Issuu

Living with

More than Just a House Get to know Carolina Panther Thomas Davis and Family

Tiny House, Big Dreams

A new way to live large

On the Rise

Real estate gets a spike

College Culture

Career trends for students

Fit for the Whole Family

Tracks steps, distance, calories burned and more A. Fitbit Zip, 59.99 B. Fitbit Charge, 129.99 C. Fitbit Flex, 99.99 D. Fitbit Charge HR, 149.99

Get the look in-store, at belk.com or by phone at 1.866.235.5443 Dooney & boUrke: city tote merchandise not in all stores

Get the look in-store, at belk.com or by phone at 1.866.235.5443

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, 100 DBE firms have been awarded contracts of $76 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.

CATS. YOUR RIDE IS HERE.

Thinking about buying a home? Down payment and cost savings programs in the Charlotte area may help make home buying more affordable.

By Glenda Gabriel

Neighborhood Lending Executive, Bank of America If you’d like to buy a home, but you’re not sure you can afford the up-front costs, we have good news. Bank of America participates in many down payment and cost savings programs that can make buying a home more affordable.1 For eligible homebuyers, these programs can help pay for up-front expenses such as the down payment or closing costs.

Here are some resources to explore: The America’s Home Grant Program If you earn less than $52,800 per year, you may be eligible for the America’s Home Grant Program, offered by Bank of America.2 With this program, eligible homebuyers in the Charlotte area can receive a lender credit of up to $2,500 toward nonrecurring closing costs, such as title insurance and recording fees.

The Bank of America Down Payment Resource Center This online tool makes it easy to find out about federal, state and local down payment and cost savings programs. Just visit bankofamerica.com/downpaymentcenter and answer a few simple questions to see what programs you may qualify for.

Your local mortgage specialist If you’d like to know more about these programs, talk to a Bank of America mortgage specialist near you. Your specialist can give you more information, discuss your next steps and be there to help you every step of the way.

Down payment and/or closing cost assistance programs may not be available in your area. Down payment and/or closing cost assistance amount may be due upon sale, refinance, transfer, or repayment of the loan, or if the senior mortgage is assumed during the term of the loan. Some programs require repayment with interest, and borrowers should become fully informed prior to closing. Not all applicants will qualify. Minimum credit scores may apply. Sales price restrictions and income requirements may apply. Homebuyer education may be required. Owneroccupied properties only. Maximum loan amounts may apply. 2 Qualified borrowers must meet eligibility requirements including, but not limited to, being owner-occupants, meeting certain qualifying income limitations and purchasing a home within a certain geographical area. Homebuyer education will be required if all borrowers on an eligible loan are first-time homebuyers. The America’s Home Grant Program is a lender credit and is not eligible to be used for down payment, escrowed taxes or homeowner’s insurance. No cash back to borrower. Completed loan applications must be received by September 30, 2016. America’s 1

When you’re ready to buy, we’re here to help. ADVERTISEMENT

Homebuyers in the Charlotte area who earn less than $52,800 per year may be eligible for the America’s Home Grant Program. Eligible homebuyers can receive up to $2,500 toward nonrecurring closing costs. I’ll review the requirements with you to see if you’re eligible for the America’s Home Grant Program. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind: • Properties purchased through the program must be owner-occupied and located in an eligible area of the following counties:

You can count on me As your mortgage loan specialist, I will provide you with important details about America’s Home Grant Program and the Down Payment Resource Center. Then, we can discuss your next steps and help you find the home financing solution that meets your needs. If you’d like to learn more about the mortgage process, preparing for homeownership and other financial topics, you can easily access free online financial education at bankofamerica.com/webinars.

Connect with me to learn more

North Carolina: Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Union South Carolina: Chester, Lancaster and York When you request America’s Home Grant, you will receive a Letter of Understanding that explains the terms and conditions of the program. I’ll also go over the closing cost information with you so you can make a confident decision.

Wendell J. Hill

Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS ID: 119373 9115 Harris Corners Parkway, Suite 150 Charlotte, NC 28269 Direct: 704.494.2722 Mobile: 704.533.3235 mortgage.bankofamerica.com/wendellhill

Home Grant Program is available for properties in the following counties: North Carolina – Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Union; South Carolina – Chester, Lancaster and York. The maximum borrower/co-borrower annual qualifying income limit is $52,800 for properties not located in a low- to moderate-income census tract (LMICT). Qualifying income of $52,800 is 80% of Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) Area Median Income and subject to change without notice. For properties in eligible counties and located within a LMICT, the maximum borrower/co-borrower annual qualifying income limit is $100,000. The home loan must fund with Bank of America. America’s Home Grant Program is only available with conforming conventional, FHA and VA first mortgage loan products. Bank of America may change or discontinue the America’s Home Grant Program or any portion of it without notice. Please ask for additional details. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. ©2015 Bank of America Corporation. ARJMWJTD 09-2015 AD-09-15-0862.A

OMAR AND THE UNSTOPPABLE HEART

No warning signs. No chest pain. Someone passed him the ball, he went down and his heart stopped for 13 minutes. See Omarâ€™s story: CarolinasHealthCareSystem.org/TogetherForOmar

Table of contents From The Editor Home, It’s Where the Heart Is. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Around Town Plaza Midwood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Eclectic neighborhood gets hipper

Pride’s 2015 Gift Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Shop locally

Making It Count YOUniversity Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Equipping students for success

At Home Furniture Reinvented. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Creating pieces you’ll love

Family Traditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Serving up soul food

The New Neutrals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Freshen up your home

More Than Just a House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

At home with Thomas Davis and family

Real Estate On the Rise. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Real estate gets a spike

Housing Opportunity Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Supporting local nonprofits

Lifestyle Trends College Culture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Helping students craft careers

Tiny House, Big Dreams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 A new way to live

Still Relevant?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Book explores HBCUs and Universities

Open Hearts, Forever Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Families grow through adoption

Scene and Seen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 PEEP Luncheon and NUEVOlution! Latinos and the New South

Arts and Culture 3 to Watch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Chefs making their mark in culinary arts

It’s OK to Travel Alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Travel is good for the soul

Unique Boutique. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Siblings bring flavor to NoDa

On the Cover

Carolina Panther Thomas Davis with his family at home. Photo by Vic LeDan Photography November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

Pride Awards 2016 will honor one outstanding man or woman and a high school senior who have overcome obstacles in order to move forward in life. This yearâ€™s monetary donation will be given to a nonprofit whose mission has been to create paths of upward mobility for many.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016 The Westin Charlotte Black Tie Reception - 6 PM Dinner and Awards - 7 PM Log on to www.prideawards.net to view the 2016 winners and for exciting updates. Call 704-375-9553 to sponsor or reserve seating.

2016 SPONSORS

PRESENTED BY:

SUPPORTED BY:

Living with CEO/Publisher Dee Dixon

Editor-in-Chief Lashawnda Becoats

Copy Editor Polly Paddock

Lead Writer Angela Lindsay

Design & Production SPARK Publications www.SPARKpublications.com

Creative Director Larry Preslar

Jr. Art Director Genna Baugh

Distribution/Web Site Liaison Watchdog Entertainment www.watchdog-ent.com

Account Executive Nikelle Fesperman

Public Relations Nepherterra Estrada

Subscribe to Pride

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

Letters to the Editor Please send an e-mail to info@pridemagazine.net fax to 704-375-9550 or mail to Pride Magazine 402 W. Trade St., Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28202 www.pridemagazine.net

Find us on Facebook Facebook.com/NCPrideMagazine

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

FROM THE EDITOR

Home, It’s Where the Heart Is By Lashawnda Becoats

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

Photo by Vic LeDan Photography

hen I joined the Pride family, I had no idea how much fun and hard work it would be at the same time. This year we changed up the look of the magazine a bit. The stories are more visual with larger pictures, I added new voices and the Pride team covered STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Math) as our yearlong initiative. I’m proud of all the work we’ve been able to share with you. The Living with Pride issue explores homes, lifestyle trends, travel and arts and culture. I especially enjoyed putting this issue together and sharing different definitions of home. You’ll meet Carolina Panther Thomas Davis and his lovely family. Although Davis is already wellknown in the community as a stellar athlete and a community activist, we hope you’ll get to see a side of him you’ve never seen before. While spending time with the Davis family during our cover photo shoot, I could feel the love as the family enjoyed genuine moments that had nothing to do with our cameras. In this issue you’ll also meet Jewel Pearson, a woman who is redefining what it means to live large by designing and having a tiny house built. Don’t know what a tiny house is? Turn to page 34 and read about this new national trend. Speaking of trends, we’ve asked local colleges and universities to weigh in on what’s next in careers. Job trends and opportunities are changing and we want you to be informed. On page 47, you can read about my adventures in Amsterdam and Belgium. I also visited Argentina this year. The more

I enjoyed spending time with the Davis family. We laughed a lot. Their children are adorable and funny.

I go, the more I learn, not just about other cultures but also about myself. I truly believe traveling is good for the soul.

Happy holidays to you. I look forward to connecting with you next year. Keep it positive and keep it moving,

Save the Date! The 2016 Pride Awards are set for January 16, at The Westin. Our focus this year will be on “paths out of poverty.” We will be honoring outstanding achievement in the African-American community, while promoting diversity throughout our city. Get your tickets early (www. pridemagazineonline.com/prideawards/); this is an annual event you won’t want to miss.

Lashawnda Editor-in-Chief Let’s stay in touch! Email: Lashawnda@pridecommunications.net Facebook/Instagram: Lashawnda Becoats

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700 South Torrence St. Ste. 110, Charlotte NC 28204

You are invited to

Look @ Latin

Take a closer look, in a smaller group, at CLS innovations: The Early Child: Beginning School November 12, 2015 | 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Arts, Athletics, Clubs and Enrichment: Co-curricular Life at Latin November 18, 2015 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. STEAM: Students Create and Innovate January 8, 2016 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. What Makes Latin Special: Developing the Leader in Each Child February 6, 2016 | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. www.charlottelatin.org/LookAtLatin

9502 Providence Road Charlotte, North Carolina 28277 Admissions Office: 704.846.7207

www.charlottelatin.org

…lives well lived

Financial assistance is available. Please inquire about the Malone Scholarship for gifted students in Grades 7-12. CLS Pride LAL Nov2015.indd 1

9/17/15 11:45 AM

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

AROUND TOWN

Plaza Midwood Eclectic Neighborhood Gets Hipper By Tonya Jameson

wenty years ago Plaza Midwood was considered a sketchy neighborhood. There was a 24-hour Harris Teeter, vintage furniture stores and tattoo shops in the district less than five miles from uptown.

Unafraid yuppies and business owners kept moving into the district. The historic homes and proximity to uptown were too good to ignore. It was a walkable neighborhood brimming with potential and the sketchiness made it cool. Today, Plaza Midwood is home to even more yuppie families. It’s home to several locally-owned boutiques, restaurants, bars and tattoo shops. On the weekends, the streets are alive with people barhopping and window-shopping. The newly remodeled Harris Teeter is a beacon of the commercialization creeping into the area. “We can’t stop the changing, but we can be a part of the change so that it benefits the neighborhood in the way that we’re trying to do,” said Cltch boutique co-owner Lesa Kastanas.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

Here’s a look at several recently-opened businesses that are keeping Plaza Midwood one of the coolest places to live and play in Charlotte.

Cltch @cltch @cltchit 1512-A Central Ave. Cltch isn’t a typical boutique. Funky accessories -- from locally-designed jewelry to locally-designed wooden bow ties -- fill the front. The back has a styling area for clothing stylist and co-owner Linda Martinez. There’s also a makeup station for makeup artist/interior designer/co-owner Scott Weaver. Accessories sold here include bags, scarves and jewelry. There’s beard oil by Lucifer’s Mane, a locally-owned company, edgy socks

Cltch

“We’re trying to present awesome things for everybody,” Cltch, co-owner, Kastanas said. and hats by guitarist Carlos Santana. Cltch also sold the limited edition Carolina Panther T-shirts by Charlotte-based Permanent Vacation. They are no longer available.

Legion Brewing 1906 Commonwealth Ave www.legionbrewing.com Phil Buchy and business partner Newton Craver opened Legion Brewing in the former home of Brodt’s Music Company on Commonwealth Avenue. Legion will focus on American farmhouse-style beer.

Stash Pad Stash Pad Vintage 1216 Thomas Ave.

Stashpad

Vintage store Stash Pad sells clothing from the ‘50s through the ‘90s, ranging from dresses to T-shirts to funky wigs. There’s also a makeup styling chair. Stash Pad also sells clothes by local designers, such as Kristen Miller’s bellbottoms and Christine Rebich’s ’60s-style minidresses. Shoppers include cancer survivors for wigs, teens and partiers looking for costumes for themed parties. “Some people only dress up once a year; that’s cool,” said owner Corrie Throckmorton. “As long as you dress up once in awhile, have some fun.”

Gumbo w gumbothestore 1916 Commonwealth Ave.

Stash pad

In May, Okra owner Alicia Roskind opened sister store Gumbo next door with Howell Smith. Gumbo is the health and wellness retail component to Okra, which offers yoga, massage, tea and healthy living workshops. The store sells men’s and women’s casual apparel, locally-made jewelry, skin care products, dietary supplements and natural minimalist footwear. Charlotte-based Enemy to Fashion has a line of activewear clothing. Hansa & Harmony has a line of shirts and tops. There is a skin care line created by Anne Marie Gianni with farm-raised ingredients.

Catch On Seafood Market catchonseafood 1801-A Commonwealth Ave. Catch On Seafood is a gem for seafood fans. There are cases of shrimp, trout, tuna, monkfish and other varieties of fish from the Carolina coasts and beyond. Seafood is delivered weekly. The store reflects the individuality of the area. "I wanted to open up a brewery on my own turf," said Buchy, who lives in Plaza Midwood. Everything salvageable from Brodt’s was repurposed. Local artists will paint murals on the interior wall. Legion’s walls will be as vibrant as its home turf.

Inside Gumbo.

Catch On also has Grateful Growers pork products and Salem Hills Farm’s chicken and beef. There are Pasta & Provisions products, homemade butter, fresh horseradish, seafood dips and more. An assortment of pasta sauces, olive oils and other jarred goods line store shelves. Dog lovers must grab a bag of fish skins. Keep up by social media and e-blasts. P

Don’t Miss The Workman’s Friend, a traditional Irish pub in the old No Grease Barbershop building. …Pure Pizza, former home of Lulu’s restaurant, features locally and organically sourced ingredients….Ajbani, a Moraccan carryout restaurant, newly opened near Three Amigos. Most popular dishes are the spicy lamb and berber chicken.

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

AROUND TOWN Pride’s 2015

MoaZen Jewelry

www.moazenjewelry.com MoaZen Jewelry sells handmade jewelry inspired by cultures from around the world. The company also offers youth programs and interactive presentations including design and self-esteem sessions, jewelry-making workshops and more.

GIFT GUIDE Shop Locally! By Simone McDowell

Tuft

www.tuftstore.com When Danielle McKim, owner of Tuft store, couldn’t afford fun and fancy pieces for her home, she created them. Now shoppers can enjoy her passion for repurposed items. Her store is filled with furniture she handpicked, repurposed and painted, in addition to artwork by local artists.

Get ready to be holiday-happy and take the guesswork out of your Christmas list. We’ve selected Charlotte-based business owners who share their wares—from handmade jewelry to furniture--to help make your holiday shopping a little easier while supporting local businesses.

Neck of the Woods

Playtime “Checkers” Twin Bed Set www.playtimeedventures.com

Take bedtime to the next level by adding this innovative four-piece sheet set to your child’s nighttime routine. The set features 30 interactive games and includes printable game pieces and washable crayons. The sheets were designed by teachers for kids and include games such as tic-tac-toe, checkers and bowling.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

Gregory Sylvia

www.gregorysylvia.com If she loves beautiful handbags then she’ll love the elegant and luxurious leather designs from Gregory Sylvia. Created in 2010 by co-founders Gregory and Terri “Sylvia” Pope, the company’s mission is to blend the standards of strength and elegance for the contemporary woman. These cutting-edge handbags and accessories come in a variety of rich colors and striking silhouettes.

www.thenotw.com

Pardon My Fro

Created by brothers Brian and Joshua Galloway, this company offers stylish wooden bow ties made from woods such as Maple, mahogany, and walnut. Make a statement and buy one for the fashion-forward man in your life.

Grab a stocking stuffer or a fun gift from this apparel and products company, featuring colorful and creative products from custom journals to phone cases and yes, many of the items feature Afros and natural hair styles.

www.pardonmyfro.com

Blank Canvas Boutique www.thebcbrand.com

Have a guy who is hard to please when it comes to buying clothes? Check out this stylish men’s boutique, which features unique and distinctive clothing brands such as G-Star Raw, HayWood, J Purcell and more. Be sure to stop by when the store’s owners host “The Cool Hour” --- their take on the traditional cocktail hour includes a mixologist and appetizers.

Orthodontics

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Think now is not the time to buy a home? Think it’s out of reach?

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The time is now and it is within reach! • Down payment assistance (lower out-of-pocket costs) • Reasonable home prices (lower purchase price now) • Education and counseling available (smart home buying)

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Own your home with help from Community Link. 704-943-9490 :: 800-977-1969 :: communitylinknc.org/homeownership

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

AROUND TOWN

Horton moderated a panel discussion for students at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington earlier this year.

Making It Count

YOUniversity

DRIVE

Equipping Students for Success By Tiffany Bell Photo by Richard Israel

Michelle R. Horton

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

pon high school graduation, attending a four-year university remains a popular option among 18-year-olds as the next stepping-stone in their lives. According to a recent study by the National Center for Education Statistics, full-time college enrollment increased by 28 percent between 2002 and 2012.

Photo by Darling Media Group

While there are many resources on applying and gaining acceptance to colleges and universities, there is little information on post-college career readiness. Research conducted by Chegg and CSO Research, Inc. in June 2015 shows that half of college graduates did not feel prepared for the workforce. Hiring managers were even less optimistic; only 39 percent believed that new college graduates were primed for success. The statistics are astonishing. Fortunately, Michelle R. Horton, founder of YOUniversity Drive, creates career readiness programs to ensure high school and college students are not only prepared for the workplace, but also that they are effectively equipped to flourish within it. Originally from Rocky Mount, Horton relocated to Charlotte in 2006. A firstgeneration college student, she graduated with a degree in industrial relations from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She later earned an MBA in marketing/brand management from Wake Forest University. In addition, Horton is the academic director of the Leadership Institute and director of experiential learning and leadership development at Wake Forest University. After a successful career as a corporate

marketing and human resources executive, Horton decided to begin teaching. As a professor, she realized there were gaps between what students learned in the classroom and their degree of preparedness for the workforce. She soon took the initiative to address these gaps by starting a for-profit company, YOUniversity Drive, LLC, in 2010. She is the chief driver. The company’s name, YOUniversity Drive, is its tagline and a call to action. “I want the students to feel empowered to say, ‘I want to get behind the wheel of my own success,’ ” says Horton. Students are referred to as D.R.I.V.E.R.s – an acronym describing their attributes: determined, reliable, innovative, visionary, emerging and resourceful. “The idea started when I was working at Johnson C. Smith University as a marketing professor. A large number of JCSU students are also first-generation,” says Horton. “The two biggest gaps were a lack of access to people, resources and tools that could help the students to be mobile in their career trajectory, and a lack of exposure to life itself and experiences that were also educational. I wanted the students to learn to connect with people and sell themselves.” Immediately, she started creating

programs that would benefit the students. Horton continues, “I like taking marketing principles and applying them to education. The first program was ‘Masterminds, Millionaires and Moguls.’ ” This features a panel of successful business people who discuss the victories and defeats encountered as they achieved their goals. Quantitative measures, such as surveys, are used to determine the organization’s success. However, the biggest indicator to Horton is qualitative, specifically, the impact of her students’ success. Student Havyn Colon says, “Professor Horton has a great personality and always has a smile on her face. When I first had the idea to start my business, I called her for advice, and she willingly offered me words of encouragement and gave me suggestions. She is definitely a DRIVER!” Adds student Jason A. Harris: “I think it is very commendable that YOUniversity Drive is going above and beyond to ensure that the next generation of leaders will become just as successful, if not more successful, than the current.” Horton and her husband, Charles, are the parents of two children. For more information, visit www. YOUniversityDrive.com. P

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

AT HOME after

Furniture Reinvented

By Cheryl Luckett Photos by Cam Richards Photography

hen it comes to decorating your home, furniture costs can quickly bust your project budget. While quality is important when making furniture selections, it doesn’t have to come at an exorbitant price. As an interior decorator who often works with budget-conscious clients, I’ve found that reinventing vintage upholstered furniture is a great way to get a custom designed, high‑quality piece for less. When selecting a vintage upholstered piece, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. Here are a few tips to consider before you get started: Forget about fabric. Styles have changed, so that large-scale, mustard and avocado green floral is likely not your cup of tea. However, don’t let that deter you from a great piece with classic lines. The fabric will be changed, so look beyond the current aesthetics and envision what the piece could become. Good bones are key. You’ll want to make sure the piece has solid construction. My upholsterer advises that you lift one end

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

of the sofa to see how heavy it is. Usually, the heavier, the better. Heavy pieces are likely made from solid wood, as opposed to particle board or cardboard, and they offer extreme durability. Pay attention to scale. Have a tape measure handy and always ensure that the piece you are considering will actually fit your space. Keep in mind, vintage pieces often have a very different scale than today’s furnishings. Most upholsterers can adjust seat height by adding thicker cushions or changing legs.

before Try it out. Just as at a furniture store, you’ll want to sit on the piece. Comfort is important, but remember that cushions, springs and supports can be replaced or reinforced to create a more comfortable seat. Figure fabric costs. A good rule of thumb is about five to seven yards for a chair and up to 20 yards for a full-size sofa. Expensive fabric can quickly drive up the cost. Fortunately, our area is home to numerous discount fabric stores and many affordable options are available online, as well. For furniture, Habitat ReStores, thrift stores, antique malls, flea markets and Craigslist are veritable treasure troves for great deals on amazing furniture. The cost of re-upholstery depends. In the Charlotte market, you can look to spend from $400-$600 for the labor to upholster a sofa and around $250-$350 for a fully upholstered chair. The addition of nail

before heads, monogramming and intricate add-ons can increase those estimates. The bottom line is, re-upholstery is not cheap, but it can be worth it. In the end, you’ll have a completely custom piece of furniture that is not only well-made, but that you’ll likely love for many years to come. For more information about interior decorating, visit www.dwellbycheryl.com P

before

after

S AV E T H E DAT E Jazzy Holiday Gala December 5, 2015 I 6:00 pm

Ballroom • Charlotte Convention Center 501 South College Street • Charlotte, North Carolina Black-tie Attire • Valet Parking • Cocktail Reception Dinner • Dancing • Music • Special Performances + Presentations Individual Seat: $175 Table Sponsorships: Group seating for 8, starts at $2,000 An array of sponsorship levels and benefits are available. Contact 704-547-3781 • info@ganttcenter.org • www.ganttcenter.org Seating is limited • Sales end November 6 • Purchase your individual seat for the Jazzy Holiday Gala at the Harvey B. Gantt Center Guest Services Desk • by phone 704-547-3781 • online at www.ganttcenter.org

Award Recipients Dr. Yele Aluko and Dr. Shirley Houston-Aluko • Duke Energy • Lonnie G. Bunch, III

B I G I D E A S . B I G P O S S I B I L I T I E S . B I G T H A N K S . B I G H E I G H T S . B I G N I G H T.

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

AT HOME

ouise “Wheezy” Glover comes from a family of nine children – all of whom love to cook. It’s no wonder that every holiday revolves around food. “We have a big family,” Wheezy said. “My dad always called it a tribe.” Fortunately Wheezy’s mother was an excellent chef who worked at Oberlin College, and her cuisine was renowned

around campus and the neighborhood. Wheezy’s mother’s love of cooking transferred to her children, but her granddaughter Ramona Holloway didn’t get that gene. Holloway is known for her funny real-life stories on 107.9’s “Matt and Ramona Show,” but she is not known for her cooking. “Early on, when I made my first cake and had eggshells and pieces of wrapper from the butter, I knew baking was too scientific for me,” Holloway said. Holloway was happy to sit back and

Family

Traditions Serving Up Soul Food By Eren Simpson

Ramona Holloway and her mother, Louise “Wheezy” Glover

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

partake in the goodies others baked. Wheezy’s specialty is fried peach pie. “My mom canned everything, and she always had canned peaches,” Wheezy said. “I would take the peaches, make the dough, put the peaches in and fry it in butter and everyone started fighting over them.” Wheezy said all of her family’s recipes are delicious, but fattening, because they use real butter and sugar. Holloway, Wheezy’s only child had no choice but to stop eating some of the family’s treats. In 2012, she was diagnosed with diabetes. After trying to add exercise to her routine, but not changing her diet, Holloway opted for gastric bypass surgery to help make sure she stuck to a healthy diet. How does this affect her during the holidays? “At these family gatherings I’ll eat chicken without the skin, except a little piece for taste, and then I’ll pick and choose a vegetable with the least pork, and allow myself a little bit of my mom’s fried peach pie,” she said. Holloway said she understands her family not sticking to a strict diet like she does, but she says that if they could limit themselves to the holiday binge on just one day, they’d all be better off. “If we could just have even green beans without a giant piece of pork and butter floating in it, even that would be OK,” Holloway said. “There’s pork in every vegetable. Even the broccoli salad is made with bacon.” And as long Wheezy and her sisters maintain their competitive cooking, there will always be lots of foods at holiday gatherings, especially since the younger generations have also embraced cooking and added their own specialties. While Holloway doesn’t cook, she does want to make sure her family continues this tradition. “Because their specialties are all made of ‘a little bit of this and a little bit of that,’ I’m worried these recipes will die off, because baking is a science,” Holloway said. “I keep saying I’m going to stand in the kitchen with my mom while she bakes her pies and write down how she does it, so that at least one of the cousins who cooks can continue to make her pies. “Food in our family is our greatest blessing and our greatest curse,” she continued. “My biggest fear is that we’ll lose these recipes and we won’t learn how to manage these recipes in a healthy way.” P

Anthony Savoy and Ingrid Silva, photo by Rachel Neville

A Cultural Collaboration Presented to the Community by:

Photos by Gene Ogami

AT HOME

the New

Neutrals By Angela Lindsay Photos courtesy of Maxx Interior Design

hinking about how to design a new space or looking to freshen up that old one? Try adding some appeal with the hottest trend in interior design—neutral colors.

“Neutrals are being widely used now with pops of color,” says J. Scottie Miller, proprietor of Maxx Interior Design, LLC. “There’s a familiarity with neutrals. Typically, when you think neutrals, you think earth tones—beiges, browns, blacks, whites . . . They provide an open canvas to accept whatever pop of color you decide to use.” Miller had this concept in mind when he designed the living

“They wanted the living room to be elegant but useful and approachable and something guests would be comfortable sitting in. Neutrals helped achieve that palette,” -J. Scottie Miller of Maxx Interior Design room area in attorney Harold Cogdell’s SouthPark home. The neutral colors are warm and familiar and provide a casual, monochromatic feel. He also heightened the formality of the space with high contrast—using light neutrals with blacks, as well as gray tones. “They wanted the living room to be elegant but useful and approachable and something guests would be comfortable sitting in. Neutrals helped achieve that palette,” Miller explains. The tone of the room was set with a classic leather chesterfield extralong sofa, as well as two custom-made extra-high wing-backed chairs in a

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ABC'S of The neutral colors are warm and familiar and provide a casual, monochromatic feel,” says J. Scottie Miller of Maxx Interior Design.

Wealth Building

Regency-inspired fabric in black, tan and white. A custom French daybed in a neutral fabric with two roll neck pillows, a Bernhardt console in cream and natural wood tones and a coordinating Bob Mackey for American Drew Furniture end table create structure and charm. A bench for the chairs and a matching tufted ottoman for the sofa finish the look.

Small Changes, Big Effects While using neutrals alone may not necessarily make a room appear larger, if used properly, they can add depth and interest. “Honestly, the trick to getting a room to appear larger is to have furniture to scale and proper placement of it,” Miller offers. But his most important tip? “When you’re working with neutrals, texture is very important to keep it from looking flat,” he emphasizes. “So even if you decide that you want a room done in primarily one color that is a neutral, you need to make sure that you mix the wood grain in it along with maybe a furry throw or some sculptural pieces.” This combination of texture and color are at play in Cogdell’s living room. The crushed silk fabric of four 20-foot long curtains in a cream color contrast off of the slate gray wall and stand out against the roughness of the six-foot tall solid cast fireplace mantelpiece, which draws the eye up to the soaring 22-foot wood coffered ceilings. Black wrought iron in the lighting fixtures mimics the Regency pattern in the chairs. Says Miller, “That’s how you do neutrals and make it pop. The texture is what gives it the movement and visual excitement in the absence of color.”

Do It Yourself A simple, affordable way to spruce up any area is to use paint to get rid of saturated colors, Miller says. Slipcovers, pillows and rugs are also ways to incorporate soft neutrals into a room. When considering major investment pieces, he advises purchasing a piece of larger furniture in a neutral and accenting it with whatever colors you want employed in the room. “It’s much easier to devote $30 to a gallon of red paint and red pillows versus buying a red couch,” he says. “If you get tired of that red in a couple [of] years, it’s easier to remove the pillows, the accent wall and the accessories, and you have that neutral palate to refresh and start over with.” P

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In conjunction with National Coalition of 100 Black Women

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

COVER STORY

At Home with

Thomas Davis and

family

Pool area. Game time with the Davis team.

By Tonya Jameson Photos by Vic LeDan Photography

he difference between a house and a home is love. One step inside the Davises’ southeast Charlotte home, and the love washes over you in waves. It’s the laughter of the nearly dozen nieces and nephews playing. It’s the large, intimate portraits of the family adorning the walls.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

stuffs backpacks, picks out toys for the kids and spends time with youths, she said. “He is so deserving of that award [the Walter Payton award]. I was super-excited. It shined a lot of light on the foundation,” she said. “People don’t know the behind-thescenes [things he does]. When he was hurt and he was injured (Davis had three ACL tears on the same knee), he was still going to all of the things, helping these kids.”

It’s all of that, and none of that. The “it” is Carolina Panthers’ Thomas and wife, Kelly, Davis. The couple is determined that their 13,000-square-foot house is a home, not a showpiece. As expected of a veteran NFL player, the Davises’ home is gorgeous. It has a pool, a Jacuzzi and a custom-built treehouse for the kids. The pool house is Panther blue and decorated with autographed jerseys from former Carolina Panthers.’ Running back Stephen Davis, quarterback Jake Delhomme and wide receiver Ricky Proehl are only a few of the players whose jerseys Davis has on the walls. The pool house is supposed to be Davis’s “man cave.” There’s a weight room downstairs and a game table upstairs, but the kids play in there, too. “We want our kids to feel like it’s their home,” said Kelly, 32. “It’s not just a show house. It’s not just an entertainment house for everybody to hang out. They need to take care of it.” The taking care of it part is essential. While the entire house belongs to the children--evident this summer, when about 15 nieces and nephews hung out at Summer Camp Davis--the Davis children have responsibilities. Completing chores is one component of the life lessons the Davises try to instill in their blended family of four children. Thomas and Kelly didn’t have it easy growing up. Both watched their single mothers struggle to support their families, and both want their children to understand the value of hard work and money. “Everything that they get, I try to make them earn it,” said Thomas, 32. Lessons about hard work and determination aren’t just talk for Davis. Talk didn’t earn Davis the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. His determination to give

Clockwise, from left, Game room. The living room. Master Bathroom.

back to the communities that have given so much to him is why he earned the award. It recognizes a player’s excellence both on and off the field. It is the highest honor given to an NFL player. Last season, the Panther linebacker had 100 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three passes defended for the Panthers. While his football accomplishments were widely reported, his work off the field is less well known. The Thomas Davis Defending Dreams Foundation, founded in 2007, is a nonprofit that serves underprivileged children here and in Greenville, SC and Shellman, GA. The foundation hosts annual Christmas toy giveaways, free football camps, college scholarships and mentorship programs. The organization helps more than 2,000 families annually. Like his home, the foundation isn’t just a showpiece. Davis puts in work, said Kelly, the foundation’s executive director. He

Davis can’t help himself. He grew up in Shellman, Ga., which today has slightly more than 1,000 residents. A third of the population lives in poverty. “Everybody knows everybody,” said Davis, who also has a younger sister. “If somebody made it, you want to try to help others out.” Davis says he tells kids in his old community that they can do the same thing that he did, but he worked “his butt off” to be successful. “I didn’t allow the situations that we were brought up in to define who I am, and I let them know that they shouldn’t, either,” he said. Kelly Davis also grew up in a single-parent home. She was the seventh of eight children. Like her husband, she knew she wanted to raise her children in a two-parent home. Neither will admit it, but the two seemed destined to be together. Here’s how the story goes. One of Davis’s former teammates called him to meet him in the parking lot of Southend Brewery on South Boulevard. This was back in 2005. Davis was drafted by the Panthers three months earlier. The 1st Friday party was underway, and Davis’s teammate was talking to an

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

COVER STORY SUV full of girls. Kelly was the driver. Thomas and Kelly started talking. He told her about Denim, his one-year-old son. She told him about Skye, her two-year old daughter. They talked for hours on the phone that first night. They married three years later. Their family grew to four children between the ages of five and 13. Thomas Davis won the Walter Payton “Man of the Year” award last season.

Meet The

DAVIS CHILDREN Skye, 13 The Davis Children: Skye, 13, Mattison, 5, Denim, 11 and Thomas Jr. 8 with King.

Nightly Chore – She’s in charge of doing the dishes, cleaning the counters and putting away leftover food. Guess what – At 13, Skye can cook full meals and she’s considered the mini-chef.

Denim, 11 “It was meant to be,” Kelly says, half‑jokingly. Thomas gets to be the father that he never had. As they prepared for the Pride magazine photo shoot, Davis’ picked Thomas Jr.’s Mohawk. Kelly and her mother, Terry Wolfe, wrestled the other kids to get dressed. The nieces and nephews hung out in the pool area. Davis is teaching his sons, Denim, 11, and Thomas Jr., 8 (called TD), how to be men. He’s teaching his daughters, Skye, 12, and Mattison, five, how to have healthy relationships with men. Kelly relishes being a positive role model for the children. In a time when social media often substitutes for reality and reality shows depict the worst images of black women, Kelly shows them how to be classy. “I need to set the example,” she said. Raising a blended family isn’t easy, she says, but the Davises work at it. Growing up, she watched the two-parent homes in her community. She saw families eating together and attending school events. She learned from them and her own home. Her mother’s house was the gathering place for the family in Greenville, SC. Now, the Davis’s home is that space. Both sides of the family join the Davises for holidays.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

Nightly Chore – He takes out the garbage and sweeps the floors every night. Davis’s custom basketball court.

Nieces and nephews descend upon Camp Davis for spring and summer breaks. The Davises’ game nights are legendary. Let’s just say the losers are videotaped performing the latest dances, such as the Quan. Inside one of Davis’s closets.

Guess what – He can most likely beat his dad in running and does not like football much.

Thomas Jr., 8 Nightly Chore – He clears the table. Guess what – He made his father put “Senior” on the back of his 2015 season jersey.

Mattison (called Mattie), 5 Chore –She has to pick up all of the toys that she left around the house. Guess what – She plays softball and gets her nails done every two weeks. Their big house is home. “I’m really at peace,” Thomas said. “It’s a place where I can kick back and just be a father and be a husband and enjoy life.” P

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LIFESTYLE TRENDS

Colleges and Universities

Help Students Craft Careers By Angela Lindsay Photo courtesy of Winthrop University

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nemployment rates continue to fluctuate. So, to ensure their graduates are prepared for what lies ahead, many area schools have programs in place to help guide students toward acquiring jobs in the most promising careers in the market. Choosing Wisely A successful career often starts with obtaining a marketable degree. Forbes.com lists some of the top degrees for getting hired in 2015 as: finance, accounting, business administration, marketing and logistics/supply chain. However, careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, are particularly popular right now, according to Owen Sutkowski, director of transfer and career services at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC).

“Degrees in those fields are highly sought after . . .,” he says. “Any career that is connected to the STEM field is a hot career.” While administrators at area schools see students majoring in a variety of disciplines, with business being a common choice, they know hard work and preparation are key. “Many students major in business because they believe it’s a practical path to take,” explains Lisa Yerrick, director of the Center for Career Development at Gardner-Webb University. “We see all kinds of majors, which is good. Studies indicate that employers aren’t as concerned about undergraduate majors as they are the experience and professional skills that a graduate brings to the table. Students who go to a liberal arts school are being exposed to a broad range of subjects, which promotes critical thinking, innovation/ creativity and problem-solving—all of which are skills being sought by employers.” The process of choosing a career path can be a challenge within itself for many students. Barbara D. Wilks, director, talent management in the Human Resources Department at Johnson C. Smith University cites a lack of real world experience along with unrealistic expectations that they will be able to handpick the jobs they want as possible hurdles.

“New graduates will apply for positions which are completely out of their reach and then become despondent because they are not getting requests to be interviewed,” Wilks says. “Additionally, another big challenge is the lack of professional guidance. A majority of students do not seek or accept the professional career counseling and guidance which is available to them throughout their collegiate years and as recent alumni. As a result, they don’t know the different options available to and for them based on their interests and aptitude. Later they realize they have chosen or entered a career that’s not suitable for them.”

To help combat such pitfalls, Sutkowski says the goal at CPCC is to work with students as early as possible. They not only guide the undecided toward selecting a career path but also assist those who have already made their decision with important next steps such as resume preparation and job searching. But no matter the course of study, he says it is self-exploration that helps inform their career choices. “The hottest careers are still the ones that match with your strengths, skill sets, motivations and interests,” agrees Ellin McDonough, director of the Center for Career and Civic Engagement (CCE) at Winthrop University. “We have a four-year-plan that guides students through the steps needed to be prepared for the right career,” she says. “Taking a variety of courses, joining campus organizations and developing relationships with faculty are strategies that help students explore career interests. Researching potential employers, conducting informational interviews and participating in an internship further define career interests. We provide individual career counseling and online career assessment tools for students who need assistance with deciding on a major or choosing a career.” Queens University of Charlotte imparts

my inspiring moment

Sink and swim “Although we sank, it was a great experience... I have several ideas of what I would do different next time around.” – Christopher, 6th grade engineering boat project ProvidenceDay.org/Admissions November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

LIFESTYLE TRENDS

oh, honey

Interview Tips (per Quintcareers.com):

Conduct research on the employer, hiring manager and the job opportunity.

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Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

Review common interview questions and prepare responses.

3 4 5

Dress for success.

Be authentic, upbeat, focused,

Arrive on time for the interview.

Remember body language

8 9

Ask insightful questions.

and avoid bad habits.

Sell yourself throughout and then close the deal.

10 Thank interviewer(s) in person, by email and postal mail.

Make good first impressions to everyone you encounter. confident, candid and concise.

a rigorous “career readiness curriculum”. As sophomores, students take a graded pre-professional development course, which is required for graduation. They undergo interest inventory assessments and participate in an exercise in which they “reflect on what they’re interested in personally and how that might connect with employment outlooks,” explains Angela Tsuei-Strause, director of internship and career programs at Queens. Following completion of this course, students may then participate in two required internships, which involve a lot of “employer engagement” to ensure students meet certain academic and professional development learning outcomes.

Getting Your Foot in the Door Social media has made applying for jobs more efficient, but nothing beats experience when it comes to getting hired. “We assist students in developing professional Linked-In profiles, and consult with students on how to utilize social media during their job search,” McDonough says. “Internships are one of the best ways for students to confirm their choice of major, explore potential career choices, obtain marketable experience and develop professional contacts while earning academic credit.” “While social media has changed hiring, the most important factor in a student getting hired is their network,” Yerrick states. “Their ability to find jobs is primarily provided through the relationships they’ve built along the way. Social media can enhance a network, but it does not replace relationships.”

“You can’t just Google everything,” Sutkowski concurs. “There are ways in which you can look for work and meaningful ways in which you can find careers, and there are strategies for that.” With that approach in mind, the Office of Workplace Learning at CPCC is dedicated to internships, apprentices and cooperative education so students can take the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and apply them in a workplace setting. Unlike most other community colleges, CPCC also has a transfer office with advisors solely dedicated to students who want to transfer on to a four‑year school. The value of internships is clear, yet Yerrick cautions, “They certainly CAN be a foot in the door, but it’s not a guarantee.” This is where personal behavior could make the difference. Gardner-Webb places great emphasis on developing personal character and integrity in the workplace. Students are taught, among many things, to have a positive online presence and professional etiquette and the importance of experiential learning endeavors. Says Yerrick, “The magic of an internship, along with other forms of experiential learning, is that students are in a work setting of their choice, seeing and doing things they have studied. They have learning objectives, someone evaluating their performance and they have an opportunity to reflect on what they’ve observed and how that relates to what they’ve studied— connecting the dots, if you will. A good experiential learning endeavor can bring a student’s education full circle.” P

Intellectual Rigor

Culture of Community

Global Education

Social Consciousness

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LIFESTYLE TRENDS

Tiny House, Big Dreams By Eren Simpson Photos by Glyn A. Stanley Photography

ewel Pearson, 48, always dreamed of one day living in a recreational vehicle, having the freedom to move and travel without the hassle of constantly packing. But her dream RV would have cost her nearly $300,000, so instead she joined the “tiny house” movement and is now the proud owner of a 360 sq. ft. “tiny house,” built on a 28 foot trailer, currently situated on the banks of Lake Wylie. “I absolutely adore my house,” Pearson said. The beauty of a “tiny house” is that there’s no rent or mortgage and, depending on materials, the cost to build one can run anywhere from nothing to six figures. A “tiny house” is built on a trailer and is mobile. But for right now, for Pearson, that’s limited to RV parks, or friends with extra land. A city girl at heart, though, she’s working with the City of Charlotte to figure out zoning and other rules so she can live closer to the city she loves. Pearson’s dream of building a “tiny house” began about a year and a half ago. The lease on her apartment ended in May 2015 so she set that as

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

Inside the kitchen.

Living room and upstairs loft.

her deadline. She started researching and created a blog to track her progress, and in January 2015 started interviewing builders and drawing up plans for her dream home. While still conducting her research, she stumbled upon an application to be featured on HGTV’s “Tiny House, Big Living.” The application wanted to know what stand-out items the home would include and what would make her house special. “I included everything on my wish list: a Juliet balcony, screened-in porch, walk-in closet and large bathroom,” Pearson said. “I also mentioned the lack of African Americans who are currently a part of the ‘tiny house’ movement, and the lack of African Americans on HGTV in general.” Pearson submitted her application on Sunday and had a call on Monday that she’d be featured on the show. “So then it was on, “ she said. “I had to do what I said I was going to do.” In March, Pearson started a new job working as a contractor for Wells Fargo and simultaneously started construction on her “tiny house.” “I had so much going on, I’m not sure what I was thinking,” Pearson said.

Jewel Pearson

Screened in porch and upstairs balcony of Pearson's home on wheels.

Adding to her stress was the fact that she and her builder did not get along. “It doesn’t appear we didn’t get along on the episode, and I’m sure people who

don’t know will be confused/surprised,” Pearson said. “Readers and watchers get to see the finished product and don’t always understand what happens behind the scenes. My builder added major unnecessary stress to my project and I’m ready to share that.” But despite the headaches, by the end of May, construction on the home was complete and by June 1 she was moved in. Pearson said the first month was rough. The AC wasn’t hooked up yet, there were issues with the toilet and plumbing and it was hot. “It was miserable, but I still didn’t hate the house,” she said. “I’m in this for the long term.” Now that everything is working, Pearson is enjoying her space – what little she has. But she wants to stress that while she’s limited her space, she hasn’t limited the things that make the place feel like home. “I want people to know they can live simply and small without having to sacrifice,” Pearson said. “I also really want to show, especially African Americans … for so many years we’ve lived in tiny houses, that as we made money and got good jobs, we bought the nice cars and the bigger houses, and that was part of my motivation with the build: to show that you can still have something nice and you can still live life differently. Make your money, save your money, but don’t be a slave to it. Focus more on living life, traveling, versus being chained to a desk and a paycheck. “ Despite the fact that she wants to be off the grid, her HGTV appearance, blog and Facebook page have gained her a bit more notoriety, so she plans on using this as an opportunity to consult and help others build their “tiny house” dreams. To learn more, visit msgypsysoul.com P

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

REAL ESTATE

Proof Positive

Charlotte’s Growing Content supplied by Charlotte Regional Realtors Association

harlotte is a city with many names: the Piedmont, the Queen City and the City of Trees, just to name a few. But no matter how you know the area, Charlotte’s a great place to live – and nobody can give you more reasons why than a Charlotte Realtor®. Why? Because Charlotte-area Realtors® have knowledge and expertise of the region gained through experience, and also have access to the best information about the Charlotte market through the Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc. or CarolinaMLS. So how do Realtors® use this information to know that Charlotte’s a great place to live? The proof is in the data, and more specifically, the level of pending sales activity that our region has experienced since 2011. Pending contracts, or pending sales, are generally thought of as a forwardlooking indicator and a good gauge of buyer demand, since these are contracts that have yet to close. “The Charlotte market has experienced phenomenal, double-digit pending sales activity over the past five years,” says association/CarolinaMLS president Maren Brisson-Kuester. “This kind of activity speaks to the overall appeal and strength of our region to buyers. Positive economic conditions across the region – such as sustained job growth and low unemployment – continue to be key drivers to Charlotte’s lure.” Despite the lower-than-usual supply of homes across the CarolinaMLS region, the number of single-family homes and condos under contract rose to 4,077 in August 2015, compared to 3,222 in August 2014, a 26.5 percent increase. Year-to-date August numbers show contracts up 18.8 percent, with closed sales for the past eight months up 16.1 percent compared to year-to-date August 2014. “2015 will be remembered as a year bearing most of the hallmarks of a solid seller’s market,” says Brisson-Kuester. “Inventory has been down, leaving about a four months’ supply of homes for sale for

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much of the year. These factors alone are pressuring prices, and homes are selling almost as quickly as they are listed in some heavily sought-after neighborhoods. However, not enough sellers have been listing their homes, despite the fact it’s a seller’s market. We need to see new listings added to inventory in order to stabilize prices.” Still, buyers should be reassured, since August’s prices have fallen compared to prices across the region this past June and July. The average sales price for a

“Positive economic conditions across the region – such as sustained job growth and low unemployment – continue to be key drivers to Charlotte’s lure.” home in the Charlotte region in August was $248,500, which is down 4.4 percent compared to the $260,000 average sales price in June 2015 and $255,125 average sales price in July 2015. This is good news for buyers and for the affordability factor in our market. Buyers should also be relieved to see the uptick in new listings each month, which are up nearly three percent year-todate compared to year-to-date August 2014.

Maren BrissonKuester, 2015 Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association/ CarolinaMLS President

So where does this leave buyers and sellers? Buyers should understand that even in a seller’s market, in which demand is strong, the homebuying process is easier to navigate with a Realtor®. Sellers should understand that all real estate is local, and a Realtor® can help with pricing for the current market. And as long as pending contract activity continues to rise, we can all be assured that Charlotte is a great place to live, work and play – because the proof is in the numbers. For more residential housing statistics for our region, visit www.CarolinaHome.com. P

ON THE ROAD TO A OPEN THE DOOR TO REAL ESTATE YOUR NEW CAREER CAREER?

With aTake real the estate license, unlock your earning potential, enjoy the road well-traveled. freedom of having your own schedule and help others fulfill their dream of homeownership. The Mingle School of Real The Mingle of Real school Estate offers top-rated instructors, classes EstateSchool is the official of ®discount. to fit your schedule and an early-bird the Charlotte Regional Realtor offers top-rated EnrollAssociation today. Visitand us at MingleSchool.com. quality instructors, a class to fit your schedule, student support and an early-bird discount.

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No One Helps You Navigate The Market Like A ReALTOR® When buying or selling a home, you want to be

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November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

REAL ESTATE

Housing Opportunity Foundation

Supports Local Nonprofits Content supplied by Charlotte Regional Realtors Association

he Housing Opportunity Foundation recently awarded 12 local nonprofits and eight area Habitat for Humanity agencies a total of $48,500 through the annual Realtor®-directed Habitat Support and Community Grants programs. The organizations were formally recognized by the Housing Opportunity Foundation at the second annual “Opening Hearts, Opening Doors” luncheon at Byron’s South End. The event featured WSOC-TV’s Scott Wickersham as the emcee and Movement Mortgage President and CEO Casey Crawford as the guest speaker. Crawford was a former Carolina Panthers tight end and won a Super Bowl ring with the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Crawford is also the founder of the Movement Foundation. The foundation serves as the charitable arm of the Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association and is dedicated to making a difference in the community by creating housing opportunities, promoting homeownership and positioning and educating Realtors® as leaders. In addition to the Community Grants and Habitat Support programs, the foundation is well-known throughout the community for its continued work in addressing unmet housing needs, including the annual Realtors® Care Day project. Since its inception in 2009, more than 4,200 Realtors® have helped to perform critical exterior home repairs for 174 families and nonprofit organizations in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties through the Realtors® Care Day project. The Community Grants program supports area organizations that address unmet housing needs in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties, while the Habitat Support Program is a way to assist area Habitats that are meeting crucial housing needs for low- to moderate-income families. Since the inception of the Habitat Support Program nine years ago and the Community Grants Program seven years ago, Realtor® members have distributed a total of $256,500 to area organizations. “From the purchase of new mattresses, to helping provide formerly homeless veterans homeownership education, to supporting area Habitats for Humanity,

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these two grant programs are just one of the many ways our members are able to assist area nonprofits that are confronting unmet housing needs within our region,” said Association/Carolina Multiple Listings Services, Inc. (CarolinaMLS) President

Community Grants totaling $30,000 were awarded to Beds for Kids, Inc.; Changed Choices; Charlotte Community ToolBank; Children’s Hope Alliance; Community Link; Crisis Assistance Ministry; Diakonos (Fifth Street Ministries); Kids First of the Carolinas; Men’s Shelter of Charlotte; Safe Alliance; Time Out Youth; and Vision Possible Ministries. The following Habitat for Humanity organizations were awarded grants from the foundation totaling $18,500: Habitat for Humanity of Cabarrus County, Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County, Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County, Habitat for Humanity of Matthews, Habitat for Humanity of Stanly County, Our Towns Habitat for Humanity and UnionAnson County Habitat for Humanity.

The Housing Opportunity Foundation donated 75 care kits assembled during the event to the Harvest Center of Charlotte. Pictured left to right: Tiffany Johannes, Casey Crawford, Colin Pinkney, Maren Brisson-Kuester, Anne Marie DeCatsye.

Maren Brisson-Kuester. “Part of our foundation’s goal is to bring about a better quality of life, and through this memberdirected funding we know we’re helping these organizations continue their good work in our community.”

For more information about the Housing Opportunity Foundation, the Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association, the Community Grants Program, the Habitat Support Program or Realtors® Care Day, visit www.CarolinaHome.com. P

REALTOR PROFILE

BELINDA W. CARR FOUNDER & CEO

ELITE HOMES OF THE CAROLINAS

elinda W. Carr is founder and CEO of Elite Homes of the Carolinas, a premier real estate firm located in Charlotte, NC. She has been providing EXTRAordinary service to Charlotte and its surrounding areas since 1994. In 1990 Belinda graduated from Johnson C. Smith University with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Banking and Finance. During this time she has seen Charlotte’s beautiful skyline and landscape flourish. Belinda’s knowledge of the real estate industry goes beyond the North Carolina borders; she is also licensed in South Carolina and Georgia. Belinda feels fortunate to have helped hundreds of discerning clients, whether they were buying, selling or relocating to or from the area. She has chosen to model her business based on client relationships, rather than transactions and has made

her philosophy to exceed her client’s expectations. Belinda’s clients say “… we always felt like your #1 priority”. Her extensive market knowledge, customized seller marketing and strong contract negotiation skills have allowed her to be the recipient of numerous awards in her career, including being a featured “HGTV” realtor. Her high level of professionalism and integrity are consistently commended by both her clients and colleagues. After many years in real estate Belinda launched her own real estate firm, Elite Homes of the Carolinas in 2011. Some saw it as inevitable since her first job was working at her father’s real estate firm growing up in the Bronx NY. Belinda is the proud mother of two accomplished sons; Jirod Carr, a Vance High School student and athlete and Jarrod Carr, a graduate of East Carolina University. As a second generation real estate broker herself, she is grateful to open the doors

to a third generation. She welcomes Jarrod, as he joins his mother and grandfather, making Elite Homes of the Carolinas a three generation real estate firm with over fifty years of experience. Serving her community is clear as she facilitates home buyer and seller education workshops, including financial literacy. In 2011, Belinda took the initiative to charter the Women’s Council of Charlotte Crown Realtist, an affiliate of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB). As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Johnson C. Smith University alumni association and the Urban League of Central Carolinas, she embraces education, empowerment and community enrichment. Elite Homes of the Carolinas 1216 S. Mint St., Charlotte, NC 28203 704-612-0033 http://www.elitehomesnc.com

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

LIFESTYLE TRENDS

Book Explores the Issues Facing

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) By Deborah Bayliss

ong held as the “gateway” to upward mobility, specifically for African Americans, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) now stand at the crossroads, challenged with declining enrollment, lack of alumni support, changes to government-funded financial aid and claims of mismanagement. Award-winning journalist and author Ron Stodghill, assistant professor of interdisciplinary studies at Johnson C. Smith University -- a private, historically black, coed, fouryear research university in Charlotte -- chronicles the issues in his recently released book from Harper Collins, “Where Everybody Looks Like Me: At the Crossroads of America’s Black Colleges and Culture.” Ron Stodghill As described in its overview, the book offers a “rare, behind-closed-doors look into the private world of the boards of directors, black intelligentsia, leaders of business, law, politics, culture, sports…and others involved in the debate and battle to save these institutions.” Pride magazine spoke with Stodghill about what it will take to save the more than 100 HBCU institutions created some 150 years ago, initially to educate freed slaves and now boasting an impressive alumni list that includes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Pride: Tell us about your inspiration for writing Where Everybody Looks Like Me. Stodghill: I started research on the book many years ago. I come from a long line of HBCU graduates. The year 2013 represented the perfect storm for HBCUs, with their credit standards changing. I was here at Johnson C. Smith University watching as changes to the (federal) Parent Plus Loan resulted in a lot of students having to go home.

Pride: Why are HBCUs so important to the Black community and what would be the consequence of their closure? Stodghill: HBCUs are the nerve center of Black ambition, consciousness and political power, and were viewed as the passport to true freedom and a bridge to Black culture. Without the HBCUs,

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

we would not have people like Thurgood Marshall, Oprah Winfrey… They shape the stability and the worldview, and we benefit from that.

Pride: Marybeth Gasman at the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions was quoted in a March 2015 news article, saying not all HBCUs are in danger of closing, that some are quite strong, some are in the middle and about 15 of them are experiencing a lot of difficulty. What are your thoughts on her assessment? Stodghill: It depends on your assessment of “dangerous circumstances.” I think every one of them faces tremendous challenges. It’s just that some of the HBCUs are assuming more aggressive, problem-solving strategies; those are the ones you might say are not in trouble. I think Marybeth is referring to those schools. The private schools (HBCUs) seem to be having a more difficult time [than the public ones]. Part of that reason is they rely more heavily on endowments, and are not as openly scrutinized because they are not taxpayer-funded, but when you’re a line item in a state budget, there’s incentive to protect your survival.

Pride: It’s been reported that if an HBCU closes, it’s not likely to reopen. What are your thoughts on that? Stodghill: “That’s a good question. I will say there are certain circumstances where there are five or six private HBCUs within a 200 to 300 square-mile distance, meaning a thousand students or less. One question you have to ask is whether through some collaboration they could gain, or whether they need to be selected out. The question ultimately is how all of these small “Davids” that are the struggling HBCUs can survive the “Goliath” of huge, well-endowed universities that are recruiting top Black students. Hopefully, the book will spark that much-needed conversation.”

Pride: What will it take to save the HBCUs? Stodghill: There is no silver bullet, but what is clear is that we need to start supporting our institutions if we want them to survive. What’s been amazing to me is the reaching out from all generations of the age spectrum who love their HBCUS. They want them to survive and are deeply concerned. P

Open your heart. Open your home.

To Foster or Adopt a Child

Call 704-336-Kids or Visit www.charmeck.org

LIFESTYLE TRENDS The Russell family in December 2014. With nine children, ages 11-36, and grandchildren, the holidays are very festive.

OPEN HEARTS,

Forever Homes Charlotte families grow and share their love through adoption By Lee McCracken Photo by Sue McFarland Photography

hil and Adelina Cunningham have nine children — six biological and three adopted. They also have legal custody of a six-year-old who they’ve fostered since just days after birth.

“All children deserve to be happy,” says Phil Cunningham. “It’s never too late.” The Russell family is also comprised of nine children, with ages ranging from 11-36. Four of their children are biological and five were adopted children from the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services. “There’s a misnomer that society’s worst children come from the foster care system. All they need is time, effort, support, understanding and love,” says Sylvia Russell. “Charlotte has precious children right here waiting to be adopted. Time is of the essence — they need permanency expeditiously.”

Disappointment to Joy Nearly 50 children are adoptable right now in our community. “Children involved with Youth and Family Services are not here by choice,” says Jennifer Freeman, a 20-year social worker and adoption specialist with Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services Youth and Family Services. “But families in the Charlotte

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

area do have a choice to help these children know they belong and encourage them to achieve their goals. The children need to know they are worthy of the same things all other children receive.” According to a National Adoption Attitudes Survey, commissioned by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, 63 percent of Americans thinks positively about adoption and 78 percent think more should be done to encourage adoption. Nearly 40 percent of adults, or 81.5 million people, have considered adopting a child. Yet, there are some 115,000 children available for adoption nationwide, according to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System/Department of Health & Human Services (October 2009). In addition, data reveals that children often wait three years or more to be adopted and move three or more times in foster care. The average age of a waiting child is eight. That’s how old Tyashia Cunningham was when she was adopted. Today, the 16-year-old junior at Sun Valley High School in Weddington talks openly at many local adoption events about her time in foster care and becoming part of a “forever family.” Tyashia was in seven foster homes since the age of two. “When a child knows he or she is truly wanted after many disappointments, it’s an undeniable feeling for that child,” says Freeman. In the Charlotte metro area, waiting children generally are African American and over the age of 12. While children in the system are exposed to many things before they are placed in adoptive homes, no family is on the adoption journey alone. “A parent should never be afraid to reach out for help,” says Freeman. “We will find the proper resources to support and maintain the family, so that they can remain a family.” Often children are part of sibling groups and have some behavior

challenges. “It is harder to find adoptive parents for siblings,” says Freeman. “They often get separated. … We need families who are willing to help us keep siblings together.” The number of waiting children locally has decreased some over the years, due to the agency’s efforts to work more with relatives who have chosen to become licensed as foster parents and then adopt. About 20 percent of the adoptions to date in 2015 has been placements with relatives.

Support and Stability Russell says society must stop labeling those in the foster care system as “problem children” and casting them aside. As a Youth and Family Services parent educator and speaker, Russell jests, “I have problems with our biological children just as much as the ones we adopted!” The adoption process in Mecklenburg County is similar to the foster home licensing process, with the addition of obtaining a favorable preplacement assessment (home study). Becoming a licensed A total of 54 children foster care parent is the best were adopted in 2015 entry to adoption, with the between January 1 and opportunity to begin to build a bond with the child. This September 8: also helps Youth and Family Services to ensure the best • 28 were males placement match for the child. Russell also addresses • 26 were females the increase in multiracial • 45 were Africanadoptions. “We (as a Black community) have to get past American children that,” she says. “It’s about • 11 were Caucasian love and support … what these children are gaining, • 3 were of Hispanic/ not the culture or history we Latino descent supposedly are losing.” A host of support and other — Source: Mecklenburg County post-adoption resources are DSS/Youth and Family Services available to adoptive parents. (adoption services) Phil Cunningham is the director of the Mecklenburg County Foster Adoptive Parent Association (mcfapa.com). He says, “There are going to be trials and tribulation. These children have not had a lot of stability. The key is getting the new child engaged with the entire family.” He adds, “If you really show a child genuine love, he or she will want to receive it and learn a different way of living.” Freeman also says, “The children have some challenges, but the support, stability and commitment of a family can help them. It is my joy to see an adoptive parent make a true commitment, accepting a child no matter the history.” P

By the

numbers

Upcoming information meetings Learn more about the adoption process in Mecklenburg County at http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/dss/adopt. Foster care orientation will be held November 17 and December 15 at Youth and Family Services, Charlotte East Building, 5800 Executive Center Drive. Meetings are on the fourth floor and begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Call 704-432-1034 to reserve a spot.

WWW.PRIMECAREMED.ORG 3627 Beatties Ford Rd. Charlotte NC, 28216

8:30 a.m.

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

LIFESTYLE TRENDS

2015 PEEP Mentoring Luncheon at The Westin Photos by Qiana Hasberry

SceneandSeen

Exhibit opening for ยกNUEVOlution! Latinos and the New South at Levine Museum of the New South Photos by DMG, Inc. 44

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

ARTS & CULTURE

to Watch

By Jimese Orange Photos courtesy of the chefs

Chefs Making Their Mark in Culinary Arts

ith social media hashtags such as #blackowned, #buyblack and #blackbusiness trending, it’s easier than ever for potential customers to find and support local businesses and recycle dollars within the community, especially during the holiday season. In the culinary arts and local food scene, chefs are connecting with and servicing customers in unconventional ways, beyond the usual restaurant venture. Food trucks, catering and meal delivery services are putting these three talented chefs on the map in Charlotte.

CHEF ANDARRIO JOHNSON www.amjcatering.com

Chef Andarrio Johnson, a native of Hilton Head, brings Low Country flavors to new levels as a graduate of Johnson & Wales University and the owner of AMJ Catering. Johnson stays on the move in Charlotte with his popular food truck, Cuzzo’s Cuisine, which can be seen serving lines of hungry customers all over Charlotte. You can catch Johnson on WBTV cooking up Southerninfluenced cuisine with a gourmet twist for the cameras.

Pride: What do you enjoy most about Charlotte’s foodie/culinary scene? Johnson: I really enjoy the food truck scene. I have had some great food from food trucks. Food trucks have a variety of tasty cuisines and [food] cooked fresh to order, which is a big deal to me.

Pride: What’s the most unique or unusual dish you’ve ever created and what inspired it?

good for calcium, dietary fiber, iron and magnesium. Cilantro is very beneficial to the body.

CHEF MICHAEL BOWLIN

www.chefmichaelbowling.com Chef Michael Bowlin has made a mark on the Charlotte food scene with his boutique catering business, MBG Catering, and as owner of Hot Box “Next Level Street Food” food truck. This Roanoke native serves his “next level street food” to loyal and new patrons who follow his truck all over the city. Bowling gives back to his alma mater, Johnson & Wales, in a meaningful way by nurturing the talents of young chefs and employing graduates in his catering and food truck business.

Pride: What food trend are you having the most fun with lately? Bowlin: Ramen, I think it’s a bit more than

Chef Andarrio Johnson

black-eyed peas, and collard greens all rolled up into a pastry sheet, then deep-fried. Once cooked, it’s served with a Cajun dipping sauce. The Asians have their egg roll; now we have our soul rolls.

Pride: What’s your favorite ingredient and why?

Johnson: The most unique dish that

Johnson: My favorite ingredient is

I created is the Southern soul roll. It’s a vegetarian roll which consists of red rice,

cilantro. This herb supplies a significant amount of vitamin A, C and K. It’s also

Chef Michael Bowlin

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

ARTS & CULTURE a trend and will be around a long time, but on the food truck we make our own pasta and change the broth and ingredients often.

Pride: What do you enjoy most about Charlotte’s foodie/culinary scene? Bowlin: It’s growing, [with restaurants such

her first love of Southern-style cooking is elevated with influences from Italian, Latin American and Caribbean cuisine. As the owner of Heart and Soul Chef Service, her unique food perspective infuses a breadth of services, from in-home personal chef to meal preparation and delivery “for the trendy, the

health-conscious and just plain ol’ country folk!” says Brooks.

Pride: Who or what inspired you to become a chef? Brooks: I come from a long line of cooking women. My mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother all taught me a great deal. The ability to cook is a gift and talent that God gave me and ultimately, He is the one who nudged me in the direction of pursuing it as a career.

as] Heirloom, Kindred, Tapas 5, Flipside, The Yolk, Earl’s, The Ashbury, Passion 8--all chef-driven and owned restaurants, all doing amazing food, and we are all friends working together to grow the food scene.

Pride: What opportunity do you think Charlotte has to improve upon culinary arts exposure in the city?

Pride: What is your favorite cooking gadget?

Bowlin: Minority chef and cooks…we have

gadget. I can mince ginger in about 30 seconds.

Brooks: My ginger grater is my favorite

a shortage and it needs to change.

Pride: What advice would you give young aspiring chefs?

CHEF LISA G. BROOKS

Brooks: I had been cooking for 35 years of

www.heartandsoulchef.com Chef Lisa G. Brooks, a native of Charlotte, has turned her childhood passion for cooking into an award-winning career in which

my life when I began culinary school. I knew a lot, but I still kept my mouth shut and learned from the chef instructors, and I learned a ton from each of them. No matter what you already know, you can always learn more. P

Chef Lisa G. Brooks

Dec 3-6

Matinee and Evening Performances | Belk Theater-Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

Albert-George Schram, conductor Charlotte Symphony Chorus | Charlotte Children’s Choir Michael Andrew, vocals | Martha Connerton/Kinetic Works, dancers

704.972.2000 charlottesymphony.org

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ARTS & CULTURE

Itâ€™s OK to

Travel Alone

By Lashawnda Becoats

Clockwise from left to right, I made it to Keukenhof Gardens. I was so excited; Beautiful tulips in Keukenhof Gardens, Netherlands; Windmill in Hoofdropp, Netherlands.

his year, I went to Amsterdam to see the world-famous rainbow-colored tulips at Keukenhof Gardens. They were everything I imagined. I loved Amsterdam, but Brussels was the star of this story.

There would be no story if two of my girlfriends hadnâ€™t backed out on our planned trip to Jamaica more than a decade ago. I was crushed, but I went to Jamaica alone. I had never done anything like that before. I had an unbelievable time. I luxuriated on the beach. I explored the island with an island boy. I learned not to wait to travel based on someone else.

Until the Jamaica trip, the idea of traveling alone seemed daunting. Traveling alone has made me a better person. Navigating new environments alone has made me more courageous, self-confident and independent. When I travel to nonEnglish speaking countries, it makes me humble and grateful. I have to rely on strangers to help me do simple things, such

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

ARTS & CULTURE as ordering off a menu or giving a cab driver directions in another language. After each trip, I return to Charlotte more patient and empathetic toward people from other countries. This year was no different. I took a two-hour train ride from Amsterdam to Brussels, where Dutch and French are the primary languages. I don’t speak a lick of either. I couldn’t resist the idea of Belgian chocolate, Belgian fries, Belgian waffles and fruit-flavored Belgian beer. I had to read street maps that were written in French and ride buses with signage that was written in Dutch. The bus drivers were patient as I tried to figure out where I was going. Strangers saw the lost look on my face and helped me out. And you know what? I drank a grape Lambic beer, ate a Belgian waffle, Belgian fries and scarfed down some Belgian chocolate in one day. My stomach is still mad at me.

Lashawnda’s

Travel Tips • I carry a small travel notebook. I always write the address where I’m staying in case I get lost or my cell phone battery dies. I use this information to show a taxi driver so I can get back to my lodging safely. • Be sure your credit/debit card has a embedded chip in it before you travel. Businesses in most countries no longer take credit/debit cards without embedded chips. • Carry a cell phone charger (and the universal plug adapter), battery booster or spare batteries with you while you’re out exploring the city.

• Be sure to keep a copy of your passport and email a copy of your passport and travel itinerary to yourself and someone who you trust in case of an emergency. • Leave expensive jewelry, handbags and accessories at home. Don’t attract unnecessary attention. • Pickpockets (one word) are real. Be aware of your surroundings, especially in tourist areas and on public transportation.

daughter. On my first day, they invited me to join them on a day trip to visit Hallerbos Forest. When we arrived at the forest, I almost fainted. The sight of millions of tiny blue flowers looked like something from a fairy tale. The bluebell flowers appear for a couple of weeks, then die. The forest was so beautiful and the air was so pure. We explored the forest, took pictures and had a picnic. I thanked God for the breathtaking experience. The trip to the forest with my Brussels family was another reminder to trust my instincts. Later that night, the couple invited me to a dinner party for one of their friends who was moving to Paris. When we arrived, I never expected to walk into a house filled

with about 30 Black people. You don’t see a lot of Black people in Belgium! I met women who were expats from Chicago, Maryland and Alabama. We laughed, ate, danced and talked for hours about everything from natural hair to traveling to exotic places. Our experiences mirrored each others’ so much that we decided to keep in touch. I still talk to them on Facebook. The instant camaraderie we shared was one of the best nights I’ve ever had abroad. The only criterion I had on this journey was to stay safe and open to all the possibilities. I went to Brussels and Amsterdam alone, but I was never lonely. I shared fabulous solo experiences and good times with new friends. P

Above: Yummy Belgium french fries with curry ketchup at La Grande Place in Brussels, Belgium. Below: Exploring Hallerbos Forest in Belgium felt like walking through a dream.

Guess who’s coming to dinner In Brussels, my adventure started with a family from whom I rented a room. The couple was very friendly and we hit it off immediately. I loved their young son and

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazine.net

ARTS & CULTURE Inside Dupp and Swat.

Unique Boutique Offers More Than Fashion By Edward Henderson

he hypnotic scent of herbal incense dances with your nostrils the moment you first walk into Dupp and Swat. More often than not, the classic sounds of hip-hop and R&B envelop the store, creating an environment many love to frequent in the NoDa district. Promotional stickers and signatures of local artists and patrons adorn walls surrounding the entrance like a stamp of approval. And the fashion stylings of independent designers from Charlotte hang with grace and anticipation of new bodies to decorate. The store’s owners are just as eclectically talented and eccentric as the space they opened in 2012. All in the Family Dion “Dupp,” 33, and Davita “Swat,” 35, Galloway are the sibling savants behind this mini-mecca of culture and creativity. The store’s unique name originated from monikers their father gave Dion and Davita when they were in Winston-Salem. “The names kind of just rolled off his tongue and stuck,” says Davita. “We wanted to find something catchy and genuinely us to name the store, so we used our nicknames.” After achieving their advanced degrees,

Dion with his MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management and Davita with her masters in public health from University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the two decided to begin their entrepreneurial journey in the Queen City. After they scouted locations for their store, NoDa turned out to be the best fit for their vision. “I love it. NoDa made the most sense in the end because we were always here,” says Davita. Dion and Davita credit their success to

the balance and familiarity working together adds to the business. Dion provides a steady hand and voice of reason, utilizing his background in banking to focus on the financial end of things and developing sponsorship opportunities. Davita is the creative one, engaging her skills in fashion design and event planning to breathe life into the space. “Our family is a pretty tight-knit bunch so working together comes second nature,” says Dion. Adds Davita: “He grounds the operation. I want to float in the clouds.”

A Home for Artist Davita and Dion pride themselves on creating a positive space for interactions to occur. Dupp and Swat also serves as a venue for live performances, fashion shows, game nights and any other community gathering you can imagine. “The energy of the store is comfortable and feels familiar. We are accepting and present ourselves as a platform to support

November-December 2015 | Pride Magazine

ARTS & CULTURE

Dion “Dupp” and Davita “Swat” Galloway inside their boutique.

artistry. It feels like home,” says Davita. Adds Dion: “There are people who have talent and abilities who aren’t able to showcase them. You can use us as a bungee cord to get yourself out there.”

Looking Ahead In the future, Dion and Davita plan to build upon the success of the store and their newly launched magazine called Spread. The lifestyle magazine focuses on fashion, music, popular culture, photography and commentary on a wide variety of topics. Spread also includes posters and games for readers to enjoy. “It’s beautiful to look at,” says Davita. “It represents us because it covers a little bit of everything. It also brings elements of nostalgia and novelty.” The ambitious duo also plans to expand Dupp and Swat to locations outside of Charlotte while creating other businesses, as well. “We want to be so diverse business-wise that you can’t place just one thing on us,” says Dion. “Right now you know us from Dupp and Swat and eventually Spread, but we have a couple of other things in the works that might surprise you.” For more information visit www.duppandswat.com P

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