As part of Charlotte SHOUT!, and in partnership with Charlotte Ideas Festival, UNC Charlotte presents “Timelines: Past Perspectives. Future Insights.” This full-day signature event on Saturday, April 5, at The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City features thought-provoking conversations, interactive panels and creative expressions that explore how storytelling, science, community and culture shape our lives and our future.

🎟️ FREE for UNC Charlotte faculty, staff and students with ID.

⛏️ Alumni receive 20% off with code NINERNATION.

“Timelines: Past Perspectives. Future Insights.” 

10:30 to 11 a.m.

☕ Registration and Networking

11:00 a.m.to 12:15 p.m.

📚 Story in Time: Voices in Historical Fiction

Explore the power of storytelling to make history come alive with celebrated authors in conversation about narrative, memory and truth.

Featuring:

• Joy Callaway, “What the Mountains Remember”
• Camille di Maio, “Come Fly With Me”
• Vanessa Miller, “The American Queen”
• Adele Myers, “The Tobacco Wives”
• Susie Orman Schnall, “We Came Here to Shine”

12:15 to 1 p.m.

✍️ Book Signing and Lunch

1 to 2 p.m. (Choose One)

🧠 Cultivating a Culture of Connection

A conversation hosted by TEDx Sugar Creek Women, exploring empathy, leadership and building inclusive spaces.

Featuring:

• Cara Truitt, founder and executive producer, TEDx Sugar Creek Women
• Christine Edwards Pitkin, founder, Civility Localized
• Shefalee V. Patel, Cultural Connector

🎬 Independent Picture House Short Film Screening and Filmmaker Q&A

Discover local voices in film and join an engaging discussion with the creator.

(Speaker TBA)

2 to 2:30 p.m.

☕ Networking Break

2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (Choose One)

🥗 Food as Medicine: The Power of Nutrition in Health Care

A timely session exploring the intersection of wellness, policy and food systems.

Featuring:

• Elaine Jones, senior dietitian, Atrium Health
• Chayil Johnson, executive chef, Community Matters Cafe
• Genny Komar, associate professor, Johnson & Wales University
• Leslie Van Horn, associate professor, Johnson & Wales University

🧬 Building Community with the Periodic Table of Human Emotions

A creative and scientific approach to understanding emotional intelligence.

Featuring:

• Ian Binns, associate professor of elementary education, UNC Charlotte

3:30 to 4 p.m.

☕ Networking Break

4 to 5 p.m. (Choose One)

🌐 The Internet Age: From PC to AI

Unpack the digital transformation of our world from early internet days to the current AI evolution.

Featuring:

• Min Jiang, professor of communication studies, UNC Charlotte

🎭 I Love a Parade

A whimsical and insightful exploration of performance, pageantry and public memory.

Featuring:

• Matthew Gin, assistant professor of architectural history, UNC Charlotte

5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Choose One)

🎥 The Marvel Universe in Old and New Media

From comics to cinema, Marvel has shaped pop culture and identity.

Featuring:

• Aaron Kashtan, assistant teaching professor of writing, UNC Charlotte

⏳ Timekeeping and the Great Beyond

A reflective conversation on how we perceive time, legacy and the unknown.

Featuring:

School of Architecture students on behalf of Kyle Spence, assistant professor of architecture, UNC Charlotte.

• Ethan Lampel
• Claire Lippert
• Maximiliano Rodriguez.