Thriving in the Shadows

Book excerpt: "In response to continued demand for books that document this region's African American history, Thriving in the Shadows: The Black Experience in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County has just been released. It contains more than 100 archival photographs that were contributed by members of Charlotte's African American community. Novello Festival Press, the publishing arm of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, has produced the book. Fannie Flono, Associate Editor of The Charlotte Observer, wrote essays and conducted interviews with prominent members of the black community. Many of the stories are in the voices of those who lived them, and provide insight into how the black residents of Charlotte-Mecklenburg survived and thrived in the shadows of racism, segregation and Jim Crow. These narratives also illuminate present-day issues of race, class and politics."--Publisher's website.