Mobile
Page 3 of 3
Dianne English, executive director of the Community Building Initiative, noticed that when the new Bank of America chief announced his leadership team, there were several women but not much ethnic diversity. While there's been racial progress in the governmental and nonprofit sectors, English said, "I don't know [that] we have it in our business sector."
"It's comforting to think we're capable of electing black leaders," she said. "I don't dismiss that as a small thing." But the challenge is making that connection "to shared concern and commitment."
"We're a diverse city," she said. "Are we going to be a diverse community? Those things are different." That's the hard work of CBI, whose vision is to achieve inclusion and equity. Other groups -- including Mecklenburg Ministries, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations Committee, the Women's Inter-Cultural Exchange and many like it -- share similar visions, and that gives English hope. But the critical mass of diverse leadership is important, she said. "If you're out there by yourself it's a hard road."
Some might say that race shouldn't even be part of the conversation, though few are promoting the post-racial line these days. But the Charlotte region -- high on levels of volunteering and contributing to charity -- still scores low on social and interracial trust.
"As neighborhoods have become more diverse," said Michael, "people can look and say 'I have friends who are different than me.' But that hasn't translated into changes of opinion about race and races as a whole."
Mayor Foxx thinks the people of Charlotte "don't care what color your skin is if you can get done what you need to get done."
"I feel strongly that we were able to build a strong coalition, across racial and economic lines, of people who want Charlotte to be its best."
The substance of Anthony Foxx's style? "A mayor can paint a very clear word picture for the community that is galvanizing and gets people to see where we can go together."
Mary C. Curtis, a Charlotte-based writer, editor and multimedia journalist, is a contributor to PoliticsDaily.com, NPR and TheRoot.com. Her "Keeping It Positive" commentary airs every Wednesday at 7:10 a.m. on Fox News Rising Charlotte.
Latest in Cover
More by Mary C. Curtis
-
Charlotte Squawks really does meet SNL - just look at the cast
Jun 19, 2014 -
Madam C.J. Walker: She had a dream
Jan 29, 2014 -
Broadway comes to Charlotte, courtesy of an almost native son
Nov 11, 2013 - More »
Calendar
-
Fred Armisen: Comedy For Musicians But Everyone Is Welcome @ N.C. Music Factory -
Coach Conroy's All Sports Camp @ Chestnut Square Park
- Thu., June 19, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Mon., July 7, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Tue., July 8, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Wed., July 9, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Thu., July 10, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Mon., July 21, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Tue., July 22, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Wed., July 23, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and Thu., July 24, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
-
-
Queen Charlotte Fair @ Route 29 Pavilion
- Mondays-Sundays. Continues through July 5
-
-
Coveted Luxury Watches
- Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Continues through Dec. 30
-
-
AllMachines
- Through Dec. 30, 12-9 p.m.
-
-
The Listings 1
Novello evenings, Nutcracker, The Eyes of God
-
There´s A TV In My Dvd Player!
CL's picks of the best television on DVD
-
How's business? 3
Fifty local business owners tell how they're really doing in these tough economic times
