Jessica Foster’s Post

On Juneteenth, we had the honor of presenting a formal plan to former Mayor Harvey Gantt. Our vision is to transform the iconic building at 500 North Tryon Street—once the headquarters of Gantt Huberman Architects—into a cutting-edge hub for Charlotte’s entrepreneurs of color. This building, originally commissioned in early June 1921 as an automobile showroom, now stands as a symbol of resilience and transformation. While the Greenwood massacre in Tulsa, OK devastated Black Wall Street on June 1st, 1921, we are now repurposing a space born in that same month. We are also acknowledging the Brooklyn Community and its businesses in Charlotte, which were destroyed during urban renewal. Now, this building will become the heart of the entrepreneurial and small business community in Uptown Charlotte. We call it the Creative Lab Uptown. Over the next 7 months, you’ll witness the mission and vision of Do Greater, Inc. | Do Greater Creative Labs coming to life. Our mission is to unlock the potential within each person, providing the tools, resources, and opportunities needed for creativity and innovation to thrive. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community that drives forward-thinking initiatives, propelling Charlotte to new heights of economic and social progress. We aim to build not just spaces, but ecosystems of opportunity. By creating environments that encourage collaboration and idea sharing, we empower our members to prototype, experiment, and launch ventures that reshape our community. The Creative Lab Uptown embodies transformation—of lives, communities, and the economic and creative landscape of Charlotte. Our proven model of fostering “creative collisions”provides youth and young adults with the economic connections that build social capital and open doors to unique opportunities. This is where the “up” in upward mobility begins. By leveraging the power of creativity, we tackle challenges, create jobs, and establish Charlotte as a leader in innovation and growth. Join us. The Start Up Starts Here. The Start Up Starts Now. William Do Greater, Inc. | Do Greater Creative Labs, Gresham Smith, DPR Construction, CBI, JLL, Boundary Street Advisors, Charlotte Center City Partners, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority,CLT Alliance Foundation, Mecklenburg County, City of Charlotte, Charlotte Is Creative, The Boost Pad, NXT | CLT, PitchBreakfast, Innovate Charlotte, City Startup Labs, ASPIRE Community Capital, Charlotte Business Journal, Blacks in Technology Charlotte, Hue House, Loyd Visuals, Charlotte Mecklenburg BLACK CHAMBER of Commerce, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, The Hurt Hub@Davidson