CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A story of courage, creativity, and community takes center stage as Foundation For The Carolinas, Manolo’s Bakery, the Carolina Theatre, and Cine Casual present the Charlotte premiere of The Changebaker — a short documentary by director Courtney Dixon that celebrates local entrepreneur and advocate Manolo Betancur, the force behind Manolo’s Bakery.

After escaping the violence of war in Colombia, Betancur rebuilt his life in Charlotte with a mission to serve others. His bakery has since grown into a beacon of activism and opportunity for immigrants across North Carolina — proudly carrying the message “Made in America by the Hands of Immigrants.”

The Changebaker will make its Charlotte premiere at the newly restored Carolina Theatre, located at Belk Place in Uptown Charlotte, on Jan. 17, 2026, at 7 p.m. and will feature a dance performance by El Alma de la Luna, a musical performance by ÚltimaNota, the screening of The Changebaker and, following the 16-minute film, a conversation with Manolo Betancur and director Courtney Dixon.

“This film captures the spirit of Charlotte — people who transform struggle into service and use their platforms to lift others,” Betancur said. “I’m honored to share this story with my community, right here where it all began.”

“The Robinson Center for Civic Leadership at FFTC is proud to share Manolo’s story as an inspiring example of how leadership in our community can grow and create change in unexpected ways that benefit us all,” said Tracy Russ, Senior Vice President, Strategy + Impact, Robinson Center for Civic Leadership.

👉 Tickets start at $15 and are available at TheCarolina.com.

About the film
The Changebaker follows Manolo Betancur’s journey from Colombian Navy second lieutenant to Charlotte entrepreneur, tracing how his bakery became a hub for social change and community resilience. Audiences have praised the film for its authentic storytelling and its portrait of an immigrant’s unwavering hope and humanity.