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.

Our host,  Dr Corliss Thompson spoke with Mrs. Shanna Rae, principal of University Park Creative Arts Elementary School. This conversation was an update on the school’s academic successes since an earlier podcast (Aug 2023) and a call to action for the community to assist the students and school programs going forward.

University Park Creative Arts Elementary

Principal Shanna Rae

UPCA Makes History!

Our host, Jennifer Duru Perry, spoke to Evelyn Anderson and Gwendolyn Prince about the mission and impact of the Youth Villages organization.  This organization has worked to improve the lives of children for over 35 years.

Evelyn Anderson: Development Coordinator

Gwendolyn Prince: Regional Supervisor for Outpatient Mental Health Services

 Youth Villages

Hands-on Volunteering, December 2-December 13:

Location: Carolina Customs, 20310 Chartwell Center Dr, Cornelius, NC 28031

If you are in the Charlotte area, we ask that you to join us for a volunteering session(s) where we will organize gifts for the youth that we serve based on their wishlists, hobbies, and interests. With more than 1600 items to sort, we need your support! If you are interested in hands-on volunteering, please sign up for a volunteering session here:  Holiday Heroes Volunteer Booking Form

Shopping our Amazon Registry: 

Youth Villages has created an Amazon Registry with some of our most needed items. Currently our highest need items are for our young adults who have aged out of the foster care system: items like basic clothing and footwear are highly requested, but all items on the registry are incredibly supportive and needed. 

Kamaria E. Lawrence and Rev. Dr.  Stefan Weathers Sr. from Democracy North Carolina prepared listeners to be effective and engaged voters in the upcoming general election.

Democracy North Carolina

North Carolina Voter

Election Protection Hotline

Mobilize

Voter Gudes

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.