People of Charlotte

People of Charlotte, get to know Carry 117! This incredible nonprofit organization is transforming the lives of at-risk women in Korah, Ethiopia. By training...

Licensed Optician Tom Renfrow started working at SouthPark Optical Center—located in SouthPark Mall—in 1979 and became the owner in 1994. As an owner/operato...

Meet Jennifer Purrazzella, the owner/operator of Sardis Marketplace, which has been voted Matthews/Mint Hill Weekly’s “Best Consignment Store” for three cons...

People of Charlotte, please meet Courtney McLellan, a woman who only sees obstacles as challenges to overcome. When I first met Courtney, she was an accompli...

People of Charlotte, please meet Dr. Sharon Jones, a Charlottean on a mission to educate and empower girls in the technology field. She wants to encourage cr...

Fashion & Compassion is a nonprofit that connects mindful consumers here to at-risk artisans from around the world. When you purchase a beautiful, handcrafte...

Diamonds Direct has been a part of the Charlotte community for 23 years. They are best known for having a vast array of beautiful jewelry, exceptional custom...

I found 11:11 Collection at a SweatNet event for the Summer Solstice. At the event, we put a raffle ticket in one bag for a prize. 11 is my lucky number so O...

Kenna Ehman is one of the owners of Kenna Kunijo, a high-end salon with a everyone’s welcome vibe located on Camden Street in SouthEnd. She’s a premier styli...

How many times have you gone into the fitting room with three sizes of the same pair of pants only to find none of them fit? Do you have shirts that you love...

Lauren Clark is a licensed esthetician who has been helping Charlotteans improve their skin since 2011. She’s a 7th generation native Charlottean, who was bo...

Favorite daytime hangout spot? Outlaw Hair Co. This place is truly my second home. Jess and I spent a lot of time planning out every detail of the studio and...

When you sit down with Sonya Barnes, you discover a woman who embraces the word unstoppable. Born in Landstuhl, Germany, Sonya came into the world as the old...

How did your parents encourage the artist in you? My parents always encouraged me to do what I love - I love anything that gives me the opportunity to create...

Are you a unicorn? I'm actually a native of Charlotte, NC. Yes, we do exist! We moved here from Durham when I was two. How did your childhood shape who you a...

How did creativity/design show up in your childhood? Growing up, I was always drawn to creative projects. Some more successful, like when I hand-decorated al...

CEO & Founder, Jennifer C. Cook of Fashion the Mind, Fashion the Figure. What life events inspired you to lift others? It is through my various experiences i...

Where are you from? Nampa, Idaho by way of Scottsdale, Arizona. How long have you been in the Carolinas? Almost 15 years. How did you find yourself behind th...

Hometown? Winston-Salem, NC. I now reside in Charlotte, NC. I have been in the Carolinas all of my life and even attended college at UNC Charlotte, where I r...

Where are you from? Loxahatchee, Florida :) What brought you to the Carolinas? I moved here after 32 years in Los Angeles, CA, and after having a successful ...