In 2023, The Charlotte Observer was mobile: How we engaged with the community this year

Lisa Vernon Sparks
·2 min read
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From mobile newsrooms to classrooms to journalism workshops, The Charlotte Observer presented or participated in an eclectic suite of community engagement events in 2023.

For starters, we partnered with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library to host a mobile newsroom at branches in two historically Black communities, Hidden Valley and along the Beatties Ford Road corridor.

Mobile newsroom events

▪ Two open house gatherings at the Sugar Creek and Allegra Westbrooks library branches to meet the Charlotte Observer staff.

▪ In February and March, staff visited Hidden Valley Elementary School students and read to children in Pre-K through 3rd grade.

▪ Growth vs. Gentrification: Do we stop or embrace? We moderated a panel of six experts in affordable housing, real estate, community relationships and urban planning to tackle how gentrification trends have affected Black neighborhoods. Watch the full event here or a TikTok short.

Other events

▪ When birth brings death: A community conversation. We partnered with sister publication The News & Observer to present this virtual panel focused on solutions to improve after birth outcomes, particular with Black women. Watch here.

▪ South Charlotte school redistricting: Our education reporter interviewed on Facebook Live two Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board members to discuss why they voted they way they did on the controversial plan.

High school journalism symposium at Queens University. The program sponsored by the Solutions Journalism Network, drew some 60 Mecklenburg County high school students for workshops with Observer staff from opinion, features, sports and photography.

▪ Voter engagement panel: We invited experts from Democracy NC and Common Cause to break down why it’s important to participate in every election and how that affects your community when you don’t.

▪ Huntersville and Mooresville mayoral debates: We tag-teamed with news partners WSOC-TV and Neighborhood TV to present candidates’ forums at local establishments in those towns. Recaps for Huntersville and Mooresville forums are at these links.