A Look Beyond the Bricks.
- Mary Wint
- Jan 31
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 2
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Tom Hanchett, a renowned community historian from Charlotte, NC, will be the keynote speaker for Affordable Housing Awareness Month (AHAM)! Dr. Hanchett's deep expertise in urban history and community development makes him the perfect voice to guide us as we delve into the 2025 AHAM theme, "Advancing Affordable Housing: Beyond the Bricks."
Dr. Hanchett is well-known for his work on the history of urban development in the South, particularly his book Sorting Out the New South City: Race, Class & Urban Development in Charlotte. His research, now in its second edition from UNC Press, has been pivotal in shaping our understanding of how race, class, and urban planning intersect in the growth of cities like Charlotte.
This year, Dr. Hanchett will also be unveiling his highly anticipated new book, Affordable Housing in Charlotte, which will explore the evolution of affordable housing in the Queen City. During his keynote address, Dr. Hanchett will speak directly from this forthcoming work, reflecting on how Charlotte's housing policies and developments can provide valuable lessons and insights for the future of affordable housing in the Carolinas. He will address how we can move “beyond the bricks” to build more inclusive, sustainable communities—an essential part of the 2025 AHAM theme.
Dr. Hanchett’s academic background is robust, with degrees from Cornell University, the University of Chicago, and UNC Chapel Hill. His work spans a wide array of topics, from early country and gospel music to the history of Rosenwald Schools and Black education in the South. His website, HistorySouth.org, offers an extensive collection of writings on these subjects, as well as his celebrated work on the history of U.S. shopping malls and immigrant foodways.
Named Charlotte’s Dr. History by Charlotte Magazine and a 2015 Charlottean of the Year, Dr. Hanchett is widely respected for his commitment to working with community groups on neighborhood histories, museum exhibitions, and historical tours. His expertise, combined with his deep passion for community engagement, will be invaluable as we look to the future of affordable housing in our region.
Event Details:
We invite you to join us for the AHAM 2025 Breakfast, where Dr. Hanchett will share his insights and launch his new book Affordable Housing in Charlotte. The breakfast will kick off on May 1, 2025 at Johnson C. Smith University in the Grimes Lounge, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
To register for this exciting event, please visit www.ahftc.org/events/2025-aham-breakfast.
We are excited to hear Dr. Hanchett’s perspective on how we can advance affordable housing and foster stronger communities. His keynote address will offer essential insights into how we can go beyond just building structures, and instead create lasting, meaningful solutions that serve all people.
Stay tuned for more details on how you can join us for this landmark event!
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