KAYLYNN SUAREZ, Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Executive Director is so very excited as the 2025 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival takes place this weekend in Downtown Fayetteville. The festival brings extraordinary entertainment, activities the entire family will enjoy, astonishing food, and classic community favorites to Downtown Fayetteville. Go ahead and put this on your calendar because you will not want to miss the fun!

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Miss Fayetteville 2025 – Katie Strain was crowned Miss Fayetteville on February 1st, 2025, and has been involved in pageantry since the age of nine, which has played a significant role in shaping the woman she is today. A proud graduate of Methodist University with a degree in Elementary Education, Katie is currently in her fourth year as a second-grade teacher at Overhills Elementary.

Mary Michael McLamb is passionate about creating a positive generational change. Mary Michael believes that with the right mission, mindset, and motivation, anything we set our sights on is doable. She recognizes the value in a good work ethic and smart goal setting to achieve her dreams. Honored to receive two presidential service awards for community involvement, she is absolutely honored to currently serve in the role of Miss Fayetteville’s Teen and is working to leave a legacy, so each young girl is inspired to achieve their dreams.

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DR HERSHEY BELL was named the founding Dean for the College of Medicine at Methodist University on May 18, 2023. Bell’s primary areas of teaching include epidemiology, biostatistics, and empathy in clinical practice. His research is focused on competency-based education, the doctor-patient relationship and social accountability in medical education. Bell has a long career in health professions, having served in several leadership positions. And another passion he has is also as music producer and singer..

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Cumberland County Chief District Court Judge TONI KING, has always wanted to make a difference in her community, and she has spent the past decade doing just that.  Appointed to the bench in February 2009 by former Gov. Bev Perdue, King has used her role to help ensure that children are provided with a stable and loving home life. She presides over family court and must make what, oftentimes, are difficult decisions on what will be the best outcome for families.  

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KATHY JENSEN _ Mayor Pro Tem / Council Member District was first elected to serve District 1 on the Fayetteville City Council in 2013 and re-elected in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023. She was born and raised in Fayetteville. A 1983 graduate of Pine Forest High School, Kathy went on to East Carolina University and Methodist College to study business. After college. 

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MELISSA REID is the Fayetteville Police Foundation Director and National Police Week will be May 11th - 17th.  We are doing our Field of Blue, the laying of the wreath and Back the Blue night at different restaurants again this year.  Something new we are doing is asking businesses /homes to light up blue that week if they can.  

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BRAD JOHNSON Director of Marketing & Communications Methodist University. Cumberland County Special Olympics Spring Games are Thursday at Methodist University. Guests  Melissa Jernigan (Local Coordinator for Special Olympics Cumberland County) Jonas Keels (Special Olympics athlete) Daryl Wilson (Special Olympics athlete) Brad Johnson (Special Olympics and Buddy Ball Coach for 20-plus years, Director of Youth Area for Spring Games on Thursday...and Director of Marketing & Communications at Methodist University)

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 FAITH BOEHMER _Prevention and Volunteer Coordinator Fayetteville & JOHN WEBSTER Executive Director Fayetteville Child Advocacy Center

Programs & Services Our programs are designed to further our mission and provide much-needed services 
Events Fundraisers and events help us raise awareness and generate crucial resources to serve our community. 
Volunteer Improve your community by joining our cause. You'd be surprised at what a huge difference a little bit of your time can make.
Prevention Training Training Opportunities include prevention workshops for parents, residents, professionals, and organizations in Cumberland County at no charge to respond to and prevent child abuse.

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Georgeanna Pinckney, Greater Life of Fayetteville Director  and Ann Thomas Cumberland County APP Program Coordinator

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YAMILE NAZAR Fayetteville Human Relations Department  FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.

Each year, the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations department invites community members to join them in spreading awareness on Denim Day by wearing jeans as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence. This year’s Denim Day Luncheon will be on Wednesday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 536 N. Eastern Boulevard.  The focus of this year's Denim Day aims to bring awareness to college campuses and provide resources for students who are or know of other students who may be victims or survivors of sexual violence. 

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