Lisa Vernon Sparks
@lvernonsparks.bsky.social
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📥 223
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Editor/journalist/storyteller
Black women's unemployment has skyrocketed. Here’s what happened.
19thnews.org/2026/01/blac...
via
@19thnews.org
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Black women's unemployment has skyrocketed. Here’s what happened.
The rate is now equivalent to White women’s during the bleakest moments of the Great Recession.
https://19thnews.org/2026/01/black-women-unemployment-rate-skyrocketed-2025/?&utm_campaign=19th-social&utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social
9 days ago
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For me, 2025 brought great joy and triumphs (for my son) and a few bad developments (layoffs for journos). Still it's good to reflect, share and release what was accomplished. I am proud of the work I did at
@charlotteobserver.com
A sampling of stories I wrote or edited & projects I led.
#onward
about 1 month ago
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H/T to the
@charlotteobserver.com
team and our coverage of Juneteenth event and what does freedom mean to the Black community in Charlotte. by Briah Lumpkins, Chase Jordan, Chyna Blackmon.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
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This Juneteenth, what does true freedom look like for Black Charlotteans?
A local nonprofit is helping Black Charlotteans realize their own power.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article307529196.html
8 months ago
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The Charlotte Observe and The News & Observer staff named Pulitzer finalists for breaking news.
9 months ago
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The Met Gala 2025 is just hours away, but in Charlotte, Gantt Center hosted its own version on Friday. Check out this great photos and ICYM read my preview below:
www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainmen...
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Photos: Gantt, Black designers explore dandyism in NC version of Met Gala
The May 2 event at the Gantt Center in uptown featured a red carpet, rotating runway and interactive panel.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/article305672126.html
9 months ago
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At an event called the "Future is Here" hosted by
ReddJobb.com
advisors headed by Glenn Proctor, my mentor. It's a table talk with speakers and entrepreneurs. We're at the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, in Charlotte. Speaking now is Glenn Burkins with
qcitymetro.com
10 months ago
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I haven't posted in a quite a bit, but here is one I think is worth a read. Medicaid is a lifeline for 3 million North Carolinians. Here's a story by Briah Lumpkins explaining why:
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/n...
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As DC looks at Medicaid cuts, NC residents worry for their quality of life
Potential federal cuts to Medicaid could leave thousands without health care overnight and slash some benefits and services.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article303019629.html
10 months ago
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Here's a quick Q&A with author Kelly Starling Lyons and her children's book "Tiara's Hat Parade" adapted for stage. It's a one-act play celebrating moms, daughters, and millinery.
www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainmen...
@charlotteobserver.com
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Hats off to Kelly Lyons. Her book about mother-daughter bonds hits the Charlotte stage
Q & A with Kelly Starling Lyons, author of “Tiara’s Hat Parade.” Her work about Black families and millinery traditions was adapted for stage.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article301291954.html
11 months ago
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reposted by
Lisa Vernon Sparks
The Charlotte Observer
about 1 year ago
Charlotte native Julia Ann McKnight Teamer turned 108 years old on Jan. 16. Is there a secret to a long life? She wouldn’t call it secret at all, but shared some rules for living that evidently helped her chances. 🎂 More from
@lvernonsparks.bsky.social
:
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
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What’s the secret to a long life? This 108-year-old Charlotte woman shares 3 of hers
Julia Ann McKnight Teamer, who celebrated 108 years on Jan. 16, says one secret is to “say thank you.“
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article298608628.html#storylink=cpy
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We had a busy year
@charlotteobserver.bsky.social
. Led by
@ranalcash.bsky.social
we want to thank our readers for letting us serve you ... and stay tune for a highlight reel of over events.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...
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Thank you, Observer readers, for letting us serve you with essential local journalism in 2024
The Charlotte Observer is boastful of its immense value to readers, with award-winning journalism, more reporters and new products in a banner year.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article296995189.html
about 1 year ago
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Longtime Rock Hill-area Congressman John Spratt has died. Learn more here
@charlotteobserver.bsky.social
:
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
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John Spratt’s legacy: landmark accomplishments and reminders of a more civil time
Spratt, who helped engineer the nation’s last balanced budget, died Saturday at 82.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article297145274.html
about 1 year ago
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I had such a lovely time with the ladies from BLACK GIRLS DO HIKE!! (Charlotte, NC) on Saturday at Franke Liske Park. Great conversation and we walked a few miles! And ICYMI something I wrote in October about the group's founder Malika White: 😄
www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...
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Charlotte hiking group empowers Black women to embrace the outdoors, reclaim their space
Malika White started “Black Girls Do Hike,” and is learning how to run a nonprofit within a billion dollar industry.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-wellness/article291327615.html
about 1 year ago
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Once again the
@charlotteobserver.bsky.social
own Joe Marusak is on top of things:
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/busines...
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Duke Health to buy Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, expanding beyond the Triangle
“We recognize the health care landscape is changing,” Duke University Health System CEO says.
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article296958364.html
about 1 year ago
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We did a staff best books series, artfully done by
@melissaoyler.bsky.social
and
@cltfive.bsky.social
@charlotteobserver.bsky.social
Check it out there are some good read on here:
www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...
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The 16 best books our team read in 2024, and why they were so lit
We asked our room full of professional readers and writers for the best books they read this year. Settle in for your next read (or grab a last minute stocking stuffer!).
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-things-to-do/article296870499.html
about 1 year ago
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Pat Cotham, a long time Mecklenburg County Commissioner, signs off.
@charlotteobserver.bsky.social
reporter Mary Ramsey caught up with her for the deets on a 12-year run.
www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politic...
about 1 year ago
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We featured this new book club in our Kaleidscope newsletter this week to kick-off our BIPOC businesses series. Check it out this Q&A about the founder of Sista Story Society by our
@charlotteobserver.bsky.social
Audience producer Tamia Boyd.
www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefiv...
about 1 year ago
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Sign up for Kaleidoscope, an essential newsletter on race, cultural, and equity in the Queen City and beyond. When you click on the link, scroll down for Kaleidoscope. TY!
www.charlotteobserver.com/newsletters#...
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about 1 year ago
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What a great week working with the amazing Kitty Muccigrosso! Here are some editing highlights:
www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainmen...
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https://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article295502449.html
about 1 year ago
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Howdy everyone! Thank you for the follows.
about 1 year ago
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