Pride Magazine ~ Charlotte, NC

06/17/2026

Congratulations to two outstanding Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools leaders!

Patrice McCauley, principal of Wilson STEM Academy, and Tammillye Ward, principal of Whitewater Middle School, have been selected for the 2026 National Aspiring District Leaders Fellowship. They are among just 34 educators nationwide chosen for the prestigious program led by the Women of Color Education Collaborative in partnership with Morgan State University.

The fellowship is designed to prepare high-performing school leaders for district-level leadership through executive coaching, professional development, hands-on experiences and collaboration with a national network of education leaders.

Their selection recognizes their commitment to instructional excellence, educational equity and creating meaningful impact for students, families and communities. We look forward to seeing how their leadership continues to shape the future of education in Charlotte and beyond.

06/15/2026

Charlotte is preparing to welcome one of gospel music’s biggest celebrations! 🎶

The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will take place at the Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026, bringing some of the biggest names in gospel music to the Queen City. Known as one of the genre’s most prestigious events, the awards showcase excellence in gospel music while celebrating faith, inspiration and community.

The excitement begins even earlier with Stellar Plus Week (August 12–14), featuring master classes, fashion events, comedy showcases, live performances and fan experiences throughout the city.

With its rich musical heritage, vibrant culture and strong faith community, Charlotte is set to shine on the national stage as gospel music fans from across the country gather for this unforgettable event.

06/12/2026

Charlotte’s Black business community is making its mark.

According to a recent LendingTree study, Charlotte ranks #16 among the nation’s 50 largest metro areas for the percentage of Black-owned businesses, with Black entrepreneurs owning 6.5% of businesses in the region - well above the national average.

The growth reflects the strength, innovation and resilience of Charlotte’s business community. Local entrepreneurs like Andre Richmond, owner of America’s Best Realty & Builders, have helped shape the city’s economic landscape while creating opportunities for future generations.

While challenges such as access to funding remain, Charlotte continues to emerge as a hub for Black entrepreneurship, proving that when businesses thrive, communities thrive too.

06/11/2026

Join Pride Magazine at Pride Awards 2026 on Friday, July 10 at The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte for a powerful nonprofit pitch competition focused on eliminating food insecurity in the Queen City.

Three outstanding finalists will compete for a $20,000 grant underwritten by Wells Fargo:

Kenya Joseph, Co-Founder, Hearts and Hands Food Pantry
Melody Leedy, Executive Director, Hope Street Food Pantry
Dawn Hilton Williams, CEO, Power Is Giving

Be in the room as Pride Awards attendees vote to help choose the winner.
Reserve your seat today: pridemagazineonline.com | 704-375-9553
:::

06/10/2026

Are you drinking enough water?

In a world filled with sports drinks, energy drinks, flavored waters and endless marketing claims, it’s easy to lose sight of what our bodies really need: water.

Dawn Hilton-Williams, aka the Vegucator, highlights a growing hydration gap, noting that nearly half of American adults don’t drink enough water each day. While trendy products promise better hydration, experts say the real issue isn’t what type of water you drink - it’s simply drinking more of it.

Dawn encourages building healthy hydration habits by starting and ending your day with water, choosing water-rich fruits and vegetables, and being mindful of sugary and highly processed beverages.

Sometimes the simplest wellness solution is also the most powerful. Listen to your body, stay hydrated and make water a daily priority!

06/08/2026

What if the gas station came to you?

After finding herself stranded on the side of I-85 with an empty tank, entrepreneur Amber Murray turned a frustrating experience into an innovative business idea. She founded Fuel Flo, a mobile fuel delivery service that brings gas directly to customers saving time, adding convenience and eliminating one more stop from a busy day.

Often described as “DoorDash for gas,” Fuel Flo serves customers at home or work with scheduled fuel deliveries and has expanded from South Carolina into the Charlotte market.

As a Black woman pioneering a unique business model in a male-dominated industry, Murray is proving that innovation often starts with solving everyday problems. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Just do it. Do it scared.”

Now, she's fueling more than vehicles - she's fueling possibilities.

06/05/2026

The future isn’t coming - it’s already here. 🚀

Join us on July 10 for Pride Awards 2026: Future Forward with AI, an inspiring afternoon that will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we live, work and lead.

For more than three decades, the Pride Awards have celebrated the leaders, innovators and changemakers shaping our community. This year, we're looking ahead with keynote speaker Sunil Erevelles of UNC Charlotte, who will challenge the way you think about AI and its impact on our future.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of one of Charlotte's most anticipated events, featuring thought-provoking conversation, meaningful connections and a celebration of excellence.

Learn more and reserve your seat today!

The 2026 Charlotte Pride Awards are just two months away. Colin Mayfield previews the 34th annual event.

06/03/2026

Congratulations to Erica Batts on her appointment to the Board of Directors of The Kaizen Foundation NC! 🎉

As Community Lending Manager at People's Bank, Batts has built a career focused on expanding opportunities and supporting economic growth in low-to-moderate income communities. Her experience in community lending, borrower education, housing and financial empowerment makes her a valuable addition to the Foundation’s leadership team.

A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, Batts continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to community development and creating pathways to financial success for others.

We look forward to seeing the impact of her leadership in this new role!

06/02/2026

The 2026 Pride Awards will bring one of the most important conversations of our time to Charlotte.

Join us as we explore how Generative AI is reshaping our communities, culture, leadership, business, and the future of work. This is more than a discussion about technology—it’s a conversation about people, opportunity, and what comes next.

📍 The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
📅 Friday, July 10, 2026
🕚 11:15 AM Networking | 12:00 PM Lunch & Program
Be part of the conversation that changes everything.

Reserve Your Table and Tickets:
https://www.pridemagazineonline.com/home/2026-pride-awards/

06/02/2026

Family isn't always defined by blood - sometimes it's defined by who shows up. ❤️

This powerful story celebrates the teachers, mentors, church members, family friends and community leaders who step into the role of parent, guide and supporter when children need them most.

From a teacher who became “Ma” to a father who chose adoption, to mentors who pour love, wisdom and stability into the next generation, these ""unofficial parents"" remind us that the Black community has long been built on the strength of the village.

Their names may not appear on birth certificates, but their impact lasts a lifetime.

Today, we honor the people who show up. Not because they have to, but because love calls them to. Their presence changes lives, strengthens families and helps shape the future of our communities. Read the full story here: https://issuu.com/watchdog-ent./docs/pride_magazine_-_2026_may_june_issue/22