Leaders, students discuss community issues on MLK Jr. Day

People across Charlotte celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, and some are applying some of his lessons to help Charlotte heal after protests revealed a deep racial divide.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students were recognized for using art and stories to celebrate King's legacy at Central Piedmont Community College.

"He showed us we have to fight," student Justice Isom said.

"He fought for us to be equal and not separated," Damya Powell said.

Charlotte's community relations director Willie Ratchford said the holiday is a time to celebrate progress and also a time to reflect on how far we have to go. He points to the riots and protests after the Keith Lamont Scott shooting as a critical flashpoint.

"For the first time, we got multiple citizens in the community and elected officials acknowledging that we have two Charlottes," he said.

Ratchford said that realization sparked needed conversations about the racial divide in Charlotte.

“We've got to be willing to listen to the wisdom from Dr. King and acknowledge it," he said.

So his team is digging deeper. Ratchford is asking the public for feedback on the city's plan to heal the divide in Charlotte by focusing on creating jobs, affordable housing and transparency for police.

He's planning community conversations to see if that's what people need and want.

"This is our problem. It's not the black community problem. It's not a police problem. It is not an elected officials problem. This is a community problem," Ratchford said.

And like King and the students, Ratchford hopes everyone steps up to do his or her part peacefully.

The first community conversation is set for Jan. 30 at the Palmer Building.

Ratchford is hoping to bring together 200 people to provide feedback on the City Council's action plan.

Cox Media Group