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Elvis Menayese
Race & Equity ReporterElvis Menayese is a Report for America corps member covering issues involving race and equity for WFAE. He previously was a member of the Queens University News Service. Major support for WFAE's Race & Equity Team comes from Novant Health.
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This summer, a group of girls has cycled around Charlotte, navigating bike lanes, greenways, and even the light rail to enjoy the city’s natural and cultural offerings. They’re part of Charlotte Bike Camp’s Melanin in Motion program, a cycling community for young people of color.
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As part of today’s Independence Day celebrations, the Charlotte Museum of History held its annual naturalization ceremony. Seventeen people took the oath to become U.S. citizens.
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City Startup Labs was awarded Wednesday a $400,000 grant to launch a digital tech repair program. It will help provide career opportunities to formerly incarcerated people and provide tech services for low-income households.
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Public and private groups said Monday that CMPD’s initiative is one of many efforts to improve safety challenges in uptown. CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said the goal of the home visits is to not only ensure safe celebrations this year, but also provide young people with the resources to get them on the right track.
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Summers away from school are especially challenging times for families trying to build a life in a shelter or motel room. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has about 4,800 students who don’t have stable homes. A Charlotte group offers a few of these kids a safe place to go to play and learn during the summer months.
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Shanté Williams will be the first person of color to lead Opera Carolina. She’s CEO of Black Pearl Global Investments, a $25 million venture capital fund, and has served on Opera Carolina’s board.
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The money is a mix of public and private dollars that will support the projects of 35 artists and nonprofits. The aim is to provide resources to groups that serve diverse communities and help remove barriers that prohibit some from participating in the arts.
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A group of mostly older Charlotteans are finding a new rhythm — one powered by African drums and other percussion instruments. The seniors are gearing up for two performances, one on Saturday as part of the Juneteenth Festival and another later this month in the city’s Corridors of Opportunity.
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After an eight-year restoration and fundraising effort, Charlotte's historic Siloam School building will reopen to the public this Saturday with a special homecoming event.
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A nonprofit textile manufacturer in Charlotte, called Lions Services, has multimillion-dollar contracts to produce gear such as backpacks and hydration carriers for the U.S. military. The meticulous sewing is done by a workforce that is mostly blind or visually impaired.