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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
Posted inCulture
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. […]
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Q&A with Carol Caldwell: ‘My story is told for a lifetime, not just February’
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 […]
Posted inPolitics & Government
Border Belt People: Greg Martin retires after 25 years as Bladen manager
By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Bladen County Manager Greg Martin, who has been working in local government for almost 30 years, is retiring. He first worked in local government starting in early 1996. The Border Belt Independent spoke with Martin about his time in the position and his decision to retire. Q. What was your upbringing […]
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Partners in Ministry helps kids become ‘change agents’ in their communities
By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org The hallways of Partners in Ministry’s building in Laurinburg are covered in inspirational sayings: “Put first things first.” “Begin with the end in mind.” When Executive Director Melba McCallum first dreamed the idea for the nonprofit in 2003, she couldn’t have known all that it would grow to become. Today, the […]
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Border Belt People Q&A with Greg Bacot: ‘So many opportunities in the world’
By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Greg Bacot, a 1985 graduate of UNC Pembroke, established the Lacy and Alice Bacot Higher Education Scholarship at the university to honor his parents in 2018. On Oct. 20, Bacot, 62, announced a $1.2 million planned gift that would enhance the scholarship. The Border Belt Independent spoke with Bacot about his […]
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Border Belt People Q&A: Murchison’s cleats honor twin brother’s bout with cancer
By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Larrell Murchison, 26, was born and raised in Elizabethtown playing football from a very young age alongside his twin brother, Farrell. Today, Larrell plays defensive end for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. On Dec. 3, Murchison wore customized cleats for the Rams’ matchup against the Cleveland Browns to raise awareness and […]