Enlarge Children at Tuckasegee Recreation Center listen to speakers during Stand Against Racism Day

Posted: May 6th, 2011 Tonya Jameson

The YWCA’s second edition of Stand Against Racism Day extended beyond its Park Road headquarters last week to community centers throughout Charlotte.

Along with a larger celebration at the YWCA’s Park Road facility, YWCA staff also held smaller celebrations at Naomi Drenan Recreation Center and Tuckaseegee Recreation Center.

Last year the facility held the event on a weekday morning on Park Road. Mayor Anthony Foxx, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe and civic leaders attended the event. Speeches and a march on Park Road marked the occasion. This year’s event included a mix of brief speeches and entertainment.

“We just wanted it to be an opportunity where people come together, people from across all kinds of backgrounds to come together and celebrate that we’re stronger together,” said YWCA executive director Kirsten Sikkelee.

Holding the event in different locations and on a Friday afternoon diluted the crowd, but didn’t diminish enthusiasm. The parents and children who did attend enjoyed music, snacks and inspirational message about the fight for unity.

Robert Fleming was taking his three children to Tuckasegee Recreation Center to enjoy the playground when he stumbled on the Friday afternoon celebration. He pulled up a chair and listened as Marvette Monroe, YWCA board member, talked about the importance of eliminating racism together.

Fleming said his children are biracial. He hopes programs such as Stand Against Racism will teach adults and youth the importance of accepting diversity.

At the YWCA, performance artist Kali Ferguson shared a poem that marked the occasion. One Voice Chorus sang several songs. Participants also perused a photo exhibit in that highlighted the city’s fight against racism.

Posted: May 5th, 2011 Liz Barrett

Front Porch Grants, a program that awards smaller-sized grants to projects making a big impact in building social capital between individuals, communities, and neighborhoods, is now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 grant cycle.

The Front Porch Grants program, named in honor of the power of a simple gathering place where people can meet and begin to build relationships, aims to increase trust, build bridges across differences and expand social connections by informal relationship building.

Last year from October to April, 27 neighborhood associations, social clubs, school groups and civic nonprofits brought together diverse folks from their community through art projects, community potlucks, creation of community gardens, mentorships, games, cleanups and other casual events that allowed for relationship building.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation, an affiliate of Foundation For The Carolinas, awards grants of up to $2,500 that support the creation of Front Porch projects while Crossroads Charlotte provides the framework.

The Front Porch Grant application accessible online must be received by noon on Friday, June 3, 2011. 

More information can be found here.

Posted: May 5th, 2011 Brandi Williams

As a child, Gayle traveled the world. She had housekeepers and led a privileged life; things were great. But things changed when at age 22, she became pregnant. "My parents kicked me out when I got pregnant because they were angry and disappointed,” said Gayle, who now has a great job. “They bought me a one-way ticket to the United States. I was alone and afraid. I didn’t have anyone here.” Then, she discovered the services of Florence Crittenton Services (FCS), a comprehensive residential pregnancy program founded in 1903.

“Florence Crittenton provided a foundation and security when I needed it [most].  They put me around people who were in the same situation and helped give me the stability I needed to develop self confidence. I received my bachelor’s & master’s degrees and in June I will start working on my Ph.D. I made friends – many of whom I am still friends with today. I credit Florence Crittenton for being there when I had no one .  I continue paying it forward by supporting the agency.”

Keep Reading

Posted: May 4th, 2011 Greg Lacour

Some stories worth sharing this week:

• Preliminary 2010 Census results show that Charlotte is, for the first time, a majority non-white city. But here’s an interesting related phenomenon: Mecklenburg County’s African-American population increased by nearly 90,000 from 2000 to 2010, reflecting a reversal of the Great Migration of black people from South to North in mid-century. African-Americans are moving South again.
• The Charlotte-Mecklenburg library board says the county ought to provide the ailing library system with an added $2.5 million next year to stave off additional closures and cuts in service hours.
• Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte is celebrating the 20^th anniversary of its pioneering “Women Build” program with the construction of a pair of homes on James Street on the west side.
• Northeastern University in Boston appears to be serious about the idea of a satellite graduate campus in Charlotte, having hired Central Piedmont Community College campus dean Cheryl Richards to lead a team trying to win approval for the campus.
• We leave you with the (mercifully sober) reflections on the killing Sunday of Osama Bin Laden by Carolinians whose lives were directly touched by 9/11. Also, the reactions of Charlotte-area Muslims.