Growing up in Connecticut and New York, Shanté Paradigm Smalls took lessons in classical singing. But her heart tugged her toward a different beat. She followed her passion through twists and turns until she settled firmly into the emerging music and culture of hip hop. She formed a hip hop performing group, published two albums and toured for several years. She also produced a large hip hop festival in New York City for four years. The more she immersed herself in the hip hop culture, the more her interests were expressed in scholarship. She graduated from Smith College, earned a

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On Saturday, Oct. 13 The VUE- Charlotte on 5th in Uptown Charlotte will be the setting for a unique and thrilling fundraising event. As many as 80 participants will have the opportunity to rappel from the towering skyscraper in support of Special Olympics NC athletes. Interested thrill seekers must be at least 14 years-old and raise a minimum donation of $1,000 by Oct. 13. Fundraising is simple and safe; participants just create a personal fundraising webpage at www.firstgiving.com/sonc and email friends and family. All rappellers will receive a free T-shirt and customized photo of their rappel. Additionally, all who raise

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Easter Seals UCP, a nonprofit that provides support, care and hope to children and adults living with disabilities and mental health challenges, in partnership with Levine Children’s Hospital has secured more than 85 percent of the funding needed to build a multi-sensory environment (MSE) in Charlotte for children with multi-sensory disorders. Easter Seals UCP is hoping to raise the rest of the funds needed through donations from the community. This will be the first MSE in Charlotte open to the public and will be located at the Easter Seals UCP Children’s Center (716 Marsh Road, Charlotte, NC 28209).According to a

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Mecklenburg County is the recipient of a $399,845 federal grant awarded by the Office of Violence AgainstWomen (OVW). The three-year grant is for a Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange (SVSE) Center that is expected to help 200 families dealing with domestic violence situations. “This will allow children to have meaningful, safe contact with both parents and ensure that parents and children are not placed at unacceptable risk,”Marie White said. She is Women’s Commission division director for Mecklenburg County Community Support Services, the division is the lead for the initiative. The first year of the grant is for planning, and years

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How was Charlotte involved in the Revolutionary War? Why was the city called a “hornet’s nest of rebellion?” A new self-guided history tour in center city Charlotte, the Liberty Walk, uses a multimedia app to answer those questions and bring Charlotte’s early history to life. Learn more about the tour and Charlotte’s Revolutionary War past during a free program at The Duke Mansion. “Discover Charlotte’s New Liberty Walk” takes place on Sunday, September 16, 3 pm, at The Duke Mansion, 400 Hermitage Road in Charlotte. Reservations are required. Call 704/714-4445 or email ke****@**wf.org to reserve. Speakers include Scott Syfert, cofounder

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Dress for Success Charlotte Executive Director Kerry Barr O’Connor announces that Lou Solomon will offer the keynote address at the upcoming Look at Her Power event sponsored by Wells Fargo. Solomon, CEO of Interact, author, and expert in authentic communication will share stories and insights about women finding their voices. “It is an honor to address this group,” Solomon says. “Dress for Success Charlotte not only allows women to stand tall; it encourages them to embrace their authenticity and offers guidance and support in finding their own vision of success.” Dress for Success Charlotte hosts Look at Her Power on

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Swarovski, the leading designer and producer of fashion jewelry and crystal décor objects, is updating its boutique at SouthPark Mall with a new retail design concept. The boutique is located at 4400 Sharon Road in Charlotte, NC and is scheduled to re-open with its new design during the last week of September. The location will offer Swarovski’s full range of fashion jewelry and watches, as well as home accessories and décor objects. The 1,030 square-foot space will boast Swarovski’s “Crystal Forest” retail design concept, which was created in collaboration with Tokujin Yoshioka, 2007 Design Miami, Designer of the Year award

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Over the past several weeks, The Homeless Services Network (HSN) agencies have come together to find a proactive solution to assist potentially displaced families and individuals during the Democratic National Convention. The laws of economics show that large events in the area impact hotel and motel rental rates. Charlotte currently has low-income families and individuals living in motels who are facing potential displacement from their shelter due to the increased rates. Although it is difficult to predict an exact number, up to 100 families could be impacted. The HSN agencies have crafted a multi-tier approach to first, work to prevent

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Featuring more than 60 installations, sculptures, furniture, and objects, Against the Grain: Wood in Contemporary Art, Craft, and Design explores the most cutting-edge conceptual and technical trends in woodworking today. Organized by the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, and debuting September 1, 2012, at Mint Museum Uptown and running through January 27, 2013, the exhibition emphasizes the ways artists, designers, and craftspeople have incorporated modernist approaches and strategies into woodworking—deconstructing vessel shapes, playing on the relationship between function and form, and utilizing woodturning and furniture techniques in the creation of sculpture. The works, all created since 2000, challenge

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Experts from Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Management have announced a series of free organic waste reduction workshops in composting and other methods of residential organic waste control. Anyone can compost almost anything organic – from vegetable peelings to yard waste. Instead of relegating all that organic matter to the garbage can, learn how to put it to good use. You can also learn ways to make your home a “greener” place, how to reduce waste during the holidays, and put worms to work for you in your very own worm farm. • Home Composting Workshop. Learn the hows and whys

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