The Pearl CLT

06/26/2026

We were honored to welcome Dr. Samantha Brown-Parks, Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Atlanta Region, to The Pearl this week.

From thoughtful conversations on the future of medical education, virtual care and rural health to tours of our labs, innovation spaces and emerging med tech environments, the visit brought to life the intentional collaboration happening across the district every day.

Highlights from the visit included time in our Wake Forest University School of Medicine anatomy labs, as well as visits to IRCAD North America, K-12 STEAM Lab and other spaces shaping the next generation of healthcare talent.

We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase the incredible work happening here – and for the meaningful partnership ahead!

06/23/2026

06/10/2026

Atrium Health has contributed 14 acres off North Tryon Street to enable affordable housing to be developed by INLIVIAN, Charlotte's public housing authority.

06/03/2026

05/29/2026

Big ideas. Real connections. Growing impact.

At The Pearl, five health tech startups took the stage after seven weeks of mentorship, collaboration and pitch development through the inaugural gBETA Charlotte Health showcase.

The free accelerator supports early-stage companies with local roots, taking no fees and no equity, and is capped at five teams per cohort. The Spring 2026 program was supported by the City of Charlotte Government in partnership with Advocate Health and hosted at Connect Labs by Wexford at The Pearl.

The startups showcased included:

• 9+1AI — AI-based heart failure screening from a standard ECG
• CasandraAI — specialty diagnostic test ordering inside the EHR
• Inolyt — next-generation antimicrobials targeting drug-resistant bacteria
• SKG Lifesciences — a smart bandage for chronic wound healing
• Pump For Joy — compostable, single-use breast pump collection kits

This is what building a health innovation ecosystem looks like.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4fg2BDs

05/27/2026

Meet Jalavender, a passionate advocate for creating meaningful learning experiences and bringing the student perspective into spaces designed for innovation and growth.

As a STEM educator and Pearl ambassador, Jalavender values the opportunity to help students gain exposure they may not otherwise have, connecting them with hands-on experiences that go beyond traditional learning. For her, what makes The Pearl special is seeing students engage directly with materials, ideas and opportunities that empower them to invest in their future.

Through voices like Jalavender’s, The Pearl continues to inspire the next generation of leaders, learners and innovators.

Read more of her story in our People of the Pearl series: https://bit.ly/4uTh7WJ

05/20/2026

This spring at The Pearl, we launched a new Homeschool STEM Lab designed for students in grades 3–8.

Through hands-on experiments and collaborative problem solving, students explore the intersection of science, engineering and medicine while working through real-world case studies focused on neurological recovery and rehabilitation.

Each session is a standalone experience, giving students a chance to engage with the kind of innovative work happening right here at The Pearl.

Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

👉 Learn more and reserve your student’s spot: https://bit.ly/49fyrMB

05/18/2026

An evening rooted in legacy, love and purpose.

Family, friends, community leaders and supporters gathered at The Pearl to celebrate the life and lasting impact of Bishop George E. Battle Jr. on what would have been his 78th birthday, while also honoring 50 years of the Greater Enrichment Program through a special gala fundraiser. From heartfelt reflections to joyful performances from GEP students, the night served as a powerful reminder of Bishop Battle’s commitment to faith, education and uplifting generations of young people across Charlotte.

Though Bishop Battle transitioned to eternal rest in March 2025, his influence continues to live on through the lives he touched, the leaders he inspired and the community he helped build. Thank you to everyone who joined in celebrating his extraordinary legacy.

05/17/2026

What if students could experience the future of healthcare and innovation before they even graduate high school?

That vision took a major step forward as 56 students from Cabarrus County Schools received their Pearl backpacks in a special ceremony celebrating the launch of the first cohort in the Cabarrus County AI + Healthcare Innovation initiative.

What began as a conversation about creating more meaningful access to healthcare, AI, rapid prototyping and innovation has evolved into a first-of-its-kind collaboration connecting education, industry and healthcare in a new way. This milestone is just one part of broader work happening across the region as we partner with schools from multiple districts to expand access to these opportunities.

Starting this August, these students will spend time weekly at The Pearl engaging with real-world challenges, mentors and opportunities designed to help shape the next generation of innovators and changemakers.

This initiative is more than a program, it’s a proof of concept for how schools and innovation districts can work together to expand access, build talent pipelines and create new pathways for students to imagine what’s possible. We’re proud to see this momentum growing across the region and excited for what’s ahead!