History

At the same time, a small group of individuals in the community came together to form a racially diverse group that would make plans for the first meeting of those from the vigil. These individuals included: Rev. Joel Simpson, Willie and Pam Jones, Ron Potts, Georgia Krueger, and Sue Rankin-White. The first meeting took place on October 14, at the Ada Jenkins Center and included a large group of participants from the prayer vigil. Small groups were formed and they began their journey to build and strengthen relationships across racial lines.

Guest speaker: Spencer B. Merriweather III, District Attorney 

This is a public, non-partisan lecture and discussion regarding the current areas of the judicial and prison systems that discriminate against people of color. It is, in part, a reflection of Mr. Merriweather’s 11 years as an assistant district attorney trying cases ranging from habitual offenders to sexual assault to murder. He hopes to raise awareness regarding the systemic inequities that currently exist in our criminal justice system and share his ideas about what might move us forward to equity.

Guest speaker: Rev. Brenda Tapia 

Rev. Tapia answered attendees’ questions in an honest and respectful way.

Guest speaker: Dr. Nneka D. Dennie, Davidson College 

Dr. Dennie’s lively presentation will give participants a deeper understanding of black women’s historical challenges and their efforts to overcome them. She is a historian from Leonardtown, Maryland. She is currently a Consortium for Faculty Diversity Postdoctoral Fellow in the Africana Studies Department at Davidson College.

as a 501(c)(4) social justice organization.

Meeting

Meeting

UiC Denounces the Attack on Asian Americans in Atlanta and Anti-Asian Violence Wherever and Whenever It Occurs. UiC invites you to stand in solidarity and support of our AAPI brothers and sisters and urges others in the North Mecklenburg community to stand with us and show your support. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Guest Speakers: Wayne Herron, Cornelius Deputy Town Manager; Eugene Bradley, Davidson Housing & Equity Director; Stacy Phillips, Huntersville Commissioner 

Acknowledge the verdict in George Floyd’s death with an opportunity to express your feelings, share UiC opportunities to get involved in, and guest speakers will discuss affordable housing.

You’ve probably heard discussions about CRT – learn what Critical Race Theory is and what all the fuss is about. You’ll have an opportunity to discuss this topic within a small group and each group will have an opportunity to share a significant take-away to the large group.

Guest speakers include: Senator Natasha Marcus, School Board Member Jennifer De La Jara, and CMS Asst. Superintendent Academics Beth Thompson

The Color of Law Book Study & Discussion; Smithville Revitalization Plan Update; Status of the Confederate Monument Campaign; UiC Board of Director Call for Nominations; UiC T-shirts for Sale

Guest Speakers: Ms. Staisha Hamilton, social worker, trauma specialist, and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and a Children’s Defense Team Social Worker at Perry Counseling Healing and Recovery in Charlotte. Rev. Dr. Joseph J. Clifford, Pastor of the Myers Park Presbyterian Church of Charlotte. Ms. Hamilton and Dr. Clifford share their knowledge and perspectives on the effects of housing segregation on us as individuals and on our communities, and help us to acknowledge, understand and deal with the trauma and emotions that we may be feeling as we read The Color of Law.

Guest Speakers: Janice Robinson, Red, Wine and Blue; Sara Smith, North Carolinians Against Gun Violence: Tara Ewald, Democratic Precinct 127; Timer Colen, UNCC Senior

We’ve lined up an exciting panel of speakers who are involved in standing up against these issues that threaten our democracy and we can’t wait to hear your questions and comments and to learn from this knowledgeable panel.

Meet the candidates and ask questions. In partnership with: Ada Jenkins Center; Charlotte Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; League of Women Voters Charlotte Mecklenburg; New North Carolina Project; North Mecklenburg Communities United – Pottstown; North Mecklenburg Economic Mobility Collaborative; Smithville Community Coalition

The life of Nannie Houston Potts, the first and only Black mayor of Cornelius, will be celebrated. Featuring The Strollers, food, music, and speakers. In partnership with: Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church & Davidson Presbyterian Church

Guest Panelists: Rabbi Becca Diamond, Temple Kol Tikvah; Imam John Ederer, Muslim Community Center, Charlotte; Reverend Anita Harvell, Union Bethel AME Zion Church; and Reverend Peter Henry, Davidson College Presbyterian Church

Join us as we seek to better understand why we must respond to the call to love our neighbor, especially in this time of unprecedented attacks on marginalized communities.

Review of UiC’s impact in N. Mecklenburg and celebrate our accomplishments. Share your ideas about opportunities UiC can play a role in. After enthusiastic table discussions were followed by the first Lenzy R. Wallace, Jr. PhD Excellence Awards. Individual award was given to UiC supporter Michelle Goglia and Organizational award was given to Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson.

Guest Speakers: Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson and Jennifer Roberts

Our nation’s history tells the story of a people striving to be more fair and just. It’s the story of generations standing up and pushing against the status quo. It’s the story of individuals who believed that all citizens had a responsibility to guide the direction of this fine nation. And it’s the story of a hard-fought-for right that, even today, deserves and requires our attention. That right is the right to vote. Local organizations, including League of WomenVoters and Red, Wine, and Blue will share their efforts to promote democracy and to further voting participation. UiC’s Social Justice Committee will fill us in on the efforts we have been taking as well.

Guest speakers: Dr. Chloe Poston, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Davidson College followed by Guest Speaker, Dr. Ryan O’Leary, MD

Dr. Poston: DEI is something to be celebrated and understood. For those who may feel uncertain about DEI, those who feel slighted by DEI policies in their workplace, and those who have benefited from DEI by gaining a seat at the table—this is an invitation to join the conversation. And for those with youth and young adults in your circle, this will be a great opportunity to bring them along. 

Dr. Ryan O’Leary, MD: led attendees in exercises to bring a clearer understanding of privilege. By identifying areas in our lives that are not made harder by our sex or skin color or other factors, we were able to acknowledge that some of us must work harder than others for the same outcome, if the same outcome is even an option.