On June 30, 2020, WLI hosted a Zoom conference as an open conversation to discuss segregation in Charlotte and the role government has played in the past as well as what we can do moving forward. Thank you to our moderators: Alyson Craig, Deputy Planning Director for the City of Charlotte, and Lilias Folkes John, Public Private Partnerships Program Manager for the City of Charlotte for leading the discussion. Prior to the meeting, participants listened to the podcast “The Color of Law” with Richard Rothstein based on his book by the same name.

Here are some takeaways from the conversation:

• Areas of Charlotte affected by redlining in the early 20^th century are still impacted today and remain segregated. View the redline map here.
• Policies created segregation in Charlotte and policies will be required to undo it, such as mixed-income housing.
• Deed restrictions still exist – they’re just not enforced – and they continue to perpetuate the segregation that they were set up for decades ago.
• Charlotte once was a model of busing to integrate public schools, but that system was dismantled due to a 1999 court ruling.
• Magnet schools in Charlotte have become much more integrated, bringing together kids from different walks of life for high-quality education.
• Unlike many cities that require affordable housing, Charlotte cannot require it due to state law. It can only provide incentives, which are also limited.
• Diversity of housing types (townhomes, multifamily, single family, accessory dwelling) will allow people to move into areas they may previously been priced out of.
• A built environment helps physically put people together but there should also be other reasons for people to socially integrate.
• Unifying factors that can bring people together include parks, greenways and anything that’s accessible, free and outdoors.
• The 2040 Comprehensive Plan is looking at other cities, pulling bits and pieces from different communities but also looking at what makes Charlotte great and how to build on that.

This conversation was just a starting point in an ongoing conversation that participants will continue to have in their own businesses and organizations in order to effect change in Charlotte.

To dive deeper into the issue of redlining in Charlotte as well as school integration and re-segregation, check out the recent episode of Vice TV, Black South Rising, in which Council Member Braxton Winston and ACM/Planning Director Taiwo Jaiyeoba participated.

Notes provided by Angela Vogel Daley, Director of Strategy for Yellow Duck Marketing.

ADD ONS:

ULI San Francisco: The Color of Law – In Conversation with Richard Rothstein – Tuesday, July 14th
Join ULI San Francisco on July 14th at 11:00am for an in depth discussion with New York Times Bestselling author, Richard Rothstein, about his book The Color of Law,which exposes the powerful and disturbing history of how American governments deliberately imposed racial segregation on cities nationwide and promoted discriminatory patterns that continue to this day.

ULI Louisiana/ULI Triangle: Book Club – The Color of Law Series – July 14th, August 11 and  September 15
Join ULI Triangle & ULI Louisiana for The Color of Law Book Club starting on Tuesday, July 14th. This 3 part book club will unpack The Color of Law through expert facilitators and dialogue. This event is free and open to both ULI members and non members.