Dear Dearest,  “Why are you keeping your ex-husband’s last name? Don’t you want to let go of all the baggage?” - Just Being Nosy Dear “Just Being Nosy”, “What a bold act to become free from a toxic, oppressive relationship yet wear your scars like a boss.” ~ Dearest Price I’m not ashamed of being deceived yet that is not the rea...

There are those that leave us star stuck, while others put on a good face. There are those that have big titles but this blog is about Londa’s Grace. I entered her doors amazed, of how a woman could be such a boss. I watched as she served tables keeping in mind it all had a cost. She carried no big ego. She makes no one feel ashamed. She ...

She is the “Queen of Compassion”, “Lady Boss of Accountability” and her name is Reneé Johnson. I had the honor of meeting her at one of my favorite spots, Queen’s Coffee Bar in Charlotte. She is truly someone that should represent District 4. She is nothing like you would coin a politician to be, greeting with hug...

Joie Cook and I meet at one of my favorite places, the library. We interviewed at the Beaties Ford branch.  Delightful is an understatement of this woman and determined is a given. She entered my presence with her lap top and vision, military style, focused to work. She is an army veteran, a daughter of a military Dad that has plante...

I had the great pleasure of meeting Jorge L. Millares last week. Just by request he met me at Queen’s Coffee Bar. I was a few minutes late but he greeted me with a smile that told me off the bat that he was for the people. I explained to him the premise behind Black Charlotte; that “Black” is the essence of all colors and that it is ...

Robert Chambers is an exceptional man that attends New Hope A.M.E. Zion Church each Sunday, where I am a local preacher under Reverend Dr. Debra Hall. Robert listens attentively, singing and rejoicing independently. His lovely mother serves as an usher so, many times you can find him sitting in the back of the church soaking it ...

I was completely taken in by the love and energy of Davayan and Katris Wright. I knew they were special people from our first encounter. Katris is nothing but a ball of ministry in a professional package, while Davayan is leadership, encompassed by 100. It was glorious being in their presence and I knew it was nothing but God placing Katris as...

May 22, 2019 was my last day of working at a local school in Charlotte. I was told that they had no positions opened for me after I worked as an Instructional Assistant with a Masters plus and 20 years experience for $23,000 a year starting. Insultive, no. I will work any place legal to feed my kids but they lied and said I would be promoted t...

Marissa Roberts is the owner of "My Nature's Gift" and original supporter of Black Charlotte; check out her business card in our launch edition of Black Charlotte. She is young, innovative and is taking naturalistic products by storm. She is a distributor of these holistic products right here in Charlotte and welcomes independent vendors to co...

“We can laugh but also be serious about social change. They are not planning to tell us when the Revolution will begin.” ~Dearest Yolanda Dearest Price, M.Ed, grew up in Long Island, New York. She followed her passion for teaching, attending Howard University and later earning a History and Africana Studies Degree from Stony Brook Univers...

I drive down Beatties Ford daily. It is a street that is bustling even at 7 am in the morning. The bright yellow school buses have traffic congested. The NOI, can be seen, bow tied and suited up passing along, “The Final Call”. Bus corners are filled with Brown and Black people headed to work. The destressed, don’t seem so de-st...

There is a message planted in every father. If you discover it, that will be his greatest gift to you. If you miss it, he will take it to the grave, in hopes that the spirit will see you through.  A real father is the sun of every child. But the sun sometimes misses a plant or two. The sun causes drought and doesn’t ever&nb...

June 19, 2019 will be the 154th anniversary of Juneteenth. This is the final celebration of Emancipation from the confederacy in Texas. Abraham Lincoln, reluctantly issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. Slaves transmitted this information through the grapevine, abandoning plantations, seeking refuge with Union forces. Yet in T...

As teenagers, how should we make big decisions that determine our future? For me, my ultimate “go to” is the classic buzzfeed quiz. However, after being faced with my first extreme delima, I found myself stuck. After taking much advice and listening to what my family and friends had to say about the matter, I have come up with 5 steps to ...

Queen’s Coffee Bar is such a quaint little spot, nestled in Charlotte and if you are not familiar with it, you are truly missing out. Owner, extradinarie, royalty as her steady flow of customers refer to her, Raina Purvis has created a networking hub, a new culture of sorts staged in an eclectic environment fit for the socially conscious, embracing...

Marsha McLean, LPC, LCAS, CCS, Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina/Virginia, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialists and Certified Clinical Supervisor is the vessel for many dealing with mental heath challenges. She earned a Master’s Degree from Webster University in 2003 where her skills and ex...

God has a way that’s mighty sweet and I always say you can’t persecute, hurt, oppress or victimize people without the universe taking its shot on you. Malcolm X eloquently coined it as, “the chickens coming home to roost”, while some say it’s the bitch of Karma. I like to use the Bible, and say vengeance is the Lord’s.  You see ...

​What an enjoyable morning I had with Tommy Nichols at Queens Coffee Bar. A man of great dept, one that is extremely spiritual yet able to hold a conversation on any topic you may pose. Mr. Nichols is one of Charlotte’s finest, a Media Training Consultant that has over 20 years experience in technology. He advises, consults, produces...

Pastor Appreciation at New Hope AME Zion Church was awesome. Rev. Anetia Wright delivered a message that stirred my soul and gave me a better understanding of my spiritual teacher, Rev. Dr. Debra Hall. Such a fitting message, delivered to Pastor, from her childhood friend. Rev. Hall being the good girl while Rev. Wright was the Afrocentric radical....

I had the pleasure of meeting the charismatic Bennie Howard Jr. this pass Sunday at New Hope AME Zion Church in Salisbury. I love children that push toward greatness and this is what I saw in Bennie.  His small frame yet big personality lite up the church. He articulated to me that he played Point Guard for the Statesville, Sonics and that the...