Being a mayor is hard. How do you deal with a bypass that diverts traffic around your city? Will improvements to a struggling part of town affect property values and nudge out low-income people? Small town mayors have to deal with these challenges, so when you want to talk about a pothole, start with a thank you for their time.

This week's First in Future guest is Mayor Sherri Allgood, who is the newest mayor for Troy, NC, after replacing a 19-term mayor of 38 years. Listen in as she gives her advice on being a voice for something you care about and believe in. If more of us start to be a voice for what we care about and believe in, then North Carolina will be first in future.