Welcome and Introduction

Tamara Johnson, Ph.D., Director of urbanCORE, Charlotte Urban Institute

Carrie Bovill, Program Director, CO-LAB

Jennifer Troyer, Ph.D., Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, UNC Charlotte

Innovation Sessions

Co-Producing Transformative Solutions: Community Engagement and Social Innovation for the Public Good

Introduction:

Deborah Thomas, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor, Division of Research, and Professor of Geography

Colleen Hammelman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences and Director, Charlotte Action Research Project (CHARP)

This presentation will share learnings from a collaboratively designed food systems assessment conducted in Charlotte during 2019-2024 with input from more than 100+ food systems stakeholders. The project assessed current needs and opportunities that exist within the food system, how COVID-19 and other events changed the food system, and how it might be shaped in the future towards equity and sustainability with a goal of producing actionable recommendations for building a more equitable and sustainable food system. It will discuss project approach and successes as well as obstacles encountered in creating recommendations that address root causes and against which future success can be easily measured.  

Julia Meyarzum, Student Engagement Fellow, Charlotte Urban Institute

This Fall, Chancellor Gabor announced that every UNC Charlotte student who wanted one would have access to an internship. Ethical and meaningful experiential learning opportunities in the greater Charlotte area is the essence of the “Difference is Charlotte.” The Community Resource Unit, a partnership between the Charlotte Urban Institute and the Office of First Year and Transition Programs, is a model for ethical, meaningful community-engaged experiential learning for first year students. How can we collaborate with partners to provide opportunities like this for more students?

Jordan Poler, Ph.D., Professor, Chemistry

In the broadest sense, the research potential presented here is to disrupt and transform the single-use plastics industry.  The use and disposal of bottled water containers is an economic pain felt by many who choose this option over tap water delivered to their home, office, or school.  These containers do not necessarily provide better drinking water, yet they have a significant impact on plastics waste and result in microplastics creation.  Current single use plastic point-of-use (POU) cartridges are thrown into the landfill after 6 months of use, and they do not fully treat tap water for many contaminants of concern (CoC).  We have developed a novel ion-exchange media that removes CoC, including microplastics and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), forever-chemicals, from drinking water.  

Kyle Spence, Assistant Professor, Architecture

Presenting "Agri-Cultural Infrastructure," using the Deep Roots Farm EcoDome as a case study for democratizing high-performance design. We will examine how advanced digital fabrication and precision manufacturing can be leveraged to serve Black agrarian food sovereignty, shifting the academic role from "charity builder" to "technical partner." The discussion focuses on closing the gap between high-tech architectural tools and grassroots community needs. 

Panel Discussion

Advancing Innovation in Communities: Reimagining/Restating/Reaffirming Higher Ed’s Social Contract 

Moderator: 

Nate Hogan, President, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Foundation

Panelists:

Carrie Bovill, Program Director, CO-LAB

Kendra Jason, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Health Management and Policy

Abi Olukeye, Founder, Smart Girls HQ

Adrienne and Emmanuel Threatt, Founders, Hope Vibes

Lunch, Networking and Student Poster Session

UNC Charlotte Students (see Speakers tab for details on the students/posters):

Nevyn Brown, 49er Foundry

Alijah Moody, Student Innovation Ambassador, Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Savir Shingne, Co-President, Entrepreneurship Club

Freedom Communities Tour and Discussion

Join us at Freedom Communities to see the Charlotte Urban Institute Community Innovation Incubator in action!

Facilitator: 

Toye Watson, Director of Community Impact, Charlotte Urban Institute

Symposium participants will observe our first meeting and interactive workshop. Freedom Communities is partnering with the Charlotte Urban Institute to launch a "Prosperity Canvass" that centers on resident agency and local strengths. Come experience the space, join the "Asset Web" exercise, and help us build a roadmap for a thriving neighborhood. This work represents PHASE 1 of the Community Innovation Incubator process.