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A native Charlottean saw her hometown through new eyes during her summer internship with The Ledger
Emily Brietz
I’ve always proudly worn the title of “fourth-generation Charlottean,” but interning at The Charlotte Ledger this summer taught me that there is always something more to learn about this place I call home.
In July, I pitched a story about 24 Hours of Booty’s 25th anniversary. I thought it would make a great video for social media, and I could write a quick story about the silver anniversary.
When I went to conduct interviews, I realized the only thing I knew about the event was that I should avoid Queens Road the last weekend in July because hundreds of people would be biking through the neighborhood.
Quickly, I learned there was much more to the event than that: cancer survivors lead the first lap, chariots attached to the bikes allow recovering patients to participate and the organization has given more than $33M to support cancer patients and families in Charlotte. I got emotional watching the start of the event and will never think about 24 Hours of Booty the same way again.
I learned that Charlotte used to have an IMAX 70mm theater at Discovery Place and that the Kings Drive Farmers Market, which I’ve gone to my entire life, is owned by a man who's worked there since he was 12. I also didn’t know that Charlotte was the birthplace of Bojangles, or that it hosts a stage of their annual biscuit-making competition. (As a Bojangles enthusiast, I can confirm they were the best biscuits I’ve ever tasted.)
There are so many interesting, fun and fascinating things about Charlotte that have yet to be uncovered; we just have to be curious enough to ask about them.
I also grew a lot as a multimedia journalist this summer. At the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC Chapel Hill, our professors teach us that in the ever-changing field of journalism, it’s important to be well-rounded. I’m thankful that The Ledger let me wear so many different hats this summer, from social media graphics and Instagram Reels to audience outreach and writing a few pieces.
I’ve learned at The Ledger that mistakes are opportunities to learn and improve. In this field, it’s important to rely on your team and remember that you don’t have to do everything alone.
Most importantly, this internship has reaffirmed for me why I love journalism. There is nothing like the rewarding feeling of having a question about something and finding the answer while uncovering unexpected stories in the process. I love getting to talk to passionate and interesting people, and I’m thankful that The Ledger has allowed me to interact with them this summer.
As I head into my junior year at UNC Chapel Hill, I will take that same curiosity and passion for learning about other people’s stories with me. I couldn’t have been successful this summer without the support and encouragement of The Ledger team: Tony Mecia, Ashley Fahey, Lindsey Banks and Ava Mikeal. They truly are the best in the business, and I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from them, even for a short time.