Mason Gabriels, 12, left, and his brother, Matthew, 5, admire each other’s faceprint during Juneteenth at The Gantt at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture in Charlotte, N.C., on Friday, June 19, 2026.
KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH
Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Through the lens of our visual journalists, a moment in time is captured and becomes part of our history.
Each week the Charlotte Observer will present a selection of images that document communities.
This feature can be seen in Sunday’s newspaper and on our online Edition at eedition.charlotteobserver.com
Charlotte Hornets fans react to the team’s selection of Hannes Steinbach with the 14th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Hornets Hoops campers cheer while their teammates play in front of Charlotte Hornets first-round draft picks Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson Jr. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at Covenant Presbyterian Church. “They’re professionals and they’re watching us play,” 7-year-old camper Hadley Mills said. “Some of us may grow up to be one of them someday.” Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.com
Owner of Sidelines Sports Bar & Billiards and Bar Argon, Kevin Cooper, poses for a portrait at Sidelines Sports Bar & Billiards in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
People look at art during Juneteenth at The Gantt at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture in Charlotte, N.C., on Friday, June 19, 2026. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Robert Harrington, left, smiles after receiving the majority of votes needed to become interim mayor after acting mayor Vi Lyles steps down at the end of June. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Will Ferrell visited the World Golf Hall of Fame in-character as Lonnie Hawkins, a golfer desperate to make a career comeback, to promote his upcoming Netflix series “The Hawk,” on Thursday, June 18, 2026 in Pinehurst, NC. The event kicked off “The Hawk Bus Tour” which will travel the East Coast over the next few weeks. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.
Mayor Vi Lyles is presented with a street sign bearing her name “Vi Lyles Way” during her final city council meeting at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center in Charlotte on Monday, June 22, 2026 Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Robert Harrington, left, receives a congratulatory handshake after receiving the majority of votes needed to become interim mayor after acting mayor, Vi Lyles, steps down at the end of June. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Sporting “The Hawk” visors and hair, Anne Stewart (4) hangs onto her dad, Billy Stewart, outside the crowd of fans seeking interaction with Will Ferrell as Lonnie Hawkins at the World Golf Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 18, 2026 in Pinehurst, NC. Ali Costellow ali.costellow@charlotteobserver.
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