Cheryse Terry

Cheryse Terry is a mother and native of Charlotte, with deep roots in the city’s rich culture. A multifaceted creative, she has spent over a decade collecting and dealing in vintage items, bringing her passion for history and storytelling to life. Today, she is a self-taught archivist and the founder and owner of ARCHIVE CLT, a café and community hub on Beatties Ford Road dedicated to preserving Black history and culture.

Driven by her belief that we must be the change we wish to see, Cheryse raised $40,000 in just 40 days through grassroots fundraising to bring ARCHIVE CLT to fruition. Within five months of opening, ARCHIVE CLT was featured on the Today Show, a testament to its impact. Additionally, her personal collection of art, ephemera, and furniture was showcased in the Mint Museum’s exhibition “The Vault.”

Beyond her work with ARCHIVE CLT, Cheryse serves on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board (Charlotte Works). She was named a 2024 Emerging City Champion by the Knight Foundation for leading the “Digitizing the Community” initiative.

Cheryse’s life’s work is rooted in preservation, archives, and a deep love for Charlotte’s West Side, where she continues to advocate for and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the community.