If you’re familiar with the story behind Queen City Nerve, you know that phantom publishing played a role in the demise of Creative Loafing Charlotte back in 2018, which led to the launch of this paper. On Halloween of that year, a Greensboro-based publisher walked in, gave the entire staff five minutes to pack their things, then shut down the office. That day, Charlotte lost an integral voice in independent news and culture.
Just 25 years old, I had no idea what I would do next, though I knew I was passionate enough to learn everything I could about the print news industry to carry on a legacy of fearless, truthful journalism — something the city of Charlotte desperately needed. I wanted to be a part of something that would stand as a beacon for what a free press truly means to a community.
When I called my former coworker Ryan Pitkin, who would become co-founder and editor-in-chief of Queen City Nerve, two days after the 2018 layoff to tell him I was all in on starting the city’s new alt-weekly, I said I would only move forward if he was all in with me. I knew this was something Ryan and I were destined to do together — and if you know us personally, you know it too.
Over the last six years, we’ve built Queen City Nerve into a reputable source for coverage of news, arts, culture, music and more. We’ve dug deep into our community, cultivated sources, corrected our journalism policies when needed, and remained steadfast in telling stories that the mainstream media often ignores. We’ve been award-winning and nationally recognized for a variety of topics, strategies and stories.
Not to boast, but I truly believe Ryan and I are among the most passionate people you’ll ever meet when it comes to doing this job and identifying what really matters to people in our community and sharing those stories.
We could have easily taken the safe route, going our separate ways and taking stable jobs that actually paid well, avoiding the challenges we faced. But instead, we chose to invest all of ourselves into this business — even when we weren’t drawing regular pay for the first five years.
It was thankless work at times. We endured ridicule from anonymous online critics, fielded complaints over every typo, and struggled to keep the lights on while juggling odd jobs just to pay our bills. But we’ve always remained committed to our craft, operating with integrity, truthfulness and transparency.
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished here. Collaborating with local historian Pamela Grundy to produce Legacy: Three Centuries of Black History in Charlotte is a highlight, as was covering the 2020 protests that arose from the police murder of George Floyd; creating a safe space for LGBTQ folks through six years of Eat, Gay, Love; and challenging powerful figures who perpetuate injustice in our city. We’ve navigated litigation threats, built a sustainable business, and done work that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Charlotte has been my home for 20 years, and I owe so much to this city. I’ve grown here, experienced love, loss, growth, and perspective — things only a small, new-South city like Charlotte can offer. It’s been a privilege to be a part of the community in such a meaningful way.
I’ve worked nonstop since I was old enough to do so, pouring my heart into work and then this business for six years. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d make it this far, but now I know we can go as far as we want.
For Ryan and I, this is more than a job; it’s our life’s work. Our blood runs through this business and in every word we put out. We have an incredible team that helps us meet our mission every day. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to take the next step in my life.
With the release of our sixth annual Best in the Nest issue on Nov. 20, I’m announcing that I will be relocating outside of Charlotte and the state of North Carolina. This is completely out of character for me, as I’ve always been someone who thrives on routine, structure, community and being rooted.
But I’ve reached a point where I need to grow and evolve, to find myself, and to ensure that I am bringing my best self to the future of this business. This is a personal decision, but it’s one I believe will benefit the paper in the long run.
Why share all of this? Why be so open about a decision that may seem unrelated to our readers? Because transparency is key. In independent media, ownership must be tied to the community it serves.
Our founding story — one born from the ashes of a phantom publishing fire — is an example of why we can’t afford to lose local voices. Corporate and outside ownership has already harmed access to vital information in communities across the country, and we’re committed to preventing that here.
While I may be moving away physically, I remain fully committed to Queen City Nerve’s success. I will continue to guide the vision of the paper, and I’ll be fully involved in the business and development side of things. Our editorial team, which is still based in Charlotte, will continue to provide the same trusted, independent journalism you’ve come to expect. Nothing will change in that regard.
We have so much work ahead of us, especially over the next four years. As we move forward with federal policies under our new administration, we’ll remain focused on issues that matter deeply to our community: immigrant rights, reproductive health, housing justice, criminal reform, mass incarceration, and so much more.
We’ll continue to work with experts, activists, and community leaders who have been fighting these battles for years — especially through the challenges of the outgoing federal administration. This work is constant and ever-evolving, and we will remain on the frontlines of it.
If you’re a friend or someone close to me and I haven’t had the chance to say a personal goodbye, know that I cherish our connection. You’ve made an impact on my life, just as I hope I’ve made one on yours.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for your trust and support over the years. As I take this next step in my life, I want you to know that Queen City Nerve’s mission will continue. We’re more determined than ever to serve this city with honest, independent journalism. I look forward to seeing where the next chapter takes us — together.
Consider being a part of that future by becoming a member of Queen City Nerve — the trust and financial impact of our local readers ensures the future of local, independent journalism.
