The Charlotte Ledger Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Charlotte Ledger
We talk with Charlotte leaders about important and interesting issues, with an eye toward making you smarter, telling you things you don’t know and introducing you to people with insights about trends in Charlotte.
charlotteledger.substack.com
Hugh McColl Jr. is a Charlotte household name. As the former chairman and CEO of Bank of America, McColl was a major player in consolidating the banking industry in the 1980s and 1990s that has transformed Charlotte into the financial hub it is today. He was also apart of the group of influential Charlotte leaders that pushed to improve the arts and revitalize uptown.
On September 17, 2024, McColl, 89, was interviewed in front of an audience at Queens University of Charlotte at an event called “Legacy of Leadership: A Conversation with Hugh McColl.” The Charlotte Ledger received permission from Queens to share the audio of the 30-minute conversation on this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast.
At the event, McColl discussed his background, his leadership style, what it was like running one of the country’s biggest banks and his advice for success. He was interviewed by Will Sparks, who is the Dennis Thompson chair and professor of leadership at the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte.
McColl spoke on the occasion of the launch of a newly designed MBA program from the McColl School of Business. The school describes the McColl MBA as a “dynamic program tailored to meet the evolving needs of Charlotte’s professional community,” and one that offers “unparalleled flexibility, field-based consulting experiences, networking opportunities and a strong leadership focus inspired by McColl himself.” You can find out more about it at www.queens.edu/mba.
(Photo on podcast: courtesy of Queens University of Charlotte)
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Nate Negrin, owner of SouthernEEZ Landscaping, discusses the rapid evolution of the landscaping industry. Once viewed as a basic service, landscaping now involves advanced technology, sustainability practices and professional expertise.
Negrin shares his journey from banking to landscaping, the challenges he faced early on, and the emerging trends such as robo-mowers and corporate consolidations. He also highlights the increasing demand for eco-friendly solutions and offers tips for keeping lawns healthy.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is presented by Trinity Episcopal School, marking 25 years of creating scholars, nurturing spirituality and embracing diversity in Charlotte's center city. Trinity offers a unique K-8 curriculum with a focus on critical thinking, curiosity about the world around us, and service to the community. Learn more about the admission process for the 2025-26 school year and register for an open house at TESCharlotte.org.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
In a pivotal moment for Charlotte’s University City, Keith Stanley, the newly appointed president and CEO of University City Partners, is bringing a fresh vision to the area. Having transitioned from his role in Milwaukee’s Near West Side Partners, Stanley has been focused on leveraging his experience to enhance the vibrancy and functionality of northeast Charlotte.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Stanley discusses the changes afoot in University City, economic trends, development hotspots, arts and cultural events, the importance of UNC Charlotte and the plans for growth in the area. You can find out more about University City Partners at universitycitypartners.org.
This episode is sponsored by HopeWay, a nonprofit mental health organization offering life-changing treatment and education. On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, HopeWay is hosting an evening with Alexi Pappas, an acclaimed Olympian, bestselling author and filmmaker, who will share her story of mental resilience and the lessons she learned along the way. To purchase tickets, visit hopeway.org.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
David Cronenberg’s “Dead Ringers” was an eye-opening film for Brad Ritter. He first saw the horror movie in 1988 alongside college friends — and he hasn’t been able to bring himself to watch it since.
“Dead Ringers” exposed Ritter to the world of immersive film, and although he didn’t know it at the time, it would lead to his current role as the executive director of Charlotte’s only arthouse theater and nonprofit, Independent Picture House, located in NoDa.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ritter shares his take on movie soundtracks, the closure of Charlotte's former arthouse theater called Manor Theatre, how Independent Picture House has found success and what's in the nonprofit's future.
Ritter was a recipient of The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Award in 2024. The awards celebrate often unheralded people over the age of 40 who are making important contributions to Charlotte.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode is sponsored by HopeWay, a nonprofit mental health organization offering life-changing treatment and education. On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, HopeWay is hosting an evening with Alexi Pappas, an acclaimed Olympian, bestselling author and filmmaker, who will share her story of mental resilience and the lessons she learned along the way. To purchase tickets, visit hopeway.org.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
While some Charlotteans might struggle to list even 50 must-do activities in the city, Axios reporter Brianna Crane faced the opposite challenge. In her new book, “100 Things to Do in Charlotte Before You Die,” narrowing it down to just 100 was the hard part.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Crane talks with The Ledger's Tony Mecia about the challenges and excitement of curating a list that captures the essence of the city, balancing beloved staples with hidden gems that even longtime residents might not know. They also discuss advice for newcomers, what makes Charlotte distinctive from other cities and the process of writing a book.
This episode is sponsored by HopeWay, a nonprofit mental health organization offering life-changing treatment and education. On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, HopeWay is hosting an evening with Alexi Pappas, an acclaimed Olympian, bestselling author and filmmaker, who will share her story of mental resilience and the lessons she learned along the way. To purchase tickets, visit hopeway.org.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Effective leadership is key to building a thriving work environment and driving team success. Paulette Ashlin, founder and president of Ashlin Associates, is an executive and business coach with a knack for transforming workplace dynamics. With a career spanning various industries, she works to help leaders and teams thrive.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ashlin talks with The Ledger's Tony Mecia about the art of effective leadership and positive accountability. She shares insights and leadership tips from her latest book, “Five Actions of Positive Accountability,” explaining how clear expectations, constructive feedback and understanding individual motivations can significantly boost team performance.
She also discusses the importance of emotional intelligence and adaptive communication, the 360-degree feedback process, how to have hard conversations, challenges of accountability, feedback techniques leaders can employ in their workplace and generational differences in what employees might need.
This episode is sponsored by HopeWay, a nonprofit mental health organization offering life-changing treatment and education. On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, HopeWay is hosting an evening with Alexi Pappas, an acclaimed Olympian, bestselling author and filmmaker, who will share her story of mental resilience and the lessons she learned along the way. To purchase tickets, visit hopeway.org.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Charlotte's Plaza Midwood neighborhood is often known for its bars and restaurants. But it's more than that: As one of Charlotte's historic streetcar suburbs, Plaza Midwood is a diverse community that stays close-knit. It's also undergoing a lot of change.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, host Steve Dunn — a Plaza Midwood resident — talks with neighborhood leader Phil Gussman about the changes afoot in Plaza Midwood and what makes the area special. As the founder of Gussman Consulting, Gussman has made a significant impact on the nonprofit sector, but his influence extends into spearheading community initiatives, advocating for smart development and ensuring that Plaza Midwood remains a vibrant, connected neighborhood.
From social districts to innovative transit solutions, Gussman is at the heart of making Plaza Midwood more livable and enjoyable. He discusses Plaza Midwood’s identity as a neighborhood in Charlotte, the importance of community involvement in addressing neighborhood issues, and what current and future neighborhood initiatives are in the works.
Gussman was a recipient of The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Award in 2024. The awards celebrate often unheralded people over the age of 40 who are making important contributions to Charlotte.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
What started as a small Charlotte restaurant in 1977 has since grown into a beloved brand with over 800 locations across 17 states, known for its fried chicken, biscuits and sweet tea.
That’s right, today we’re talking about Bojangles.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ledger editor Tony Mecia talks with Bojangles' chief marketing officer Tom Boland about how the chicken chain stays relevant in a fiercely competitive industry, how it innovates its menu and the thinking behind its expansion beyond the Southeast.
We talk Bo-Berries, sports marketing, customer menu hacks that evolved into menu items, the "Bo-linda" AI drive-thru chatbot, UNC Chapel Hill's "biscuit boys," tailgating strategy, data analytics in fast food, the power of the WWE and many other intriguing topics.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Since 2018, developer Northwood Office has been working on an ambitious plan to remake the center of Ballantyne with its Ballantyne Reimagined project. Now, the effort on the 535-acre Ballantyne Corporate Park is bearing fruit, with restaurants and retailers opening on the former golf course of The Ballantyne hotel.
Leading the effort has been John Barton, president of Northwood Office. In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Barton shares insights into the project, how and why it came together and what comes next. Also: Is Charlotte is becoming the next Atlanta?
BONUS EPISODE: If you want additional insights, check out The Ledger's bonus subscriber-only podcast with John Barton, in which he discusses the state of the commercial real estate industry and how Northwood is responding to recent challenges in the office sector.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
From the challenges of scaling and fundraising to the critical need for financial sustainability, business principles can drive nonprofit success.
Raj Merchant serves as chair of Feeding Charlotte, a nonprofit that provides nutritious food for those in need. He also serves on the boards of Helping Education and the Kenan-Flagler Business School.
In his day job, he’s the director in data and analytics at Perficient, a leading global technology consulting firm serving Fortune 1000 customers.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Merchant talks about the intersection of entrepreneurship and social impact. He also discusses similarities between early-stage nonprofits and startups, challenges in early-stage nonprofits, and the importance of diverse funding streams.
Merchant received The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Award in 2023. The awards celebrate often unheralded people over the age of 40 who are making important contributions to Charlotte.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Electric vehicles (EVs) have slowly been taking over the roads of Charlotte. Many people have traded in their transmission cars for one that is more environmentally friendly and offers a quieter and smoother driving experience.
After a year of driving a Ford Mustang Mach-E, Mark Gustafson, an attorney and mediator with Bell, Davis and Pitt, says he will never go back to a gasoline-reliant car. Gustafson even has written an article about what he calls his "personal social experiment" to see if the touted range anxiety and other concerns about EVs held true.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Gustafson sits down with Ledger podcast host Steve Dunn, who also drives an electric vehicle, to bust some EV myths and talk about the advantages and disadvantages of electric vehicles.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Speak to any nonprofit leader, and you'll frequently hear about the difficulties of delivering essential community services while also handling the operational aspects necessary for growth and stability.
This is where skilled volunteering becomes invaluable. Skilled volunteering enables volunteers to contribute their expertise and professional experience to charities. For instance, a nonprofit might need assistance with website design but lacks the staff, time or funds to accomplish it. In such cases, a skilled volunteer proficient in web design can step in to fulfill that need.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling talks to the leaders of three Charlotte area nonprofits about the topic of skilled volunteering and how it's made a difference in their organizations. The guests are Angie Bush, CEO of Hospitality House, Pete Vacho, vice president of operations for Veterans Bridge Home, and Kim Lanphear, CEO of Apparo.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by Apparo, a Charlotte-based nonprofit that supports other nonprofits through technology and business process improvement. As a community connector, Apparo now hosts the Blue Diamond Awards, Charlotte's prestigious award series that recognizes organizations and individuals innovatively using tech to better achieve their mission or business goals.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Michael Bay was born in a small village in Mesopotamia. Despite his humble beginnings, his ambitions took him far beyond the borders of his village. From helping tourists as a young boy to moving to London driven by the dream of a better life, Bay’s path has been anything but conventional.
In London, he started from scratch, washing dishes before venturing into import-export businesses, and later navigating the challenges of mad cow disease that disrupted his thriving beef trade. His journey continued across numerous countries, including Japan, South Africa and Russia, before he ultimately found a new home and purpose in the United States.
Today, Bay is owner of Merino Mill in Mooresville and three restaurants, The Barcelona Burger & Beer Garden, Alino Pizzeria and Picasso Taqueria. He also owns The Barcelona Burger in Winston-Salem.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Bay discusses his journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur and the lessons he's learned along the way.
Bay was a recipient of The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Award in 2024. The awards celebrate often unheralded people over the age of 40 who are making important contributions to Charlotte.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
You might be surprised by how many brides still flip through the glossy pages of wedding magazines to gather inspiration for their big day, says Charlotte-based wedding photographer Robert Burns II.
But as with many types of publications, bridal magazines are increasingly moving to digital formats — swapping that satisfying page-turn with a swift click. Burns recently ventured into the world of digital publishing himself, with his new annual bridal publication, BRIDE Magazine.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Robert talks with the Ledger’s Cristina Bolling about what inspired him to launch Bride Magazine, what's trending in wedding photography, locations and styles, as well as tips for couples planning their big day.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
As chair of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Commission, Douglas Welton has a front-row seat to the complexities of Charlotte's rapid growth. In his role, he faces the challenges and opportunities presented by the city’s expansion, engaging with developers, city staff and residents alike.
Welton's tenure has been marked by a focus on increasing housing supply, advocating for density in appropriate areas and fostering community involvement. His vision for Charlotte's future is one of thoughtful growth, ensuring that the city remains vibrant and inclusive while addressing the practical realities of urban expansion.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Welton talks with the Ledger’s Tony Mecia about Charlotte's rapid growth, affordable housing challenges, transportation issues, public safety and future planning strategies to ensure balanced development and community well-being.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
In his day job, Brian Kahn is the Charlotte office managing partner at McGuireWoods. But Brian also has a side-hustle: He is a founder, writer and co-producer of "Charlotte Squawks," a long-running and critically acclaimed comedy stage show poking fun at local politics, pop culture and sports.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Kahn discusses the importance of creativity and humor in law and theater, and how he balances both of his passions. He also gives a glimpse behind the scenes of how he devises song parodies. New seasons of "Charlotte Squawks" traditionally come out each summer. In 2024, "Charlotte Squawks 19" is playing through June 29 at Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Arts Center.
Kahn was a recipient of The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Award in 2023. The awards celebrate often unheralded people over the age of 40 who are making important contributions to Charlotte.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
The city of Charlotte has struck a deal with Tepper Sports and Entertainment on funding renovations at Bank of America Stadium, the home to the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC. The city, which would spend $650 million in tourism tax money for the project, says the deal makes smart business sense because the stadium is responsible for more than $1 billion annually in economic impact to the Charlotte region.
This newsy and bonus episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast examines the economic effects of sports stadiums, in a conversation with Fred Smith, an economics professor at Davidson College. He teaches courses on urban and public economics, as well as sports economics and American economic history. He spoke with The Ledger's Tony Mecia shortly after the deal was announced in early June 2024.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger and sign up for our newsletters at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Imagine strolling down a vibrant street, filled with neighbors stopping by a community farmer's market, admiring local artwork or grabbing lunch at a food truck. That's SouthPark Community Partners's vision for the SouthPark area in south Charlotte.
In April 2024, SouthPark Community Partners released a comprehensive vision plan aimed at enhancing SouthPark's economic vitality and quality of life. The plan, developed through extensive community engagement, outlines 64 projects to shape SouthPark's future over the next decade. The goal is to transform SouthPark into a cohesive, engaging environment where residents and visitors can thrive.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, SouthPark Community Partners CEO Adam Rhew talks with The Ledger’s Tony Mecia about the vision plan and what residents can expect to see in the future.
You can find out more about SouthPark Community Partners at southparkclt.org .
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
One glance at Blair Primis’s LinkedIn profile, and it’s clear that community involvement ignites his passion. Primis serves on the board for numerous nonprofits and organizations in Charlotte, including Charlotte is Creative, 7th Street Public Market, Carolina Farm Trust and Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center.
In his day job, he’s the chief marketing officer of Flagship Specialty Partners, a healthcare management services organization for oral surgery practices. He’s a well-known name in Charlotte’s marketing circles, and he previously was the chief of marketing for OrthoCarolina and served as co-director of the OrthoCarolina Foundation.
Throughout his nearly 17 years as a Charlottean, Primis has become a key figure in transforming healthcare marketing. In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Primis discusses why he thinks it's important to be involved in his community, the challenges and keys to success in the healthcare marketing industry, and what he's learned from his mentors throughout his career.
Primis was a recipient of The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Award in 2020. The awards celebrate often unheralded people over the age of 40 who are making important contributions to Charlotte.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Running a nonprofit is tough. But it’s even tougher without the right technology.
That’s the challenge that Charlotte-based Apparo — which itself is a nonprofit — is trying to help solve. Apparo plays a vital role in Charlotte’s nonprofit community, by giving charities access to technology solutions and other resources to help their organizations run smoother and smarter.
Kimberly Lanphear serves as CEO of Apparo,and Arno Czerveny — who is the head of investment banking, research, government, and institutional banking and sales technology at Wells Fargo — has volunteered with Apparo since 2019.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Lanphear and Czerveny talk about the challenges they see nonprofits face, and describe the changes that can happen when they have access to technology and other resources that they sorely need.
Lanphear also shares her journey transitioning from the for-profit world to leading Apparo. Czerveny, who was a recipient of the Blue Diamond Award hosted by Apparo, brings his insights into how technology leaders can contribute to supporting area nonprofits.
In this episode, hosted by Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling, Lanphear and Czerveny also discuss Apparo's mission and role in helping non-profits deliver services more effectively and efficiently through technology other resources; the diverse needs of non-profits in terms of technology and business support; the importance of skilled volunteering in addressing non-profits' technology challenges; and the significance of the Blue Diamond Awards in recognizing organizations and individuals leveraging technology for social good, and how to nominate candidates or apply for the awards.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by Apparo, a Charlotte-based nonprofit that supports other nonprofits through technology and business process improvement. As a community connector, Apparo now hosts the Blue Diamond Awards, Charlotte's prestigious award series that recognizes organizations and individuals innovatively using tech to better achieve their mission or business goals.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Balancing work and family life can be a challenge for workers and companies. On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Sarah Olin and Elena Arecco Bridgmon discuss their experiences building support systems for working parents and helping companies foster a culture that values and accommodates employees’ family responsibilities.
They founded Charlotte-based LUMO, which offers coaching and training programs. It originated from their personal experiences as working mothers and corporate professionals.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Sarah and Elena sit down with Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling to discuss why emotional intelligence and empathetic leadership are important for effective support — and why companies should invest in employees with families.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
George Sistrunk was a Charlotte lawyer who enjoyed home brewing. But about 15 years ago, he and three lawyer friends decided to take beer-making to the next level and had the idea of turning their garage hobby into a brewery. That’s the origin of Town Brewing Co., a brewery in Charlotte’ Wesley Heights neighborhood.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Sistrunk talks with host Steve Dunn about making beer and turning it into a business — as well as the parallels to his legal career as a partner at Hamilton Stevens Steele + Martin. Sistrunk was a recipient of The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Award in 2020. The awards celebrate often unheralded people over the age of 40 who are making important contributions to Charlotte.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Charlotte is a fast-growing city. And it's also one of the lowest-density major cities in the U.S. What are the implications of that? And what moves should Charlotte make to accommodate all these newcomers?
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, we talk with Shannon Binns, executive director of Sustain Charlotte. It's a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for sustainable development and urban issues in the Charlotte region. Binns founded the nonprofit in 2010 with a focus on equitable growth, transportation diversity and community livability.
He and Ledger editor Tony Mecia discuss the city's transit plan, Charlotte's historic reliance on cars, changes in local land-use planning and more.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Aleksandra Degernes is the visionary founder of the Eastern European Business Network in Charlotte. Originally from Russia, Alexandra immigrated to the United States in 2013 and quickly recognized the need to unite and empower Eastern European professionals and entrepreneurs in her new community.
With a background in event production and a passion for fostering connections, Alexandra has led the Eastern European Business Network in providing invaluable resources, networking opportunities and advocacy for its members.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Degernes discusses Charlotte’s growing Eastern European community, her personal journey of immigration to the United States and settling in Charlotte, and what it’s like being a Russian-American in the current geopolitical climate.
On May 30, 2024, The Eastern European Business Network is holding its first major event, called "The Power of Networking." You can find out more about the organization at eebn.org.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
This episode was hosted by Ledger executive editor Tony Mecia.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Wegmans recently gave Charlotte some long-awaited news: that it’s opening its first store in the Charlotte region in 2026 in Ballantyne. But how did it choose the location? What can shoppers expect? And why is there such interest in a grocery store?
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, The Ledger’s Cristina Bolling takes a closer look in a conversation with Hallie Johnston, Wegmans' North Carolina district manager. They discuss the store's features, why Ballantyne is a good fit and if Wegmans has plans to open more Charlotte locations in the future.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Glenn Proctor is a certified professional coach, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, retired newspaper editor, mental health advocate and instructor, Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and a Vietnam veteran.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Proctor discusses how he uses his personal experiences to educate and support individuals and organizations in their understanding of mental health.
He talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Bob Durkin is the co-founder of Southern Entertainment, a Charlotte-based events and production company that's put on over 500 live music events around the country. Durkin and his business partner, Rob Pedlow, got their start in Charlotte by owning bars in uptown like Dixie’s Tavern.
Durkin and his team are gearing up for the first Lovin’ Life Music Festival, a weekend-long, all-genre music festival in the First Ward neighborhood in uptown Charlotte from May 3 to May 5, 2024. Over 40 artists will take one of the festival’s three stages, including big names like Post Malone, Stevie Nicks, Noah Kahan, DaBaby and the Beach Boys.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Durkin shares the origins of Southern Entertainment and Lovin' Life Music Fest, what it's been like planning the festival, and its impact on Charlotte's economy and local music scene.
For more information on Southern Entertainment and Lovin' Life Music Fest, visit SouthernEntertainment.com.
Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by SouthPark Community Partners, an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to lead SouthPark's advancement by driving economic vitality, creating memorable experiences, and ensuring an extraordinary quality of life.
This podcast was hosted and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Emily Harry is a co-founder of Baby Bundles, a nonprofit organization in Charlotte that provides essential items to mothers in need as they leave the hospital with their newborns. Harry founded the nonprofit alongside Heather Leavitt and Cat Long 11 years ago to honor the babies that they each lost.
Baby Bundles offers bags filled with necessities like clothing, blankets, books, and toys, aiming to alleviate stress for new moms who may not have had a baby shower.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Harry discusses the process of assembling Baby Bundles, the nonprofit's commitment to its core mission and avoiding mission creep and her perspective on Charlotte.
She talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Charlotte’s dining scene is widely seen as improving — and that also goes for Charlotte’s retirement communities, which are offering seniors many more options nowadays as a way to distinguish themselves from competitors. On this edition of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, food writer Hanna Raskin of the online publication The Food Section shares her assessments of Charlotte retirement community dining, after touring six upscale spots with her dad.
Among her finds: tuna poke nachos, butternut squash bisque, barbecue pork banh mi and oysters Rockefeller. It’s a fun and lively conversation about trends in retirement dining, with host Cristina Bolling.
The Food Section is a subscription newsletter and website that provides original, inclusive and independent reporting on food and drink in the American South. For more information, visit TheFoodSection.com.
Raskin wrote about the experience recently in an article republished in The Charlotte Ledger.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Emily Jensen Wheeler is the new executive director of Dress for Success Charlotte, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in the workforce with a network of support, business attire and development tools.
During the month of March, Dress for Success Charlotte hosts its biggest fundraiser of the year, the “Your Hour Her Power” campaign. Every day this month, female leaders across Charlotte will be asking people to donate one hour of their salaries to support Dress for Success Charlotte's mission to provide services and programs that help women forge and sustain careers.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Emily shares more about the services Dress for Success Charlotte offers, the impact the nonprofit has made on the community and ways to get involved.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Amy Hillis is the co-founder of Social Pet Hotel and Daycare, a pet care company with two locations in Charlotte and one location in Pineville. Hillis started the business with her husband, Bill, in 2014 to offer customized, high-end care for Charlotte’s pets, including daycare, boarding and grooming.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Hillis talks about her journey as an entrepreneur in the pet care industry and the evolving landscape of pet care in Charlotte.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
For more information about Social Pet Hotel and Daycare, visit SocialPetHotel.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger executive editor Tony Mecia and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
For the March 2024 primary election in Mecklenburg County, what is on the Republican ballot? What do voters need to know?
In this special express version of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, editor Tony Mecia talks with Republican former Charlotte City Council member Kenny Smith and Ledger elections researcher Sucharita Kodali about the candidates for office — who they are, why they say they’re running and how the races are shaping up.
And we do it all in under 12 minutes.
We’ll give you the overview you need to be informed about races for U.S. Congress, governor and the N.C. Council of State and the General Assembly.
For more information about the 2024 elections, check out the Charlotte Ledger Election Hub, with candidate biographies, videos, questionnaires and links to articles and resources — for the Democratic and Republican primary ballots.
Election Day is March 5, 2024. Early voting runs through March 2, 2024.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
For the March 2024 primary election in Mecklenburg County, what is on the Democratic ballot? What do voters need to know?
In this special express version of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, editor Tony Mecia talks with Bryan Holladay of CLT Public Relations and Ledger elections researcher Sucharita Kodali about the candidates for office — who they are, why they say they’re running and how the races are shaping up.
We’ll give you the overview you need to be informed about races for county commissioner, the General Assembly, U.S. Congress and the N.C. Council of State.
For more information about the 2024 elections, check out the Charlotte Ledger Election Hub, with candidate biographies, videos, questionnaires and links to articles and resources — for the Democratic and Republican primary ballots.
Election Day is March 5, 2024. Early voting runs through March 2, 2024.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Karen Graci is the former executive director of PFLAG Charlotte, an organization supporting parents, families and friends of LGBTQ+ individuals.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Graci shares her personal journey as a parent of a LGBTQ+ child and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. She also delves into the importance of support groups, education and advocacy, highlighting the need for understanding and acceptance.
She talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Heather Call Fuller is an attorney with Lincoln Derr law firm in Charlotte. She started her law career working with the Department of Justice in Washington D.C., defending the United States in medical malpractice cases.
After her time at the Department of Justice, Fuller took a break to focus on raising her three children over the next 14 years. When she decided to return to law, she encountered obstacles related to licensing requirements and had to overcome the hurdle of retaking the bar exam.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Fuller shares insights about her diverse legal career and a 14-year hiatus during which she was a full-time homemaker.
She talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Brian “Heff” Heffron is the owner of The Comedy Zone, a comedy club inside the AvidXchange Music Factory that has hosted seasoned comedians like Wanda Sykes, Ben Schwartz, Janelle James, Pete Davidson and Marcello Hernandez.
Additionally, Heffron is actively involved in Laugh for a Cure, an organization he co-founded with his wife, aimed at using comedy to raise funds for breast cancer research.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Heffron discusses his experiences in the industry, how it has evolved over the years and the challenges and joys associated with it.
He talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Tonya Jameson serves as the director of civic advancement for Leading on Opportunity, a part of Foundation for the Carolinas, working to improve economic mobility in the Charlotte area.
In addition to her role with Leading on Opportunity, Jameson is also a member of the Citizens Review Board, which hears complaints regarding allegations of misconduct by police officers, and works as a motorcycle instructor with Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Jameson discusses Charlotte's economic mobility history, her time as a reporter with The Charlotte Observer and working on political campaigns, and her perspective on Charlotte's future, especially in improving economic mobility.
She talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Josh Jacobson is the founder and CEO of Next Stage, a Charlotte based social impact consulting firm that works with nonprofits. Next Stage operates The UnFundable Project, an initiative that raises awareness about a concept called trust-based philanthropy. The Charlotte Ledger is a media partner for the initiative.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Jacobson shares his insights on how nonprofits operate, what trust-based philanthropy is, and what the Unfundable Project is doing for Charlotte.
The Charlotte Ledger wrote about some of these trends in a recent article, "New twist on charitable giving: trust."
Find out more about The UnFundable Project, including a February 2024 celebration, go to https://nextstage-consulting.com/unfundable/.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger executive editor Tony Mecia and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Banking, leadership and philanthropy have always been intertwined in Charlotte, and we explore that history and those connections in a conversation with Dee O’Dell, head of business banking sales at U.S. Bank, which is the fifth-largest bank in the country. O’Dell is based in Charlotte, where U.S. Bank has about 1, 200 employees, and his division serves customers nationally that have between $2.5 million and $25 million in annual sales.
O’Dell has served in multiple community roles, including chairman of the United Way of Greater Charlotte board of directors and co-chair of the Opportunity Task Force, which examined ways to improve economic mobility.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, O’Dell shares his insights about Charlotte’s banking sector, the evolution of banking in Charlotte, the changing landscape of leadership and philanthropy, U.S. Bank’s growth in the city, and where the economy appears headed.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger executive editor Tony Mecia and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Sonja Nichols is the owner and president of the Southern Lion, a multi-vendor shopping venue that opened in September in a former Sears building in the Carolina Place Mall in Pineville.
The Southern Lion features many of the same vendors who previously sold goods at the Blacklion Home Furnishings Marketplace that operated for 27 years just a mile away from the new Southern Lion.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Nichols shares her insights about what it's been like opening the Southern Lion and what she's learned about business and retail.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
What will tomorrow’s workplaces will look like? And what can employers and workers do to prepare? The Charlotte Ledger published a 4-part special series called “The Future of Work” examining the forces that are changing workplaces in Charlotte and around the country.
Reporters delved into how mentorships have changed, Charlotte's struggling office market, the future of office amenities, and how small towns are luring in remote workers. You can read the complete articles at charlotteledger.substack.com/futureofwork,
Today, we’re sharing conversations with the reporters who wrote those four stories, to give you inside-the-reporter’s-notebook takeaways and analysis.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by Crisis Assistance Ministry. This holiday season, thousands of our neighbors are struggling to keep their power flowing, to keep a roof over their heads, and stabilize their families. Give hope, warmth, and light to those in need by donating at http://crisisassistance.org/ledger.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Joe Hamby serves as director of community education at Roof Above, an interfaith nonprofit working to ensure everyone has a safe, affordable roof over their head.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Hamby reflects on the challenges that come with his work but how the success stories help him find purpose. He also shares more about how Roof Above is working toward the goal of ending homelessness in Charlotte.
He talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Kristen Wile is the founder of Unpretentious Palate, a subscription-based publication that covers Charlotte's dining and drinking scene. Unpretentious Palate focuses on in-depth coverage, including executive chef changes, restaurant openings/closings and detailed restaurant reviews.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Wile talks with Ledger editor Tony Mecia about Charlotte's evolving restaurant scene and the challenges of providing independent coverage of restaurants in an era dominated by social media and influencers. She also shares tips on how to find high-quality local restaurants and provides a few recommendations of underrated spots.
For more information about Unpretentious Palate, go to UnpretentiousPalate.com.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger executive editor Tony Mecia and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Tracy Hewett is a retired district family court judge in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Hewett finished her bachelor’s degree in her late 30s and then attended law school as a single mom while also working as a truck driver. She served as a public defender for 10 years and then joined the bench in 2017.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Hewett reflects on her career journey, retirement, and her experiences as a judge in North Carolina.
She talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Lauren Deese is the executive director of Charlotte Wine + Food, a nonprofit organization that brings together Charlotte’s wine and food connoisseurs to raise money for children’s charities in the area. Charlotte Wine + Food hosts a weeklong event every April with wine auction and dining events across the city.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Deese discusses Charlotte Wine + Food’s mission, what goes into planning Charlotte Wine + Food Week every year and how the wine industry has changed since the organization started in 1989.
She talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration.
Find out more about Charlotte Wine + Food at charlottewineandfood.org.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
In a special mini-podcast that clocks in at an easy-to-listen-to 8.5 minutes, we discuss the 2023 CMS school construction bonds that are on the ballot in Mecklenburg County. What do they do? Why do supporters say they are needed, and why are some people opposed? What would be the effect on taxes?
Ledger editor Tony Mecia answers these questions and others, based on his reporting on the issue.
For more information about the 2023 elections, check out the Charlotte Ledger Election Hub, with candidate biographies, videos, questionnaires and links to articles and resources.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
In a special mini-podcast that's under 10 minutes, we discuss candidates running for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education in 2023: Who are they? Why are they running? What's at stake?
There are 14 candidates running for 3 seats. Ledger editor Tony Mecia discusses the race with WFAE's Ann Doss Helms and Ledger elections researcher Sucharita Kodali.
For more information about the 2023 elections, check out the Charlotte Ledger Election Hub, with candidate biographies, videos, questionnaires and links to articles and resources.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
In a special mini-podcast that's less than 10 minutes, we discuss candidates running for Charlotte City Council and Charlotte mayor in 2023: Who are they? Why are they running? How could Charlotte's city government change?
Ledger editor Tony Mecia discusses the election with Charlotte Public Relations’ Bryan Holladay and Ledger elections researcher Sucharita Kodali.
For more information about the 2023 elections, check out the Charlotte Ledger Election Hub, with candidate biographies, videos, questionnaires and links to articles and resources.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
There's been a lot of change recently at Queens University of Charlotte in Myers Park. Founded in 1857 as a private university for women, Queens today competes in Division I sports and serves about 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, president Dan Lugo and vice president of Queens’ strategic enrollment and communications Adrienne Amador Oddi sat down with The Ledger’s Cristina Bolling on Queens' campus to discuss the university's rich history in Charlotte, its transition to Division I sports, recent enrollment growth and the future of higher education in Charlotte. The university is working to implement a plan to elevate the school's profile and to become a premier private college on a national stage.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Chris Berger is the vice president of enterprise communications at Atrium Health, a large healthcare system that operates in multiple states. In his role, Berger oversees both internal and external communications for Atrium Health and its 75,000 employees.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Berger discusses the importance of creating strong internal and external communication systems, what it was like working for a hospital's communications department during a pandemic, and how communications is changing due to AI and remote work.
He talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration. This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
On May 18, 2023, a fire broke out at a construction site in SouthPark that took the lives of two construction workers, Demonte Sherrill and Reuben Holmes. Charlotte TV station WBTV obtained videos, pictures, interviews and records from the Charlotte Fire Department’s file, and released a special report called “WBTV Investigates: Fire and Failure” in September that digs into the May 18 fire and its causes.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, The Ledger’s Tony Mecia talks with WBTV investigative reporter David Hodges about what WBTV discovered in its investigation and what went into the reporting process — and how much of a problem this might be at construction sites in the Charlotte region.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger editor Tony Mecia and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Kathy Jetton is the president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Central and Western North Carolina. Make-A-Wish is a national nonprofit organization that grants wishes for children aged 2 to 18 with critical and life-threatening illnesses in 51 counties.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Jetton sat down with The Ledger’s Cristina Bolling to talk about the types of wishes Make-A-Wish grants and the importance of creating hope for children and families fighting life-threatening illnesses.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Glenda Bernhardt serves as the CEO of Freedom School Partners, an organization dedicated to promoting the long-term success of children by preventing summer learning loss and fostering a passion for reading and learning. The nonprofit primarily serves under-resourced students and communities. In this episode, Bernhardt shares more about Freedom School Partners's curriculum and how the organization provides transportation, meals and essential items to remove barriers for participating families.
Since this podcast was recorded, Bernhardt has announced she will be stepping down from her role with Freedom School Partners. She has been hired as the new CEO of the Greensboro Jewish Federation.
She talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration. This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Rick Mathieu serves as president of Johnson & Wales University’s Charlotte campus. Johnson & Wales is a public university with some 1,200 students enrolled in Charlotte. It’s located in the heart of Charlotte's Third Ward.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Mathieu sat down with The Ledger’s Cristina Bolling on campus of Johnson & Wales to talk about what's new at the university, his take on the state of higher education, and how Johnson & Wales fits into the greater Charlotte community.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Lynda Bouchard is the founder and chief inspiration officer of Booking Authors Ink, a boutique public relations firm dedicated to Southern authors. Bouchard assists authors in planning media tours, press releases and website content to create excitement around their books.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Bouchard talks about her transition from the airline industry to becoming a literary publicist, the importance of collaborative storytelling in marketing, and how she helps authors promote their work.
She talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration. This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Restaurants look a lot different than they did a couple decades ago, with restaurant owners preferring open floor plans, using outdoor space like never before and placing the kitchen at the center of the action. In a conversation with The Charlotte Ledger's Tony Mecia, Jason Hlewicki of the construction firm Swinerton discusses trends in the restaurant industry in Charlotte and the Carolinas.
He discusses the evolution of Charlotte's dining scene, how restaurant design has changed, and the outlook for different types of restaurants in the Carolinas — as well as the status of the construction industry.
Swinterton is based in California with regional offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Atlanta, and other cities.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger editor Tony Mecia and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Tameka Gunn is the president and CEO of Community Link NC, a nonprofit that supports individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming unhoused. Community Link helps people in need across 15 counties in North Carolina to find safe and affordable housing.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Gunn talks about how to transition people in the Charlotte region into more stable housing and some of the misconceptions people have about homeownership.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is the 7th-busiest in the world in terms of takeoffs and landings. It handles more than 118,000 passengers a day. But it’s not done growing. Not even close. In this episode, Stuart Hair of the airport and aviation design expert Ben Goebel of architecture firm Gresham Smith discuss CLT's plans for growth over the coming decades.
They discuss the latest on the renovation and expansion of the airport's main terminal, Concourse A, a new runway, development around the airport, the iconic rocking chairs, how to solve congestion on concourses B and C — and what's coming next.
Hair and Goebel are two of the speakers at the South Charlotte Partners Regional Transportation Summit on September 11, 2023, at The Ballantyne hotel. It brings together policymakers from federal, state and local government to discuss transportation and mobility in the Charlotte region. You can find out more and get tickets here. (The Ledger's Transit Time newsletter is the media partner of the event.)
Today's conversation is with Tony Mecia of The Charlotte Ledger. The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks. You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger and subscribe to our newsletters here.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Crystal Emerick is the founder and executive director of Brave Step, an organization that empowers individuals who have been impacted by sexual abuse. Emerick, a sexual abuse and sexual assault survivor, noticed a gap in sexual trauma support for adult survivors, especially adults who didn’t come forward immediately after their abuse. She founded Brave Step in 2014 to change that.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Emerick discusses why it's important to raise awareness about sexual abuse and empower survivors. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration.
You can find out more about Brave Step at bravestep.org.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Terri White is the president and CEO of the Charlotte Museum of History located on Shamrock Drive in east Charlotte. The museum is home to the Rock House, the oldest surviving house in Mecklenburg County, built in 1774. White describes her role as a “dream job” and strives to show people that history is more than just memorizing war dates.
White joined the museum in 2022. Under her leadership, the museum plans exhibits and programs that highlight different themes in Charlotte’s history — something that she says is key for both Charlotte natives and newcomers, too: “It’s important that if you move to any city, be it Charlotte or somewhere else, that you understand what those people who are from there have done to advocate for themselves and to make the city into a place where you have decided to relocate yourself in the first place. … It’s important to understand how the city got to the point where you decided to show up.”
In a conversation with The Ledger's Lindsey Banks, White shares her philosophy behind planning exhibits, what her goals are in her role as president and CEO, why telling Charlotte's history is important and what museum-goers can expect to see in the future.
To learn more about the museum, or to plan your next visit, go to CharlotteMuseum.org.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Mike Boykin is the CEO of Bespoke Sports & Entertainment, an award-winning Charlotte marketing agency. He’s had a career filled with successes and lessons — and he's also part of the team responsible for the idea of dumping mayonnaise on football coaches' heads at the Duke’s Mayo Classic.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Boykin discusses the importance of collaboration in the marketing field, mistakes he's made and how he learned from them, his Charlotte Sports and Business networking group and his thoughts on Charlotte. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Shawn Flynn is the chief communications officer for Holy Angels, an organization in Charlotte that provides care to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to his role with Holy Angels, Flynn spent 24 years as a TV news reporter. He retired after his son Liam was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2018.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Flynn discusses his family's journey with pediatric cancer, his 24 years as a TV news reporter, and how he uses his storytelling skills to help others.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Artificial intelligence has been getting a lot of buzz in recent months — and Lauren Marturano has a front-row seat on how it works and where it is heading. She's the founder and CEO of Zinnia, a tech platform that helps businesses plan events, and some of the software is powered by AI.
In a conversation with The Ledger's Tony Mecia, Marturano discusses her experience building a tech company in Charlotte, the challenges facing women in the tech industry and advances in AI that are improving companies' productivity. This episode is part of The Ledger's “Faces of AI” series, an up-close look at Charlotte-area people and businesses that are using artificial intelligence.
“This is a huge, pivotal moment for technology, and probably the biggest one we’ll see in our lifetime,” Marturano says. “… AI is going to totally transform the way that businesses run and operate. Companies that don’t adapt to using AI, I think, are going to fall pretty far behind.”
You can find out more about her company, Zinnia, at getzinnia.com.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger editor Tony Mecia. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Elizabeth Hardin, former vice chancellor for business affairs at UNC Charlotte, is a fellow in Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative, which is designed to broaden, deepen and accelerate social impact. She’s also an active member of her Charlotte church community and leads a discussion-based book group that encourages community and deep discussions on challenging topics.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Hardin discusses how the UNC system and UNC Charlotte grew during her time working there and her current volunteer work through Holy Comforter Episcopal Church.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Brian Baltosiewich is the founder and executive producer of The Queen City Podcast Network and Balto Creative Media. Since its founding in March 2018, The Queen City Podcast Network has grown to over 35 Charlotte-produced podcasts and is regarded as the first hyper-local podcast network in the country.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Baltosiewich discusses the history of podcasts, how he got into podcasting and what Charlotte's podcast scene is like today.
You can find out more about the Queen City Podcast Network at www.queencitypodcastnetwork.com.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Oscar Wong was born to Chinese immigrants in Jamaica. After an engineering career, including a stint in Charlotte, he retired to Asheville and started the city's first brewery since Prohibition. Today, Highland Brewing is North Carolina's largest brewer, and Wong has become known as the state's "godfather of craft beer."
He turned over operation of Highland Brewing to his daughter in 2015 and is now mostly retired. In May 2023, he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian honor.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Wong discusses his remarkable background, from Jamaica to the U.S. to Asheville, as well as the history of craft beer in North Carolina, his role in shaping the beer industry in the Southeast, and where he sees the craft beer industry going in the future.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger editor Tony Mecia. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Local cafeterias sometimes produce more food than they need. Local charities need food to serve the hungry. Kim Aprill co-founded an organization called Feeding Charlotte that bridges the gap between those with excess food and the nonprofits and churches that need it — solving a local problem of food distribution.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Aprill discusses with host Steve Dunn how Feeding Charlotte addresses food insecurity, how food waste contributes to climate change and where the nonprofit gets excess food to donate to those who are hungry.
You can find out more about Feeding Charlotte at https://feedingcharlotte.org.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
In 2014, a national study ranked Charlotte 50th out of the 50 largest metro areas in the United States in economic mobility — meaning that many of those born into poverty in Charlotte were likely to stay in poverty. It was a wake-up call, and Charlotte's large corporations, nonprofits and government mobilized to tackle the problem. Now, nearly 10 years later, how is Charlotte doing?
Sherri Chisolm, executive director of Leading on Opportunity, discusses Charlotte's economic mobility efforts with Charlotte Ledger editor Tony Mecia. They discuss what's being done to improve economic mobility, how to measure progress and how to keep the city focused on a generations-long journey.
You can find out more about Leading on Opportunity at www.leadingonopportunity.org.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger editor Tony Mecia. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Figuring out care and support for older adults can be tricky. It involves navigating a complex web of insurance rules, healthcare options and living arrangements — and is a process that is often emotionally taxing. In this episode, Jennifer Szakaly of Charlotte-based Caregiving Corner offers tips for older adults and their loved ones and discusses the nuances of caregiving, the complexity of the healthcare system, and when someone should start thinking about long-term care.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Finding the right healthcare coverage for your workers can be complex and confusing, and costs are expected to continue to rise. So how can employers navigate that challenge? The Charlotte Ledger's Tony Mecia talks with Catapult’s Martha Barker about strategies for providing coverage and finding the best options for employees.
This podcast is an audio version of the “Business Toolbox Series,” a webinar collaboration between The Ledger and Catapult to provide practical and useful advice to small- and mid-sized businesses.
This is the recording of a webinar on May 24, 2023. It is the third of three. The first one on the topic of avoiding legal headaches is available as a podcast. So is the second one, on recruiting and retaining workers.
Find out more about Catapult at LetsCatapult.org. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
The job market is tight — and is expected to continue to be. So how can employers find and retain their best workers? The Charlotte Ledger's Tony Mecia talks with Catapult’s Kendra Stewart about strategies for recruiting and keeping top talent, the importance of company culture and amenities and the shifting generational expectations in the workplace.
This podcast is an audio version of the “Business Toolbox Series,” a webinar collaboration between The Ledger and Catapult to provide practical and useful advice to small- and mid-sized businesses.
This is the recording of a webinar on May 17, 2023. It is the second of three. For more information or to register for them, check out this link.
You can also enjoy this episode as a YouTube video.
Find out more about Catapult at LetsCatapult.org. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
It's a challenging time for employers these days — what's the best advice for dealing with common human resources challenges? The Charlotte Ledger's Tony Mecia talks with Catapult’s Stephanie Dillon about tips for employers on topics including handling discipline and layoffs, hybrid and remote work and supporting employees’ mental health.
This podcast is an audio version of the “Business Toolbox Series,” a webinar collaboration between The Ledger and Catapult to provide practical and useful advice to small- and mid-sized businesses.
This is the recording of a webinar on May 10, 2023. It is the first of three: the others are on May 17, 2023, and May 24, 2023. For more information or to register for them, check out this link.
You can also enjoy this episode as a YouTube video.
Find out more about Catapult at LetsCatapult.org. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.org.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
In 2014, Kimbo Bohannon founded Buddy/Mentor, a nonprofit mentoring program for elementary students. She has since retired from her 27-year career in teaching. In this episode, she discusses the importance for students to know someone is cheering them on and how she builds relationships in the community to support Buddy/Mentor.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Ross Danis served as president and CEO of MeckEd, a Charlotte nonprofit dedicated to ensuring access to opportunity for all children. Danis, who retired in April 2023 (after this podcast was recorded), operates under the idea that there is more than one way to be smart. He discusses ways to help children realize that struggling with traditional schooling doesn’t define their intelligence.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Commercial real estate has been falling on hard times lately — but one of its bright spots is the development of medical office buildings, because of the steady demand for healthcare. Brannen Edge, CEO of Charlotte-based Flagship Healthcare Properties, talks with Charlotte Ledger editor Tony Mecia about some of the factors affecting the sector, including the rise of telehealth, changing demographics in the Southeast, healthcare consolidation and the latest design trends in medical offices.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Dave Reddinghas been a Charlotte litigator for over 20 years. He’s learned that litigators need to keep themselves mentally and physically fit. In 2011, Redding co-founded a men’s workout group called F3 that's grown to over 50,000 participants worldwide. In this episode, Redding shares why having compassion has made him a better litigator and how F3's leadership structure makes the workout group unique.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
How are Charlotte small businesses doing in this uncertain economic time? In this episode, recorded LIVE at the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo 2023, The Charlotte Ledger's team chatted up 8 local businesses for a couple minutes each, in fields including photography services, coworking, yoga, veterinary medicine, restaurant supply and corporate merch.
This episode features brief interviews with: Ada Stevens of Snap Happy Photos; Isaac Yisrael of Blackstone Security; Dave Chen of D&M Restaurant Supply; Mariana Orzech of Promotion Magic; Andrew Carlson of Veterinary Emergency Group; Molley Corely of Yoga Six; Jennifer Canas of BSI Solutions; Evan Preslopsky of Venture X; and Jessica Helms with the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Cheryl Richards serves as president and CEO of Catapult, an employers’ association that serves more than 2,300 employers across the Carolinas and beyond. Before joining Catapult, Richards worked in higher education for 32 years.
In this episode, Richards shares how her background prepared her for Catapult, what employment challenges face companies today, and how employers can keep their employees happy and the workplace running smoothly. You can find out more about Catapult at letscatapult.org.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Charlotte Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Fabi Preslar founded SPARK Publications in 1998 as a graphic design firm. Now, SPARK is a custom-publishing design firm that helps businesses across a variety of industries grow and convert their knowledge into marketable books or magazines.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
As part of the 4th anniversary of the launch of The Charlotte Ledger, The Ledger's Tony Mecia and Cristina Bolling discuss company's origins, how Charlotte journalism has changed over the past 25 years and where The Ledger fits into the future of journalism.
This podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration and Tim Whitmire of CXN Advisory.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Charlotte Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Women in need of stable employment and job security need more than a working wardrobe – they need services to help them land meaningful jobs and keep them on the path to career success. Nobody knows that better than Kerry Barr O’Connor, executive director of Dress for Success Charlotte, which during the month of March is holding its Your Hour Her Power fundraising campaign.
In this episode, O’Connor discusses the mission of Dress for Success, the needs she sees in the community and the importance of the Your Hour Her Power campaign to helping the organization achieve its mission.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Charlotte Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
As Charlotte FC starts its second season, it is hoping to keep the momentum going from its successful first year, in which it exceeded expectations and nearly made the playoffs. The team's sporting director, Zoran Krneta, shares his philosophy on building a roster. He also recalls some the poignant moments surrounding the tragic death of Anton Walkes in a boating accident this preseason — and explains how it is bringing the team closer together.
Krneta discusses how he and others built the team and its outlook for 2023 with The Charlotte Ledger's Carroll Walton and Tony Mecia. You can keep up with Charlotte FC by reading The Ledger's weekly Fútbol Friday newsletter.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Charlotte's arts scene is evolving, and few understand the landscape better than Tim Miner, co-founder of Charlotte is Creative, a non-profit that helps bridge the gap between artists and the business community. In this episode, Miner discusses the development of the arts in Charlotte and what creative types need to flourish here.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
In the 1980s, a handful of local business leaders known as "The Group" would meet to discuss their vision for turning Charlotte into a modern and thriving "New South" city. And they made it happen. Today, the influence of businesses on Charlotte's direction has waned, and decision-making on big issues is more fractured.
Longtime Charlotte journalist Jim Morrill discusses "The Group" and its legacy, which he explored in the February 2023 cover article in Charlotte magazine entitled "Who's in Charge in Charlotte?" Morrill retired in 2021 after a 40-year career at The Charlotte Observer, where he covered politics and government. He and Charlotte Ledger editor Tony Mecia discuss downtown development, the origins of Charlotte's "world-class city" focus, the influence of the business community and how big decisions are made today.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Charles Thomas serves as the Charlotte program director of the Knight Foundation and focuses on the development and preservation of Charlotte's Historic West End neighborhood. In this episode, he discusses how the Knight Foundation invests in the community and encourages residents to participate in the development process.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Dualboots Partners principal Todd Buelow's 25-year career as an entrepreneur is centered around servant leadership. In this episode, he shares how he grew his extensive network to help more people, how being a late bloomer shaped his outlook on life, and what advice he would give to aspiring entrepreneurs.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Manoj Kesavan founded BOOM Charlotte to create a space for Charlotte's talented artists to showcase their work. In this episode, Kesavan shares his inspiration for BOOM, why diversity is important to Charlotte's art scene and where the city falls short in supporting its local artists.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Amy Aussieker, executive director of Envision Charlotte, is one of Charlotte's leaders in making the city more sustainable. In this episode, she talks about her work at Envision Charlotte, why it’s so important for our city and why she is breeding soldier flies at the city-owned Innovation Barn.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Have you ever thought people aged 40+ should be identified and recognized for their good work? Yeah, we did, too — so much that we started The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which celebrate people who are making our community better and who are aged 40 and up.
In this special episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Charlotte Ledger editors Tony Mecia and Cristina Bolling explain the whys and hows of the 40 Over 40 Awards, which are now in their 4th year and culminate with a fun 1980s-themed party in April. They are interviewed by Tim Whitmire of CXN Advisory and Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration.
For more information on the Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, Presented by U.S. Bank, go to Ledger40Over40.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
As we enter 2023, there are big question marks about the future of the U.S. economy. What will happen with inflation, jobs, stocks and the housing market? A panel of experts broke down those topics and more in a Jan. 4, 2023, online forum called “Taking the Air Out of Inflation: 2023 Economic Outlook.” The panel is presented by Davidson College and U.S. Bank, and the moderator is Charlotte Ledger editor Tony Mecia.
Panelists are Eric Freedman, chief investment officer at U.S. Bank Asset Management Group; Siobhan O’Keefe, assistant professor of economics at Davidson College; Matt Phillips, financial markets correspondent for Axios; and Jennifer Streaks, senior personal finance reporter for Insider.
You can watch a video of the discussion, with captions, here.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Since the death of her son Joe in 2010, Diane Restaino of Charlotte has been working toward his dying wish that she raise money to advance research and treatment of pediatric cancer. Over the course of 13 years, Diane grew the Joedance Film Festival into a well-known nonprofit that raised more than $400,000 for Atrium Levine Children's Hospital's cancer program. As Diane announced the festival's end, she reflected on the experience of starting a nonprofit in honor of a child, her grief journey and what Joedance has accomplished in the world of pediatric cancer treatment.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Charlotte's real estate industry is changing — and David Ravin, CEO of development company Northwood Ravin, has had a front-row seat to its evolution over more than two decades. He reflects on his early interest in architecture and urban planning, his time as a student at UNC Charlotte, what he learned at real estate giant Crosland, Northwood Ravin's philosophy on building and where real estate in Charlotte goes from here.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
How does Charlotte's tech sector stack up nationally, and where does it go from here? Veteran local tech entrepreneur John Espey, CEO of Defiance Ventures, assesses Charlotte's strengths and weaknesses in tech, tells what he looks for in making tech investments, discusses the sector's recent challenges and offers an outlook for crypto, artificial intelligence and more.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
When Claire Schuch reported for duty at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in spring 2022, she inherited a department with plenty on its plate. Schuch leads the district’s planning services department, which is responsible for tasks ranging from drawing boundaries for new schools to devising plans to accommodate for growth and shifting populations.
She sat down with Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling in this episode of the Charlotte Ledger Podcast to talk about her background and the mission behind her department, the importance of understanding the communities beyond the maps and what’s ahead for school growth in south Charlotte.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
If a big transit plan for Charlotte is going to happen, it’s going to take a regional approach. And Geraldine Gardner, executive director of the Centralina Regional Council, has been working on a regional approach to Charlotte-area transit since 2019.
Last year, the Centralina Regional Council and the Metropolitan Transit Commission released Connect Beyond, a regional mobility plan that offers a vision of for improving transit and transportation in the 12-county Charlotte region. It produced more than 150 recommendations that will serve as a blueprint for improving connectivity over the next couple decades.
The Charlotte Ledger’s Tony Mecia talked with Gardner about the vision for a regional transit system — and how to get there.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger, or sign up for our award-winning newsletters, at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Marjorie Molina wasn’t expecting to run for political office. But when a vacancy opened on the Charlotte City Council and friends suggested she give it a try, she went for it.
Some parts of running a political campaign didn’t come naturally, like fundraising. But it worked: She beat four opponents in a May 2022 primary and was sworn in representing Charlotte’s eastside in September 2022.
Molina, 42, spoke with The Ledger’s Tony Mecia about her journey from citizen to politician, what it’s like being a council member, what she hopes to accomplish in her time on council, and what the future looks like for east Charlotte.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information or to sign up for The Charlotte Ledger's newsletters, go to TheCharlotteLedger.com
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
The Catawba River is Charlotte's source of water. It's vital to our region. So how do we protect it? Brandon Jones of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation discusses that important topic with The Charlotte Ledger's Lindsey Banks. They explore what being a riverkeeper means, why protecting the river basin is important in Mecklenburg County, the foundation's work and the coolest spot in the basin to visit. Podcast produced by Lindsey Banks.
For original and smart local insights on Charlotte, sign up for The Charlotte Ledger's newsletter at www.TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
From a new medical school to changes at doctors’ offices, there’s plenty happening in health care in the Charlotte region. Ledger editor Tony Mecia talks with Rose Hoban of North Carolina Health News and longtime Charlotte reporter and editor Michelle Crouch about an innovative new partnership between The Ledger and North Carolina Health News that will enhance the public’s understanding of health care and the local institutions that deliver it.
The joint effort is a creative solution by two digital media companies to keep the public informed, as many legacy news outlets have cut back on independent local reporting — and as large health care companies continue to grow in size and influence.
We examine the initiative and discuss Charlotte’s health care scene, the outlook for local news and how experienced health writers find and report stories.
The Charlotte Ledger podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
—
➡️ To donate tax-free to support the Charlotte health care reporting initiative: https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/donate_clt/
Need to sign up for this e-newsletter? We offer a free version, as well as paid memberships for full access to all 4 of our local newsletters:
➡️ Opt in or out of different newsletters on your “My Account” page.
➡️ Learn more about The Charlotte Ledger
The Charlotte Ledger is a locally owned media company that delivers smart and essential news through e-newsletters and on a website. We strive for fairness and accuracy and will correct all known errors. The content reflects the independent editorial judgment of The Charlotte Ledger. Any advertising, paid marketing, or sponsored content will be clearly labeled.
Like what we are doing? Feel free to forward this along and to tell a friend.
Social media: On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Sponsorship information/customer service: email support@cltledger.com.
Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire, CXN Advisory; Contributing photographer/videographer: Kevin Young, The 5 and 2 Project
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
Charlotte FC radio color broadcaster Jessica Charman discusses playing soccer as a girl in a male-dominated sport in England, the peculiarities of using British English to explain soccer to an American audience and her favorite moments of the team's first season. Charman, the first female full-time radio broadcaster in MLS, is interviewed by Charlotte Ledger/Fútbol Friday soccer writer Carroll Walton. Podcast produced by Lindsey Banks.
Sign up for the free Fútbol Friday newsletter, with smart and independent news about Charlotte FC, at www.TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
University City in Charlotte suffered a big setback with the news in August 2022 that insurance giant Centene was abandoning plans for an East Coast headquarters. Guests Tobe Holmes of University City Partners and Darlene Heater of Panorama Holdings discuss the outlook for University City — and why it seems primed for more growth. They unpack the market's development hotspots, its housing market, infrastructure improvements and best-kept secrets.
Stay in the know about Charlotte by signing up for our newsletter at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
Producer: Lindsey Banks
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
There are a lot of questions in Charlotte these days about the future of work: remote work, hybrid work, office layouts, companies’ office needs — especially in light of the decision by health insurer Centene to back out of a huge planned East Coast headquarters in Charlotte's University City area. Brett Gray, managing principal of Cushman & Wakefield's Charlotte office, discusses the market for office space in the city with The Ledger's Tony Mecia. Will developers build more office towers in Charlotte? Will companies slash their square footage? What amenities do companies look for nowadays? We examine all that and more in an insightful 15-minute interview.
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe
(^ You can listen to Ledger editor Tony Mecia read this letter to readers by clicking above)
Dear Ledger reader:
It’s the end of 2021, the time of the year when organizations look back and look ahead.
At The Ledger, we’ll try to spare you the overly sappy reflections, but we do think it’s healthy to share with our readers what we’ve done and where we’re heading. We can exist only because of our readers’ support, so we think you deserve periodic updates on how our business is doing.
The short version: In 2021, we continued growing, with more paying members climbing aboard, more people hearing about us and more efforts on our part to experiment with new things that readers might like. We plan to keep that up in 2022.
The longer version: Man, we did a lot. We sent 292 email newsletters, broke a ton of news, highlighted trends and introduced you to fascinating people in our city. We are pretty sure we made you smarter and better-informed.
Some of the work we are most proud of includes:
Investigations: We shared some ambitious investigative pieces, including in-depth looks at the sexual assault allegations at Myers Park High, an unexpected $10,000 colonoscopy bill from Atrium Health, the decline of the Arts & Science Council and the trend toward replacing pediatricians with nurses in hospital nurseries.
New newsletters: We started 2 new newsletters this year — Ways of Life (obituaries); and Transit Time, in conjunction with WFAE and UNC Charlotte’s Urban Institute. Not to brag (too much), but Transit Time was named “Best Local Newsletter” by Queen City Nerve and won a national award from our trade group, Local Independent Online News (LION), for “Collaboration of the Year.”
Trends: Because we are connected to Charlotte, we clued you in to interesting and important trends before they became widely apparent. Supply chain disruptions? We looked into the causes months before politicians made it a talking point. Book shortages? We told you about them two weeks before the New York Times. Wild bidding wars for houses? We shared Realtors’ eye-opening stories a week before The Wall Street Journal had the same idea. And when teens started stocking up on feta cheese in February because of a TikTok video, guess which local newsletter was ON IT — two weeks before The New York Times took note.
The Ledger displayed plenty of range in 2021. Clockwise, from upper left: Midnight hockey in Pineville; J.T. Williams, one of N.C.’s first Black surgeons, who became a politician and diplomat; feta cheese supplies running low in February; the prototype of a drive-thru-only Bojangles in Cotswold; analysis of enrollment declines at south Charlotte public schools; a financial salesman who pursued his dream of opening an east Charlotte reptile shop; the bread-only “Sandwiche” from the fictional Breadland restaurant in our April Fools’ edition; pickleball action heats up among newly vaccinated Sun City residents.
Interesting people: We introduced you to Charlotte people with stories to tell and lessons to share, including an Atrium Covid ICU nurse who experienced the pandemic through different eyes when her grandmother became ill with the virus; newly vaccinated seniors in Sun City who were happy to resume playing pickleball and attending Saturday night ’60s dance parties again; a Broadway fan who received a get-well video message from Lin-Manuel Miranda; investors who put money into tech company AvidXchange and waited 20 years to reap big windfalls; and relocated Northerners who play hockey at midnight in Pineville.
Interviews: We gave you Q&As with well-known and fascinating Charlotte people, including former Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl Jr.; former mayors Sue Myrick and Harvey Gantt; the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art’s new executive director, Todd Smith; Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s new CEO, Marcellus “MT” Turner; and basketball broadcast analyst Jay Bilas.
Growth and development: The story of Charlotte is the story of growth, and we have continued to offer unparalleled and authoritative local coverage of this important topic — from insights on the 2040 Comprehensive Plan; to development trends in Sugar Creek, NoDa, west Charlotte, Ballantyne, SouthPark and University City; to repeated scoops on land deals and development plans and, of course, our popular monthly listing of Charlotte’s rezoning petitions🔥.
Series: We delivered several series of themed articles in 2021, including A Better You, with advice from local experts on how to improve yourself; Urban Adventures, in which we introduced you to exciting parts of Charlotte’s urban core; Second Acts, with stories of people who made career transitions later in life; the second season of Flyover Friday, in partnership with The 5 and 2 Project, which uses video and drone footage to examine development trends; Historical Heavyweights, examining the lives of influential Charlotte historical figures; Entrepreneur Week, in which local business founders shared their insights; and Legends of Charlotte, featuring interviews with some of the city’s longtime movers and shakers. We also just finished a five-week run of locally focused crossword puzzles.
We could keep going — turning over authorship of a newsletter to an artificial intelligence program called Jarvis … letting 4th and 5th graders at Ballantyne Elementary produce a newsletter … launching an audio version of The Ledger on Spotify … crafting an all-too-believable April Fools’ edition … holding our second annual 40 Over 40 awards … in-depth coverage of the ABC liquor shortage and of controversial expansion plans at Myers Park Country Club. …
The point is, it was a productive and fun year, thanks to our network of talented freelancers and partners, our newsletter sponsors and you.
I started The Ledger nearly three years ago because — as someone who cares about Charlotte and believes reliable information is vital to a functioning society — I was disappointed with the decline in responsible and important local journalism. I’m happy to report that I believe The Ledger is now consistently producing smart news for people who care about our city. We’re doing it without the benefit of common tactics that personally annoy me and probably you, such as embarrassingly enthusiastic coverage of restaurants and bars, irritating ads that render articles almost unreadable, absurd clickbait headlines that purposefully omit key information, pay-to-play marketing arrangements, half-baked and biased “news reporting” and so on.
As of this week, The Ledger has 11,000 people who have signed up to receive our emails. Nearly one-quarter of those people are paying members. We’re not the largest local outlet, and we don’t aim to be. Rather, we’re trying to produce a high-quality product for people who appreciate it. More like a fine wine, not a box of Franzia.
Our financial numbers are strong: Membership revenue, which accounts for about 5/6 of the money we take in, rose 84% this year. Our expenses are up, too, because producing quality local journalism isn’t cheap. But overall, we’re encouraged by the growth and grateful for our paying members whose support allows us to expand and experiment.
What’s next: So where do we go from here? Our main focus will be continuing to deliver high-quality, original information for Charlotte. That won’t change. We will continue experimenting with new ways to reach new people and serve our readers. We have plans in 2022 to hold more in-person and online events, building on the success of the Charlotte marketing series (in conjunction with online events company Jumbo), the forum on college admissions and the happy hour with the editors that we held this year.
Mark your calendar for April 28, when we are holding our first-ever in-person awards celebration for our 40 Over 40 recipients. Nominations for those awards, now in their third year, open next month, and we will honor these people who are making important contributions to our community at a fun, ’80s-themed party that we’ve been working on for the last couple months.
In the future, we envision starting newsletters on additional local topics. We foresee adding more full-time staffers to join me and managing editor Cristina Bolling and continuing to increase our use of talented freelance writers. We are purposefully set up differently than other media companies: We’re a locally owned business that is self-financed, and we don’t have (and don’t want) deep-pocketed out-of-state corporate owners or lucrative ad deals paying the bills. We’re content to grow steadily in a way that ensures we are serving our readers as our main customers.
That’s all for now. As always, if you have any thoughts about our coverage or suggestions for the future, feel free to drop me or Cristina an email. Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2022.
Tony Mecia
Executive editor, The Charlotte Ledger
Thanks for letting us into your inbox in the mornings. Cheers to you and your family for 2022.
One parting thought: Charlotte charitable giving recommendations
If you’re looking for a last-minute, end-of-the-year tax deduction for 2021, you might consider giving to local charities. We asked our community of paying members for recommendations — here’s their list of where they’re donating their money and time:
Need to sign up for this e-newsletter? We offer a free version, as well as paid memberships for full access to all 3 of our local newsletters:
➡️ Learn more about The Charlotte Ledger
The Charlotte Ledger is a locally owned media company that delivers smart and essential news through e-newsletters and on a website. We strive for fairness and accuracy and will correct all known errors. The content reflects the independent editorial judgment of The Charlotte Ledger. Any advertising, paid marketing, or sponsored content will be clearly labeled.
Like what we are doing? Feel free to forward this along and to tell a friend.
Change newsletter preferences: Go to ‘My Account’ page
Social media: On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Sponsorship information: email brie@cltledger.com.
Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire, CXN Advisory; Contributing photographer/videographer: Kevin Young, The 5 and 2 Project
Get full access to The Charlotte Ledger at charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe