MoRA (Monroe Road Advocates, Inc.)

The purpose of the organization is to form a coalition of neighborhood leaders, associations, businesses and organizations to forge a more vital and vibrant community.

Our strategic initiatives:
• Promote and support the social, educational, cultural, artistic, and economic life of this welcoming area of Charlotte while encouraging and preserving its diversity.
• Provide a forum for building relationships among area residents, businesses and community institutions to share information, viewpoints, and ideas.
• Identify common needs and ambitions for discussion, advocacy, and potential action.

* MoRA has been cultivating relationships with stakeholders since its beginning, such as with the neighborhoods all along Monroe Road, sharing information, seeking collaboration
* Strong communications and social media platforms support local businesses and nonprofits
* An all-volunteer board of directors and advisors consisting of area residents meet monthly to affirm/direct the organization's goals
* The organization has a stable financial foundation
* MoRA has developed positive relationships with elected officials and government administrators in order to advocate effectively for what residents say they want

Inclusive and collaborative, our organization includes stakeholders from area neighborhoods, businesses and nonprofits.
Our efforts include:
•Advocating for bike paths, walkability, transit, and public safety. Assuring that residents' voices are heard when major issues, such as light rail, are being decided.
•Annual town hall meetings and a government agencies open house have been held since 2015.
•Public art projects have been created in collaboration with the community:
1) The iconic "Embrace" public art sculpture was the first of MoRA's transformational projects. The 16' mosaic and mirrored polished steel sculpture was unveiled in 2017 and continues to serve as a community gathering place and a landmark for the area.
2) "Tapestry" collaborative community mural which weaves together iconic fabric patterns and images representing the different countries and ethnicities of residents in the area, and celebrates the culture of the people who live here. It was created and dedicated in 2019.
3) "Patchworks" is a series of street murals at three intersections along Monroe Road installed in 2021. These pieces reflect the experiences and cultural backgrounds of the people who live and work here.

What's ahead: continuing to create community relationships, elevating our neighborhoods, supporting our businesses, creating art and opportunities for community connection. Outreach to the community in the form of surveying, polls and questionnaires is upcoming.