This collection documents the history of several of Charlotte’s inner core neighborhoods through the recollections of community members. Residents of Optimist Park, Washington Heights, and Druid Hills share their life stories and discuss their neighborhoods, offering insight into the significance of community, the human cost of neighborhood change, and the shifting landscape of affordable housing in Charlotte. As gentrification increases in Charlotte, a risk exists that the unique history of these neighborhoods, built through the experiences and efforts of its residents, will be lost. These interviews, conducted by students from the UNC Charlotte Honors College and Action Research Project, aim to counter that risk and encourage further dialogue about the significance of neighborhood.