On September 20, 2024, twenty-nine students traveled to Elon’s national campus in Charlotte to learn more about the city’s economic history.
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Kevin Trapani P’07, P’23, P’24, executive in residence at the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, hosted students, faculty and staff for an afternoon on September 20, 2024, exploring Charlotte’s diverse neighborhoods and being steeped in the city’s economic history.
Through his network, Trapani introduced the group to local leaders, offering perspectives on the Queen City’s past, present and future.
Historian Tom Hanchett, Ph.D. shared the story of Charlotte’s development from 1875 to the present day, explaining how segregation, redlining, and urban renewal shaped the city’s neighborhoods.
“Charlotte’s story illustrates how politics has been used to create inequality,” Hanchett said. “But it also shows that change happens when people come together.”
The group then toured the neighborhoods described by Hanchett, seeing first-hand how past policies have left a lasting impact.
“Seeing the evidence of redlining and segregation made the history of the city feel real,” said Cece Guyader ’25, an international business major in the 3+1 Program. “It made me realize that the policies we talked about didn’t just affect Charlotte, but cities across the country.”
After the tour, the group returned to Elon’s National Campus in Charlotte to hear from community leaders about Charlotte’s future.
Fred Dodson, chief operating officer and executive vice president of real estate at DreamKey Partners, and Rev. John Cleghorn, Ph.D. of Caldwell Presbyterian Church shared their insights.
- “Hearing Fred Dodson talk about how DreamKey Partners builds mixed-income housing made me realize that creating equitable communities isn’t just about having money,” said Liz Sulley ’25, a finance major in the Program 3+1. “It’s about having a clear vision and trying to make it happen.”
- “Rev. “Cleghorn’s story of turning an empty church building into affordable housing for those who need it most really stuck with me,” said MJ Lazo-Murphy ’25, an entrepreneurship major. “It made me think about how you can use what you already have to help the community in a bigger way than I ever imagined.”
- “Speakers highlighted how providing housing can be more cost-effective than relying on emergency services and helps people secure jobs faster,” said Takoda Moore ’27, a fintech major in the 3+1 program. “Their approach to creating sustainable, mixed-income communities truly demonstrates how thoughtful planning can promote equity and long-term stability.”
“Before that, I didn’t see Charlotte as a place to start my career,” Guyader said. “Now, I can really see it as somewhere I can build a future.”
Elon’s National Campuses offer hands-on learning opportunities through internships, community engagement and Study in the USA programs. Each campus serves as a hub for students to connect with local professionals, expand their networks and explore new career paths.
Applications for spring semester study programs in the USA opened on October 1 and run until November 15. Interested students can learn more about the program through the Study USA website.