General News

Mary Newsom, associate director for urban and regional affairs at the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, will moderate “People, Places and Pride: Charlotte’s Historic Black Neighborhoods” at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 28, at the Levine Museum of the New South.

Mattie Marshall, president of the Historic Washington Heights Community Association; Second Ward/Brooklyn documentary filmmaker Kathryn Frye; and John Howard from the Charlotte Historic District Commission will discuss the rich history and uncertain future of black neighborhoods in the Queen City.

C. Philip Byers, member of the UNC Board of Governors, talks about the broad impact of the $2 billion Connect NC bond proposal that is on the March 15 ballot.

Greg Weeks, chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, will discuss Cuba and the United States for the final presentation in the UNC Charlotte Great Decisions Lecture Series. This talk is set for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24, at UNC Charlotte Center City.

As a researcher, Weeks focuses on Latin American politics, U.S.-Latin American relations and Latino immigration. He has authored a number of works, including “U.S. and Latin American Relations” and “Understanding Latin American Politics.”

Kelly Northey from enrollment management and Stephanie Stewart with the English Language Training Institute recently received prizes for their participation in the Wellness Points program sponsored by the Advisory Committee to the Chancellor for Employee Health and Wellness (ACCEHW).

Northey won a UNC Charlotte hooded sweatshirt, and Stewart earned a UNC Charlotte T-shirt. They also received Smoothie King coupons and gift cards.

The second of three Belk Plaza forums is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 22, in the Cone University Center, Lucas Room. Attendees, comprised of the campus community, alumni and others, can participate in this event that will, in part, influence the conceptual plans for the transformation of Belk Plaza.

The Department of Music Faculty and Friends Concert Series will present a jazz performance at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 23, in Rowe Recital Hall. 

Four UNC Charlotte jazz faculty – Will Campbell (saxophone), Michael Hackett (trumpet), Noel Freidline (piano) and Ron Brendle (bass) – will be joined by guests Ocie Davis (drums) and Troy Conn (guitar).

Of a recent album featuring Campbell, “All About Jazz” critic Mark Sullivan wrote, “smoking hot … a first-class collection of modern jazz, with strong playing and exciting, varied original compositions.”

The UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture and Urban Institute will launch the third year of the KEEPING WATCH initiative with a focus on air quality and the city’s tree canopy. Events will begin in early March and continue through the end of May.

Arthur Jackson, vice chancellor of student affairs, was “Leader of the Day” Feb. 16 for the YBM Leadership Alliance. He was featured on the organization’s website.

YBM Leadership Alliance is a nonprofit organization focused on leadership development for young black men.

“Nature or nurture” has been a question of interest for developmental researchers, but a recent UNC Charlotte workshop is showing that the inquiry is more complicated. In fact, the way infants are nurtured can affect the physical nature of their brain for the rest of their lives.

Jeffrey Kripal, the J. Newton Rayzor Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University, will deliver the 32nd annual Loy Witherspoon Lecture at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 29, in Cone University Center, McKnight Hall. His talk will address “Biological Gods: Science (Fiction) and Some Emergent Mythologies.”