There are moments during interviews when you can feel the work being done is bigger than titles, bigger than programs, and bigger than checklists. My conversation with Tamara Satterfield, Graduation Specialist and Advisor of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools was one of those moments.

At the heart of everything Tam shared was one powerful theme: the Student-Athlete Advisory Council gives our youth a voice and that voice has led to real, measurable change across CMS athletics.

The Student-Athlete Advisory Council was created to ensure student-athletes across the district aren’t just participants in sports, but partners in the process. Through the council, students from different schools, sports, and backgrounds come together to share feedback, raise concerns, and offer solutions rooted in their lived experiences. And according to Tam, those conversations aren’t just happening, they’re being heard.

Student-athlete input has helped shape decisions, improve communication, and strengthen the overall athletic experience throughout CMS. From addressing day-to-day challenges to helping administrators better understand what’s happening on the ground, SAAC has become a vital bridge between students and leadership. It’s proof that when young people are trusted with responsibility, they rise to the occasion.

This conversation was a powerful reminder of why community-centered dialogue matters. When we intentionally uplift student voices, we don’t just improve athletics; we strengthen our schools and, ultimately, our communities.

You can listen to the full interview with Tamara Satterfield, where she dives deeper into the impact of SAAC and explains why empowering student-athletes is truly a game-changer for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

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We are taking a closer look at what’s happening in York County, South Carolina — the progress being made, the challenges ahead, and the traditions that continue to bring the community together, including the longest-running Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in the area.

Joining us are two respected community leaders: Steve Love, founder of Folkways CDC, Regional Director for the South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, and former president of the Western York County NAACP; and Holly Starnes, a corporate trainer, community advocate, and trusted voice on the pulse and progress of York County.

Together, they’ll share insight on where York County stands today and where it’s headed next."

Guests

STEVE LOVE

Founder of a non-profit organization, Folkways CDC ( Community Development Corporation), and Regional Director for the SC State Conference NAACP.

HOLLY STARNES

Holly Starnes, a graduate of Winthrop University and a Corporate Trainer and a lifelong advocate for community empowerment,

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In the early morning hours of January 22, 2026, volunteers will fan out across Charlotte-Mecklenburg with one shared purpose: to make sure everybody counts. Preparations are now underway for the 2026 Point-in-Time Count, a community-wide effort to identify people living without stable housing and to better understand the reality of homelessness in our region.

The Point-in-Time Count isn’t just about collecting numbers. It’s an effort coordinated nationally by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which helps us understand who is experiencing homelessness, where people are staying, and so much more. That is our topic today: Homelessness By The Numbers – Why Counting Matters.

Guests -

• Karen Pelletier, Division Director, Housing Innovation and Stabilization Services
• Mary Ann Priester, Senior management analyst, leading the Point in Time Count
• Branden Lewis, Management analyst, co-leading the Point in Time Count
• Jessica Lefkowitz, Founder and Executive Director, Hearts for the Invisible

Information -

To volunteer, visit Mecklenburg Housing Data

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Today, we’re exploring the remarkable work being done at Echelon Care in Charlotte, North Carolina—an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk youth, adults, and families through person-centered, evidence-based support. We'll learn about the founder's incredible journey and the fuel of having a drug-addicted father that lit his fire to build the agency.

We’ll explore how compassionate care, residential programs, and community-based services come together to stabilize home environments, prevent out-of-home placements, and empower individuals to build stronger, more independent futures. We'll talk to the founder, Alex Wright, and learn how his leadership and vision, Echelon Care is committed to providing dignity, diversity, and long-term positive change.

www.echeloncare.com

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Research shows people who are comfortable promoting themselves are more successful in landing a job from an interview, building stronger networks, and are more successful in business and throughout their careers. In the book “Stop Playing Safe” by Margie Warrell, she says the old saying, “it’s not what you know, but who you know,” is NOT the case anymore. She says today it’s “WHO knows what YOU know.” Her claim is that one has to be strategic in building a “personal brand” to make sure not only people who can help your career KNOW who you are, but that they also know THE VALUE you have to contribute.

Therein lies the BIGGER QUESTION: Do you know your value? I’m learning personally, that’s where people can get stuck. You’re NOT promoting yourself because YOU don’t even believe your own HYPE. We’re talking about that today with two ladies who are experts – ONE in the world of marketing, the other in THERAPY... both in hopes of getting you UNSTUCK and moving in a direction to ultimately share your gift with the world.

Guests:

Michelle Renee - Chief Growth Strategist of “Grow With Michelle Renee”

Dr. Kenya T. Henderson - Therapist, Founder of Tranquil Talk with Kenya

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When you meet Ms. Deb, the founder of Block Love Charlotte, the first thing you feel is her heart. It’s a heart shaped by experience, strengthened by resilience, and poured daily into the people she calls her “block family.” She knows firsthand how isolating homelessness can be. The fear, the uncertainty, the longing to simply be seen. Out of that lived journey, she built something extraordinary: a movement of love, dignity, and community care that now stretches across Charlotte’s streets. Block Love Charlotte isn’t just an organization. It’s compassion in action.

Block Love Charlotte shows up where people need them most. Through street outreach to their Day Service Center on N. Graham Street, they provide hot meals, clothing, toiletries, sleeping bags, shoes, tents, and other essential items donated by the community. The center serves as a place of safety and connection. It’s a place where people experiencing homelessness can breathe, rest, and feel respected.

Since launching in 2020, Block Love has served more than 2.5 million meals, a powerful testament to consistency, community support, and Ms. Deb’s unwavering mission to meet people exactly where they are. Beyond meals and supplies, Block Love focuses on restoration and empowerment, supporting individuals navigating homelessness, domestic violence, and housing instability. Their work is built on real relationships that are grounded in dignity, love, and accountability.

Charlotte’s homelessness situation continues to grow. As of June 2024, Mecklenburg County recorded 2,784 people experiencing homelessness. That is a 3% increase from the previous year. Rising rent, limited affordable housing, and a 37% jump in eviction filings continue to push more Charlotte residents into crisis.

I had a chance to chat with Ms. Deb about Block Love and the work being done. Check out the powerful conversation here.

In a city where thousands struggle for stability, Block Love Charlotte stands as a reminder that community care still matters. Through simple but powerful acts, Ms. Deb and her team restore dignity daily. For so many in Charlotte, Block Love is not just support…It’s hope.

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On November 15th, federal immigration agents rolled into Charlotte under “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” and our city changed overnight. Within the first 48 hours, officials reported about 130 arrests, and by mid-week that number climbed to roughly 370 arrests across Charlotte and nearby areas.

Just two days after agents hit the streets, the impact on kids showed up in a big, painful number. On Monday, November 17th, more than 30,000 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students were absent, about one in five students, nearly triple a normal day’s absence rate. Many of those empty seats belonged to Hispanic students in a district where they represent about 31% of students.

That’s the backdrop for my conversation with the brave students leaders who helped organize the walkouts at local high schools. During our interview, they talked about a wide variety of emotions including fear and anger. For these students, the protest weren’t about skipping class. They were about showing support to their peers affected by the raid and being seen and heard.

Take a listen to this powerful conversation.

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She says she was having the hardest season of her life. As a result, she had a nervous breakdown. Or as the National Institute of Mental Health describes it, she experienced a mental health challenge. Her name is Brandi Williams. Brandi’ did seek therapy after her nervous breakdown, but what happened in between the sessions, or when girlfriends weren’t available to fill the gap. She created Soul Sanctuary – a guided tool, similar to AI, that helps one to reflect. She is the Owner of SoulMed Holistic Health Collaborative. And her goal is to change the trajectory of health outcomes in the Black community.

Guests:

Brandi Williams - Owner, SoulMed Holistic Health Collaborative, Creator of Soul Sanctuary

Kristin Bly – Founder & Clinical Director, Daybreak Counseling

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