A new slate of columnists are joining the Observer. They're ready to challenge your thinking.

When we started the Observer’s contributing columnists effort a year ago, we hoped our eight new writers would engage readers with fresh voices, provocative opinions and compelling writing.

It worked. You had Amy Chiou telling you that four words – “I’m a native Charlottean” – are holding the city back. You had Billy Maddalon revealing how North Carolina’s flawed mental health system was mistreating children, including his own. You had Bob Orr tackling his fellow Republicans (and some long-time friends) in the legislature for employing power politics, “good government be damned.” You had Mark Washburn telling you with cold but clear eyes, “You are the hostage. You do as you are told” – because Charlotte needs the Panthers more than they need us.

Charlotte and North Carolina are filled with smart, engaging, opinionated people. We are delighted to connect you with some of them. To start the second year of this initiative, we are bringing in six new columnists and keeping two previous ones. They will each write one column per month, plus engage with readers in other ways.

We’re confident they will at times please you and at times enrage you, but always make you think in new ways about our city, state and nation.

Janeen Bryant, a Davidson graduate, is a former Teach for America kindergarten teacher who was later the vice president of education at the Levine Museum of the New South. She ran unsuccessfully for the school board in 2015 and 2017.

She is the founder of Facilitate Movement, a consulting firm that does organizational staff training and individual leadership development.

In her school board campaigns, she talked about the need for a strong education for all children, regardless of their race or economic status. She says she strives to be connected to Charlotte “by telling the truth, living my truth and now writing my truth.”

Dana Ervin works as a congressional investigator, analyzing how federal money is being used or misused. Before that, Ervin was an investigative journalist for 60 Minutes, where she reported on everything from insider trading to environmental toxins. She also covered politics for CBS This Morning and Nightline. She received an Emmy for investigative reporting.

Ervin moved to North Carolina 12 years ago and loves the warmth of the people and the weather. She is married to Robert Ervin, an N.C. Superior Court judge. She’s excited about this opportunity to observe, comment and report about North Carolina events, politics and trends.

Rachel Kubie has been a public reference librarian for the past two-plus decades. She grew up in St. Louis, got her undergraduate degree there, then earned degrees from the Writing Seminars in Poetry at Johns Hopkins and in Library Science from Catholic University of America.

She moved to Charlotte in 2007 and has been deeply engaged in public affairs. A single mom, she was involved in the Moral Monday protests and the Poor People’s Campaign, and was arrested at the legislature in 2013 and earlier this year. Fluent on a range of issues, we believe she is passionate without being strident.

Billy Maddalon begins a second year as an Observer contributing columnist. A business owner, former politician, foster parent and gay man, Maddalon has brought an insightful eye on public issues to the Observer’s opinion pages.

A Charlotte native and graduate of Charlotte Catholic and N.C. State, he owns the Morehead Inn and the VanLandingham Estate. He served a term on Charlotte’s City Council and ran unsuccessfully for the state House. He and his husband, Brooks, are licensed Therapeutic Foster Parents who have parented 19 foster children.

Desiree Zapata Miller is a Honduras native who came to the U.S. as a child with her mother and three siblings. She is a naturalized American citizen who earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Orleans after growing up in that city.

She says her childhood experience watching her mother learn English, work multiple jobs and eventually open her own business inspired her conservative, traditional view on public affairs.

She served on the board of the Mecklenburg County Republican Party for two years and is president of the Mecklenburg Evening Republican Women’s Club. She has worked on numerous campaigns since moving to Charlotte about 10 years ago.

Justin Perry joined the contributing columnists team in March. He has already written powerful pieces on segregation, mass shootings and national anthem protests.

Perry is the owner and therapist at Perry Counseling Healing and Recovery, where he specializes in treating individuals who struggle with shame, insecurity and personal relationships.

A Charlotte native, Perry graduated from West Charlotte High and earned his bachelors and masters degrees at UNC Chapel Hill. He has served as co-chair of OneMeck, a group that focuses on increased equity and integration in education and housing.

Kenny Smith served on Charlotte’s City Council for two terms before losing to Vi Lyles in his bid for mayor last fall. A Charlotte native and UNC Chapel Hill graduate, he is a commercial real estate broker with New South Properties of the Carolinas.

Smith was a strong conservative on the council, but one who was collegial with his Democratic colleagues.

As a council member, “I sought to communicate conservative principles in a resolute but respectful manner,” he says. “In an era in which the loudest voices often control the debate, I believe critical thinking and sound policy should carry the day.”

Mark Washburn continues as a contributing columnist for the Observer. Washburn worked at the Observer for 18 years, covering media and other topics and wrote a weekly column on local issues. He still lives in Davidson, from where he can spot Charlotte absurdities and bad toll deals with ease.

Washburn worked for the Miami Herald and the News & Observer in Raleigh before joining the Observer.