- Get to know three Laurinburg artists
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 - Q&A with Stacie Kinlaw: ‘ROARing’ for years to come in Robeson County
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 - Q&A with Jenny Phelps: Bringing community together for Special Olympics Scotland 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 - Q&A with Amber Bellamy: DREAM Center makes positive impact in community
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 - Q&A with Terry Mann: Jewish synagogue donation honors close relationship with communities
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