Are you looking to make a difference? Know you want to be more involved in local sustainability efforts? Good news! We have the perfect series for you!

Sustain Charlotte’s Impact 704 Academy is an educational series about sustainable, equitable, and resilient urban development in the Charlotte area. 

Held at Charlotte Art League, it consists of three sessions, each of which will include a presentation from speakers representing the city government, educational institutions, nonprofits, and the private sector. Attendees will learn how to advocate for themselves and their communities. Each session will run for approximately two hours, which includes time for networking. Sustain Charlotte will provide light refreshments from local vendors. 

When: 

Impact 704 Academy sessions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on:

• Thursday, November 30
• Thursday, December 7
• Thursday, December 14

Where: 

Charlotte Art League (4237 Raleigh Street Charlotte, NC 28213)

What's the cost?:

Thanks to support from Southminster, the series is free for participants.

How to participate:

Register here.

Topics: Our speakers will talk about various aspects of smart growth, including how smart growth strategies could be implemented and how each resident of Charlotte will benefit if we are strategic about planning our city. We will focus on the areas of land use and transportation.

The November 30 session will focus on smart growth, urban heat, and the importance of advocacy. UNCC professors Dr. Katherine Idziorak and Dr. Michelle Zuñiga will join Sustain Charlotte staff to lead this session. 

The December 7 session will highlight land use and how our city is designed and planned. City of Charlotte Planning staff will give a presentation and lead attendees through a planning exercise, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.

The December 14 session will dive into transportation systems and the critical role it plays in land use and smart growth decisions. Staff from Charlotte Department of Transportation and CATS will both give presentations followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.

Participants: Due to limited venue space, we will limit the number of participants to 100. All walk-in participants are welcome, but seating might be limited. 

Register Now!

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FAQ:

I’m a middle or high school student. Can I attend?

Yes, we love to engage with youth advocates! We do not provide supervision for youth, so we encourage younger students to attend with a parent/guardian. Our staff at the registration desk will be happy to assist with any questions you have. 

Can I attend virtually?

Each event will have a networking session and interactive discussions planned, so it is much more beneficial to attend in person. However, we will stream the event on our Facebook page and then post it on our YouTube channel.

2 hours, from 6-8 p.m.

Where do I park? 

Charlotte Art League is in NoDa. We'll have Sustain Charlotte signs pointing the way. The venue can be reached by the LYNX Blue Line (Sugar Creek Station) and CATS bus routes 211 and 13 (Sugar Creek at Greensboro St). There is plenty of parking surrounding the Charlotte Art League building.

Finding a babysitter for the event might be challenging, but I would still like to attend. Can I bring kids?

We know it can be hard to find childcare in the evenings, and we don’t want that to be a barrier. It’s a family-friendly event, and you’re welcome to bring your kids and watch them. 

Will drinks/meals be provided?

We will provide light refreshments. 

What can I do to prepare for these events? 

Simply come with an open mind, be prepared to learn about smart growth, and take action! And, invite your family members and friends to join you! 

Are you looking for volunteers for this event?

Yes, we are! Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering at this event. We need greeters and volunteers to assist at the registration table.