CRC Newsletter | March 2022

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Reimagining Charlotte’s Commemorative Landscape

By Laura Leftwich, CRC Member and Emily Kunze, City Manager’s Office

The Charlotte Legacy Commission, a 15-person committee appointed by Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and the City Council, convened in July 2020. The commission was charged with engaging in a comprehensive study of street names and monuments in the City of Charlotte that honor a legacy of Confederate soldiers, slave owners and segregationists. Out of the study, the Legacy Commission provided recommendations and produced a body of research on why their findings are so critical, and so timely.

Consulting with UNC Charlotte’s Dr. Karen Cox and Dr. Willie Griffin, Staff Historian at the Levine Museum of the New South, the Legacy Commission believes that the continued memorialization of slave owners, Confederate leaders, and white supremacists on street signs does not reflect the values that Charlotte upholds today and is a direct affront to descendants of the enslaved and oppressed African Americans who labored to build this city.

Historian Heather Cox Richardson said, “History is about what happened in the past while commemoration is about the present. We put up statues and celebrate holidays to honor figures from the past who embody some quality we admire...as society changes, the qualities we care about shift.”

Following in the footsteps of other major southern cities like Atlanta, an initial priority has been renaming streets associated with the Confederacy. According to the Commission’s official recommendations, street names, “are important because ‘they communicate who matters’; they convey ‘who we are and what we value.’ … They send a dehumanizing message when celebrating and honoring individuals who advocated for discrimination and bigotry.” Taking steps to rename these streets and advocate for the values that Charlotte wants to reflect moving forward is more than reeducating on the past — it’s hoping to set a new path for the future.

The Legacy Commission noted that the community, especially African Americans, were never consulted on street names that revered racism and recommended that new names should be derived from engaging the community. City staff has used extensive engagement in the affected neighborhoods to rename seven streets thus far.

Presently, community engagement is underway to rename Barringer Drive and Stonewall Street. To that end, the commission is conducting public surveys to vote for new names for Barringer Drive and Stonewall Street. The new street names will be effective in May and June, respectively. In addition, the City will support and encourage efforts of neighborhoods and developers that petition for additional street name changes.

“By changing street names and reimagining civic spaces, Charlotte will begin to create a new symbolic landscape representative of the dynamic and diverse city it has become and reflective of the inclusive vision it strives to achieve.” — from the Legacy Commission Recommendations.

The Legacy Commission also calls for reimagining Charlotte’s commemorative landscape to align with the values and diversity of today’s city. City staff are exploring other opportunities to involve the Charlotte community in growing our commemorative landscape, such as a wall with names of enslaved people who lived in Charlotte and providing context for the Confederate monuments and markers in Elmwood Cemetery. There is much more work to be done to implement all the recommendations and Charlotte’s diverse community will be essential to success in creating a more equitable and just future for all residents.

Charlotte’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)

By Sam Smith Jr., CRC Member

What is the Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)? Charlotte’s UDO simplifies, consolidates, and updates the regulations that guide Charlotte’s development into a single document. It also lifts up the vision and policy portion of the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

Let’s take a moment to highlight what the UDO is intended to do and how it would impact you. According to Charlotteudo.org, the UDO combines regulations and standards from the following eight different development ordinances:

• City’s Zoning Ordinance
• Subdivision Ordinance
• Tree Ordinance
• Chapter 19 (Streets and Sidewalks)
• Floodplain Regulations
• Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Regulations
• Post-Construction Stormwater Regulations
• Driveway/Access Standards

It is more important than ever that residents be engaged in this UDO process. These policies that are being written will impact the way the City of Charlotte conducts business. The UDO will allow the City of Charlotte to shape the future of development, tree canopy, zoning regulations and many more policy issues. It will provide a road map for more walkable neighborhoods, and more eat, work, and play corridors. It will also increase housing options and locations, increase equitable transit opportunities, and increase supply of housing diversity.

Here’s a look at the UDO project phases:

PHASE 1

October 7, 2021 – March 18, 2022:

The public draft was developed by the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County staff, with feedback from its Ordinance Advisory Committee and consultant support from Camiros, Ltd.

Comments on the first draft receive during Phase 1 along with staff responses can be viewed here.

PHASE 2

March 2022 – April 2022:

The UDO will be revised with consideration given to community feedback, and a second draft will be released in May 2022 with mark-up displaying changes.

PHASE 3

May 2022 – June 2022:

The second draft of the UDO will be subject to community comment at the public hearing before City Council and the Planning Commission. This will be the second opportunity for the community to review the UDO. The Planning Committee of the Planning Commission will recommend changes for a third draft.

PHASE 4

July 2022:

The third draft of the UDO will be developed based on the recommendation of the Planning Commission. This fourth draft is the version that will be considered and voted on by City Council.

It’s time to have your voice heard on the future of economic and social opportunities in our city.

Learn more about the Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) at https://charlotteudo.org/

The City of Charlotte has also released a helpful “Reference Guide”.

Opportunities to Grow in Your Civic Leadership

By Justin Lyons, CRC Member

You may be familiar with the mantra “start where you are,” meaning each of us can contribute to our community with a few small actions. For residents looking to take that next step, the City of Charlotte offers two great programs — Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) and CLT Aviation Academy — to do so. Both initiatives aim to build broader awareness of local resources and to foster connections so that more residents and communities can benefit from them.

Launched in 2016, the CLA is a free, 13-session program for City of Charlotte residents who want to take the next step in their community leadership. The academy provides participants with useful knowledge and tools as well as the chance to discuss community issues with city and county leaders. With cohorts hosted twice per year, participants receive an education in topics such as Charlotte history, City Government 101, Housing, Environment, Implicit Bias and more.

Around 40 applicants are selected to participate in each cohort and representation from each Council District is ensured in each cohort. Adrienne Martinez, a past member of the CLA and Chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Community Relations Committee (CRC)’s Communications Subcommittee, reflected on her experience: “No matter whether you are a current or aspiring community leader, CLA is an incredible opportunity to get an inside look at City departments and the people that run them, to better understand the work they do to support and improve our lives as residents of Charlotte.”

Philip Freeman manages the CLA as part of his role in the City of Charlotte’s Neighborhood & Community Partnerships team. He said the goal is to support CLA graduates to join local commissions or boards and take up leadership roles in neighborhood associations. “I’m always moved by witnessing participants going on to spearhead changes after building their power, accessing more city services and collaborating with city employees,” Freeman reflected.

For a more acute focus on economic development and transportation, the CLT Aviation Academy offers residents the chance to connect to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)’s contributions to our community. Managed by Aviation Department’s Community Affairs staff in partnership with Centralina Regional Council, the annual program recently took its latest flight in February with 30 community members and private sector leaders across the region. As a member of the CRC (and an aviation enthusiast), I am fortunate to be part of this diverse group.

In a short amount of time, I’ve learned much more about the critical role that CLT Airport plays in our local economy, the region and the world. We have received an inside look into CLT’s operations and future planning efforts, including a comprehensive 101 session from the Airport’s executive team and a tour of the Airport’s airfield and terminal. Arun Nair, Chair of the CRC’s Intercultural Relations Subcommittee is an Aviation Academy participant with me.

“I believe it is my responsibility to educate myself on everything that happens in our city, county and country, so I can help promote the various city services available to our residents, especially for the minority community and new immigrants,” Nair shared. “As a civic servant who participates actively in some very diverse and untapped communities, I hope to help spread the knowledge that I learn from various training opportunities including the CLT Aviation Academy.”

The Aviation Academy, which started in 2017 as a pilot program, aims to transform those that are interested in the Airport into aviation subject matter experts, develop community relationships with influential stakeholders who can further engage more local entities about CLT Airport’s practices, and advocate for its positive impacts across our communities. Stuart Hair, the Director of Economic & Community Affairs for CLT’s Aviation Department, spoke on his experience delivering the program over the years.

“Through a series of intense, behind the scenes sessions, we provide in depth information that is not readily accessible to the general public,” Hair said. “Despite the past two years requiring numerous pivots in content delivery and virtual participation due to the pandemic, the demand for the Academy continues to exceed our class size limit. We look forward to continuing to provide it in the future.”

If you’re ready to take the next step in your community’s leadership (no matter where you are today), be sure to keep these programs in mind in 2022 and beyond. In the meantime, take a moment to consider these educational and development opportunities:

• Easily access online video trainings on numerous topics such as Starting a Neighborhood Organization or ​How to be a Bridge-Builder in your Neighborhood.
• Learn more about the City of Charlotte’s 35 advisory boards and commissions, then apply to serve on one or several.
• Review the plethora of resources and tools on the City’s “Gov University” website so you can become a more informed resident.
• Check out ​​​​​​​​​​​​​the Charlotte-Mecklenburg ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Citizens’ Academy, which gives residents an opportunity to learn more about the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
• Follow the Community Planning Academy, a free educational program available if you’d like to learn more about the role planning plays in building communities.

Your Vote, Your Power

By Adrienne Martinez, CRC Member, with contributions from community leaders

How many of us only pay attention or vote in presidential election years? A LOT of us, as it turns out. This hasn’t always been the case. Historically speaking, midterm elections attracted more voters than presidential elections. The value of the midterm elections grew with passage of the 15th and 19th Amendments giving African Americans and women, respectively, the right to vote, as well as the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which all put more pressure and interest on the midterm elections and politicians would appeal more to ordinary people. When did it all change, you may ask? Well, a key Supreme Court decision in Shelby County (vs Holder, 2013) actually led to a tidal wave of voter suppression efforts by states including closure of polling places, cuts to early voting, purges of voter rolls and imposition of strict voter ID laws.

Although we aren’t voting on a U.S. president, it is a very important election year and the names on the ballot this November are people who are vying for open seats that have a big influence on much of our daily lives. In the coming months, you will begin to hear from the candidates running for offices like U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, City Council, County Commissioner, and Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board, among many others. If you need help getting registered to vote and learning more about what is on the ballot this year, I have included several key resources at the end of this article.

So, why should you care about the election this year? I asked a few community leaders and residents to share the key reason they offer you to vote this year. Here are some notable reminders they shared:

• The people you give your vote to, are who you give your power to make decisions about everyday matters that impact our lives.
• The real decision makers are the politicians at the local level. Not the national elections. Local elections directly impact your city/community.
• We have to represent ourselves; we can’t continue letting other people make decisions for us. It is our moment to choose our representatives and hold them accountable.
• Your vote is not just about you. You have the ability to help speak for those in our community who do not have the right to vote.
• Representation matters more than ever. There’s currently a spotlight on the ails of our systems; perspectives that showcase the varied reality of our country exponentially increase the odds of equity.
• From school curriculum, to Charlotte development plans, to economic opportunity — your vote matters in defining both policy and the leaders that represent us.
• Exercise your civic responsibility to hold our leaders responsible for making our community and world a better place.
• To save our democracy. Period.

Key dates:

May 17th — Primary Election

October 14th — Last day to register to vote

July 26 — City Council and mayoral general elections will likely be on this date, so long as there is not a Primary run-off

November 8th — General Election Day

Additional resources:

• Video tutorial on registering to in North Carolina
• Registration Application
• Additional voter registration information, including absentee voting and voting from college
• Know before you go — who will be on your ballot?

Stay in the loop about key initiatives and catch up on what’s happened since our last issue.

Nondiscrimination Ordinance (NDO) Webpage: The CRC newsletter highlighted updates to Charlotte’s Nondiscrimination Ordinance (NDO) in the October issue. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations recently launched an NDO webpage to provide residents with detailed information on the NDO and how to submit a discrimination complaint. Click here to learn more.

42nd Annual Police-Community Relations Awards: The CRC is currently accepting nominations for the 42nd annual Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police-Community Relations Awards. The awards recognize officers and work teams from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department who are building positive, problem-solving relationships with individual residents and neighborhood groups. Click here to submit a nomination by April 1.

Community Read 2022: Throughout the month of March, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has hosted Community Read, a month-long effort to have the community read (or listen) to books of current and relevant topics and participate in discussions, book clubs and events hosted by the Library and community partners. This year’s focus is on creating community dialogue around themes of gentrification and urban renewal. Click here to learn more and see the list of selected titles.

April is Fair Housing Month: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and local communities will commemorate Fair Housing Month by hosting an array of activities that highlight the importance of ending housing discrimination. This year’s theme is Fair Housing: More Than Just Words. Click here to find out what Community Relations has planned for Fair Housing Month.

Racial Justice Essay Contest: The Equal Justice Initiative, in partnership with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Remembrance Project, is pleased to announce an upcoming scholarship contest open to 9th — 12th grade students attending public high school in Mecklenburg County. Students are asked to examine the history of a topic of racial injustice and to discuss its legacy today. Prizes totaling at least $5,000 will be awarded to winning participants. The deadline to enter is April 10. Click here to learn more about the contest and how to enter.

Black History Month: Willie Ratchford, CRC executive director, has spent the last 41 years fighting for equity and equality by removing barriers that prevent marginalized communities from experiencing all that Charlotte-Mecklenburg has to offer. During Black History Month, Ratchford shared his thoughts on the importance of highlighting the achievements of Black Americans and how knowing this history can inspire future generations. Click here to hear Ratchford’s reflections on Black History Month.

2022 Atrium Health Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration: Each January, the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, through the CRC, come together to expand our community’s observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg MLK National Holiday Celebration. This year’s celebration included events and compelling programing featured on WBTV. Click here to watch.