The Best in Charlotte: Best in the Nest 2022
'22andYou: A city rooted in greatness

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This year’s Best in the Nest theme is ’22 and You, which we thought was a cool way to play on the popular 23 and Me trend. What are these year-end issues — or any of our issues for that matter — if not a snapshot in time to be looked back on by generations to come who want to make the connections to their own relative present.
An important part of our mission here at Queen City Nerve to ensure that those who come after us have a source to learn more about the ones who came before them — fought similar battles, made similar art, jammed on similar stages, and cooked on similar lines — but more importantly to spread love to the folks who make this city a better place to live in while they’re here.
It’s also important we acknowledge those who help us in that mission, so here’s a huge shout out to all the folks who make Best in the Nest possible — those who contributed, those who did the reporting that contributors pulled from, those who provided the visuals, and most of all, those who shared their stories with us in 2022. Thank you.
Best in the Nest Contributors: Pat Moran, Karie Simmons, Timothy DePeugh, Aerin Spruill, Allison Frazier, Dezanii Lewis, Rayne Antrim, Sam Spencer and Katie Grant.
With reporting from: Nikolai Mather, Autumn Rainwater, Yvonne Bynoe, Clarissa Donnelly-DeRoven, Katie Dukes, Jeff Taylor, Perry Tannenbaum, Jasiatic Anderson, Isaac Naylor, Jillian Mueller, Syn Harris, Matt Cosper, Shelley Bennett, Jeff Hahne, Liz Logan, NC Health News and Education NC.
And photos from: Grant Baldwin, Brian ‘BT’ Twitty, Jonathan Golian, Sarah Slusarick, Remy Thurston, Kenty Chung, Peter Taylor, Steven Key, Darnell Vennie, Ryan Allen, Mary Benson, Jamel Shabazz, Kevin ‘Surf’ Mitchell, Morgan Shields, Shane Travis, Daniel Coston, Anders Johanson, Gothika Magazine, Brandon Romeo, Jonathan Cooper, Jeff Hahne, Gage Skidmore, Jay Bowser, Fenix Foto, Eleanor Kath, Sebastian Coolidge, Ali Hogston, Krystle Baller, Abbe McCracken, Ramsey Lyric, Zach Allen, Chris Edwards, Kosmorama Photography, Jorge Torres and Lindsey Miller.
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Printable versions of Best in the Nest awards will be ready for you to display soon! Just reach out to info@qcnerve.com and we will share the process to retrieve your award file.
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING IN THE QUEEN CITY
Every day there are folks working hard to ensure a better future for our city. This is for them.
CRITICS’ PICKS
READERS’ PICKS
So what if you’re only adding to existing supply chain problems, shop ‘til you drop.
CRITICS’ PICKS
READERS’ PICKS
Pass that plate down the line.
CRITICS’ PICKS
READERS’ PICKS
Regardless of where the funding is coming from, creatives continue to act as the heart and soul of our city.
CRITICS’ PICKS
READERS’ PICKS
Where would we be without music?
CRITICS’ PICKS
READERS’ PICKS
If there’s one thing we’ve done our research on, it’s where to have a good time in this town. We’re more than happy to share what we’ve found.
CRITICS’ PICKS
READERS’ PICKS
We hate to be downers but there are some people walking the streets of Charlotte who made the year shittier for everyone. Do better.
HALL OF SHAME
We’ve seen plenty of businesses close this year, be it through rising rents, retirement, new plans, or in the case of Josephine “Jyoti” Bayog Friedland of Jyoti’s World Cuisine, the death of a beloved restaurateur. Whatever the case, we hope the memories remain fond ones.
OBITUARIES
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How does one submit a charity org to qualify for a ‘BEST IN’ category?
DrumsForCures :: DRUMSTRONG is the Best local charity with massive global impact.
https://drumstrong.org/
https://www.facebook.com/DRUMSTRONG
DRUMSTRONG insta
Hey Scott,
Just scroll through the nomination ballots and add in DRUMSTORNG where you see that it is applicable.
Thanks!