I still can remember, growing up in the 80’s, being in the school lunch line. This was before kids could discretely punch their ID number in. It seemed like every other child shouted it but in actuality it was only about 5% of the line in the area I grew up in. It was mostly Black kids that had to say it. You had to say it loud ...

​In the wake of Nipsey’s death, some young, ignorant girl posted on Facebook, “Niggas die everyday, F*%!, Nipsey”. I hate that. The disrespect, the division is destroying us. Such stupidity. She was a black girl and she got a lot of attention for her post; riding on the phenomenal tide of this young man. And this would truly have been the...

​As I stand on Beasties Ford Road in Charlotte, NC, in the pouring rain, there are a dozen peaceful protesters including The Black Panther Party, family, women, children trying to explain to me why there is another senseless police killing. I don’t know the child’s name who was murdered. I don’t know the circumstances. One man said a domestic ...

​I love what I do. I love researching, building onto the stories of great people and edifying them. So, when Rory Sheriff, Director, extraordinaire, gave me the first nomination for Black Charlotte’s Finest, I asked myself, how am I going to do this but I quickly got to work. With excitement I did some investigating on Sister Myra Foster ...

​One of the most powerful acts my mother took when she migrated to Charlotte from Long Island, after my father’s death was to find a place of worship. There were many dark days after the head of our household transitioned. Yet my mother, through courage and faith built an alter in a new land, with few friends or family members. I was livi...

​Adrienne Pihlgren, LCSW - New Leaf Counseling Group, LLC (980) 229-4320 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Our communities have a mental health crisis. We surpress our feelings in the “hustle and bustle” of everyday life, ignoring the obvious cues of our breaking bodies. Culturally we have rejected help, leaving our ills in hidden places. Depressio...

There are so many cases that we talk about Black Men with contempt. We are quick to tell what they do wrong while ignoring all the phenomenal achievements that they are exemplifying in our communities. Well, because of this, Black Charlotte has added a new category called, "Black Man on the Rise". Once a week, we will feature a Black Man that is "b...

​When you come into the presence of Ms. Gaines, you know that you are truly around someone super spiritual. It's not because she has written books, or she was an award-winning former Washington Post reporter. It's not because she has done commentaries for National Public Radio and written numerous publications, including one in Essence. And it's de...

 Keller Williams - 6555 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail, North Carolina 28079 The American Dream of home-ownership has passed many by due to financial hardships, lack of practical tools and of course discrimination but Tikola Kaye McCree makes that dream a reality for so many in Charlotte. Her positive attitude and motivating spirit prepares fol...

9548 Mt Holly - Huntersville Road, Huntersville, NC 28078 I can truly say I am honored to make this man “Black Charlotte’s Finest” not because he cuts my son’s hair every two weeks but he does so much more. Kind and compassionate is an understatement when I speak about Jeff. First and foremost his cutting skills are exemplary. H...

​If you know me, you know I love the arts. Being from NY, I’ve seen “Rent” on broadway, “Dreamgirls”, “Julius Caesar” with Denzel Washington, “Ragtime”, “Bring in the Noise, Bring in the Funk”, to name a few. I attended a performing arts high school with my daughter following in my footsteps here in Charlotte at Northwest School of the Pe...

3635 Mt Holly-Huntersville Road, Charlotte NC 28216 We are so local and it was an honor to visit Londa’s Place, the hottest Soul Food spot in Charlotte. Time you walk in the door, your nostrils are filled with the aroma of home cooking and it is truly served with love by the friendly staff. I visited this awesome establishment on my birthday. I was...

​In wake of Russian colluding, con, Paul Manafort’s lenient conviction of 47 months in the Feds, our sister, Crystal Mason, still sits in prison, sentenced to 5 years for voter suppression. She voted 1 time after she was released from prison, not realizing that she still wasn’t eligible. Her mother was excited about her rel...

This is what you did to me,  Hung me under the tall oak tree,  I pleaded that you would leave me alone,  But you raped and tortured me in my very own home,  You touched my body,  Like I was a common whore,  Until one day I just couldn’t take it anymore,  Because a slave named George, tried to take my hand,&nb...

This is probably the most controvesial piece I’ve ever written. As a Black woman, who has been subjected to abuse by Black men, as a sister who has carried the load of my kids alone, as a Black human being who has been unfairly taunted by law enforceforcement, I must pause. I must pause from using the Black man as...

​One of the many Queens of Charlotte was Dorothy Counts. She was “Ford Tough”, as she was one of the pioneers to integrate Charlotte Mecklenburg Public School System in 1957. Pictures captured her poise, fearlessness and bravery as she entered Harry Harding High School to mobs of white supremacist, young and old.  Under the pass...

​We can’t even begin to phathom the senseless murders, supported by our the United States Government, on Black citizens before, during and after Reconstruction. We can’t begin to phathom having a dispute with an employer, being placed in the hospital over that dispute and later being falsely accused of killing your boss by ...

​This piece is dated almost a year before “Bridgerton”, which I truly enjoyed. I become frustrated when people don’t read and jump on pop culture so easily. The debate of Queen Charlotte being “Black” continues, yet many of us knew it all along. Enjoy!!! “It was only fitting that the most lucrative event, the CIAA Tournament, be held...

I have been homeless for 3 years here in Charlotte. Three years I swear I’ve been trying to climb out. Three years looking at my children’s disappointment of not having a backyard or American suburban clout.  Three years of saying next year we will get one. Only next year was another bill to face. Don’t get me wro...

​I started Black Line News to report positive, local events in areas that were receptive. I write to promote change. I don't sensationalize nor find satisfaction in writing about others pain. Yet, I could not ignore the devastation caused by the ambush of several heroic officers in Florence, SC, which is less than 2 hours from me. It broke my heart...