Community Calendar

Entrepreneurial success is often celebrated as the result of individual determination and hard work. Yet behind every thriving business, creative endeavor, or community initiative is a network of people, institutions, and supporters who help make that success possible.

Join us for a community conversation inspired by the ideas explored in No One Is Self-Made by Dr. Key Hallmon featuring local creative entrepreneurs Alvin C. Jacobs, Jr. (nationally recognized photographer and image activist), Scott Tynes-Miller (owner and manager of Troubadour Booksellers), and Setu Raval (Director of Programs & Strategy, Charlotte Is Creative).

Our panelist will explore the collective systems that help innovative ideas grow. Hallmon challenges the myth of the self-made entrepreneur and argues that lasting success is built through intentional networks, collective support, and share prosperity.

Actor, director and bestselling memoirist Andrew McCarthy will open the Lenoir-Rhyne University Visiting Writers Series with a discussion of his new book, “Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America.” Blending memoir, travel and cultural reflection, McCarthy explores the complexities of male friendship and what it means to form meaningful connections throughout life.

McCarthy made his professional debut at 19 in “Class” and has appeared in dozens of films, including “Pretty in Pink,” “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “Less Than Zero,” “Weekend at Bernie’s” and “Mannequin.” His memoir about that period of his life, “BRAT: An ’80s Story,” became a New York Times bestseller in 2021.

As a director, McCarthy has helmed nearly 100 hours of television, including episodes of “The Blacklist,” “Grace and Frankie,” “New Amsterdam” and “Orange Is the New Black.”

McCarthy also spent 12 years as an editor-at-large for National Geographic Traveler. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Time, Travel + Leisure, Town & Country, Men’s Journal, Bon Appétit and other publications. He was named Travel Journalist of the Year by the Society of American Travel Writers and served as guest editor of “The Best American Travel Writing” anthology.

A workshop with Dr. Key Hallmon

What if sustainable growth isn’t about only doing more—but about building the right ecosystem around you?

Join acclaimed entrepreneur, civic leader, and bestselling author Dr. Key Hallmon on September 16 for an interactive morning workshop inspired by her book, No One Is Self-Made.

Drawing from a decade of building interconnected ventures, Dr. Key will share her approach to creating organizations and communities rooted in belonging, purpose, shared prosperity, and sustainable growth.

Come ready to work side-by-side with Dr. Key and think, connect, and explore practical ways to build an ecosystem where people—and organizations—can flourish.

Dr. Key Hallmon believes no one is truly self-made. So, who helped make you?

Join us on September 16 for an evening fireside chat with acclaimed entrepreneur, civic leader, and bestselling author Dr. Key Hallmon, author of No One Is Self-Made.

Through an intimate conversation, Dr. Key will explore the people, relationships, and communities that shape our paths—and what it means to intentionally build a village that helps us flourish in business and in life. Dr. Hallmon challenges the myth of individual achievement and offers a bold vision for how entrepreneurs, organizations, and communities can thrive through intentional collaboration.

Come for an evening of storytelling, reflection, and conversation about success, community, belonging, and the power of recognizing that none of us gets where we’re going alone.

One of the world’s first arbornauts, CanopyMeg devoted over four decades to exploring forest canopies. Her research and exploration have taken her to more than 45 countries, on all seven continents, where she not only tirelessly saves forests but also mentors girls. Lowman’s Oct. 1 presentation is titled “In Honor of Jane Goodall – How Trees Keep our Planet and its Wildlife Healthy.” Mission Green is a global project to conserve the world’s most important forests by building canopy walkways. These walkways not only educate the public about the amazing 8th continent otherwise known as the treetops, but they sustainably employ indigenous women via ecotourism, and offer students access to forest canopies to make new discoveries. Speaker CanopyMeg Lowman pioneered the construction of canopy walkways that now bring economic incentives to forest conservation around the world. She will talk about Mission Green, and the importance of both forest conservation, plus linking kids to nature via the treetops and her friend Jane. Tickets go on sale online for this event at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 31.