Friendship Talks…Are you listening? Friendship Missionary Baptist Church ministries convene on this podcast to inform, inspire advocacy and connect the community with opportunities to serve. Published by FMBC https://www.friendshipcharlotte.org/
Teen Curfews: Local Policy and Community Engagement - Robert Dawkins, Action NC
Teen Curfews: Local Policy and Community Engagement - Robert Dawkins, Action NC
Welcome to Friendship Talks: Are You Listening?, hosted by Bill Ryans of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Social Justice Ministry. This episode tackles the youth curfew debate in Charlotte and explores how local government, state preemption, and grassroots organizing impact our communities.
Guest
Robert Dawkins: Political Director for Action NC, advocating for affordable housing, police accountability, voting rights, and low-to-moderate-income communities.
Key Takeaways
Curfew Limits: Curfews risk profiling minority youth, penalize struggling parents, and miss the adult promoters driving large gatherings.
Organizing vs. Mobilizing: Activism reacts to crises; organizing is the ongoing work of building long-term community influence.
State vs. Local Power: Under Dillon's Rule, NC cities only have powers granted by the General Assembly, often limiting local self-governance.
City vs. County: Cities manage hard services (police, fire, water), while counties oversee social services, health, and schools.
Civic Action: Real change requires year-round civic engagement, city council attendance, and intergenerational education.
Connect
Email Robert Dawkins: robert@actionnc.org
11 Sept 2026
Your Vote, Your Voice: The 2026 Candidate Forum
Welcome to this episode of the Friendship Talks: Are You Listening? podcast. Hosted by Dr. Corlis Thompson, this episode explores what it means to be an informed and active voter ahead of the November 2026 elections, with a special focus on our upcoming community candidate forums.
Meet the Guests
Attorney Jessica Hobbs: A legal professional with a background in social work, sharing insights on how state and local elections affect daily necessities like housing, schools, and social services.
Retired Judge Yvonne Mims Evans: A former district and superior court judge who has served the Charlotte community since 1976 and partnered with the Social Justice Ministry.
Key Takeaways
The Forums Are the Crucial First Step: You can't be an informed voter without hearing directly from the candidates. Our upcoming forums are the most effective way to cut through campaign ads and get real answers on local issues.
Down-Ballot Races Matter Most: While presidential elections get the spotlight, local officials (like county commissioners and judges) have the most direct impact on our daily lives. The forums provide rare, vital access to these down-ballot candidates.
Your Vote is Your Voice: Voting is an exercise of right and privilege that directly sets the policies for how our communities function. The Social Justice Ministry is actively organizing phone banking and neighborhood canvassing to boost local turnout.
Upcoming Non-Partisan Candidate Forums
The Social Justice Ministry, in partnership with our civic organizations, is hosting two critical candidate forums to help voters hear directly from politicians. The events will be co-moderated by Judge Carla Archie and Kevin Patterson.
Attendees should register in advance here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-non-partisan-candidate-forums-tickets-1995904407812?aff=oddtdtcreator
October 6 (6:30 PM - 8:30 PM): Featuring candidates for the North Carolina General Assembly and the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.
October 8 (6:30 PM - 8:30 PM): Featuring candidates for the US House, US Senate, North Carolina Supreme Court, and North Carolina Court of Appeals.
15 Jul 2026
Empowering Women and Children with Crittenton of NC
Host: Bill Ryans
Guest: Jada Charlie, CEO of Crittenton of North Carolina
Episode Summary
Host Bill Ryans sits down with CEO Jada Charlie to explore Crittenton of North Carolina’s 123-year legacy of providing 24/7 holistic care to vulnerable women, children, and families in Charlotte. The 49-bed facility helps individuals transition to independent living through four primary initiatives:
Maternity Program: Safe housing and healthcare for pregnant women and girls in crisis.
Sarah’s House: Fosters parenting and independent living skills for young mothers navigating the foster care system with their babies.
Legacy Program: Teaches essential life skills (budgeting, cooking, self-advocacy) to teen girls ages 16-21 aging out of foster care.
Aftercare Program: Provides three years of ongoing community networking, housing assistance, and emotional support for program alumni.
How to Get Involved
Crittenton relies on community partnerships, volunteers, and donations to sustain its operations and support its residents.
Website: https://www.crittentonofnc.org
Phone: 704-372-4663
Social Media: @CrittentonofNC (Instagram & Facebook)
Events to Support: Crittenton Conversations (September), Annual Golf Tournament (October), and the Annual Spring Luncheon.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
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