Shaping Charlotte

In this episode of 'Shaping Charlotte,' hosts Clayton Sealey and Tesho Akindele discuss Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) with Monica Carney Holmes, Interim Planning Director for the City of Charlotte, and Harrison Tucker, CEO of Space Craft. The conversation covers the integration of transit and development to create walkable communities, with insights into the public and private sector roles in shaping Charlotte's future.

After months of discussion, debate, and deep dives into Charlotte’s proposed one-cent transit referendum, we’re down to the wire. In this pivotal episode, released just one day before the vote, Clayton and Tesho sit down with David Howard, former Charlotte City Council member and former Chief Deputy Secretary of NCDOT, to talk about what’s really at stake for our city. A lifelong Charlottean with decades of experience in housing, planning, and infrastructure, David brings a candid and grounded perspective to the conversation. Together, they explore what the referendum means for our region’s growth, how we got here, and what happens if it doesn’t pass. It’s a conversation about choices, momentum, and what it takes to move a city forward, because when it comes to building Charlotte’s future, the question isn’t just if we’ll invest in mobility, but when.

Buses may not grab the headlines, but they move Charlotte, literally. In this episode, Clayton and Tesho sit down with Jason Lawrence, Chief Transit Planning Officer at CATS, to talk about the Better Bus Plan and how the upcoming one-cent referendum could transform the way Charlotteans get around. They unpack how the city’s bus system evolved over the past two decades, who rides today, and what improvements, like faster routes, safer stops, and better first-and last-mile connections,are on the horizon. Jason also shares his own story, what keeps him passionate about transit, and how he sees Charlotte’s network adapting to a million-person future. Because when it comes to building a connected, livable city, the wheels on the bus don’t just go round and round, they move us forward.

Charlotte’s roads are the arteries that keep our city moving - all 5,000 miles of them. But with more than 150 new residents arriving in the region every day, those streets are getting busier, and the question of how we move becomes more urgent. In this episode, hosts Clayton Sealey and Tesho Akindele sit down with Ed McKinney, Special Assistant to the City Manager on Mobility, to discuss how the one-cent sales tax referendum could reshape Charlotte’s transportation future. They explore how funding priorities are set, what the Strategic Mobility Plan means for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike, and how technology and design can make our streets safer and more connected. From dead-end roads to better bus systems, this episode digs into the challenges - and opportunities - of building a city that moves for everyone. Shaping Charlotte explores the people, policies, and projects defining our city - one step, one street, one story at a time.

Charlotte’s growth isn’t an accident, it’s the product of decades of vision, collaboration, and bold leadership. In this episode, we sit down with Tracy Dodson, COO and Head of Economic Development at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, to talk about what makes the Queen City special, and how we can keep that momentum going.

Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Danté Anderson and Huntersville Mayor Christy Clark join Clayton and Tesho to talk transit, growth, and the future of our region. From the PAVE Act to housing and mobility, they dig into how Charlotte and its neighbors can grow together — and what it takes to lead in two very different communities.

In this special episode of Shaping Charlotte, Clayton Sealey and Tesho Akindele take a step back to reflect on what they’ve learned so far from conversations about Charlotte’s future. From the opportunities of the PAVE Act to the balance of roads, buses, and rail in the region’s $20B transit plan, they explore what it really means to build a safe, connected, and livable city. They also dive into listener questions from Twitter and Instagram—tackling everything from train timelines and headways to neighborhood growth, safety concerns, and the future of Gateway Station. It’s part reflection, part mailbag, and a full dose of the honest, community-driven conversation that defines Shaping Charlotte.

Charlotte is growing fast—but are we building the right kind of city for the future? In this episode of Shaping Charlotte, hosts Clayton Sealey and Tesho Akindele sit down with two leading voices who see the intersection of transit, design, and community from very different angles. Hayden Clarkin, better known as The Transit Guy, brings a national perspective on how cities move beyond car dependency and make real transit work.  Demetri Baches, founder of Metrocology and a veteran urban planner, grounds the conversation in design principles that help transit investments succeed. Together, they unpack why big infrastructure decisions matter, what Charlotte can learn from other metros, and how we balance visionary ideas with practical, people-first outcomes. From success stories to myths, and from the challenges of policy to the promise of possibility, this episode explores what it will take for Charlotte to step confidently into the future—one train, one sidewalk, one neighborhood at a time.

In this episode of Shaping Charlotte, hosts Clayton Sealey and Tesho Akindele sit down with two leaders shaping the future of opportunity in our region: Tonya Jameson, Director of Civic Advancement at Leading on Opportunity, and Shannon Binns, Founder and Executive Director of Sustain Charlotte. Together, they explore how the P.A.V.E. Act could transform Charlotte’s transit and transportation systems—unlocking new pathways for economic mobility, equity, and environmental sustainability. Before diving into the conversation, Clayton shares a reflection on the tragic murder of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s transit system, placing it in the larger context of public safety and the role that transit plays in shaping our daily lives. From confronting hard truths about safety and justice, to reimagining how we connect people to jobs, schools, and communities, this episode tackles the intersection of transit, opportunity, and quality of life.

In this episode of Shaping Charlotte, Tesho Akindele and Clayton Sealey host a spirited debate on one of the city’s biggest ballot issues this November: the transit referendum. Former City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Braxton Winston shares why he believes the current plan misses the mark, while attorney Larry Shaheen, who helped shape the legislation, makes the case for why it’s the right move for Charlotte’s future. Together, they dig into questions of equity, trust, funding, and what’s at stake for our region whether the measure passes or fails.

Charlotte is at a crossroads. The proposed 1-cent transit sales tax referendum could shape how our city grows, how we move, and what kind of future we build together. But what’s really in the plan — and what happens if we do nothing? In this episode of Shaping Charlotte, Clayton Sealey and Tesho Akindele sit down with two leaders who know the answers: Brent Cagle, interim CEO of CATS, and Ned Curran, longtime civic leader and former chairman of the N.C. Department of Transportation. Together, they break down the PAVES Act, explain the city’s transit vision, and make the case for why inaction might be the costliest choice of all. Whether you’re a daily transit rider, a driver stuck in traffic, or simply someone who cares about Charlotte’s growth and economy, this conversation is about what comes next — and why standing still isn’t an option. Sponsored by the Charlotte Alliance Foundation.

Welcome to the first episode of Shaping Charlotte! Co-hosts Clayton Sealey and Tesho Akindele kick things off by sharing why they’re passionate about Charlotte’s future — and why they believe conversations about transit, housing, and culture matter to everyone who calls this city home. From personal stories to big-picture hopes for where the Queen City is headed, this episode sets the stage for the season ahead.