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

Important Resources

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.

In this episode, host Bill Ryans interviews Dr. C. Anthony Jones, Jr., Digital Engagement Minister, and Jeremiah Morris, Administrative Assistant for Christian Education & Discipleship and Digital Ministry.

The conversation traces the history of digital ministries in the church, explores current uses, and discusses the future of digital ministry. Join us as we delve into how technology is transforming faith engagement and community connection.

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram

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

Our host, Bill Ryans, interviewed  Greg Jarrell, Senior Campaign Organizer of Charlotte's Redress movement.  The Redress movement’s mission is to repair the harm due to intentional policies that segregate communities. Also, Greg discussed his book, Our Trespasses: White Churches and the Taking of American Neighborhoods.  

Redress Movement of Charlotte

Our Trespasses: White Churches and the Taking of American Neighborhoods

Greg Jarrell

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, 

Our host, Bill Ryans, interviewed  persons that traveled on FMBC’s Reunification Civil Rights Tour to Alabama.  The attendees visited historical Civil Rights sites in Birmingham, Selma and Montgomery.  Bill engaged with the guests to reflect on the trip and share with the audience  the historical importance  and impact of each one of the areas visited.

Guests:

Calvin and  Dr. Corliss Thompson

Renee Harrison

Deloris Chisley

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.

Our host, Bill Ryans, interviewed  Honorable Elisa Chinn-Gary, Co-founder of Race Matters for Juvenile Justice, Mecklenburg County Office of the Clerk of Superior Court about the upcoming Charlotte Remembrance Project program.  The Charlotte Remembrance project mission is to tell the story of racial terror lynchings in America.  On Sunday, July 20, 2025  the organization will speak specifically about two lynchings that occurred in Charlotte. 

Charlotte Remembrance Project

Declaration of Support

Equal Justice Initiative

Racial Matters for Juvenile Justice

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.

Our host, Jennifer Duru Perry spoke with Deronda Metz, Executive Director of Friendship Community Development Corporation.  Ms. Metz described the organization’s history and mission.  She spoked extensively about Friendship Gardens and how interested persons can become involved with the CDC.

Friendship Community Development Corporation

Friendship Gardens

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.

Our host, Wallace Shields interviewed Rev. LeDayne McLeese Polaski, Executive Director of Mecklenburg Metropolitan Interfaith Network (MeckMIN) and Glenn Smith  the Founder and Executive Director of Life Connections of the Carolinas, Inc.  Mr. Smith is MeckMin’s 2025 Community Award Recipient.  The group discussed his organization’s strategies for keeping adolescents out of jail and the restorative programs provided to currently incarcerated persons.   

MeckMin

2025 MeckMin Award Winners

Life Connections

Glenn Smith

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.

Our host, Veronica Clemons interviewed Jeniffer R. Loney and Tonya Woods members of the Human Trafficking Committee  of  FMBC’s Social Justice Ministry.  Our guests defined Human Trafficking, provided ways to detect trafficking and offered strategies to help victims find help.  Finally, the group discussed the upcoming Human Trafficking forum being held at FMBC.

Human Trafficking Awareness Forum: Connecting the Dots:

Our host,  Bill Ryans spoke with Julie Porter, President of DreamKey Partners.  DreamKey Partners is developer of affordable housing homes and apartments in Charlotte.  Mrs. Porter talks about DreamKey’s history and origins, Charlotte’s housing situation and DreamKey’s role in providing affordable housing.  She also provides information on how interested persons can work with her organization to meet their housing needs.

DreamKey Partners

House Charlotte

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, financial advisor 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.

Our host,  Jennifer Duru Perry spoke with Malcolm Graham, author of The Way Forward.  Malcolm is a former North Carolina State Senator and currently serves on the Charlotte City Council.  Malcolm discussed his personal journey  in the aftermath of the Charleston church tragedy. Malcolm’s sister Cynthia Graham Hurd was killed in the Emanuel AME Church shooting. Finally, he provides action steps to respond to systemic racism.

Malcolm Graham

Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

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.