Events

GREAT DECISIONS TOPIC: Climate Change and Competition SPEAKER:  Mark Kelso, Queens University Professor Kelso will discuss how the politics of climate change will impact economics, especially competition among businesses and countries. BIOGRAPHY Dr. Mark Kelso is currently Professor of Political Science at Queens University of Charlotte and the 2017 winner of the Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching […]

TOPIC: The Search for Life Beyond Earth SPEAKER:  Rachel Smith, Head, Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Lab, Curator of Meteorites, Professor, Physics & Astronomy. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences/Appalachian State University. Astronomer Dr. Rachel Smith will use new planetarium software called OpenSpace to journey from Earth to our neighboring planets, to far beyond the solar […]

TOPIC: Overall Budget on Housing & Homelessness SPEAKER:  Dimple Ajmera, Charlotte City Council At Large member Council member Dimple Ajmera will address and share the overall budget regarding housing and homelessness. BIOGRAPHY Dimple Ajmera, City Council At Large, is proud to be living the American dream. With little means, her parents immigrated to the U.S. […]

TOPIC: "Capital L" leadership: The Story of the Duke Mansion and the role of civic leadership in a thriving community. SPEAKER: Peter Blair, President/CEO, The Lynnwood Foundation, Duke Mansion and Lee Institute Duke Mansion is a rare jewel nestled in the crown of the Queen City, a splendid setting for corporate and civic gatherings, milestone […]

TOPIC: Attracting International Companies to Charlotte SPEAKER: Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk, President & CEO, World Affairs Council of Charlotte Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk joined the World Affairs Council of Charlotte as Executive Director in 2006. Through his dynamic leadership and systematic approach to development and asset building, Stambuk rebuilt the Council’s branding and standing in the community […]

TOPIC: Medical Myths - What You Don't Know Just Might Kill You SPEAKER: Kevin J. Soden, MD MPH In this fun interactive lecture, you will explore some of the truths and falsehoods of various medical myths. Some of which your parents, teachers and friends taught you. You will test your knowledge on a variety of […]

TOPIC: Who's Afraid of Opera  SPEAKER: James Meena, Artistic Director & Principal Conductor Mr. Meena will provide an overview of the opera art form and Opera Carolina's 75-year history of service to Greater Charlotte. A guest performance may be provided. BIOGRAPHY Entering his 25th season with Opera Carolina, Mo. James Meena’s tenure with Charlotte’s 75-year […]

TOPIC: Music Therapy: The science, the singing and everything in between. SPEAKER: Meg Johnson, Music Therapy Program Director and Clinical Coordinator, Queens University The presentation will provide an overview of the field of music therapy: the academic foundations, the education of students and therapists, the places we work and how we do what we do. […]

2nd Annual Fall Expo! Exhibitors and information for seniors on medical plans, hobby groups and clubs, volunteer opportunities and much more! October 4, 2024 9-10 am before speaker event Exhibitors include: League of Women Voters Association of University Women

TOPIC: Working in the 21st Century: An Oral History SPEAKER: Mark Larson Inspired by Studs Terkel’s 1974 classic, "Working", Mark Larson, author of "Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater", will discuss his new book, "Working in the 21st Century" released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Terkel’s book. Sharing video clips from his […]

2nd Annual Fall Expo! Loads of exhibitors and information for seniors on medical plans, hobby groups and clubs, volunteer opportunities and much more! October 11, 2024 9-10 am before speaker event Exhibitors include: Writers Club Quilters Club Kristan Smith Nancy Stancil Theatre Charlotte Shepherd's Center Charlotte-Meck Library Carolina Living Benefits Ronald McDonald House The Barclay […]

TOPIC: The Amazing Gift of Language SPEAKER: Steve Clark, Professor Emeritus, Moody Bible Institute What is language? This presentation will provide an overview of something we rarely consider because it is so automatic: language, the ability to express to others anything we can think of. After looking at what actually happens when we speak, we […]

TOPIC: Lighting a Pathway for Young Artists SPEAKER: Corey Mitchell, Founder of Theater Gap Initiative Mitchell will talk about his journey as an arts educator spreading the message of excellence and helping to create a pathway for young artists to have a career and change their trajectory. The Theatre Gap Initiative (TGI), founded by longtime […]

TOPIC: Ruth Bader Ginsburg: On Being American SPEAKER: Suzanne Reynolds, Dean and Professor Emerita, Wake Forest Law RBG expanded our concept of who and what was included in the concept of being American. As a lawyer for the ACLU’s Women’s Project, she advocated for an expansive theory of equal protection that eventually she would enshrine […]

TOPIC: Karlis Leyasmeyer and the Baptist Speaker's Circuit: A Latvian Exile Comes to America SPEAKER: Joseph Ellis, Professor of Political Science, Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences, Wingate University In 1949, a little known Latvian refugee named Karlis Leyasmeyer would arrive with his family in Philadelphia, after several years spent at a displaced persons camp […]

TOPIC: An Untold Story of the US Involvement in Afghanistan...And Its Aftermath...A Personal Journey SPEAKER: George Forsythe,  Brigadier General, U.S. Army (retired) George will discuss the establishment of the National Military Academy of Afghanistan from 2003-2005...its strategic implications and lessons learned. George will also discuss how his translator and their family immigrated to the US […]

TOPIC: MakerSpace Charlotte: Enabling & Celebrating Human Creativity SPEAKER: Steven Gray, Makerspace Board Member This talk will present an overview of makerspaces as a means of providing affordable access to a wide variety tools, equipment and training to the general public both nationally and across the globe. In particular it will highlight MakerSpace Charlotte's offerings […]

TOPIC: Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby SPEAKER: Mary Beth Martin, Executive Director of the Earl Scruggs Center, Shelby, NC The Earl Scruggs Center combines the life story of legendary five-string banjo master and Cleveland County native, Earl Scruggs, with the unique and engaging story of the history and cultural traditions of the region in which […]