Danielle is a 2021 Summa Cum Laude graduate from North Carolina Central University and completed her studies with a concentration in public libraries. She worked as the Genealogy Librarian for the Greensboro Public Library before joining the Carolina Room in 2022. With 10+ years’ experience, she has developed a primary specialty in African American genealogical research and specializes in outreach. She has developed and taught research classes, implemented outreach programs to local churches and organizations, and developed her own African American Genealogy Research curriculum. She has been presenting a range of genealogy workshops around the Charlotte area ranging from Genealogy 101 to Researching Your Enslaved Ancestors.

Author Greg Jarrell will lead a walking tour of locations in Charlotte's Second Ward neighborhood that appear in his book Our Trespasses. Greg is a cultural organizer with QC Family Tree in the Enderly Park neighborhood of Charlotte. He works with words and music to impact housing and neighborhood justice issues, and writes about theology and history. His book Our Trespasses: White Churches and the Taking of American Neighborhoods has won wide acclaim for its clear storytelling and the discovery of new research from church and academic archives about urban renewal in Charlotte.

Join us for our annual HEARTS Winter Wisdom event at historic Cedar Grove in Huntersville featuring live music and dance performances, and so much more!

Local Author Carol Baldwin has just published a new novel called Half Truths, which is a fictionalized account of an interracial friendship between a young aspiring journalist and an African American woman serving as a maid in the segregated 1950s Charlotte. The novel is a profound exploration of identity and belonging and invites readers to reflect on the complexities of race, privilege, and the often-painful quest for authenticity. Carol based her story on real locations and people in Charlotte's history, and she talks about her process and how aspiring writers can tackle similar subjects.

With 10+ years’ experience, Danielle Pritchett has developed a primary specialty in African American genealogical research and specializes in outreach. She has developed and taught research classes, implemented outreach programs to local churches and organizations, and developed her own African American Genealogy Research curriculum. She has been presenting a range of genealogy workshops around the Charlotte area ranging from Genealogy 101 to Researching Your Enslaved Ancestors.

Michael D. Connor will give a performance and presentation about his African American ancestors, who settled in Mecklenburg County in the 1850s, and the loss of his grandfather's farm when Lake Norman was created.

Whether you’re just beginning or looking to strengthen your research skills, this talk will provide you with practical tools and inspiration to grow your family tree. Learn how to uncover your family history with Katie Grafer, an experienced genealogist who will guide you through the exciting journey of digging for your roots.

Join us for our annual HEARTS Harvest event at historic Cedar Grove in Huntersville featuring live music and dance performances, and so much more!

Author Greg Jarrell will lead a walking tour of locations in Charlotte's Second Ward neighborhood that appear in his book Our Trespasses. Greg is a cultural organizer with QC Family Tree in the Enderly Park neighborhood of Charlotte. He works with words and music to impact housing and neighborhood justice issues, and writes about theology and history. His book Our Trespasses: White Churches and the Taking of American Neighborhoods has won wide acclaim for its clear storytelling and the discovery of new research from church and academic archives about urban renewal in Charlotte.

Local Author Carol Baldwin has just published a new novel called Half Truths, which is a fictionalized account of an interracial friendship between a young aspiring journalist and an African American woman serving as a maid in the segregated 1950s Charlotte. The novel is a profound exploration of identity and belonging and invites readers to reflect on the complexities of race, privilege, and the often-painful quest for authenticity. Carol based her story on real locations and people in Charlotte's history, and she talks about her process and how aspiring writers can tackle similar subjects.

With 10+ years’ experience, Danielle has developed a primary specialty in African American genealogical research and specializes in outreach. She has developed and taught research classes, implemented outreach programs to local churches and organizations, and developed her own African American Genealogy Research curriculum. She has been presenting a range of genealogy workshops around the Charlotte area ranging from Genealogy 101 to Researching Your Enslaved Ancestors.

Join us for our annual HEARTS Catawba Nation event at historic Cedar Grove in Huntersville featuring live music, live ancestral dance performances, and so much more!

Michael D. Connor will give a performance and presentation about his African American ancestors, who settled in Mecklenburg County in the 1850s, and the loss of his grandfather's farm when Lake Norman was created.

Join us for our 4th annual HEARTS Circle Members' Gala at historic Cedar Grove in Huntersville featuring live music, an elegant farm to table dinner catered by the Carolina Farm Trust, our first ever silent auction, and an exclusive opportunity to tour the entire 18th century plantation home of Hugh and Isabella Torance!

Details released soon!

Join us for our first HEARTS An Evening of Art & Film at historic Cedar Grove in Huntersville featuring short films by Frederick Murphy and Julia Robinson Moore, Will Smith's fashion film shot on location at Cedar Grove, and the award-winning Elizabeth Bradford documentary produced and directed by John Rash in association with Davidson College. Limited tickets available.

Our 4th anniversary of Junion features Co-Chair of HEARTS Reunion Project, SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) member Andre’ Kearns, who’ll share his journey of discovering his Revolutionary War roots through Henry Johnston of Long Creek. Join us for an exploration of local history through the lens of genealogy and an afternoon of live music, visual art, dance, poetry, and nature. It all happens Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 2:00-5:00 at Huntersville’s historic Cedar Grove.

Join Preservation North Carolina for a day exploring the rich history and unique charm of Pinehurst! From restored Victorian churches to meticulously-designed landscapes, this ramble offers a rare inside look at private homes, community landmarks, and preservation in action!

Join the County’s Historic Landmarks Commission’s Adventure Club and Charlotte Spokes People for a bike tour through historic northwest Charlotte.

Join us for a very special HEARTS Happening event featuring historians and authors Scott Syfert and David Fleming on land that was once part of Alexandriana, the massive plantation estate of John McKnitt Alexander. Presented at Pioneer Springs Community School, the program features the historic Freedom Spring, where a colonial group of Princeton scholars met to discuss freedom from British Rule which prompted the creation of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20, 1775.

The 250th Anniversary of Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence will be observed May 17, starting at 10 am with a parade from Tanner’s Creek in Huntersville to Hopewell on Beaties Ford Road.

Join us on Wednesday, May 7th to exploring the historic landmark designation process with Tommy Warlick, Historic Preservation Specialist with the Mecklenburg County Historic Landmarks Commission. Engage in meaningful conversation and get your questions about historic designation answered by the experts.

A thrilling outdoor event featuring the important stories that lead up to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20th, 1775 as well as live cooking, blacksmithing, spinning, basket weaving and other demonstrations, plus a HEARTS Eco Minutes Update, and fresh flowers from Blackberry Ridge Farm. Join in on HEARTS’ annual community Maypole dance, enjoy live music performances, and shop a curated selection of 18th century mercantile goods on the historic grounds of the Hugh Torance House and Store.