On this episode, we are highlighting a place where purpose meets impact — the Autism Achievers Center in Gastonia. Their mission is clear and simple: to help young people achieve life skills daily. Every day, this center focuses on helping children and young adults with autism develop independence, confidence, and practical skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

The center is owned by serial entrepreneur Sport E. Odie, whose passion is driven by a commitment to improving the lives of children with autism and supporting the families who walk this journey with them.

Joining the conversation as well is Jade Burton, the Lead RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) at Autism Achievers Center, who works hands-on with clients every day to turn goals into progress and progress into possibility.

Today’s conversation is about purpose, progress, and the power of meeting young people where they are — and helping them achieve more than they ever imagined.

Guests -

Sportie Odie, Owner Autism Achievers Center

Jade Burton, Lead RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) at Autism Achievers

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Information -

Parent & Kid Sensory Dance

Saturday, February 21, 2026

6:00pm - 8:00pm

The Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium

1500 E. Garrison Blvd

Gastonia, NC 28054

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Today’s conversation is an important one because mental and behavioral health challenges affect far more people than we often realize. Here in Mecklenburg County, roughly one in five adults reports living with a mental health condition, and thousands of residents experience days each month when their mental health isn’t where it needs to be...whether it’s increased stress and anxiety, school performance, job stability, or overall well-being.

And for many, seeking help can feel out of reach — whether due to cost, stigma, or simply not knowing where to turn.

That’s why this moment matters. When people are ready to ask for help, access should not be the barrier.

We are talking about a new partnership between Mecklenburg County and Anuvia Prevention and Recovery Center that’s working to close that gap by bringing free, walk-in counseling services directly into community resource centers. It’s a collaboration built around meeting people where they are — physically, emotionally, and in real time.

Guests -

Shakirah Francis, the Community Services Manager - Mecklenburg County Department of Community Resources

Jeremy Saunders, Licensed Clinician - Anuvia

Justin White, Clinical Manager - Anuvia

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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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