By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org How would you define art? Can it really be defined? The Border Belt Independent spoke with three artists from Laurinburg who show that there is an art to everything we do and how you can make a career out of it in the process. Keith Stephens, 42, is an art teacher at Scotland High School. Stephens has always been interested in …Read more Continue reading Get to know three Laurinburg artists
By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Stacie Kinlaw of Bladen County has worked for various nonprofits in southeastern North Carolina. She is currently the community engagement assistant director for the Robeson County Partnership for Children. Kinlaw works to grow awareness of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and resilience. She hopes the prevention of ACEs will also lead to other positive outcomes, such as lower violence and crime and …Read more Continue reading Q&A with Stacie Kinlaw: ‘ROARing’ for years to come in Robeson County
By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org On April 24, Scotland County held its annual Special Olympics, an event that recognizes those with intellectual disabilities and gives them a chance to compete in a number of events. This year, Jenny Phelps was the local program coordinator of the Special Olympics alongside Kelly Jackson. Border Belt Independent spoke with Phelps about her first time helping with the Special Olympics …Read more Continue reading Q&A with Jenny Phelps: Bringing community together for Special Olympics Scotland County
Amber Bellamy did not know that after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill she would come back home to work. Bellamy, 39, is the executive director of the DREAM (Developing Resilience through Enrichment, Awareness, and Motivation) Center in Columbus County and has been there since July 2020. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for 15 years. She wouldn’t trade the …Read more Continue reading Q&A with Amber Bellamy: DREAM Center makes positive impact in community
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By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Terry Mann believes in giving back to the community while also making sure the Jewish community is recognized and remembered. Mann and other Jewish families who were members of the Beth Israel Synagogue came together earlier this year to donate $200,000 to the Southeastern Community College Foundation and Bladen Community College. Mann, 71, currently serves as the mayor of Whiteville. For …Read more Continue reading Q&A with Terry Mann: Jewish synagogue donation honors close relationship with communities
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By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org After being redirected for a second time, Trayonna Haddock got in her car and drove away from the Bill Sapp Recreation Center in Lumberton to travel to yet another voting precinct. “This happens to me every year,” Haddock, 53, said before going to her third location on Election Day, March 5. Haddock wasn’t the only voter who got sent to another …Read more Continue reading Some Border Belt voters went to the wrong precinct on Election Day
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By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Tyris Jones, 55, has always dreamed of his name being in lights on Broadway and knows one day he is going to win an Oscar. In his community, Jones is best known as a storyteller and enjoys sharing his craft with others. The Border Belt Independent spoke with Jones about storytelling and how he brings awareness to this uncommon art form. …Read more Continue reading Tyris Jones taps into the art of storytelling
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By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Carol Caldwell knows the importance of recognizing Black voices in her Columbus County community. So she and some other residents created a committee that focuses on the preservation of African American culture. The Border Belt Independent spoke with Caldwell about her efforts. Q. When did the Columbus County Committee for the Preservation of African American Culture start? It actually started as …Read more Continue reading Q&A with Carol Caldwell: ‘My story is told for a lifetime, not just February’
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By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Jessica Cory, a lecturer at Appalachian State University, grew up hearing about the Lumbee tribe from her mother-in-law, who grew up in Robeson County. These stories inspired her to write about the significance of tribal history. The Border Belt Independent spoke with Cory about her writing and her interest in the Lumbee tribe. Q. When did you become interested in writing …Read more Continue reading Border Belt People: Jessica Cory brings awareness to Lumbee literature
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By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Ashley Lomboy of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe took an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) from a young age. This fascination led her to become a Global Information Security Manager at Corning Optical Fiber and Cable, and later, founder of the Waccamaw Siouan STEM Studio. The Border Belt Independent spoke with Lomboy about her many accomplishments and how she …Read more Continue reading Border Belt People: Ashley Lomboy brings Western science, Indigenous culture together
