THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT THIS YEAR!
Do Greater Charlotte and Creative Coffee will be closed for Thanksgiving on November 28-29.
TODAY’S creative COMMUNITY EMPOWERING TOMORROW’S CREATIVE CLASS.
Do Greater Charlotte is a non-profit empowering communities to do greater by facilitating exposure and access to creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship. We provide quality tools, a creative space and a nurturing community so underserved and under-resourced communities can turn their ideas into future opportunities.
“We are training the next generation of creative entrepreneurs for good.”
Access To Quality Tools And Technology
It all begins with an idea. But without access to advanced technology, you can’t move those great ideas toward impact.
Creative Spaces To Pursue Your Passion
Space Inspires. It boosts our creative confidence. Creative spaces create the conditions for well-being – leading to happier people.
Nurturing Community To Motivate & Support
A community helping underserved youth discover what they can do and who they can become through the power of creativity.
PROGRAMS
Our spaces are hubs for learning. Whether in the Mobile CRTVLab or the physical space, all are equipped with modern digital technology to provide educational opportunities centered around creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship across multiple interests including coding, design, video production, photography, and more.
Fall Progams are Open for Registration
- 8 classes currently open for registration for Fall 2024—additional classes could be added.
- Register for classes in Entrepreneurship, Music Production, Architecture and DJing. Limited space available.
- Stay tuned for updates on more upcoming programs—email kelsey@dogreater.org for more info
Other Programs at the Do Greater Creative Lab:
Start Upward
Start Upward is a free entrepreneurship after-school program that helps teens find their passions through generating, testing, and launching ideas. Spend 10 weeks learning how to turn ideas into action, hearing from local entrepreneurs and building a business.
Middle to High School
For More Information on Start Upward and other programs, email kelsey@dogreater.org
Art of DJing
Do Greater Charlotte and Backspinz are teaming up to bring you The Art of DJing at the Creative Lab at Shiloh. Learn “What is a DJ?”, the history of DJing, and how to develop skills on the technical and business side of DJing. Interact with guest DJs and get hands-on experience as they provide practical perspectives to the art of DJ’ing.
Middle to High School
For More Information on the Art of DJing and other programs, email kelsey@dogreater.org
Design-a-thon
-The Design-a-thon is an annual weekend-long event for teens to learn the design-thinking process through creating solutions to community challenges. Students will be challenged to work in teams to create solutions to a real community problem. The event is open to high school students in Charlotte and is free for students to participate in. It is an amazing opportunity for students to learn new skills, have fun, and make a positive impact in their community.
High School
Click Below for More Information on the 2024 Design-a-thon supported by Truist
Summer Camps
Creativity Rules the Summer! We had an exciting 2024 summer camp season. We served 154 students through 10 summer programs. We explored entrepreneurship and game design. Students got to explore their creative side and learn about branding and marketing. There was a Podclass for those interested in communications, and we closed out the summer with Designathon. Do Greater know how to handle the summer. Don’t miss it next year!
Middle to High School
For More Information on the Do Greater Charlotte Summer Camps, click the button below.
Creative Lab by Do Greater
Building Creative Confidence in Youth
IGNITING CREATIVITY
We are extremely excited about the Creative Lab at Shiloh (CRTVLab at Shiloh), an innovative space located on the bottom level of Shiloh Institutional Baptist Church. Our focus from the beginning was to create spaces that offer quality technology, a creative environment that inspires, and a nurturing community of support for underserved youth. We started with the Mobile CRTVLab and now we have the CRTVLab at Shiloh, an 8,000 sq. ft. innovation and creativity hub for youth.
This new creative space allows Do Greater Charlotte to move ahead with the promise to ignite creativity and empower youth in underserved communities to turn their ideas into opportunities.
Creative Lab at Shiloh (CRTVLab)
The Do Greater Charlotte Creative Lab at Shiloh is an 8,000 sq. ft. innovation and creativity hub for youth. It’s where creative confidence is built in students through exposure to design, entrepreneurship, and innovative technology so they can turn their ideas into opportunities. Designed with the student in mind, the CRTVLab is purposed to ignite that creative spark in students with exciting programing, 4 design studios (music production, video production, photography and a podcast studio). The coworking, colearning vibe creates a safe and comfortable place for youth to learn, engage and create. In our TechHub, youth can prototype using tools, 3D printers and cutting machines. During school hours, the CRTVLab is open to the community for coworking, meetings and events.
Do Greater Mobile CRTVLab
In the fall of 2019, the Do Greater Charlotte Mobile Creative Lab (CRTVLab) rolled onto the scene. A former Lance cookie truck, the Mobile CRTVLab was the vision of William McNeely, the founder of Do Greater Charlotte. It is a technology classroom on wheels, providing free education services to middle and high schools on the westside of Charlotte, and serving the community at large. If you would like for the Mobile CRTVLab to bring Creative Lab programming to your school or event, email, kelsey@dogreater.org for more information.
Creative Lab Coffee
A Blend of Coffee & Creativity
SOMETHING’S BREWING.
The Creative Lab at Shiloh is outfitted with a full-service coffee shop—Creative Lab Coffee. We proudly brew Enderly Coffe and offer pastries and other specialty drinks. Creative Lab Coffee is a non-profit coffee shop where all of the proceeds benefit our programs. Creative Lab Coffee offers a high-quality coffee experience in the Camp Greene neighborhood in west Charlotte.
Current Coffee Shop Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
our why
“For every young person with a bright spark of hope and a pathway for his or her future, there is another, not so far away, living day to day without the necessities to light his or her own path.”
Charlotte Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force
William “Coach Mac” McNeely – Founder
William McNeely, a Charlotte, NC native, is an entrepreneur, non-profit executive, and former Apple Market Development Executive and Educator with a career that has encompassed the technology, marketing, and education sectors.
Driven by his commitment to aiding others, McNeely departed from corporate america following a double lung transplant to establish Do Greater Charlotte. This endeavor enables him to leverage his distinctive skill set to guide students in discovering their passions and crafting tangible paths to achieve academic and career objectives.
William has devoted himself to inspiring individuals to pursue greater things and make a greater impact on the lives others.
Our sponsors & partners
follow us on instagram
Contact Us.
Do Greater Charlotte
2400 Greenland Ave
Charlotte, NC 28208
info@dogreater.org
