Charlotte Community Connections

We are talking about turning unimaginable losses into a mission for change.  In 2004, eight-year-old Roddie Jr. lost his life in a violent dog attack — a tragedy that no parent should ever have to endure. Out of that heartbreak, his mother,  Tameaka Brown , founded  Roddie Jr.’s Watchdog Foundation , a nonprofit dedicated to preventing similar tragedies and promoting...

November is National Caregivers Month — a time to recognize and celebrate the millions of people who quietly show up every day to care for loved ones. In fact, there are an estimated 63 million caregivers in the U.S., including both paid and unpaid caregivers, who provide care for people with chronic, disabling, or serious health conditions.  Caregiving can be rewarding, but it’s al...

Over the past few months, we have explored several health topics that matter to you — from wellness tips, preventive care to stories of hope, healing, and community impact. Today, we dig a little deeper into a nonprofit organization that believes everyone deserves access to quality, compassionate healthcare — no matter who they are or where they come from. Meet RAO Community Health – whose mi...

There’s a new initiative in Mecklenburg County designed to get you MOVING. And to keep you healthy. It’s called MECK MOVES, a 16-week countywide fitness challenge. Because while we EAT, we don’t always exercise. And any trainer or someone in the health care industry will tell you, MOVEMENT is essential. In fact, it’s lifesaving. We hear about the benefits all the time. Physical activity can:...

Here are some facts about breast cancer in our country. We know that breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death among women in the U.S.  1 out of every 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime  The good news? While the numbers of breast cancer cases continue to rise, especially in young women, treatment has improved. There is now a nearly 100% survival rate...

There are some hot-button issues in our country right now that have led to a segment of the population feeling increasingly fearful while living in fear. Another population has been growing at a rapid rate, but is now challenged with receiving adequate healthcare and safety. We are talking about immigration and the elderly – two vulnerable populations. And digging a little deeper into the legal ra...

America – it’s been called the land of the free, but also the land of the aging. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the nation’s population of people over age 65 is expected to rise dramatically...from 56.1 million in 2020 to 82.1 million by 2050. That’s in another 25 years for those of you doing math.  Today, Americans are living longer, and birth rates are declining – both trends are putting a...

Charlotte is about to host one of the largest and most vibrant festivals in the Southeast. Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade get underway August 16 and 17 in uptown Charlotte. It is celebrating 25 years!! With some 240,000 expected in the city. Organizers tout this is ‘more than just a festival.’ Charlotte Pride serves the community, so it’s a weekend of celebration, inclusion and empowerment. D...

Here’s something you don’t hear a lot about – Men TALKING. But, they do – depending upon the setting. For example, according to Psychology Today and Inside Higher Ed., one study found that men spoke 1.6 times more often than women in college classrooms. And another study in mixed-gender groups found men were talking 70% of the time.   However, studies show that men talking to other men in small gr...

July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Why MINORITY Mental Health Awareness Month?? It’s specifically dedicated to raising awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by minorities. There are certain minority groups that face specific challenges. For example:  The highest suicide rates in the U.S. are in the Native American communities  Latino youth are MORE LIKELY to attemp...

This is the 2nd part of our Two-part series on Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. In Part 1, we focused on the caregivers of the more than 7 million people who have Alzheimer’s in our country. This episode will focus on taking charge of your brain health. So let’s talk about what we do know about Alzheimer’s and just what it means to take charge of your brain health. With me today is a man who...

This is the first portion of a two-part series on Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. It was about a year ago that I tackled this topic, specifically Alzheimer's Disease. And at that time, the Alzheimer’s Association – which is the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research – said there were an estimated 6.9 million Americans age 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s dementia –  TODAY -...

May was ALS Awareness Month. What do you know about ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It''s also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease -- named after the famous New York Yankees baseball player who had ALS. It’s a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for voluntary movement. As these nerve cells die, individuals experience progressive m...

May is Small Business Month. There are over 12 million businesses; they generate trillions in revenue and employ millions of people. Who am I describing specifically? Not just small businesses, but Women-owned businesses that make a significant contribution to the US economy.  And they are not just growing in number but increasing their economic impact.   Women-owned businesses are growing at a fa...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It was started in 1949 by Mental Health America and is designed to highlight the importance of mental well-being, educate the public, reduce stigma, and promote support for those affected by mental health conditions. There are so many negative attitudes and misconceptions about mental health. The month of May is a time to encourage open conversation about ment...

There is beauty in giving birth to a child. Some say it's a feeling they often cannot explain – an overwhelming sense of joy and an automatic love some say they have never experienced. But those pleasantries are not always the case for every mother. Some moms also experience these feelings and changes, too -- physical and hormonal, emotional and psychological changes. It’s known as ‘Postpartum’ an...