion Marketing & Consulting 704-980-2932 www.cohesionmrktg.com Creation Studios 980-292-1059 New Creations Enterprises 704-971-7854 Brand Equity Marketing, LLC (704) 372-3982 www.brandequitymarketing.com Neonsky Creative Media 704-377-4820 www.neonsky.com STP Ventures, LLC 704-470-4121 www.stpventures.com The Anstad Group 704-208-8304 www.anstad.com Zuri Creative Services 704-380-0278 www.zuricreative.com

Nonprofits Chambers of Commerce Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce 866-937-2742 www.caacc.com Charlotte Business Guild (LGBT Community) 704-750-5224 Charlotte Chamber 704-378-1300 www.charlottechamber.com Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce 704-212-2032 www.cmbcc.org 58

Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte 704-343-2525 www.lacccharlotte.com

Business & Civic Organizations 100 Black Men of Charlotte 704-375-7300 www.100blackmenofcharlotte.org Altrusa International of Charlotte 704-321-2902 http://districtthree.altrusa.org/charlotte

Latin American Coalition 704-531-3848 www.latinamericancoalition.org Latin American Women’s Association 704-552-1003 www.lawanc.org League of Women Voters of Charlotte-Mecklenburg 704-556-4600 www.goleaguego.org Metrolina Minority Contractors Association 704-332-5746 www.mmcaofcharlotte.org

Metropolitan Business & Professional Women www.mbpw.org info@mbpw.org

N.C. Indian Economic Development Initiative, Inc. 919-232-9414

Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County 704-525-5843

N.C. Small Business Administration (SBA) 704-344-6563 https://www.sba.gov/localresources/north-carolina

Office of International Relations 704-336-2174 www.charlotteinternational.org Chinese-American Association of Charlotte 704-877-6759 704-651-3964 www.charlottechinese.com Diversity Council of the Carolinas 281-975-0626 www.ndccarolinas.org The Diversity Forum 704-527-9191 www.thediversityforum.org Women Network 704-208-9561 www.ewomennetwork.com Filipino-American Community www.facc.us German Language and Culture Foundation 704-678-4331 www.germanfoundation.com Hispanic Contractors Association of the Carolinas 704-583-4184 www.hcacarolinas.org

Crisis Assistance Ministry 704-371-3001 www.crisisassistance.org

Hope Haven, Inc. 704-372-8809 www.hopehaveninc.org

National Hispanic Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Inc. www.nheo.org

Kicking for a Dream www.kickingforadream.org

Neighborhood Good Samaritan Center 704-605-6723 704-531-9989 www.ngscenter.org

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services 704-336-3000 www.charmeck.org/ mecklenburg/county/dss

Pride Entrepreneur Education Program (PEEP) 704-375-9553 www.peepcharlotte.org Charlotte-Mecklenburg Republican Women 704-903-6037 www.cmrw.org SCORE 704-344-6576 www.charlottescore.org

Vietnamese Association 704-607-4461 http://vietcharlotte.wix. com/vietcharlotte

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Community Link 704-943-9490 www.communitylinknc.org

National Black MBA Association — Charlotte Chapter 877-732-0314 www.nbmbaacharlotte.org

Indonesian American Association of the Carolina 704-458-8532

Lao American Association www.lasga.org

Children and Family Services Center 704-943-9400 www.childrenfamily.org

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte 704-910-1301 www.bbbscharlotte.org

Urban League-Central Carolinas 704-373-2256 www.urbanleaguecc.org

Internal Revenue Service-Charlotte 704-548-4100 www.irs.gov

Center of Hope/ Salvation Army (Shelter for women and children) 704-348-2560 www.salvationarmycarolinas. org/charlotte/home/

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Charlotte 704-900-3067 www.nawbocharlotte.org

Hmong Community 828-327-6137 www.hmongcarolinas.com

InnerVision, Inc. 704-377-5042 www.innervisionnc.org

Carolina Refugee Resettlement Agency 704-535-8803 www.carolinarefugee.com

Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange 980-355-7000 www.wi-ce.net

Community Services A Child’s Place 704-343-3790 www.achildsplace.org

Refugee Support Services www.refugeesupportservices.org info@refugeesupportservices.org Safe Alliance 704-332-9034 www.safealliance.org Supportive Housing Communities 704-335-9380 www.supportivehousingcommunities.org

United Way of Central Carolinas, Inc. 211 (information and referral services) 704-372-7170 www.uwcentralcarolinas.org Urban Ministry Center 704-347-0278 www.urbanministrycenter.org YMCA of Greater Charlotte 704-716-6200 www.ymcacharlotte.org

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