There is a slow moving but ever-present trend sweeping across United States. Numerous communities are currently falling victim to something called gentrification. Gentrification can be summed up as the repairing and rebuilding of homes or business in a deteriorating area by more affluent people. Of course, that comes with a cost; the displacement of the community’s prior residents. This can come in different forms, and its causes aren’t always malicious. But it can still have an effect that change a community for generations and the disappearance of a community’s story.
Named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg, the city of now 860,000 was founded in 1768; 5 years after Mecklenburg county. Soon after, the residents of the area played a pivotal role during the American War of Independence declaring the county apart from the British crown years before America itself did. This rebellious streak played a role in giving Charlotte one of its two nicknames; the hornets nest.
I am very excited to get to explore Charlotte, North Carolina and tell the world the stories that may or may not have been forgotten.
In this series I will tell you the stories behind neighborhoods such as, Cherry, Biddleville, Brooklyn, and Belmont.
Meet the past, and current residents of the communities and explore hidden corners that not many people know today.
Over the next few months, I will bring the stories back from the rubble for the next generation.