A Legacy Heard Throughout Charlotte, N.C.

Arriving in Charlotte in 1953, Isaac Heard Sr. stood out as one of the most skilled professionals in the city’s African American community at the time. Hired by Douglas Aircraft as an engineer, he later served in pivotal city government roles focused on uplifting and redeveloping local black neighborhoods. Isaac and his dedicated wife, Gwendolyn, also invested deeply in Charlotte through extensive community organizing and volunteer work.

Early Life and Career

A native of Hattiesburg Mississippi, Isaac studied Building Construction at Hampton Institute in Virginia. He taught at his alma mater for several years before relocating to Charlotte as an engineer with Douglas Aircraft in 1953. Isaac subsequently joined architecture/engineering firm J.N. Pease Associates, working as a draftsman and specification writer. In the mid-1960s, he shifted to serve on the Charlotte Planning Commission, where he remained until 1975 when he assumed a prominent position in the city’s newly launched Community Development Office.

Gwendolyn Heard’s Lasting Community Impact

A tireless civic advocate, Gwendolyn Heard held leadership roles in multiple Charlotte organizations focused on youth enrichment and racial justice. Among various efforts, she helped establish the local chapter of Jacks & Jills in 1957 and was a bridal consultant. When the school board closed seven “Negro schools” during desegregation, Mrs. Heard co-led an effort to allow neighborhood children to use the facilities for recreation. This effort led to her chairing the Mecklenburg New Frontier Council in 1966 to push for “total community planning” in Charlotte.

Longtime Family Home is an Anchor in McCrorey Heights

In 1957, Isaac and Gwendolyn purchased land in McCrorey Heights from Ervin Construction, which built their Madison Ave family residence that same year. The couple lived in the home for nearly 60 years, raising two children – Ike Heard, Jr. who became a well-known planner and Mrs. Cheryl, Dale Heard Graber, an early childhood educator. In 1975, noted African American architect Harvey Gantt designed a horizontal-themed carport extension with inspiration from acclaimed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

An Enduring Legacy

Isaac Heard Sr. made significant contributions to Charlotte’s African American community and beyond. As an engineer, he played a vital role in the production of missiles at the Charlotte Army Missile Plant, which became an essential weapon in the Cold War. Later, as an official in the Community Development Office, he helped heal the damage caused by Urban Renewal and worked to strengthen existing neighborhoods. Gwendolyn Heard was a tireless volunteer and advocate for education and community planning. Issac Heard passed away on March 7, 2021. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Gwendolyn who passed on November 16, 2017. The Heard family’s legacy lives on through their endless contributions in shaping both McCrorey Heights, as well as greater Charlotte into the strong community in which it remains today.