West End Momentum: New Ventures Fuel Entrepreneurship and Jobs

→ Links to: QC Nerve’s News Roundup: Excelsior Club

Charlotte’s Historic West End is entering a new chapter — one powered by purpose, partnership, and people who believe in community-led progress. Recent local coverage, including QC Nerve’s spotlight on the revival of the Excelsior Club, highlights how investment along Beatties Ford Road is sparking fresh energy across the corridor.

Once the crown jewel of Black excellence in Charlotte, the Excelsior stood as a gathering place for artists, activists, and entrepreneurs. Now, under the guidance of Shawn Kennedy and Kennedy Properties & Development, that spirit is returning. The restoration is more than a historic preservation project — it’s an engine for economic mobility and creative opportunity.

But the Excelsior is only part of the story. Just down the road, Lucille’s Kitchen is preparing to open its doors to local chefs, providing affordable space, business coaching, and healthy-food education. Prosperity Alliance is building for-sale workforce housing to help families gain stability and ownership. Together, these projects create a self-sustaining ecosystem — homes to live in, jobs to work, and spaces to dream.

As Council Member Malcolm Graham recently noted, “This is another opportunity to invest in an environment where we can go to work in our community.” Kennedy Properties shares that conviction: that development should lift the neighborhoods that built Charlotte in the first place.

The momentum on the West End is growing. Through collaboration with residents, nonprofits, and city leaders, Kennedy Properties is ensuring that revitalization remains inclusive, attainable, and deeply rooted in the people it serves.

Read more about the Excelsior’s comeback on QC Nerve.

The historic Excelsior building

In closing, our commitment to historic neighborhoods is unwavering. We believe in the power of these communities to inspire, connect, and enrich lives. Together, we can invest in a legacy that honors the past while embracing the future. Let us continue to work hand in hand with residents, businesses, and local organizations to ensure that our historic neighborhoods remain vibrant and cherished for years to come.