QCity Metro Charlotte

Christopher Moxley, a Charlotte entrepreneur, has been appointed as a director of development at UNC Charlotte’s Office of Advancement, focusing on corporate partnerships and donor cultivation. He previously co-founded 704 Shop and served on the UNC Charlotte Foundation board, and has established an endowed scholarship for students from public housing or InLivian communities.

Emmanuel Omari, a Queens University of Charlotte graduate, has been elected as a youth trustee for Elon University, a role involving three-year leadership on the university’s governing body. He previously held multiple leadership positions at Queens University and will work at Ernst & Young in New York City in September.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and Charlotte Center City Partners are hosting a free National Night Out event at Victoria Yards on August 4, featuring food, music, games, and opportunities to meet local officers. The event, part of an annual nationwide initiative to strengthen community-police relations, includes resource booths from law enforcement agencies and vendors like the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office and Capital One.

The University City Foundation has added Bryan Holladay, Ryan Marshall, and Ulunda Baker to its board to enhance economic development initiatives. The foundation, aligned with University City Partners, focuses on directing donations and investments to support growth and quality of life in the University City area.

James Smith, a former executive in banking and finance, founded ProTime Handyman, a repair and maintenance company targeting retirees in the Charlotte metro area. He transitioned from a corporate career to entrepreneurship after building home repair skills through real estate investments. The repair industry is valued at $650 billion annually.

Robbie McNair-Guzman is crowdfunding $300,000 for Babe Cave, a women-centric cocktail bar in South End, to address a funding gap despite the business's solid sales. The campaign aims to expand services and highlight systemic challenges faced by Black women-led businesses.

North Carolina clergy oppose House Bill 437, which bans unauthorized camping on public property and creates new drug-related felonies near shelters, arguing it criminalizes homelessness without addressing its root causes. Governor Josh Stein vetoed the bill, but House Republicans plan to override the veto, despite concerns about funding and potential litigation against local governments.

Two 16-year-olds, Kha-Zai McIllwain and Devonterival Miller, were arrested and charged with murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon in connection with a fatal April 2026 shooting in University City. The victim, 38-year-old Virgil Leroy Hardeman Jr., died from gunshot wounds sustained during the incident.

M&F Bank and Optus Bank, two major Black-owned banks, plan to merge in the Carolinas, creating a $1.27 billion asset institution with 10 locations. The merger, approved by both companies' directors, will retain MDI and CDFI designations to focus on community development and economic mobility.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education expects to complete its independent review of Superintendent Crystal Hill before students return to school on Aug. 25. Hill was placed on temporary leave in June as part of an investigation into her administrative and operational oversight, which includes scrutiny of over $1.7 million in CMS contracts awarded to some of her former colleagues.

The Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office secured 75 murder convictions in the first six months of 2026, with 69 guilty pleas and six trials. The office credited a 2025 restructuring and hiring under North Carolina House Bill 307 (Iryna's Law) for the success, which honors a 2025 murder victim. Five trial convictions included life sentences, and two officer-involved shootings were investigated.

Three brothers who owned Surefire Market in Camp North End were charged with arson after a fire destroyed their Rock Hill location in July 2024. They surrendered on July 20 following warrants, with evidence including a melted trash can and surveillance footage linking them to the fire's origin. The brothers later operated a food truck and opened a new store in 2025.

Black-owned EVO Kitchen & Co. is set to open in Charlotte's Steele Creek corridor on August 1, offering elevated Southern comfort food with global influences. Co-founded by McMiller and Myra Wilson, the restaurant features Chef Kendrick Hollis's herb-forward, wellness-conscious menu, including dishes like Bayou Braised Oxtail Pasta and Peach Bourbon Glazed Wings, alongside a craft cocktail program and live music events.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported a 16% decline in overall crime for the first half of 2026 compared to 2025, with violent crime down 8% and property crimes down 17%. Homicides increased by 3%, but other violent crimes like aggravated assaults, rapes, and robberies saw reductions. Police Chief Estella D. Patterson attributed the decline to proactive policing and community collaboration.

The Uptown Farmers Market celebrates its seventh anniversary on July 18 with a 'Our Community Table' event featuring food giveaways, nutrition workshops, and expanded financial matches for food assistance programs. The nonprofit market, located at 300 S. Davidson St., aims to support local growers, provide health education, and combat food insecurity in Charlotte through initiatives like Senior Nutrition Vouchers, SNAP matching, and WIC program participation.

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is seeking community input on a planned 91-acre development called 'Friendship Village' in West Charlotte. The initiative includes potential uses like housing, healthcare, education, and recreation, with a goal of starting construction as early as 2027 or 2028. The church emphasizes that plans remain flexible and invites residents to participate in shaping the project.

Jane Manfredi, owner of Camp North End stationery store Good Postage, is opening Good Game, a new 818-square-foot tabletop gaming and analog hobbies shop in the Keswick District by summer's end. The shop will sell board games, card games, and accessories while hosting community events like game nights and tournaments.

A century-old Baptist church in Concord's historic Logan community is being repurposed into 13 attainable housing units by nonprofit WeBuild Concord, positioned near an emerging arts district. The project, The Sanctuary Apartments, offers studio to three-bedroom units for local workers and families, emphasizing mixed-income affordability and adaptive reuse of historic buildings.

Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region appointed Bryant Owens as its new CEO, succeeding Laura Belcher after her 12-year tenure. Owens, a former banker with over 30 years in financial services, was selected following a national search. The transition aims to address growing affordable housing needs in the region.

Charlotte's new mayor, Robert Harrington, states the city must comply with state laws limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies while continuing to prioritize opportunities for citizens and small businesses. State Republicans are overriding vetoes on bills that prohibit DEI in public education and state/local governments, potentially impacting Charlotte's Business INClusion (CBI) Program.