The Pearl CLT

We were honored to welcome Dr. Samantha Brown-Parks, Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Atlanta Region, to The Pearl this week.

From thoughtful conversations on the future of medical education, virtual care and rural health to tours of our labs, innovation spaces and emerging med tech environments, the visit brought to life the intentional collaboration happening across the district every day.

Highlights from the visit included time in our Wake Forest University School of Medicine anatomy labs, as well as visits to IRCAD North America, K-12 STEAM Lab and other spaces shaping the next generation of healthcare talent.

We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase the incredible work happening here – and for the meaningful partnership ahead!

Atrium Health finalizes land-swap deal with INLIVIAN Atrium Health has contributed 14 acres off North Tryon Street to enable affordable housing to be developed by INLIVIAN, Charlotte's public housing authority.

Big ideas. Real connections. Growing impact.

At The Pearl, five health tech startups took the stage after seven weeks of mentorship, collaboration and pitch development through the inaugural gBETA Charlotte Health showcase.

The free accelerator supports early-stage companies with local roots, taking no fees and no equity, and is capped at five teams per cohort. The Spring 2026 program was supported by the City of Charlotte Government in partnership with Advocate Health and hosted at Connect Labs by Wexford at The Pearl.

The startups showcased included:

• 9+1AI — AI-based heart failure screening from a standard ECG
• CasandraAI — specialty diagnostic test ordering inside the EHR
• Inolyt — next-generation antimicrobials targeting drug-resistant bacteria
• SKG Lifesciences — a smart bandage for chronic wound healing
• Pump For Joy — compostable, single-use breast pump collection kits

This is what building a health innovation ecosystem looks like.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4fg2BDs

This spring at The Pearl, we launched a new Homeschool STEM Lab designed for students in grades 3–8.

Through hands-on experiments and collaborative problem solving, students explore the intersection of science, engineering and medicine while working through real-world case studies focused on neurological recovery and rehabilitation.

Each session is a standalone experience, giving students a chance to engage with the kind of innovative work happening right here at The Pearl.

Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

👉 Learn more and reserve your student’s spot: https://bit.ly/49fyrMB

An evening rooted in legacy, love and purpose.

Family, friends, community leaders and supporters gathered at The Pearl to celebrate the life and lasting impact of Bishop George E. Battle Jr. on what would have been his 78th birthday, while also honoring 50 years of the Greater Enrichment Program through a special gala fundraiser. From heartfelt reflections to joyful performances from GEP students, the night served as a powerful reminder of Bishop Battle’s commitment to faith, education and uplifting generations of young people across Charlotte.

Though Bishop Battle transitioned to eternal rest in March 2025, his influence continues to live on through the lives he touched, the leaders he inspired and the community he helped build. Thank you to everyone who joined in celebrating his extraordinary legacy.

What if students could experience the future of healthcare and innovation before they even graduate high school?

That vision took a major step forward as 56 students from Cabarrus County Schools received their Pearl backpacks in a special ceremony celebrating the launch of the first cohort in the Cabarrus County AI + Healthcare Innovation initiative.

What began as a conversation about creating more meaningful access to healthcare, AI, rapid prototyping and innovation has evolved into a first-of-its-kind collaboration connecting education, industry and healthcare in a new way. This milestone is just one part of broader work happening across the region as we partner with schools from multiple districts to expand access to these opportunities.

Starting this August, these students will spend time weekly at The Pearl engaging with real-world challenges, mentors and opportunities designed to help shape the next generation of innovators and changemakers.

This initiative is more than a program, it’s a proof of concept for how schools and innovation districts can work together to expand access, build talent pipelines and create new pathways for students to imagine what’s possible. We’re proud to see this momentum growing across the region and excited for what’s ahead!