QCity Metro Charlotte

Johnson C. Smith University will receive over $1 million in federal funding to bolster its STEM education and undergraduate research initiatives. The funds will be used for purchasing advanced equipment across multiple fields, including environmental chemistry, biology, and agriculture. U.S. Rep. Alma Adams noted that the grant aims to prepare students for high-demand careers while strengthening economic mobility in Charlotte and North Carolina.

Touché Restaurant & Lounge, a new Black-owned establishment, opened in Plaza Midwood on Central Avenue with an elevated fusion menu blending Southern, Creole, Caribbean, and Asian flavors. The venue offers a combination of dining, bar services, and a patio hookah lounge, designed to transition seamlessly from early dinner service into a night out. It is backed by team members associated with several established Charlotte hospitality concepts.

Charlotte launched its first digital touchscreen kiosk in the Historic West End, marking a series of installations across various locations like SouthEnd and University City. These kiosks will offer free navigation assistance, public information, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The city council approved a 10-year contract with IKE Smart City for up to 30 units, aiming to improve digital connectivity.

Superintendent Crystal Hill announced that Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is ready for the Aug. 25 opening, expecting more than 139,000 students and 18,000 employees. She reported an 18% reduction in criminal acts on campus between the 2021/2022 and 2024/2025 school years. The district also informed families about required apps like Infinite Campus, ParentSquare, and AlphaPortal.

Livingstone College welcomed a record class of about 575 first-year students, marking a 70% increase over the past four years. This incoming class boasts an average GPA of 3.35, which is noted as the highest in the school’s 147-year history.

After a two-month review of her leadership, Crystal Hill is set to return as superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools following an announcement by CMS Board Chair Stephanie Sneed. The reinstatement occurred after the board reviewed concerns involving district operations and oversight, noting that identified issues will require ongoing attention. Sneed stated the decision was made because returning Hill provides the best pathway for maintaining continuity and stability for the school system.

The C.W. Williams Community Health Center in Charlotte will host its 12th Annual Back to School Community Health Fair on August 8, offering free school supplies, health screenings, and low-cost medical and dental services. The event includes free bookbags, food, music, games, and vendor booths, with free health screenings for glucose, blood pressure, and HIV. Uninsured individuals can access discounted physicals, dental cleanings, and free immunizations for children under 18.

Charlotte has eliminated race- and gender-based contracting goals under a new state law, replacing them with a race- and gender-neutral framework. The law, passed by North Carolina Republicans over a Democratic governor's veto, also dissolved the state’s HUB certification program and impacts major projects like stadium renovations and infrastructure expansions.

A 59-year-old man, Todd Williams, died after being found unresponsive at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. Emergency responders and medical teams attempted to save him before he was pronounced dead at Atrium Main. The sheriff's office stated his death is under investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation and the medical examiner.

Angie Myers has been appointed as the new CEO of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library following a nationwide search. She previously served as interim CEO since May 2025 and held the role of chief finance and administration officer. Myers has a background in corporate finance and will oversee 21 library locations, nearly 500 employees, and a collection of over 800,000 items.

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.