NC Artists, Faith Leaders Unveil Plans For a Series of Arts and Advocacy Events Highlighting Charlotte’s Housing Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 21, 2018

MEDIA CONTACT

Michelle Nealy, mnealy@faithinpubliclife.org, (202) 735-7123

Melissa McDaniel, melissamcdaniel360@gmail.com, 704-363-3087

Mackenzie Harris, mharris@faithinpubliclife.org, (610) 283-8879

NC Artists, Faith Leaders Unveil Plans For a Series of Arts and Advocacy Events Highlighting Charlotte’s Housing Crisis

Charlotte, N.C. — On Friday, February 22nd at 11 a.m., a team of artists, clergy and Charlotte residents will unveil plans for a yearlong series of arts and advocacy events that will highlight the housing challenges in Hidden Valley, Cherry, Grier Heights and Biddleville, four Charlotte communities that have been negatively impacted by past urban renewal and gentrification. This initiative will underscore how “urban renewal” often operates as a tool of systemic racism.

Charlotte is facing a housing shortage of nearly 34,000 units. The residents of Biddeville and other surrounding neighborhoods have experienced an estimated 44 percent rise in their property values since 2011. Throughout the year, the Truth Justice and Reconciliation: Arts and Advocacy Project will continue to address the loss of home ownership, business ownership and community connection in African American communities.

What: Press conference to announce community programming that addresses Charlotte’s Housing Crisis and its disproportionate impact on African Americans

When: Friday, February 22 at 11 a.m.

Where: Ben Salem Presbyterian Church, 6801 Monroe Rd. Charlotte, NC 28212

Speakers: Rep. Kelly Alexander;  Organizers: Rotrina Campbell, Aisha Dew, Monica Ife’ Pettiford, Dr. Cindy J. Kistenberg, Melissa McDaniel, Jermaine Nakia Lee, Rabbi Judy Schindler

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Faith in Public Life is a national network of nearly 50,000 clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice and the common good.