5 Points Forward is a Knight Foundation funded initiative conducted by the Historic West End Partners to reimagine the potential of the 5 Points business district. This is the local community response to the opportunities presented by the Five Points Plaza and I-77 Underpass CNIP projects, the Clinton Chapel AME Zion master plan, the JCSU campus master plan, and the start of streetcar service in 2021. The initiative will partner will critical stakeholders like Inlivian to implement a new exciting stage of growth for this historic African American business and educational district. It will create a mark on the City’s skyline, it will celebrate the historic legacy of the community in advancing Charlotte’s Civil Rights history, and it will promote minority ownership of new businesses.

Throughout 2020, Neighboring Concepts and Shook Kelley teamed together to craft the plan with extensive participation, stakeholder collaboration, and online and in person community engagement, including in- person events like the Rosa Parks Farmers Market and the Huetiful celebration, despite all of the challenges presented by COVID social distancing protocols.