During an Axios Charlotte meeting last year, one of our reporters confessed to having been born in 1997. I choked down a chicken torta sandwich and slumped in the corner, before quietly stating my truth:

• 1997 was my high school graduation year.

The bad news: This opened the door to more hits — at least two other colleagues in the Charlotte office were born after my senior beach week.

• The good news: We all get along — me a young Gen Xer, them older Gen Zers — just fine!

Why it matters: The post-2008 recession Charlotte is the millennials' playground. The rooftop pools. The breweries. The Charlotte Agenda (turned Axios Charlotte).

• But we're dedicating this issue to the generations that aren't millennials. Sorry. I'm sure we'll be back using nouns as verbs tomorrow so you can adult and brunch.

The bottom line: Pop culture and the internet can leave you believing we're always on the cusp of generational warfare, but we're not all that different.

Hugh McColl plans to live to 100. But now at 87, the legendary Charlottean is making some concessions, like turning over many of his driving duties to a young Gen Zer named Myles McGregor.

McGregor, 25, founded Charlotte Immaculate, a startup that provides luxury concierge services to some of the city's most powerful people, including McColl and EY managing partner Malcomb Coley.

McColl, of course, joined one company early in his career and kept making it bigger, taking North Carolina National Bank to NationsBank and eventually Bank of America.

Why it matters: When they're in the car, McColl and McGregor talk about everything from dating to business. And their conversations reveal that for all that changes, relationships remain our most valuable currency.

Full story

💼 Check out who’s hiring around the city.

1. Development Manager at Sullenberger Aviation Museum.
2. Assistant Retail Manager (Full-time) at ColsenKeane Leather Goods & Provisions.
3. Sales Associate at Johnstone Supply.
4. Licensed HVAC Professional at Piedmont Facility Services.
5. Accountant at South America Mission.
6. Office Assistant at Fahrenheit Charlotte.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

One reality that doesn't bite: 1990s music is the most popular in modern America.

• That's according to a July 2022 story from Axios' Emily Peck.

Why it matters: Generation X is having a cultural moment.

State of play: Last summer, I asked readers for names of Gen Xers shaping Charlotte today. The responses came in waves.

• For a generation that takes pleasure in being overlooked, Generation X — born between 1965 and 1980 — has a lot of horsepower here. They're driving our food scene, leading billion-dollar businesses and still setting style trends.

A few from the list:

• Manolo Betancur: Owner of Manolo's Bakery.
• Damian and Jermaine Johnson: Founders of No Grease! Barbershop chain.
• Michael Praeger: Co-founder and CEO of AvidXchange, maybe our brightest startup story.

See the complete list of 50+ Gen Xers shaping Charlotte

Go deeper with advice from Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei

Gen Zers, born between 1997-2012, are trendsetters in nearly everything they touch — from social media to social justice.

Our team put together a quick list of a few Gen Z professionals shaping Charlotte:

LaMelo Ball: Hornets star guard, 21, who's injured but still a force off the court, turning heads with edgy fashion choices for himself and his dog.

Annabelle Johnson: Small business owner, 24, who upfitted a van and took her boutique, Shop Homewurk, on the road.

Katey Shehan: A Ballantyne native, 24, who started making viral TikToks, prompting her to launch CLT Social Club.

Adam Ali (aka American Income): A 21-year-old Charlotte native who travels all over the country interviewing people about their salaries.

Cohen Malz and Preston Rollins: The Charlotte natives, both 20, started Provided Coffee, a traveling coffee cart that recently opened as a brick-and-mortar in Uptown.

Kendrick Cunningham, 26, is a west side community advocate and former political candidate.

In two weeks, the biggest names in golf will arrive in Charlotte to compete at Quail Hollow.

Okay, but: What does one wear to a golf tournament, anyways?

An expert take: The men’s fashion pros at Taylor Richards & Conger recommend a sport short, trousers and comfortable slip-on shoes.

Get the look.

Now, let's try to gain a better understanding of each other.

Words/phrases Gen Z uses:

• It's giving: Phrase meaning something gives off a vibe.
• Cap: Synonym for "lie;" used to call someone out on a lie. Aka: "🧢" emoji.
• Rizz: Short for "charisma;" used to describe someone's ability to charm and flirt.

Of note: Much of Gen Z slang actually comes from African-American Vernacular English (AAVE), as the Washington Post noted.

Words/phrases Gen X uses:

• Yuppie: Refers to "young, urban professionals" of the 1980s. It became an all-encompassing derogatory term for the young, wealthy and selfish.
• Talk to the hand: You're not interested in what the other person has to say. Works best when you actually hold up your hand. Would not translate well in text messages.
• Dude: Yep, that's right. Gen X made this word popular.

Among all 100 North Carolina counties, Mecklenburg has the third-lowest percentage of residents 65 and older, per Census estimates. Just 11.9% of our population falls in that category.

Yes, but: Their presence here is actually on the rise.

• In 2010, only 9% of Mecklenburg was 65 or older.

What's happening: Charlotte's push to attract millennials in the 2010s created a new trend: The region ranks high for "Baby Chasers" or Boomers looking to retire close to grandchildren, according to one survey.

What to watch: Mental health. UNC Charlotte led a study of the aging community called Meck60+ and found that one-third of people 60 and older in the Charlotte area report being depressed, and nearly half are living alone.

• The Charlotte Knights announced that the Checkers will host an outdoor hockey game at Truist Field in Uptown next winter. (Axios)
• About 20 bats were found at Ardrey Kell High School on Monday. (WBTV)
• Mecklenburg County is looking to hire lifeguards at swimming pools, camps and lakes. If they don't meet the demand, they might have to reduce the hours at some of their pools. (WBTV)

📆 Upcoming events around the city.

• Real Talk About Homebuying – Is it a Good Time to Buy? at Resident Culture SE on Thursday: Join them for beer, tacos and the real talk on what to expect from the housing market in Charlotte and its surrounding areas. The panel of local real estate and mortgage experts will answer your questions about today's market and the home-buying process. Leave with confidence in your personal home-buying journey goals and answers to questions like 'Are We in a Housing Market Crash?' 'Should I Wait?' and 'Will Mortgage Rates Go Down? Free.
• InReach’s 7th Annual Crown Town Throwdown cornhole tournament at Lenny Boy Brewing on Saturday: One of the Southeast's largest cornhole tournaments will be held at Lenny Boy Brewing. $100 per team of 2. Yeti prizes for winners. Music by the Abbey Elmore Band, two food trucks, silent and live auctions, raffle. $100 per team of 2.
• Harlem Globetrotters at Bojangles Coliseum on Sunday: The Harlem Globetrotters Spread Game Tour is a basketball experience like no other. Ankle-breaking moves, 4-point shots, rim-rattling dunks and more. These ballers are putting on a show. New to the Harlem Globetrotters family are some on-court characters, guaranteed to energize the action and entertainment of every game. $29-$99.
• Social Tango Project at Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center April 28 - 30: Social Tango Project merges live performance with interactive cultural experiences including tango classes, lectures, food and more. Experience Booth Playhouse as it is transformed into a "Milonga"-styled Tango social club, and customize your experience through a variety of ticket packages and special events. $40+.
• Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway April 28 - 30: Feel the thunder of 44,000 horsepower and witness the drama of the NHRA’s brightest stars going four-wide at 300 miles per hour! Every ticket is a pit pass, so fans can see the cars and drivers up close throughout the weekend. Kids 12 and under get in free with a paying adult. Single-day tickets start at $20. Weekend passes start at $99. $20+.
• Davidson Home and Village Tour in Davidson on April 29: Experience a range of diverse architectural styles, inspiring interior design, historical significance, local art displays, and more. The Davidson Home and Village Tour is a fundraiser for Davidson Cornelius Child Development Center (DCCDC). General Adult Admission Special pre-purchase price: $40 Standard price: $50 General Kids Admission (ages 2-12) Special pre-purchase price: $15 Standard price: $25.
• Hope Floats Duck Race at Whitewater Center on April 30: Join KinderMourn’s flock of supporters at the 19th Annual Hope Floats Duck Race. Adopt some ducks, start a team, or join an existing team. Enjoy family entertainment, splashing of the ducks, and cash prizes for the top three ducks. Free.
• Cinco De Mayo at Metropolitan on May 4: Guests can expect live music, festive beverages, a taco food truck, face painting, photo-ops and so much more. Cinco De Mayo is open to the general public. All activities are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times. Free.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

We've made a Gen XZ playlist for you.

It includes a few songs from the 1980s and 90s, and a few from today that might be on somebody's list of nostalgic songs 30 years from now.

Have a listen