Southside Homes: A Catalyst of Hope

Southside Homes: A Catalyst of Hope

“You all really did a great job with the film. It brought me back to my childhood.”  A former Southside Homes resident expressed this after the screening of the documentary, Southside Homes: A Catalyst of Hope. Additional Southside Homes residents shared similar...
Inside Out: The Case for Community Voice

Inside Out: The Case for Community Voice

Trust in US systems is at an all-time low.  We know the needs of our communities are greater than ever before, but faith in institutions such as government, nonprofits, the education and justice systems and media are lower than ever before. Many of us are feeling the...
UrbanPromise Charlotte Deepens Impact

UrbanPromise Charlotte Deepens Impact

UrbanPromise Charlotte (UP) is a nonprofit that provides youth and students the spiritual, academic and social development necessary to help them become strong leaders and invest back into their communities. Nearing their 10th anniversary, UP has experienced rapid...
Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Embrace Empathy

Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Embrace Empathy

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” – Harper Lee “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” is a timeless expression that carries a strong sentiment – don’t judge me – you...
Backstage with Next Stage: Unpacking Benefits Cliffs

Backstage with Next Stage: Unpacking Benefits Cliffs

When the Next Stage team hosted Justin Taylor from Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont a few weeks ago, we were shocked to learn more about the ‘benefits cliff’ in North Carolina and other states. The term refers to the sudden loss of benefits...
Eastland Replanned: Community Voice is Vital

Eastland Replanned: Community Voice is Vital

Written by: Brooke Lackey In my first week as Next Stage’s Community Voice Fellow, I was given my main task of the summer: to explore the Albemarle corridor, one of six Corridors of Opportunity in Charlotte. I was to get knee-deep in the demographics, history and...