Last year, the Charlotte Center City Small Business Innovation Fund gave $3.6 million to 116 small businesses to help pivot operations and respond to new opportunities related to COVID-19. Today, the Innovation Fund is OPEN again, accepting applications for a fourth round of grants. Round 4 is all about resiliency and opportunity, and adapting to a post-pandemic environment. Small businesses located within 2 miles of Trade and Tryon, including all South End and Historic West End, are eligible to receive $10,000, $20,000, and $40,000 grants.

Applications are open until Friday, July 9^th at noon. The Innovation Fund is made possible by generous contributions from the founding sponsor, Honeywell, along with Duke Energy, the Knight Foundation, and Bank of America, in partnership with Foundation for the Carolinas and Charlotte Center City Partners. Visit the Innovation Fund page to learn more or to apply!

There is not a district-wide First Friday Gallery Crawl this week due to the 4^th of July holiday, but the program will be back in August! In the meantime, South End's galleries and streets have plenty of activities for the art enthusiasts in your life.

Check out C3Lab’s “On Life” Exhibit, featuring life drawing and portraiture from eight local artists, including Felicia Van Bork, Dylan Chorneau, Eva Crawford, Miriam Durkin, Marvin Epsy, Tony Griffin, Katherine Kesey, and Arthur Rodgers. The exhibition is open all month, but there is a special gallery walkthrough and reception from 7:00 to 10:00 pm on Friday the 2^nd with live music and cocktails!

Watch art come to life with South End Interactive, which is sure to keep the entire family entertained. Users can scan a QR Code next to each piece and hear directly from the artists, engage with different filters, and explore 3D models of the art. Don’t forget to tag your photos with #SouthEndInteractive and let us know which piece was your favorite!

There are two new faces on Team South End at Charlotte Center City Partners! Please welcome Chelsea Galusky and Maddie Chase, who have both joined our team this month.

Chelsea Galusky is our new South End Programs Coordinator. She is a part of the Economic and Community Development team that supports South End businesses, connects its residents, and ensures that the neighborhood is the best place to live, work, and play. Prior to joining the team, Chelsea created content and managed social media channels at the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. She has also worked in client management and strategic planning for a marketing firm, and spent 12 years in alumni engagement and special events at her alma mater, Vanguard University of Southern California. Originally from Hawaii yet raised in South Carolina, Chelsea loves sharing Aloha vibes with South End newbies and Charlotte unicorns.

Maddie Chase is our new South End Brand Coordinator. On our Marketing team, this new role will support and promote local businesses and events through South End and Rail Trail social media channels, websites, and newsletters. Maddie moved to Charlotte in the spring of 2019, after falling in love with the city’s vibrant atmosphere, entrepreneurial community, and excellent bites and brews of South End. She has been extremely passionate about supporting local businesses since a young age, as her grandparents were restaurant owners in her hometown of Arlington, VA. Maddie is a self-proclaimed foodie and live music lover, and in her spare time, she can be found at the South End Market, hiking and paddle boarding, or exploring the amazing restaurants around Charlotte. Maddie completed her Bachelor's of Science in Political Science and History at Longwood University in Virginia before moving to Charlotte. 

Overwhelmed with options? Let our randomizer pick an adventure for you!