Andy Smith talks to the new Editor of Charlotte magazine, Kristen Wile.&nbsp; Remember to get in on the discussion by tweeting @Charlottemag and using the hashtag #discussclt.

Kristen Wile - Episode 26

As Charlotte continues to grow and develop, the city’s creative class has struggled to find its place among the towering bank buildings and fresh new condos. Art spaces like galleries, music venues, and artist studios often take a backseat to mammoth residential, office and retail developments. There’s no lack of talent and creativity in Charlotte, however. The question them becomes, how does the city elevate its creative community to the same levels as the cities we aspire to be like? To help discuss this, we talked to David Butler, Charlotte native and multi-discipline artist, who is heavily involved with many of the area’s artists and creators. In this episode of the #DiscussCLT podcast, we talk about how Charlotte can better embrace its creative community. We talk about what factors are in play and how artists can gain credibility in a city framed around the fiscally conservative mentality of the banking sector. Finally, we discuss Dave’s favorite projects and artists in Charlotte. RSVP for the next live #DiscussCLT event Thursday, October 19 at Lenny Boy Brewing Company on South Tryon Street. The topic is Navigating Nonprofits, and a moderated panel will discuss how local nonprofits can best work together and avoid competition for donor money and volunteer hours. The event is free but you must RSVP at discussclt.com. Get in on the discussion by tweeting us @Charlottemag and using the hashtag #DiscussCLT. Welcome to the #DiscussCLT podcast. The #DiscussCLT podcast is powered by OrthoCarolina.

David Butler - Episode 27

Ahead of our next live #discussCLT event: Navigating Nonprofits, Thursday, October 19 at Lenny Boy Brewing, we wanted to take a look at one nonprofit that's just getting started in Charlotte. &nbsp;So here’s a question: What happens when you have a minister named Canaan Grier,&nbsp;and a rapper/producer named Yung Citizen,&nbsp;and they join forces to help guide West Charlotte High School football players into manhood? This is Ready Citizens, a nonprofit that started just this year. In this episode of the #DiscussCLT podcast, we’ll talk to the pair about how this works—and the future they’re trying to build in Charlotte’s West Side. RSVP for the next live #DiscussCLT event Thursday, October 19 at Lenny Boy Brewing Company on South Tryon Street. The topic is Navigating Nonprofits, and a moderated panel will discuss how local nonprofits can best work together and avoid competition for donor money and volunteer hours. The event is free but you must RSVP at discussclt.com. Get in on the discussion by tweeting us @Charlottemag and using the hashtag #DiscussCLT. Welcome to the #DiscussCLT podcast, a production of Charlotte magazine. The #DiscussCLT podcast is powered by OrthoCarolina.

Ready Citizens - Episode 28

In November of 2016, Share Charlotte’s Giving Tuesday campaign raised almost eight million dollars for local non-profits, which was the most out of any of the 94 campaigns in the US. That must mean that Charlotte’s non-profit scene is one of the strongest in the country, right? Well… maybe. Despite that eye-popping, or perhaps in this case, ear-popping number, many questions still surround non-profits in the Queen City. Are there too many non-profits in the city, leading to inefficiencies in achieving their goals? Do the national non-profits command a disproportionate amount of donations and volunteer hours? How do NPOs battle their desired realities versus the public’s perception? And how does the public decide who to give their dollars to? These are just a few of the topics discussed during the latest live #DiscussCLT event held Thursday, October 19 at Lenny Boy Brewing Company. A panel moderated by Charlotte magazine senior editor Adam Rhew dug deep into a variety of issues, as well as answered questions from the audience. The panel included Kelly Brooks, Founder and Executive Director of Share Charlotte; Michael DeVaul, Chief Community Impact Office for YMCA of Greater Charlotte; Mary Gallivan, Vice President and Director, Centers for Giving for Foundation for the Carolinas; and Josh Jacobson, Managing Director of Next Stage Consulting. Get in on the discussion by tweeting us @Charlottemag and using the hashtag #DiscussCLT. Welcome to the #DiscussCLT podcast, a production of Charlotte magazine. The #DiscussCLT podcast is powered by OrthoCarolina.

Navigating Non-Profits - Episode 29

#DiscussCLT Podcast is a production of Charlotte magazine in Charlotte, N.C. 