Friendship Talks…Are you Listening?

Deronda Metz, Friendship Community Development Corp.

Our host, Jennifer Duru Perry spoke with Deronda Metz, Executive Director of Friendship Community Development Corporation.  Ms. Metz described the organization’s history and mission.  She spoked extensively about Friendship Gardens and how interested persons can become involved with the CDC.
Friendship Community Development Corporation
Friendship Gardens
Disclaimer
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a pastor, physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

Glenn Smith, Keeping Kids Out of Jail

Our host, Wallace Shields interviewed Rev. LeDayne McLeese Polaski, Executive Director of Mecklenburg Metropolitan Interfaith Network (MeckMIN) and Glenn Smith  the Founder and Executive Director of Life Connections of the Carolinas, Inc.  Mr. Smith is MeckMin’s 2025 Community Award Recipient.  The group discussed his organization’s strategies for keeping adolescents out of jail and the restorative programs provided to currently incarcerated persons.   
 
MeckMin
2025 MeckMin Award Winners
Life Connections
Glenn Smith
 
Disclaimer
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a pastor, physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.
 
 

Human Trafficking Jeniffer R. Loney and Tonya Woods

Our host, Veronica Clemons interviewed Jeniffer R. Loney and Tonya Woods members of the Human Trafficking Committee  of  FMBC’s Social Justice Ministry.  Our guests defined Human Trafficking, provided ways to detect trafficking and offered strategies to help victims find help.  Finally, the group discussed the upcoming Human Trafficking forum being held at FMBC.
Human Trafficking Awareness Forum: Connecting the Dots:

Affordable Housing - Julie Porter, President DreamKey Partners

Our host,  Bill Ryans spoke with Julie Porter, President of DreamKey Partners.  DreamKey Partners is developer of affordable housing homes and apartments in Charlotte.  Mrs. Porter talks about DreamKey’s history and origins, Charlotte’s housing situation and DreamKey’s role in providing affordable housing.  She also provides information on how interested persons can work with her organization to meet their housing needs.
DreamKey Partners
House Charlotte
 
Disclaimer
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a pastor, physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, financial advisor or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.
 

Malcolm Graham - The Way Forward

Our host,  Jennifer Duru Perry spoke with Malcolm Graham, author of The Way Forward.  Malcolm is a former North Carolina State Senator and currently serves on the Charlotte City Council.  Malcolm discussed his personal journey  in the aftermath of the Charleston church tragedy. Malcolm’s sister Cynthia Graham Hurd was killed in the Emanuel AME Church shooting. Finally, he provides action steps to respond to systemic racism.
Malcolm Graham
Amazon
Barnes and Nobles
 
Disclaimer
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a pastor, physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

University Park Creative Arts Elementary , Principal Shanna Rae

Our host,  Dr Corliss Thompson spoke with Mrs. Shanna Rae, principal of University Park Creative Arts Elementary School. This conversation was an update on the school’s academic successes since an earlier podcast (Aug 2023) and a call to action for the community to assist the students and school programs going forward.
University Park Creative Arts Elementary
Principal Shanna Rae
UPCA Makes History!

Youth Villages: The Force For Families

Our host, Jennifer Duru Perry, spoke to Evelyn Anderson and Gwendolyn Prince about the mission and impact of the Youth Villages organization.  This organization has worked to improve the lives of children for over 35 years.
 
Evelyn Anderson: Development Coordinator
Gwendolyn Prince: Regional Supervisor for Outpatient Mental Health Services
 Youth Villages
 
Hands-on Volunteering, December 2-December 13:
Location: Carolina Customs, 20310 Chartwell Center Dr, Cornelius, NC 28031
If you are in the Charlotte area, we ask that you to join us for a volunteering session(s) where we will organize gifts for the youth that we serve based on their wishlists, hobbies, and interests. With more than 1600 items to sort, we need your support! If you are interested in hands-on volunteering, please sign up for a volunteering session here:  Holiday Heroes Volunteer Booking Form
 
Shopping our Amazon Registry: 
Youth Villages has created an Amazon Registry with some of our most needed items. Currently our highest need items are for our young adults who have aged out of the foster care system: items like basic clothing and footwear are highly requested, but all items on the registry are incredibly supportive and needed. 
 

Voting FAQs

Kamaria E. Lawrence and Rev. Dr.  Stefan Weathers Sr. from Democracy North Carolina prepared listeners to be effective and engaged voters in the upcoming general election.
Democracy North Carolina
North Carolina Voter
Election Protection Hotline
Mobilize
Voter Gudes
 
Disclaimer
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a pastor, physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.
 

Wrongful Convictions Clinic, Jamie Lau, Esq

Our host, Rev. Dr. Paul A. McAllister interviewed Jamie Lau of Duke University School of Law and supervising attorney of the Wrongful Convictions Clinic.  Mr. Lau discussed his background, the work of the Convictions Clinic and the Clinic’s role in helping exonerate Ronnie Long after 44 years of incarceration.
Jamie Lau
Ronnie Long Exonerated
Ronnie Long's Settlement
Disclaimer
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a pastor, physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

Strategies for Improving Mental Health - Dr. Na’imah Sedegah

Our host, Veronica Clemons interviewed  Dr. Na’imah  Sedegah, Senior Psychologist at Alexander Youth Network.  Dr. Sedegah discussed her background and clinical practice, mental health strategies for youth and adults and how to help someone going thru a mental health crisis
Dr. Sedegah’s Profile
Alexander Youth Network