CCST Featured in the Arts & Science Council’s 2025 Annual Report
From a few families gathered in Freedom Park to a nonprofit serving families across Charlotte, our seven-year journey continues to connect communities through language, arts, and culture.
Charlotte Chinese Story Time (CCST) is honored to be featured in the Arts & Science Council (ASC) 2025 Annual Report and in an accompanying article on ASC’s website.
Recognized in ASC’s Annual Report
Pages 10 and 11 of the report focus on Culture Blocks, ASC’s program that brings free, high-quality arts and cultural experiences to libraries, parks, recreation centers, and other community spaces across Mecklenburg County. According to the report, 88,499 residents participated in Culture Blocks programming.
In this section, ASC highlights CCST as “one standout partner,” featuring a photo from our Children's Lunar New Year showcase and tracing our growth from a small story time in Freedom Park to art workshops, a poetry recitation contest, and a Lunar New Year showcase. The following page includes a QR code inviting readers to learn more about CCST.
“A Perfect Showcase”
ASC also published a feature article by Page Leggett, ASC Delivers Cultural Experiences in Every Corner of Mecklenburg County, drawing on interviews with CCST Founder and President Jenny Zhan, Culture Blocks Director Claudia Gonzalez Griffin, and a participating parent. The article states:
“CCST is a perfect showcase of what Culture Blocks can accomplish: Expand access, amplify diverse voices and bring high-quality arts experiences directly to the community.”
For an all-volunteer organization built by community families, this recognition from a longtime funder means a great deal.
It Started on the Grass in Freedom Park
CCST began in 2019 as, in Jenny’s words, “a few families sitting on the grass in Freedom Park doing story time together.” Before receiving ASC support, a monthly Chinese story time was our only program.
ASC saw potential early on. “We thought Jenny’s idea was amazing,” Griffin said in the article. “She wanted intergenerational engagement and community storytelling — not just for the Chinese American community, but for anyone wanting to learn about Chinese culture. Jenny was committed to making it inclusive, which we liked.”
Seven years later, CCST offers bilingual story times, traditional Chinese arts workshops, the Charlotte Cup Chinese Poetry Recitation Contest, and the Charlotte Children’s Lunar New Year Showcase, in public libraries, community centers, and theaters.
Growing to Meet Community Demand
ASC’s article highlights several milestones:
Poetry Recitation Contest: More than 150 students competed in the first Charlotte Cup contest, and 168 in the second. Both years, CCST offered workshops to help students build confidence alongside their recitation skills.
Lunar New Year Showcase: With ASC funding, 121 children performed for a capacity crowd at Matthews Community Center in February. All 300 free public tickets were reserved within five hours.
Traditional Arts Workshops: Led by local Chinese American artists, the first of four workshops filled all 40 spots and drew a waitlist of 167 families, which Jenny said showed “how strong the demand is.”
Youth Leadership: Story time originally served children up to age 8. Today, middle and high school students serve as volunteer readers and helpers. “We prepare them to be leaders,” Jenny said.
One parent, Natalie, shared that her son attended four CCST workshops last year and “loved every one of them!” She appreciated that our programs bring “families together” and make high-quality experiences accessible to “budget-conscious families.”
Building Bridges
CCST welcomes families of many backgrounds: native Chinese speakers, children learning Chinese as a second language, including many Hispanic families, and children of immigrants who want to reconnect with their heritage.
“We’re not just teaching Chinese,” Jenny said. “We’re building connections.”
Our programs are hands-on by design, so children perform, create, and take part rather than simply watch. Many parents have told us that Asian cultural activities are rare in Charlotte and that CCST fills an important gap. Beyond programs, CCST has also become a place where families share resources and build community. “It goes beyond language and culture,” Jenny said. “We support people in whatever way we can.”
From Passion to Sustainability
In addition to Culture Blocks, ASC’s Strategic Investment Grant has helped CCST improve our website, strengthen our board, and operate more professionally.
“ASC helped us move from a small, grassroots effort to something much more sustainable and impactful,” Jenny said. “We had the passion from the beginning, but ASC helped give us the structure and support to grow.”
Thank You
This recognition belongs to everyone who has been part of CCST’s journey. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Arts & Science Council, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, and all of our community partners, as well as our board members, teaching artists, youth volunteers, and the families who continue to support our mission.
As we prepare for the 2027 Charlotte Children’s Lunar New Year Showcase at the Knight Theater, along with our poetry contest, arts workshops, and library story times, we remain committed to bringing meaningful cultural experiences to children and families throughout Charlotte.
What began with a few stories has grown into countless opportunities for learning, belonging, and cultural connection. Thank you for being part of our story.
Read ASC’s Coverage
ASC 2025 Annual Report (CCST is featured on pages 10–11)
ASC Delivers Cultural Experiences in Every Corner of Mecklenburg County
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