About Us

The Historic West End Neighborhood Association (HWENA) is a voluntary consortium of 18 residential communities along the Beatties Ford Road Northwest Corridor. The Historic West End Neighborhood Association Communities include: Bahama-Havana Park, Biddleville/Smallwood, Dalebrook, Eleanor Heights, Garden Park/Northwest Hills/Northwood Park, Historic Washington Heights, Hyde Park Estates, Lincoln Heights, McCrorey Heights, Northwood Estates, Oaklawn Park, Oak Terrace, Trinity Park/Beatties Ford Road, University Park, University Park North, and Wilson Heights.

Misson

Our mission is to provide opportunities and space for building community through collaborative efforts of communication,

engagement, and education.

Vision

We envision a connected and th2 Columnriving community, honoring our cultural heritage while embracing growth and collaboration.

HWENA’S HISTORY

The Historic West Neighborhood Association (HWENA) grew out of a 7-year initiative in the 1990s that developed community coalitions to implement comprehensive programs to reduce alcohol and drug use called Fighting Back. Thirteen neighborhoods along the Beatties Ford Road Corridor came together as Fighting Back Cluster 1 in Charlotte as a part of the national initiative supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The group invested in relationships across neighborhoods and continued the West End’s long running efforts to collaborate for improved quality of life for all residents. In 1999, the group reorganized to become what is now HWENA.

During its early formation, HWENA chose to organize as an informal collaborative of the presidents of the then 13 neighborhoods and other community-based entities. HWENA was careful to respect and protect the autonomy and rights of each neighborhood to make their own decisions. The organization met monthly and shared information on areas of interest that affected the quality of life for families and individuals living on the Beatties Ford Road Corridor. HWENA, from 2009-2015, grew to a membership of 18 neighborhoods and developed a collaborative relationship with Johnson C. Smith University, along with enhancing its relationship with local government, both City and County, and other community institutions. From 1999 – 2015, the organization was led by the Chair Aaron McKeithan, Jr. after whom Aaron Orr and Calvin McDougal served as Chair.

Presently, Mrs. Natalie K. Beard serves as Chair of HWENA. HWENA, now over 25 years old, is still going strong as a community coalition bringing pertinent information to, and advocating for, and working on behalf of the neighborhoods along the Beatties Ford Road Corridor and their residents. Under the current leadership of Chair Natalie K. Beard, and HWENA’s Leadership Team, other neighborhood members, and the Beatties Ford Road Corridor residents, HWENA continues its mission of working for positive change and a better quality of life for all Beatties Ford Road residents.

HWENA’S AREAS OF FOCUS

In addition to investing in the relationships among neighborhood and community leaders, HWENA focuses on different areas of interest based on the needs, interests, and priorities of the neighborhoods. Past areas of focus from HWENA’s inception to the present have included: Amenities, Infrastructure, Corridor revitalization, Advocacy, Public policy, Image, Historical preservation, Sharing Information, Clearing House, Leveraging Resources and Improvements, Address Individual Member Neighborhood Issues and needs, Community Safety, Collaboration, Public Education, and Historic West End Green Initiative.

INFORMATION SHARING

HWENA sees investing the “we” of the West End as one of its primary roles. That includes investing in relationships among neighborhood and community leaders, sharing information and opportunities, and fostering a shared understanding of history as well as a vision for future. Neighborhood leaders and representatives of government and nonprofits that attend HWENA meetings routinely engage in these efforts. Below are a few examples of sharing information and opportunities that support the wider community.

- Sharing information about how neighborhood organizations have organized home fire safety inspections.

- Highlighting opportunities for neighbors to access affordable technology and training offered by the city.

- Ways community healthcare workers can support Neighbors’ wellbeing.

- Opportunities to engage in City zoning decisions.

- Critical home repair opportunities.

- Property tax relief resources available through local government.

HWENA INITIATIVES

Beyond these ongoing efforts to support a vibrant community, HWENA occasionally undertakes broader initiatives. Past initiatives have included:

- Securing of grant funding and successful implementation of a branding and signage project.

- Successful advocacy for Phase I of the Gold Line Transportation Project.

- Community engagement with road improvement projects on the Beatties Ford Corridor.

- Raising awareness of the historical and culture importance of this gateway corridor to the overall growth of Charlotte and the Charlotte story.

- Hosting a dialogue experience through a collaboration of the Knight Foundation and the City of Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity.

- Representing the concern of neighborhood leaders about the possible location of an adult arcade or fish games establishment along Beatties Ford Road to the Mayor of Charlotte.

- Local Candidate Forums

- Partnering with Councilman Malcolm Graham to create the 2024 Beatties Ford Road Summit.

- Supported corridor-wide efforts such as the Historic West End Green District improvements and I-77 mobility plan.

(704) 777-5898

1020 W 1st St, Charlotte, NC 28208