OVERVIEW
The trials and tribulations of 2020 have exposed our community's strengths and weaknesses. Over the next year, we'll examine it all through our new series Rebuilding Charlotte. WFAE will look at both challenges and opportunities as families, businesses and institutions struggle to recover from the pandemic. In our first installment, reporter David Boraks talks to Charlotteans about the challenges ahead.
IN THIS SERIES
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As Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools lays the groundwork for next year's student assignment review, Associate Superintendent Akeshia Craven-Howell told board members the results of 2016 diversity decisions have been mixed.
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A new national coalition that includes some of North Carolina’s largest school districts says integrating public schools offers a divided nation hope for racial equity and equal opportunity. For Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, a 2022 student assignment review will provide a chance to try new diversity strategies.
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The pandemic created a host of immediate challenges, but the key to long-term economic recovery is teaching North Carolina’s children to read. That’s according to state lawmakers who recently passed a new “science of reading” bill and a group of CEOs who gathered recently to support that strategy. The unlikely source of inspiration? Mississippi.
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Charlotte leaders last week announced an effort to wipe out homelessness and expand affordable housing within five years. It's not the first time Charlotte has tried this, but some think this has a better chance at succeeding.
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As part of our series Rebuilding Charlotte, "Morning Edition" host Marshall Terry caught up with the Charlotte Museum of History's president and CEO, Adria Focht, to see how the museum is doing as it emerges from the coronavirus shutdown — and what it learned in the last year that will change the way it operates in the future.
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Now that many residents are vaccinated, life has continued to inch toward normal inside Charlotte-area nursing homes.
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The economic slowdown that came with the coronavirus pandemic put a squeeze on Charlotte's food pantries. As people lost jobs and income, demand rose and pantries have scrambled to keep food supply flowing. Now, those pantries are working to recover, too.
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Local governments across North Carolina have mostly weathered the economic downturn that came with the coronavirus pandemic. Stimulus programs and a rebounding economy mean property tax collections and sales tax revenues are getting back to normal. But some other areas remain weak, like travel and tourism tax revenues.
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As we recover from the pandemic and move forward in education, there are lots of adjustments being made. Adjustments in returning to in-person classes, expanding summer school, teachers helping students recover from learning loss. The president of the North Carolina Association of Educators talks about how teachers have managed all the changes.
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Being closed for the past year because of coronavirus restrictions has taken a toll on music venue owners as well as local musicians. Perry Fowler is both. He co-owns Petra's in Charlotte and is also a member of the group Sinners and Saints. He talks with WFAE's Marshall Terry about the challenges of both right now.
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A year ago this week, North Carolina's restaurants and bars switched to takeout only. It was one of the state’s first of many coronavirus-related shutdowns. Over the past year, we have heard about countless layoffs and financial hardships for families and businesses. Behind the scenes, many people have also been struggling to stay sober. What happens when you lose your support system for alcoholism?
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The coronavirus pandemic has been hard on communities of color, amplifying problems that were already there — like the plight of young, Black men. A year ago, My Brother's Keeper Charlotte Mecklenburg hired a new leader and relaunched its multifaceted approach to mentoring and supporting young men of color. As part of our series Rebuilding Charlotte, WFAE's David Boraks has a progress report on the program inspired by former President Barack Obama.
RELATED PODCAST: STILL HERE
RELATED SERIES: THE HIGH COST OF COVID-19
RELATED CHARLOTTE TALKS EPISODES
- The Pandemic Hit Charlotte Restaurants Hard. How Are They Doing Now?
- A Look At Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Housing And Homelessness Plan
- The Future Of Traveling After COVID-19
- Road For NC's Post-COVID Economic Recovery Bright But Bumpy
- With Vaccines In Arms And Popcorn In Hand, Summer Movie Season Is Here