Black history
Live storytelling production showcases historic Black communities
Oct. 31. Don’t Lose Heart, a project to empower the cultural preservation efforts of historic Black communities in North Mecklenburg, debuts as a live, storytelling production Saturday at the Cain Center for the Arts. Helmed by writer and poet Maurice J. Norman, Don’t Lose Heart blends documentary poetry, family histories, and live performance to create […]
Black genealogy: Moving beyond the 1870 census
Jan. 31. Get in touch with your roots during Black History Month with a program at Mountain Island Library presented by Danielle Pritchett, the genealogy librarian at the prestigious Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room. The event, at 6 pm Feb. 15, is free. Learn more and register at https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/659f0b19efc0293a006c1556. You will be able to explore crucial records […]
Black History Month Celebration set for Feb. 25
Feb. 16. The public is invited to join the Town of Cornelius Parks & Recreation Department, and the Smithville CommUNITY Coalition at the Cain Center for the Arts for the annual Black History Month Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 25. The event will take place noon to 2 pm at the Cain Center for the Arts, 21348 Catawba […]
First Black woman in NC House has passed away; flags at half-staff
Jan. 19. Annie Brown Kennedy, an attorney who was the first Black woman to serve in the NC General Assembly, has died at the age of 98. Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all US and North Carolina flags at state facilities to fly at half-staff until sunset Friday. The Winston-Salem resident was only the second Black […]
Former Cornelius Mayor Nannie Potts to be honored this month
Jan. 6. Unity in Community North Mecklenburg, Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church and Davidson Presbyterian Church are celebrating the late Nannie Potts and you are invited. The groups are holding a Martin Luther King Jr. day celebration to honor Potts, the first and only Black mayor of Cornelius. Potts was elected to the Cornelius Town […]
Potts Barber Shop gains historic designation
Oct. 6. By Dave Vieser. Potts Barber Shop on Catawba Avenue—one of the oldest businesses in Cornelius—officially received historical designation at the Town Board meeting this week. Members of the Potts family were there as town commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the designation. “The Potts Barber Shop is an important cultural and historic property […]
Huge Juneteenth Festival in Plaza Midwood
June 9. The Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas presents its 24th Annual Celebration featuring the Juneteenth Freedom March and a Tribute to Isaac Applewhite June 17-20 in Plaza Midwood. Multi-cultural vendors will showcase food, art, music and culturally relevant merchandise. On Thursday, June 17 from 9 am to 5 pm, children can participate in the […]
Smithville revitalization: How best to fight gentrification and preserve history?
April 9. By Tonya Rivens. At the first open community Zoom meeting of the Smithville Community Coalition, approximately 23 residents along with Mayor Washam and several Town Commissioners heard about their ambitious revitalization plan for the Black community just east of I-77. Observers say there is no consensus yet as to how to revitalize and […]
