by Dee Dixon, Pride publisher and CEO

These are trying times. People are out of work, can’t find affordable housing and have health concerns with no insurance. As we all know, socioeconomic and health disparities always have taunted the African-American community. But, with the economic downturn of the last few years, which has impacted everyone, I believe we must come to terms with the fact that the condition of African Americans and other minority groups has deteriorated even more.

Interestingly, the United Way of Central Carolinas commissioned an assessment study in 2010 to determine the community’s critical needs and how to best address them. (See the full report at

www.uwcentralcarolinas.org.) They surveyed five counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Iredell, Mecklenburg and Union. The results were fascinating, with three major areas of need identified:  education, housing and poverty, and health and mental health. All three of these issues, of course, have plagued the black community forever.

Education was identified as the most crucial need. (I bet you were thinking housing and poverty first, right?) Yes, education, including early child care, K-12, post secondary opportunities and workforce development. This makes perfect sense to me, because if we can fix the education piece, I believe we can make significant gains in the other areas. This brings me to Pride Entrepreneur Education Program (PEEP).

Please consider this: The unemployment rate for African Americans in the Charlotte region is 19.2 percent (as compared to 15.9 percent nationwide). Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ high school dropout rate among African Americans is 66.3 percent. And, according to a 2010 National Public Radio news report, almost 10 percent of young black males are in jail. Without education and jobs, African Americans and their children suffer (disproportionately compared to whites) from every major disease, including diabetes, obesity, cancer and other chronic illnesses.

PEEP is poised to make a significant difference. We founded the 501(c)(3) in 2008 with the following mission: “To help eliminate socioeconomic disparities in the African-American community by promoting education, the attainment of marketable skills, financial literacy and entrepreneurship among youth ages 15-25.” This mission is more relevant today than ever. While our forefathers pounded us with, “if you ever want to amount to anything, you must get a college degree,” things have changed. Yes, higher education is admirable and has its place, but too many blacks can’t go to college, or simply are choosing not to go college. And when they do earn a degree, that sheepskin isn’t buying what it used to. In fact, more often than not, a college degree

may leave a young black person with debilitating debt from student loans with no job in

sight.

The Charlotte Observer ran a poignant article on Aug. 22, called, “Ample ‘Middle Skill’

Jobs in South.” Middle skill jobs include electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, machinists and a slew of others. A report released by the National Skills Coalition at the Southern Governors Association meeting revealed 51 percent of all jobs in the South require training beyond high school, but not a four-year degree. And companies are struggling to find workers. Listen closely, some of these jobs pay $75,000 a year!

So, why then, are so many people, black men in particular, choosing jail over a middle skill career?  Obviously there is a huge disconnect somewhere, and PEEP’s vision is on point to connect the dots. Pauline Feimster is PEEP’s executive director, and she is doing an outstanding job. Under her leadership, with the assistance of corporate sponsors, including Fifth Third Bank, Snyder’s-Lance, Wal-Mart, Duke Energy and others, more than $65,000 in scholarships has been awarded to CMS students to attend community colleges, as well as other major colleges and universities. Another initiative, the annual PEEP Luncheon, puts more than 200 African-American high school students face to face with local professionals and entrepreneurs for discussions about education, careers and entrepreneurship. In addition, our first Entrepreneur Camp was successfully held this summer at JCSU.

But, we need to do much more. Pauline runs the program part time without assistance! This needs to change, and we need your help. PEEP’s five critical needs are: 1.) a major corporate partner, who will invest time, money and resources; 2.) a grant writer; 3.) board members; 4.) organizations to purchase tables at the annual luncheon in February; and 5.) mentors and volunteers. Visit wwwpeepcharlotte.org to learn more, or call Pauline at 704-375-9553 to let her know you want to be a part of the solution.

Happy Holidays!

by Dee Dixon

Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the fall edition of Pride Magazine. September always has been a very busy month in the Queen City, and this year is no exception.
Let’s take a look …

Sunset Jazz Festival

Our 20th annual Charlotte Sunset Jazz Festival tops the list on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16-17. Go to www.charlottesunsetjazzfestival.com for all of the delightful details. I can’t believe we’ve kept this going for 20 years! Why, I remember the very first outdoor event at Independence Park — we
had just a handful of people then. Boy, oh boy, has it grown from there! Who remembers the good ol’ days of being out there in the “hot” every Sunday in July? I remember it well, but we sure had a ball. Things have changed some, but we’re still having a blast. There’s nothing like congregating for some good, clean fun at the jazz festival. By the way … Is there any faithful soul out there who has attended each and every festival thus far? (Please, be honest!) If you have, come to the Pride tent at Marshall Park (yes, we’re at Marshall Park again this year) on Saturday, Sept. 17. If you can prove or convince me you’ve attended every Sunset Jazz event since its inception, we’ll put your photo in the magazine!

Pride Awards 2012

After we put the Jazz Festival to bed, we move right into our next major event: the 19th annual Lowes Pride Awards. Right now, we are ramping up to bring you an evening in January that truly will ignite our city. This year’s gala will be an extension of last year’s, as we continue to pay tribute to cultural diversity, only from a global perspective. We will showcase Charlotte as the world-class city it has become. People from every ethnicity and culture are calling Charlotte home, and our aim is to reflect this global connection locally, as well as internationally. That’s why the Charlotte International Cabinet will be highlighted as our 501c3 this year. Their mission is to promote Charlotte as an international
city and to serve as a resource to foster international relationships. The gala’s focus is on our Sister Cities. Did you know Charlotte has seven Sister Cities? Yes, the
Queen City has relationships with Peru, Russia, France, China, Germany, Poland and Africa. (FYI, I’m happy to report I’ve traveled to four of these fabulous countries!)
Anyway, we need you to nominate candidates for this year’s Pride Awards. We’re looking to honor three outstanding individuals from our community. See the Pride Awards nomination form on page 6 and take the time to recommend someone. We have a lot of unsung heroes in our community who need to be recognized. This is really what the Pride Awards is all about.
And, as usual, get your gowns and tuxedos ready. I want to see YOU at the Pride Awards!
This issue
The September issue is chock full of golden nuggets of information. We especially are excited about our new Education section, focusing on private and alternative school choices for our children. Also, be sure to read about Project L.I.F.T. and, in the same article, learn which public high school in Charlotte has one of the highest graduation rates, despite being predominantly African American.
A grammar tip
Speaking of education, will you allow me to offer a grammar tip of the month? Honestly, if I hear one more person (especially a college graduate) say, “I seen …” I may shave my head. Listen to me, please! Saying, “I seen this” or “I seen that” is beyond incorrect. It’s just WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! The past tense of “see” is “saw.” Repeat after me, “I saw … I saw … I saw.” Got it? Now, if you MUST use “seen,” it’s always paired with “have.” Like this, “I have seen this” or “I have seen that.” OK? Thanks.

by Dee Dixon

Ladies and gentlemen, Charlotte’s nonwhite population now exceeds 50 percent. Simply stated, minorities are now in the majority, for real. African-Americans now make up 35 percent of the Queen City. All total, 79,277 black residents moved to the city of Charlotte over the past decade. (Charlotte’s Latino population increased from 7.4 percent to 13 percent — 96,000, which exceeds the entire population of Concord!) This is extremely poignant news.

And so, the reverse migration phenomenon for African-Americans continues. Do you remember the “Great Migration?” That’s when millions of blacks throughout the South headed for cities up north such as New York, Philly and Chicago. I remember my mother telling me years ago (make that many years ago) some of our relatives from up north were surprised to find we had indoor bathrooms upon visiting us! It seems decades of living in the North had not erased that negative image of the South they took with them. Now though, it’s truly a new day! These folk now understand we have indoor plumbing here now and a whole lot more.

As the slogan goes, “Charlotte’s Got a Lot” and African-Americans are in full agreement. We’ve realized what we’ve been missing and we’re coming here to redefine ourselves, start businesses, buy that dream house, go back to school, provide a more wholesome life for our children, retire or just breathe. I call it the “Charlotte Renaissance.” What’s so exciting about this is that these folk are bringing a lot with them as well — a lot of talent, skills, knowledge and zest for living. All of this adds up to a city that is diverse, culturally rich and poised for absolute greatness.

Listen, I’ve just mentioned a teeny, tiny bit of the Census results in this column. There is so much more we need to glean and absorb from this data so as to gain political, social and economic savvy. We hope to bring you more tidbits in the future, so stay tuned.

Ten-year anniversary and strategy for success

Hey, I just remembered something while pondering this Business Issue. I personally have been an entrepreneur for 10 years!! Actually, it was 10 years this past January. That’s when I left The Charlotte Observer with Community Pride magazine in tow and started Pride Communications Inc. (Of course, Pride Magazine will celebrate a total of 20 years in 2013.) I remember this time in my life as being quite challenging. Actually, scary is a more precise way to put it. As many of you business owners know, stepping out as an entrepreneur is as grueling, day-to-day struggle with many ups and downs.

How have you made it thus far?” I’m often asked. My first response is always this, and I mean this truly: “God’s grace and mercy have brought me through.” Otherwise, I would not be in business today. My second answer is this: I work long and hard — period. My third answer is this: I’ve come across some good folk in this town who believe in Pride’s vision and mission. My final answer is this: I don’t know what else to do right now. When you’ve been appointed to do a particular thing, that’s what you do.

This is my strategy for success.

Now I know these are not the sophisticated answers many of you expected me to say about small business survival. You probably thought I’d say things like hiring good people, creating a strong brand or finding your marketing niche. These things are true, but you know me by now. I speak from the heart, first. So please understand when some of you would-be magazine owners call me for advice on how to start your magazine and I don’t respond. I honestly don’t know what to tell you. Sorry. Most of you are fantasizing. You don’t have a clue and most important, you don’t enough capital, really.

OK, so let me run. But first, thanks to our sponsors for Pride Public Relations’ Small Business Seminar on May 17: CATS, Wells Fargo, Supplier Diversity; Principal Financial and FDY. And, please put the 2011 Sunset Jazz Festival on your calendars for Sept. 16 and 17.

Bye!

by Dee Dixon

We love our shoes, ladies, yes? Whether super high or super low, we must have them. A lot of them. Dress shoes, workout shoes, sandals, work shoes, play shoes, boots, high heels, low heels, flats and even no heels. Pointed toes, round or square — you name it — we have to have them all and in many different colors. Why are we like this? What’s behind this shoe phenomenon? Here’s my theory. I believe what we have on are feet is an indication of how we feel. Shoes reflect our emotions, desires and aspirations in life.

Take me, for instance. One great aspiration of mine is for my feet not to hurt during the day! Another goal is to get to where I’m going without falling. Therefore, I try to select shoes that are close to the ground with sufficient support and enough toe room so as not to compromise my bunions. Are you with me? We’re all on different planes.

When I see the foot and shoe on the cover of this issue, I’m reminded of my younger days when pain was not an issue and style and beauty were at the forefront. (By the way, that foot belongs to one of our fabulous interns from Johnson C. Smith University, Jimmette Williams, who volunteered her precious time to help us with this photo shoot.) Thank goodness today, there’s something for everybody.

Thank you, Belk!

By now, I hope you have noticed we have a sponsor for our Women’s Issue this time: Belk. Belk has been around a long, long time. I can’t remember a time when we didn’t go to Belk to buy something. It has always been there in some form or fashion. So now, having the nation’s largest privately owned department store partner with Pride to send a message out to our community is absolutely thrilling. And don’t you just love Belk’s new logo? Plus, girl, let me tell you, they have more shoes than the law allows! Shoes for every woman, no matter what age or stage. And they are expanding their shoe game even more! I just want to thank Nicole Dean, chief diversity officer, for getting us connected, and Tim Belk for his vision, community involvement and leadership. This is a historic moment. Help me savor it. (Please read more on page 12.)

Did you know …

• Delta Airlines has a 30-year-old female pilot, the company’s first African-American civilian pilot.

• A Washington Heights woman was instrumental in launching a labyrinth at the McCrorey YMA.

• There’s a modern-day Harriet Tubman helping homeless women in Charlotte.

• The Charlotte Symphony has a 26 year-old, female, African-American cellist.

• A black woman started a coalition to open credit unions for churches nationwide.

• Two local African-American sisters have created a successful all-natural skin and hair care product line.

• One Charlotte realty expert (an African-American woman) appeared on HGTV’s “Bang for Your Buck.”

Since March is Women’s History Month, we are very excited about featuring some women who are absolutely extraordinary. After reading the “Did You Knows” above, I challenge you to find out who these incredible women are by reading through the pages of this issue of Pride. Then, please, please pass it to your daughters and friends. Your spirits will soar with pride and delight. Black women are on the move. Join me in saluting them.

by Dee Dixon

“Cultural fusion” is what took place on Jan. 15 at the Westin Charlotte. A spectacular celebration of diversity was held at the 18th annual Lowe’s Pride Awards. The high-energy event enlightened, entertained and educated approximately 700 guests about cultural diversity while recognizing the achievements of three outstanding leaders who have accomplished much to build social capital in our city.

Cidney Holliday, a senior at South Mecklenburg High School, received the Pride Youth Diversity Champion Award. Ranked in the top 10 percent of her class, she is the founder of a service organization designed to promote sisterhood and unity among girls of all ethnic backgrounds ( P.E.A.R.L.S.) and plays a strategic role in her school’s Hispanic Outreach and Gay/Straight Alliance clubs. Cidney received $15,000 in scholarship money.

Denise Howard, founder and co-chair of the Bloodless Medicine Committee at Carolinas Medical Center and the recipient of Pride’s Community Diversity Champion Award, was honored for her service to many diverse populations within our region.

Eric Watson of Food/Delhaize America received the Corporate Diversity Champion Award for his leadership and passion for diversity and inclusion within the corporation as well as throughout the community.

In addition to honoring the above, the Women’s Inter-cultural Exchange and the Mecklenburg County Bar/Foundation competed for a $10,000 donation from the Pride Awards and its sponsors. Each presented a two-minute video and performed live for the audience. The result? Both of these outstanding organizations received $10,000 each!

Some very interesting “Did You Knows?” about Charlotte were shown to the audience during a scrumptious meal. Let me share a few with you now. (Visit www.charlotteresourceguide.com for more stats.)

• Deepening Charlotte’s diversity, the 2000 Census lists 10,718 residents who report being of two or more races. Source: Census Bureau

• Ninety-two thousand Charlotteans speak a language other than English in their home.Source: Census Bureau

• North Carolina has seen the most significant growth in its Asian population, growing more than 30 percent over five years.Source: Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce

• Over a third of Charlotte’s population is African-American. Source: Census Bureau

• Eleven percent of Charlotte is Hispanic or Latino. Source: Census Bureau

• In only five years, 26,500 new residents moved to Charlotte from foreign countries.Source: Census Bureau

• There are 52,000 Asian-Americans in the Charlotte area. Source: Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce

It was a night of diversity Charlotte will long remember. If you didn’t attend, you missed a great evening.

Right now, join me in thanking AT&T for sponsoring this special edition of the Charlotte Multicultural Resource Guide. Cynthia Marshall, Venessa Harrison, Todd Lanham and their entire team made an informative and educational magazine come to fruition. Their belief in making diversity a way of life is evident as they continue to connect people of all walks of life to our changing world.

Please read and enjoy (Here are some more “Did you Knows”)

To view other articles from 2011  CMRG (Charlotte Multi Cultral Resource Guide) click” here“

by Dee Dixon

Let’s talk about demographics and dollars

Happy New Year and best wishes to you all. Many thanks to all of our advertisers, sponsors and loyal friends. 2010 was a bit challenging on a lot of fronts. We made it because of you.

Are you planning to attend the Pride Awards? I sure hope to see you there. We chose to focus this year’s gala on multicultural diversity because of the changing demographics in our nation, state and city. As the population in Charlotte continues to diversify, Pride wants to help our community see clearly and understand these changing markets and the value they bring to the table. That’s why we began publishing the Charlotte Multicultural Resource Guide, which is the catalyst for this year’s awards. (www.charlotteresourceguide.com) Like the Resource Guide, the Pride Awards this year will bring corporations, small businesses and the community together to celebrate leadership and collaboration with regard to diversity.

Beyond the Pride Awards, though, we (at Pride) are compelled to continue to alert advertisers, marketers, corporations and professionals to the changing trends affecting their workforce, products and services. Understanding the nuances and preferences of these emerging new customers is crucial. There’s a lot of talk going on in Charlotte these days about creating a climate that helps small businesses succeed. In reality though, we’re falling short. Lack of knowledge is one culprit.

Mull over these quick facts about the African-American market, if you will: (Source: Selig Center Multicultural Economy Report, 2007)

• From 1990 to 2012, the African-American/black population is projected to grow by 35.3 percent compared to a 26.6 percent increase in the total U.S. population.
• The purchasing power of the African-American sector is projected to break $1 trillion by 2012.

See what I mean? The fact that African-Americans are growing in numbers and have significant spending power should be a wake-up call. How do we get the powers that be to pay attention to this growing reality sooner rather than later?

This is a question we ask ourselves daily as we attempt to get potential advertisers to understand the value of sending a direct message to one of the most important markets in our city – African-Americans. It is a daunting task, to say the least. Yes, you do find quite a few advertisers in Pride – large and small. But it’s the ones you don’t see that make my temperature rise, like home security and heating and plumbing entities, car dealers, and appliance and electronics stores. I could go on. Too many retailers and other companies refuse to see the light, so here’s what I want to say to them in 2011:

• African-Americans are voracious magazine readers. More than eight out of 10 African-American/black adults (85 percent) read magazines. (Source: Mediamark Research & Intelligence, Fall 2007)
• African-Americans/blacks have higher action-taking scores compared to all readers of magazines as well as higher recall scores (Source: Affinity’s Vista Print Effectiveness Rating Service, 2007.). This means we recall what we read in magazines and take action, i.e., we spend our money.

Let me drive the nail in. For companies like CPI Home Security, Brothers Heating and Plumbing, Infiniti of Charlotte, Harris Teeter and countless others where I and many other African-Americans in this town spend money, I say, “READ THE ABOVE AND TAKE NOTE.” Demographics and dollars are changing in this town. It’s time to start making investments in communities and small businesses of color. At a minimum, treat me with respect by listening when I “come a calling” about advertising or sponsorships. After all, our hard-earned dollars help your business succeed, so don’t give me the “nice” brush-off. I personally spend or have spent a ton of money with you. Why not reciprocate? And while you’re at it pick up a Pride magazine and read it. You might learn something valuable.

Alrighty, then. Please enjoy your Food Lion CIAA calendar and features on Presbyterian’s Chaplain Harry Burns, North Carolina Dance Theater’s Dwight Rhoden and 10 outstanding black men on the move. Note also the columns on black men and suicide by Nyaka NiiLampti and “Faking Financial Prosperity” by Lynda Harris – they are really, really good!

Take care,

Dee

by Dee Dixon

Hi there. We are pleased to welcome you to the second annual Charlotte Multicultural Resource Guide. I must tell you in advance, this issue truly rocks! So join me in thanking Sonya Dukes, director and senior vice president of supplier diversity, Casondra Devine, senior vice president of supplier diversity, and the entire Wells Fargo team for sponsoring this venture once again. I am in awe of them and their company’s commitment to doing business with diverse minority vendors as well as their commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Wells Fargo continues to make a huge difference in Charlotte’s multicultural arena and this magazine is just one powerful example of that. (You’ll find other extraordinary examples as you read their articlein this issue.)

Our vision prevails
In case you’re experiencing CMRG for the first time, our vision is for it to be a vehicle for supporting diversity and inclusion through communication and connection — bringing
organizations and people together in a way that is useful. With race and building social capital as key operatives, it is designed as a hybrid that provides corporations, small
businesses/vendors and the community at large with features of cultural interest along with valuable vendor and organizational listings. (By the way, the first CMRG won a MarCom Gold Award in 2009 for its creative design and content! And the publication was/is so popular, we are going to publish awinter edition. Watch for it in February 2011.)

A reflection of cultural diversity

There’s a lot of cultural diversity in the Queen City and this edition of CMRG reflects the changing demographics in business and beyond. Remember the old CrossRoads Mall off I-77 at Exit 90? It is now Plaza Fiesta, a 200-store retail space catering to a multicultural clientele. Read about it on page 38. Then, there’s the Diversity Den Café in Concord. Where else can you order
an Oreo Diverse Latte? Or do you need some genuine Kuba raffia cloth from the Congo? No worries. African Clothing Liberty Services and Fabrics is your exclusive supplier. We just have a
great mix of stories this time around and we think you’ll find them quite compelling: from Native American powwows and afros to how minority certifications can boost your bottom line.
Mark your calendars
The 19th Annual Pride Sunset Jazz Festival is set to embrace all cultures with top-notch music, so plan to bring the family and enjoy. The two-day affair is planned for Sept. 24 (indoor
concert) and Sept. 25. Also, you can travel with Pride to Egypt on Sept. 14, 2010. Log on to www.pridemagazine.net for details on both or call (704) 375-9553.
CMRG board being formed
Be sure to read the full version of the articles by visiting the CMRG Web site at www.charlotteresourceguide.com. While you are there, please post your comments and story ideas. We’d love to hear from you. In addition, we are in the process of forming our CMRG advisory board. If you’d like to be considered, let us know who you are, why you want to be involved and what you can bring to the table. In addition to Wells Fargo, many others helped make the July 2010 edition of CMRG possible, including writers, editors, creative designers, advertisers and translators. It takes a team of diverse individuals to create a product of such diverse intensity. Because of you, we hit the bull’s eye. Thank you.
Best regards, Dee Dixon