Charlotte, North Carolina, is home to several Black-owned media outlets that serve the African American community by providing news, information, and entertainment from a Black perspective. Notable among these are:
- The Charlotte Post: The Charlotte Post is a weekly newspaper recognized as a leading source of news affecting Charlotte's African American community. It has earned numerous national and local journalism and service awards.
- QCity Metro: QCity Metro is Charlotte's oldest Black-owned digital news publication. It focuses on serving Black communities in Charlotte-Mecklenburg by publishing news and information relevant to the lives of its readers and hosting events that bring together audiences over shared interests.
- Pride Magazine: This publication is also recognized as a Black-owned media outlet in Charlotte, contributing to the diversity of perspectives in the city's media landscape.
Even before I entered the media space, I loved reading the articles and content produced by these outlets as they do great work covering Black stories in the Charlotte area. As I would bring up these outlets in both casual and professional conversations, I started noticing that many people kept saying that they didn't even know we had these publications here.
These interactions led me to reflect on why that is. Why do the three Black-centric publications in Charlotte seem to fly so far under the radar? Is it intentional—meant to 'protect the culture'? Is it just a marketing issue? Should people be expected to seek them out more on their own? Or is it that the type of content being produced no longer attracts as much attention (i.e., they don’t rely on clickbait or drama-filled material)? I don’t have the answer, but it’s definitely something to think about. Regardless, we need to support these publications before they slowly disappear—taking our stories with them.
Supporting Black-owned media is crucial because it ensures that diverse voices, perspectives, and stories are accurately represented in the media landscape. These outlets provide in-depth coverage of issues affecting Black communities, celebrate Black culture and achievements, and challenge mainstream narratives that may overlook or misrepresent Black experiences. By supporting Black-owned media, we help sustain independent journalism, promote economic empowerment, and strengthen a more inclusive and equitable media industry.
Here’s a deeper look at each of the Black-owned media outlets in Charlotte, NC:
The Charlotte Post
- Founded: 1906
- Type: Weekly newspaper (print & digital)
- Focus: News, politics, business, education, sports, and culture related to Charlotte’s African American community.
- Notable Features:
- Extensive coverage of local and national Black issues.
- Hosts community forums and discussions.
- Has received multiple journalism and service awards.
- Website: thecharlottepost.com
QCity Metro
- Founded: 2008
- Type: Digital news publication
- Focus: Charlotte’s Black community, covering local news, culture, events, and lifestyle.
- Notable Features:
- Regular newsletters with community-focused stories.
- A strong social media presence and digital-first approach.
- Hosts networking events and panel discussions for local Black professionals.
- Website: qcitymetro.com
Pride Magazine
- Type: Print and digital magazine
- Focus: African American lifestyle, business, and culture in Charlotte.
- Notable Features:
- Publishes an annual "Best of the Best" list, highlighting Black excellence in business and leadership.
- Features in-depth profiles of influential Black professionals and entrepreneurs.
- Covers topics like health, fashion, finance, and education from a Black perspective.
- Website: pridemagazineonline.com
These outlets play a significant role in shaping the narrative of Charlotte’s Black community, providing representation, advocacy, and connection. While my website here at ThaDailySpecial.com isn't exclusively only Black stories in Charlotte, that will always be a heavy focus of mine as well so feel free to also subscribe to my newsletter if that is something that interests you as well.
Cory