Friendship Talks…Are you Listening?

Juneteenth of the Carolinas with Pape Ndiaye

Episode Summary Welcome to another episode of Friendship Talks, hosted by Bill Ryans of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Social Justice Ministry. In this episode, Bill sits down with Mr. Pape Ndiaye, owner and proprietor of the House of Africa here in Charlotte and the founder of the Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas. Affectionately known to the community simply as Pop, he joins the podcast to discuss the history, deep significance, and community impact of Charlotte's annual Juneteenth celebration. The conversation also highlights the giant shoulders the movement stands on—specifically honoring Dr. Opal Lee, the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," whose historic walking campaigns and tireless advocacy successfully pushed for its official recognition as a federal holiday. What You’ll Learn in This Episode * The Significance of Juneteenth: Exploring the historical weight of the holiday and its vital connection to modern social justice initiatives. * The Power of Advocacy: Honoring Dr. Opal Lee's monumental push to elevate Juneteenth to a federally recognized national holiday. * The Festival’s Roots: How the Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas was founded in 1997 and its evolution into a massive community tradition. * Cultural Preservation: The role of local hubs like the House of Africa in keeping history, art, and community advocacy alive. Featured Guest * Mr. Pape Ndiaye ("Pop"): Founder of the Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas and owner/proprietor of Charlotte's House of Africa. Episode Resources & Reference Links * Official Festival Website: Learn more about upcoming events, vendor applications, and schedules at the Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas. [https://www.juneteenthofthecarolinas.com/about] * National Movement History: Learn more about Dr. Opal Lee’s journey and legacy at the National Juneteenth Museum. [https://nationaljuneteenthmuseum.org/ms-opal-lee]

Breaking Barriers in Blue

Breaking Barriers in Blue In this episode of Friendship Talks: Are You Listening?, Dr. Corliss Brown Thompson sits down with Representative Carolyn Logan to discuss a truly historic journey through North Carolina’s history. Representative Logan shares vivid stories from her time as the first Black woman to serve as a North Carolina State Trooper, offering a rare look at the determination required to break such a barrier. The conversation explores her start and subsequent journey in law enforcement, detailing the experiences that defined her commitment to protecting and serving her community. About the Guest Representative Carolyn Logan is a trailblazer who made history as the first Black woman to serve as a North Carolina State Trooper. After a long and distinguished career in law enforcement, she transitioned into public service as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives. Representative Logan also reflects on the importance of family and education, sharing how she pursued her college degree later in life to set a powerful example for her children.   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.

Reading For Change

In this episode of Friendship Talks: Are You Listening?, Dr. Corliss Brown Thompson discussed with guest Kathryn P. Carter how reading shapes a child’s life. They explored how a student's confidence is tied to literacy and why it is so important for children to see themselves reflected in the books they read. Kathryn shared personal stories of growing up watching her mother and grandmother set the example for reading at home, and how that early foundation inspired her mission to help children find success through books. About the Guest Kathryn P. Carter is a retired educator with an extensive professional background as a classroom teacher, instructional specialist, reading specialist, and testing coordinator. She is the author of the Lizzie B. Hayes book series, which features a young Black girl navigating life and learning. Beyond her literary work, Kathryn has developed impactful literacy initiatives, including the Rock Star Reader Beyond the Book tutoring program and 10 Steps to Reading Success for Parents, both designed to empower families and foster a lifelong love of reading. To explore the world of Lizzie B. Hayes, learn more about Kathryn’s literacy initiatives, or join the Lizzie B. Hayes Book Club, please visit her official website: 👉 kpcarterwrites.com [https://www.kpcarterwrites.com/] 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.

Redistricting: Drawing Democracy

In this episode of Friendship Talks, Rev. Dr. Paul McAllister and veteran journalist Cliff Harrington examined redistricting and gerrymandering. With more than 30 years at The Charlotte Observer and The Rock Hill Herald, Harrington discussed how redistricting differed from gerrymandering, how map drawing shaped political power, and offered practical context for listeners—especially community leaders and engaged voters—who wanted to respond to the issue. About the guest Cliff Harrington is a retired executive editor and the author of two books: 1. Just Tell the Truth: A Black Man’s Perspective on America and Its History — https://a.co/d/ivMoaox [https://a.co/d/ivMoaox] 2. Write It Right: A Guide for Aspiring Writers and Truth‑Tellers — https://a.co/d/gz65g61 [https://a.co/d/gz65g61] 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.

Navigating the System: Medicare, Medicaid & ACA

Overview In this follow-up to the "Loving Me: Mind, Body, Soul" symposium, we move from personal wellness to navigating the institutional healthcare landscape. Our panel breaks down the distinctions between Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), providing you with the clarity needed to make informed decisions for yourself and your family. The Panel * Host: Melissa Rivers, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Social Justice Ministry. * Leah Keith: Senior Quality and Training Specialist for Adult Medicaid, Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services. * April Adams: Certified Independent Health and Life Insurance Broker, specializing in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). * Nefertari El-Bey: Licensed Independent Agent and Broker specializing in Medicare Advantage and Healthcare Administration. (Web: insuredbynef.com [http://insuredbynef.com]) Important Resources * Mecklenburg County Adult Medicaid: 704-432-1111 * HealthCare.gov National Helpline: 800-318-2596 * National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 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.