2020 Pride Magazine - September/October "Health & Education" Issue by Pride Magazine Online

September-October 2020

The Health and Education Issue

Charlotte’s African-American Magazine

What’s Next for CMS? A candid talk with Superintendent Earnest Winston Defund the Police Examining public safety

RX Clinic Pharmacy

Dispensing more than meds

Arts in Education A stimulant for success

Learning Learning better better ways ways to to manage manage your your money money doesn’t doesn’t have have to to cost cost aa thing thing

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September – October 2020

Departments 8

From the Editor

Notable Names

11By 12

Faith

Book Review

14 Mindful

Parent

Business 48

R X Clinic Dispensing more than meds

FYI News & Notes

Health 52

T he Impact of COVID on the Body A look at the immune system

GaudiLab / Shutterstock.com

C ardinal Innovations Finding homes for hundreds

On the Cover: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Earnest Winston. Photo courtesy of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Log on to pridemagazineonline.com for more features.

Features 15

M anaging Education in Uncertain Times Meet CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston

P rivate Schools Prevail Private schools talk change

D efund the Police Reexamining public safety

A rts in Education A stimulant for success

G reater Step Scholars Making education possible

R emembering A Loss Son shares memories of Dad

T he Rosenwald Schools A look at African American history

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

There are no limits to what you can accomplish. You have the power to redefine what’s possible. From being the first to graduate college to becoming the next big star in your field — you work relentlessly to knock down barriers and build a stronger legacy. We call that being empowerful. As you continue to create more financial stability for you and your family, Wells Fargo will be right by your side helping to make it happen. You’ve come this far. We can help you go further. Learn how at:

Charlotte’s African-American Magazine

CEO/Publisher Dee Dixon

Editor-in-Chief

Lashawnda Becoats

Copy Editor

Sonja Whitemon

Lead Writer Angela Lindsay

Creative Director Larry Preslar

Design & Production SPARK Publications www.SPARKpublications.com

Distribution Watch Dog Entertainment®

Account Executive Nikelle Fesperman

Public Relations Nepherterra Estrada

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Copyright© 2020 Pride Magazine All rights reserved. Copying or reproduction, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited. Pride Magazine reserves the right to deny any advertisement, listing or feature that does not meet Pride Magazine standards or that is outside the scope or mission of our magazine. Pride Magazine assumes no responsibility for information, products, services, or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

FromTheEditor

Positive Vibes Only! By Lashawnda Becoats

his is the third issue of Pride Magazine that our team has produced during the pandemic— and let me tell you, running a magazine when the world is upside down isn’t easy. In fact, we are thankful to get a chance to talk to CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston on page 16. He’s been very busy as you can imagine. We were literally down to the wire getting this cover story as details about how CMS was planning to handle the new school year changed as we were going to press. Sharing his vision for students, teachers and parents in our community is important. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about any of the pressure…it comes with the territory. Surprisingly, I’m experiencing a greater level of gratitude that I didn’t have before. Instead of being negative and fearful (that’s not my vibe anyway), I choose to look for the good in every situation. Slowing down (also known as not being able to travel) has made me become more present and not manage my life on the go. That’s a huge shift for me because although I’m still pulled in many different directions, I don’t get as worked up about things as I use to. My new favorite line is, “Well, you know it’s a pandemic!” Right now, my family is everything to me. Although, I can’t see my parents or my heart holder easily because of travel restrictions, having my adult children around has kept me grounded. They have become my people to do things with (I haven’t seen many of my local friends) and although they’re busy people, I thank God we live in the same city. Hearing their stories of how they are navigating in this zany world gives me hope that they will continue to get better at dealing with adversity. Our time together is the one thing that feels consistent. I still hug and kiss them too because no virus is going to stop me from doing that. As we step into the fall season, I’m ready for a big change… I’m sure you are, too.

I have so much fun with my adult children, Kayla, London and Tashara.

Take care and stay safe.

Lashawnda Becoats @Runtowardyourlife

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

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NotableNames By Ryan Kouame

ANGELO GETER

CHARLES A. TROWELL

EARL C. MARTIN JR.

CAPTAIN SYLIVIA SMITH-PHIFER

Angelo Geter was recently named poet laureate for the city of Rock Hill. Geter, also known as “EyeAmBic” in the world of spoken word, is a National Poetry Slam champion, Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam finalist, Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam finalist and a 2019 All-American City winner. Geter has performed at competitions all over the country and currently serves on the board of directors for The Watering Hole, an organization dedicated to holding spaces for poets of color in oral and written poetry. As the poet laureate of Rock Hill, he performs at special events and promotes literacy, civic engagement and outreach throughout the community. Geter is also the director of Campus Programming at Winthrop University. Geter holds his bachelor’s degree in political science from Winthrop University and master’s degree in higher education from Drexel University.

Earl C. Martin Jr. is a licensed clinical therapist, podcaster, and empowerment speaker based in Charlotte. Martin is a therapist for Community Support Services of Mecklenburg County, where he provides therapeutic services to survivors of domestic violence. He is also the founder and owner of Innate Virtue Counseling, PLLC, where he helps clients unlock the truest and healthiest version of themselves through therapy. Martin has a background and passion for helping individuals who are dealing with traumatic experiences, particularly in the African American and queer community. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and his master’s degree in social work from Winthrop University, where his studies focused on youth, empowerment, racial inequality, African American studies, and LGBTQ+ studies. Martin enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, and trying new activities in Charlotte. He is also a co-host on the Hats Off Podcast, an edutainment podcast centered on removing the stigma of mental health in marginalized and oppressed communities through humor and truth.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

The Current Collective is an interdisciplinary network for the cultivation, professionalization, and collaboration of black creatives in the state of North Carolina. The organization was co-founded by design strategist and community planner Charles A. Trowell and interior and spatial designer Quintel Gwinn to curate equitable agency for black creatives through education, advocacy, and collaboration. Trowell is from Durham, NC, and moved to Charlotte in 2011 where he received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. He currently works in planning and development for Center City and is completing a dual master’s degree in urban design and community planning at UNC Charlotte.

Captain Sylivia SmithPhifer is the first woman to be appointed as battalion chief for the city of Charlotte’s fire department. Smith-Phifer has served the City of Charlotte for 28 years as captain on Engine 1, Engine 14, Engine 28, and most recently Engine 25 where she will begin serving as a relief battalion chief covering the C-Shift. Battalion Chief Smith-Phifer is the first and highest-ranking African American woman to be promoted to battalion chief in the department’s history. Formerly in the insurance industry, she joined Charlotte’s fire department in 1992 and is one of few women on the department’s operational staff. Smith-Phifer holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. She also holds an associate degree in interpreter sign language and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. She is also a full-time mother, beekeeper, alongside her husband, Jeff Phifer, who is also a firefighter with the city of Charlotte. P

ByFaith

MIA Studio / Shutterstock.com

By Rev. Dr. Dwayne Bond

Persevering During a Pandemic

ver the last several months, we have all experienced an unprecedented, cataclysmic shift in our lives that will change us and our world forever. COVID-19 unexpectantly entered 2020 unannounced with a bang and has attempted to wreak havoc on us emotionally, mentally, relationally, physically and spiritually. We are in a real pandemic with no signs of it ending. In addition to COVID-19, we are experiencing a racial pandemic that has unmasked the systemic wickedness in America. Racism is in full affect. With Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd’s murders, the historical injustices faced by Black and Brown people have gone viral for the world to see. While the world and the Black community await justice, an unquenchable anger, fear, frustration, disappointment, and hopelessness have uncontrollably flooded our hearts and minds. One of the worldwide outcomes has been millions of outraged people of all ethnicities flooding the streets in peaceful protest. As an African American man and pastor of a multi-ethnic church, I’ve intentionally had to take time to assess my own heart and mind as it relates to the times in which we live. In light of the tragedy of COVID and the injustices in America, there have been times when I’ve been enraged and times that I’ve wondered if things will ever improve. The state of America is disappointing, frustrating, and concerning,

but yet I’m optimistically hopeful about the future. As a man of faith, I trust in Jesus Christ and in the sovereignty of God. He is the Creator and sustainer of all things. Nothing happens in this world without his knowledge. Colossians 1:15-17 says, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” No man, virus, wickedness, leader, inconvenience, dashed dream, or disappointment is more powerful than the God of the Bible. Based on my understanding of the sovereign rule and love of God, I have sought to courageously lead our church with faith and hope in Jesus Christ. Since the church isn’t a building but instead a group of genuine followers of Christ, we don’t need to be in a building to be the church. Given the importance of social distancing in this season, we’ve leveraged online resources and platforms like Zoom and Realm in order to engage one another and remain connected. Each Sunday, we post a pre-recorded sermon and worship set on YouTube and watch it as a community on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. from the comfort of our homes. Additionally, we meet in small groups throughout the week for prayer, fellowship and spiritual growth. Given the nature of our present realities, these online

experiences have offered tremendous encouragement, prayer support, faithbuilding, and a sense of relational connection. Lastly, we organize and plan ways to celebrate specific milestones in each other’s lives. These may include drivebys, cards, flowers, and socially distancing meetups. By God’s grace, this appears to be going very well for us at this time. For the rest of the year, we will continue seeking to support one another. However, my encouragement to everyone reading this article is to surrender to the sovereign rule of God over all things. Submit to him by faith (Romans 5:1-5). Could God be allowing the world to pause its normal dealings in order to assess our lives in light of who he is? Think about it. Everything that we depended on for entertainment, comfort, peace, identity, security and happiness prior to COVID are no longer dependable. Turn your eyes off of what you can’t experience and call out to him. In the midst of everything that has changed and is uncertain, God is our only constant. May we persevere together and trust in God’s plan and purpose in all that we are experiencing. I pray that this unprecedented season deepens our faith in him, knits our hearts together as humanity, stretches us to depend on him, and ultimately makes us a better people because of it. Grace and peace to you all. P The Rev. Dwayne Bond is the lead pastor of Wellspring Church.

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

BookReview

By Angela Haigler

Get Inspired!

“Transcendent Kingdom” by Yaa Gyosi After winning several awards for her breakout debut novel, “Homegoing,” Ghanaian-American Yaa Gyosi is set to break more records with her second book, “Transcendent Kingdom.” A nuanced tale about a Ph.D. student and her immigrant family, Gyosi weaves her usual magic as she writes us into their world as they cope with depression, addiction, faith, science and love.

“Gathering Blossoms Under Fire: The Journals of Alice Walker”

“Say It Louder! Black Voters, White Narratives, and Saving Our Democracy”

by Alice Walker, edited by Valerie Boyd

by Tiffany D. Cross

What if you were able to look into the mind of one of the most prolific Black female writers in the 21th Century? That possibility has become a reality as Alice Walker reveals her innermost thoughts and feelings as recorded in fifty years’ worth of her personal journals. Edited by Valerie Boyd, who wrote the riveting biography of Zora Neale Hurston, this rare opportunity is a must-read for Walker fans.

Rising star political analyst Tiffany Cross offers a wellresearched perspective on the power of Black voters in the democratic process. Cross points out how black political might is often downplayed, taken for granted or ignored by those who have benefited the most. She encourages Blacks to harness their power and use their votes wisely for candidates and causes that have their collective well-being in mind.

“Frantz Fanon's Plays from Alienation and Freedom” By Frantz Fanon, edited by Jean Khalfa and Robert J. C. Young Plays by Frantz Fanon thought to have been lost were found and now translated from French into English. Fanon was a French Caribbean psychiatrist turned playwright from Martinique whose experiences as a doctor in Algeria served as the catalyst for many of his writings about race relations in the 1940s. The plays reveal his position on the popular Négritude movement of those times.

For the young reader “I am Every Good Thing” by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James (Picture Book) Charlotte's own Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James have teamed up once again after a successful first run with “Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut.” Their latest collaboration, "I am Every Good Thing" is a celebration of the qualities that make black boys great. With his bouncy, rhythmic but incredibly strong prose, Barnes’s provides the perfect anchor for James’ descriptive illustrations.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

It’s imperative to battle COVID-19’s devastating impacts on our health and economy. The best way to doboth is to keep everyone safe and avoid potential setbacks as we rebuild business. Please follow NC and Mecklenburg County guidelines as you set policies. And make sure you, your employees and your customers:

Until there’s a vaccine, stay vigilant to stay safe and stay open.

TheMindfulParent

Coping During a Pandemic By Shavonda Bean

Taking care of yourself and your family

or plans made with friends can evoke grief. Be mindful of signs that stress related to the pandemic or other losses is wearing on you or your child. Warning signs might include increased isolation, changes in appetite, increased irritability, trouble sleeping, nightmares, or fear about leaving the house. When two or more of these symptoms begin to occur, it is a good idea to talk to your child about their feelings and determine if it is time to talk to a professional.

for teens to prefer activities with friends or individual time. Involve them in the planning process to help them prepare. Check out the CDC’s resource to help set structure at home. Creating Structure and Rules: www.cdc.gov/parents/essentials/structure/ index.html

Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

he COVID-19 pandemic has created significant change and stress for everyone. We’ve had to adapt to new ways of living, earning, thriving and socializing while trying to protect ourselves and our loved ones from a contagious disease. The nature of this pandemic lends itself to uncomfortable levels of unpredictability. Consider these tips to cope with and adjust to life during these unprecedented times.

Recognize and manage stress. We can become more distant, irritable and anxious when highly stressed. It then becomes easier to turn to an extra glass of wine, sleeping or eating more to cope. Children can sense stress and learn ways to face struggles by watching their parents. Find healthy methods to manage stress and help children navigate this uncharted territory. Take the opportunity to teach your children the importance of self-care. Make it a family activity. You might be surprised at your child’s creative ideas. Notice increased grief or anxiety: Remember that grief is caused by many forms of loss, including the loss of a loved one. The loss of a job or missing a celebration

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Provide consistency and routines. Most children need routines and the security of structure, but the extended break from school has sent schedules out the window. Schedules increase productivity, help maintain a sense of normalcy and help reduce stress. Children need adequate sleep and consistent, healthy routines. If your child is not involved in any online camps, sports or other activities, consider working together to create a schedule and routine for each day. Incorporate exercise and outdoor activities— and it is perfectly fine to schedule a rest day. Also, keep in mind that your children might not be as thrilled about Family Game Night as you are. Don’t be disappointed. It can be age appropriate

Consume the news in healthy doses. While it is important to be informed of COVID-19 updates and news, try minimizing the amount of time spent watching news or television programming focused on the pandemic and deaths. Also, try scheduling your news consumption for a limited amount of time and only use it to gather necessary information. Be prepared to have ageappropriate conversations with your children to answer questions about the virus. Avoid creating stigmas by simply giving them the facts from a reliable source. The CDC and PBS Kids are great sources for information for talks with your child about the virus. Talking with Children about COVID-19: www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/ talking-with-children.html How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus: www.pbs.org/ parents/thrive/how-to-talk-to-your-kidsabout-coronavirus Remind yourself and your children of what you can and cannot control in times like these. Make a list of those things so you remember what you can do to get through. While we could not have imagined an experience like this pandemic, we can be made stronger, more resilient and dynamic on the other side. Take care of yourselves and each other. P Shavonda Bean is a licensed psychological associate and owner of Essential Assessments & Behavioral Health. Visit Essentialhealthnc.com for more information.

Managing Education in Uncertain Times A Conversation with CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston By Angela Lindsay

he 2020-2021 school year will look and feel like no other in our lifetime. After a spring semester cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced in July that K-12 public schools would open for in-person instruction on August 26 under an updated “Plan B” that requires face coverings for all K-12 students, fewer children in the classroom, measures to ensure social distancing for everyone in the building and other safety protocols.

Earnest Winston

As educators, parents, students and staff prepared to embark on this new school experience, Earnest Winston, superintendent for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, was preparing for the challenges and rewards that lay ahead not only for this unusual school year but also for the duration of his tenure. A Chicago native and former Vance High School English teacher, Winston took the helm as CMS superintendent in August 2019. No one would have predicted that a year later he would be guiding the district through such an unprecedented time. The same week the Governor’s plan to reopen schools was revealed, Pride had a chat with Superintendent Winston to find out from his perspective what’s next for the school district. *edited for brevity Pride: We often hear discussions in the news about the term “equity,” as it applies to public education. Would you tell us how you define equity? Winston: The Board defines equity as providing the opportunities, support, environment, high expectations and resources that every student needs to achieve educational success, feel valued

and contribute to a thriving community. I see equity as providing each student what he or she needs to be successful. In many instances, we know that historically students of color have come to school with fewer resources. So, I believe that we have an obligation as a school district to provide additional support to our students who come to us with fewer resources. In saying that, we still must provide every student with what he or she needs. It doesn’t mean that because more support is being giving to certain students that other students will receive less than what they need to be successful.

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

Equity is also about providing access to our students. That means focusing on providing all students with access to great teaching. That means increasing students’ access to advanced coursework. I say that because we know there is just no substitute for great teaching. Great teaching is imperative to ensuring that we have lessons that are culturally responsive and we must differentiate those lessons based on the needs of our students. Pride: What effect will the school closures from last school year due to the pandemic have on the equity gap? Winston: We know that in our country, in our community, we have an existing equity gap, and I believe that what the pandemic has done is reveal those gaps. It has widened those gaps. In many ways, it has given us an opportunity to reimagine education as we have always known it, making sure that through our teaching and our remote learning, that all students are getting access to standardsaligned curriculum. We believe that will be significant as we look to continue to reduce that equity gap. Pride: How will challenges based on the new distance learning plan announced in July impact African-American students and other children of color? Winston: We experienced challenges with getting devices [Chromebooks, iPads] in the hands of all of our children. We ask families that if they have challenges with obtaining their device from the school, let an adult at your child’s school know so that we can make arrangements to get that information and those tools to them. One of the things I would like all of our families to do is make sure that your school has updated contact information. We are providing sessions prior to the start of school with our families on making sure they understand Canvas, which is our new learning platform (used by grades K-12, teachers and parents as their primary form of communication with each other), because having a tool is only as good as knowing how to utilize that tool. Pride: How will the meal distribution system work for students in need of nutritional support during the 202021 school year? Winston: Free grab-and-go meals were offered at school meal distribution sites from August 17–31. School Nutrition Services will introduce the CMS Eats @

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

# Fast Facts

CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS

14,299 total students

175

total schools

elementary schools

middle schools

high schools

alternative schools

1:1

student/technology ratio

85.4%

district-wide graduation rate

Home program for all CMS students. Starting September 1, meal bundles with five breakfasts and five lunches will be available for pickup at meal sites or delivered to students’ bus stops. Meal bundles are $15 a week and are free for students who qualify for free or reduced price meals. The PayPAMS system opened for sign-ups on August 10. Families must create an account to order meal bundles. Pride: What technological challenges exist for parents and students in remote learning and other

situations and has the school system decided how that will be handled moving forward? Winston: From the technology services perspective, the greatest challenges to families has been a lack of connectivity. We have provided devices to nearly every student in need and the deployment will continue. We have made thousands of hot spots available for families lacking internet access. We have heard many calls for technology support related to Wi-Fi connections and are providing help via our call center. Lastly, approximately 80,000 of our students have devices we gave them in March and April. The remaining students in need will get them from their schools. Pride: This has been a tumultuous year, not only because of the pandemic, but also because of the protests for racial justice. Will the school system be rethinking building names tied to the Confederacy, such as Vance High School? Winston: Yes, we have already started on that. A school-based committee has been formed to recommend names for Zebulon B. Vance High School. We will likely establish a district-wide committee to review other school names. I also think it is equally important to remain focused on what is happening in the classrooms of those buildings so that we can ensure equity for every student. Pride: What are some of the successes you feel proud of regarding what you’ve been able to accomplish in the school system? Winston: When school buildings abruptly closed in the spring, the team was thrust into creating ways to reach and teach students. I am proud of the lessons we learned about what is possible. Three years ago, we couldn’t have imagined being able to provide 4th through 12th grade students with devices to take home, but our investments in technology paid off and we sent more than 80,000 Chromebooks home. The philanthropic community helped to bridge the gap for students who didn’t have internet access in their homes with donations to the CMS Foundation. That was a key part of keeping students and teachers connected. We’re grateful for that support then and know that we will continue to need help as we navigate a school year that is likely to be a combination of remote and in-person instruction. P

Private Schools P R E VA I L F

rom dining out to traveling to even simply going for a walk, the COVID-19 pandemic halted the way we operated for the better part of 2020—and possibly forever. Its effects have trickled down into every aspect of our daily lives, and one of the hardest hit segments has been education. Suddenly, parents found themselves having to be their children’s schoolteachers, often grappling with trying to understand newer technology,

impart unfamiliar subject matter and adhere to school schedules while often working from home themselves. Students were faced with the stress and confusion of having to learn outside the classroom without normal hands-on guidance from teachers and the social support of classmates. Thousands more opted for alternative celebrations like virtual prom parties, drive-by graduation celebrations, and online commencement speeches.

The Cannon School

Since schools first shut down in spring, many area private and independent schools began strategizing for the fall. As we ease into the new school year, these schools have implemented cautious approaches to the tricky task of providing students with a sound education and avoiding the spread of a very real health risk. Here are the ways some area private and independent schools are navigating their new reality:

“Throughout remote learning, reflection became an hourly, daily, and weekly habit for us,” says Jenn Brooks, who was a third-grade teacher last year and will take on the role of lower school learning specialist for 2020-2021. “I believe that as we embark upon a new school year, we will hold on to this practice and in true Cannon fashion, make it part of our journey of growth.”

Carmel Christian School

“A new ‘first day of school’ arrived for Cannon School on Thursday, March 26, with students and teachers feeling equal parts excitement and apprehension,” says Amy Reiss, associate director of marketing and communications at Cannon School. Due to their ages, lower school students were less familiar with technology and eased into the process more slowly. For parents with young children or those trying to work from home, there was an adjustment to a new normal no one anticipated, she adds, while older students were promptly confronted with added lessons in self-discipline and structure. The finicky nature of technology posed yet another hurdle for some remote learners. “Well, the morning of the first day of remote learning, even after several successful tests in the days prior, my computer crashed when joining the first meeting. It was a problem that I wasn’t expecting, but I was able to fix it quickly,” Carter Huffman, class of ’24, shares. “A different problem soon emerged in the fact that I could not just go into a teacher’s classroom when I had a question to ask. I had always liked writing e-mails and communicating remotely, but not being able to see teachers at all to ask questions was difficult.”

Heading into the coming school year, the Carmel Christian School framework and solutions will reflect the learnings gained last spring, which include their traditional, on-campus model for learning and discipleship, which is preferred by faculty and students. They learned that remote learning requires a synchronous component to provide structure, continuity and engagement and that student engagement and accountability are key to success. They now know that discipleship can continue through meaningful virtual engagement. They also learned that faculty support and professional development are essential and resources and readiness for virtual connectivity are necessary,

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

according to Dr. Jay Hancock, head of school at Carmel Christian School. A Re-Entry Task Force was created to develop a strategy that allowed for flexibility and transparency while prioritizing community health and safety. One immediate result of the work of this task force is that all CCS students, grades K-12, will have individual access to a Chromebook device. This resource allocation, he says, enables all students to continue to refine digital learning skills as well as allows them to quickly transition to remote learning, if needed.

Charlotte Country Day School

Charlotte Christian School

In a short amount of time, Charlotte Christian School was able to transition its instructional day to online learning that very closely mirrored an on-campus schedule for middle and upper school students. The school already had the technology infrastructure in place with iPads for every student in the middle school and MacBook Airs for every student in the upper school. Their program, says CCS Head of School Barry Giller, is robust enough and their technology infrastructure is prepared to support the delivery of quality instruction wherever their students may be.

“One of the benchmarks of a Charlotte Christian education is the involvement in our CCS community,” he adds. “The inability to gather together as a community was hard when we transitioned to distance learning. Our administrators creatively provided virtual and on-campus socially distanced ways for our students to feel connected to their teachers and classmates.”

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

Navigating new schedules, internet disruptions, various learning curves, and other distractions arose when emergency remote learning ensued, but CCDS leaned on its mission, key values, and affirmation of community to guide it during this uncharted path in the school’s history. Keeping the safety and wellness of students as a top priority, its leadership team began meeting and developing plans out of an abundance of caution in January, which Scott Waybright, assistant head of school at CCDS, says proved wise. Over the summer, every faculty member engaged in 20 hours or more of professional development training in the area of online educational delivery. In addition, CCDS seriously considered the national conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion, according to Brian Wise, director of diversity planning at CCDS. School leaders and the board have been actively engaging in the process of listening, acknowledging, and acting. A special committee of the board will take on this work and elevate CCDS’ focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion as it begins school-wide, long-term strategic planning this fall.

Charlotte Latin School

Charlotte Latin’s risk-based plans included installing Swivl cameras in every classroom and maintaining schedules that are “nimble enough to adapt to remote learning if on-campus instruction is interrupted.” The most difficult aspect of COVID-19 for Charlotte Latin is rooted in the fact that its community values relationships and time together and knows that even the most advanced technology can never replace the teacher in a classroom. The commitment to deliver the best learning experience possible during difficult times along with the creativity and community support has been inspiring, says Susan Carpenter, director of marketing and communications at Charlotte Latin.

WHERE LEARNING IS SOMETHING YOU CAN SEE, HEAR, & TOUCH. Within our multisensory K-12 curriculum, students with learning differences experience the many ways to make connections with concepts, grow in their unique learning style, and reach their potential.

thefletcherschool.org | 704-365-4658

Gaston Day School One of Greater Charlotteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most Awarded Schools FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS Preschool-12th Grade

704.864.7744

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Ready. For. You. As As aa school, school, we we seek seek to to admit admit talented talented and and motivated motivated students from from diverse diverse backgrounds. backgrounds. Central Central to to preparing preparing students our our students students for for this this world world is is creating creating aa diverse diverse academic academic community, community, including including socioeconomically, socioeconomically, racially, racially, and and ethnically. ethnically. In In fact, fact, research research has has proven proven that that aa diverse diverse environment leads leads to to better better learning learning outcomes outcomes for for all all environment students. students. Families Families who who feel feel the the full full tuition tuition cost cost is is out out of of their their reach reach should should not not hesitate hesitate to to visit visit or or apply apply to to the the school. school. We We are are here here to to help help you you determine determine the the best best options options for for your your family with with this this very very important important educational educational investment. investment. family

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100% 100% of of Country Country Day Day graduates graduates are are accepted accepted to to colleges and universities colleges and universities around around the the world; world; the the Class Class of 2020 2020 received received $11.5 $11.5 million million of total total scholarship scholarship offers offers based based on academic merit, athletic on academic merit, athletic abilities, abilities, or or special special talents talents

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Nearly Nearly 20% 20% of of our our enrollment enrollment comprises students comprises students of of color color

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100% 100% of of our our faculty faculty engage engage in in professional professional development development each year including each year including diversity, diversity, equity, and inclusion equity, and inclusion

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About About 16.5% 16.5% of of the the Country Country Day student body receives Day student body receives financial financial aid; aid; more more than than $4.5 $4.5 million is is granted granted with with an an million average average award award of of $12,000 $12,000

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Over Over 20% 20% of of our our Board Board of Trustees Trustees comprises of comprises people people of of color color

Call us today to learn more about the opportunities at Country Day! charlottecountryday.org | (704) 943-4530

WHY COVENANT DAY? WHY COVENANT DAY? DIG DEEPER AT OUR OPEN HOUSE & INFORMATION FAIR DIG DEEPER AT OUR OPEN HOUSE & INFORMATION FAIR

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 • REGISTER AT WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG/OPENHOUSE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 • REGISTER AT WWW.COVENANTDAY.ORG/OPENHOUSE COVENANT DAY IS A TK-12 CHRIST-CENTERED, COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL COVENANT DAY IS A TK-12 CHRIST-CENTERED, COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Visit Visit Us! Us!

Interested in learning more about what makes our school community unique? Interested in learning more about what makes our school community unique? Visit www.covenantday.org/visit to schedule your private tour of our campus. Visit www.covenantday.org/visit to schedule your private tour of our campus.

Christ-centered. College preparatory. Educating the whole child.

Knights Lead:

Celebrating 70 years of excellence in Christian education, Charlotte Christian is a Christ-centered, college preparatory, independent, nondenominational school, serving students in grades JK-12. We offer a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for institutions of higher learning and life beyond. Character and values are emphasized and modeled by a professional and dedicated faculty.

Knights Explore: At Charlotte Christian we teach to the whole child -

mind, body, and spirit. Whether composing a song in a digital music class or winning a National Gold Key in art; trying a new sport or playing on a state championship team; taking a field trip downtown or traveling the world during a J-Term excursion, we seek to allow each student to expand their horizons by offering a wide variety of teams, classes, clubs and activities.

Knights Impact: Charlotte Christian does not simply provide a curriculum which contains a Bible class; we teach students to make sense of the world and their place in it by filtering their learning through God’s word. Annual retreats, weekly chapels, and special spiritual emphasis days are planned each year for students as a time for renewal and relationship building and learning how to impact the culture for Christ.

2020 OPEN HOUSES

Come see Christian and learn more about the Charlotte Christian experience through a virtual open house.

JK - grade 5 Wednesday, Oct. 14 • 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 • 6:30 p.m.

Grades 6-12 Wednesday, Oct. 28 • 6:30 p.m. Questions, please call (704) 366-5657, ext. 6502. To R.S.V.P., visit www.charlottechristian.com/ admissionsregistration.

The Fletcher School

In keeping with its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, Charlotte Latin made sure every student had access to the internet and any devices needed. In addition, former director of diversity and inclusion, Sonja Taylor, was named assistant head of school for K-12 curriculum and instruction, equity, and strategic initiatives. Taylor is the first female assistant head of school and the first black assistant head of school.

Charlotte Preparatory School

Given The Fletcher School’s small average class sizes and 6:1 student-to-teacher ratios, its typical operational “starting point” is highly advantageous. Its facility provides an average of more than 300 square feet per occupant for its 260 students and nearly 100 professional staff, permitting additional physical distancing and small groupings while returning to in-person education this fall. Last spring, the school converted a 100% in-person, K-12 day school program for students with learning differences into a 100% distance education program in less than a week for which it received praise from its parents and students. Its well-established one-to-one technology program meant all students, faculty and staff had access to an iPad or MacBook. As an Apple Distinguished school, Fletcher faculty were highly experienced in utilizing technology in instruction and as a tool to continue and enhance multisensory learning. The Fletcher School also recognizes that COVID-19 has enhanced its need to provide financial aid, especially considering the likelihood that the resources provided for students with learning differences in public and private schools may be strained right now. In light of this, they continue to expand its efforts and resources to support deserving families in need of financial assistance.

Gaston Day School The shift to remote learning has given Charlotte Preparatory School the platform to build competence at transforming its teaching methods and tools to suit the online space. The administration there says this is an essential skill going forward for not just teachers but also students as they became “further adept at navigating technology platforms and taking ownership of their asynchronous learning times.” Charlotte Prep’s goal is to have classes on campus and has been reviewing local, state, and national pandemic guidelines to stay ahead of the developments and recommendations. The school has implemented a comprehensive return-to-campus plan with the goal of ensuring its facilities and revised hygiene processes are in place and ready to welcome our families back safely. They also trained faculty, staff, students, and families on the new safety protocols. With a 42% diverse population, diversity and inclusion remain core to the Charlotte Prep mission. As such, the school has been able to work closely with families who are negatively impacted by COVID-19 to provide emergency financial assistance and will continue to do so.

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“We are having to rethink education from the ground up,” says Davidson Hobson, associate head of school at Gaston Day School. “Our classrooms are now physically distanced, student and faculty movement is limited on campus, and we are prepared to switch to temporary virtual education, if necessary. We are also delivering remote learning to our students who may be isolating and unable to attend school.”

“As a school that embraces equity and inclusion, as well as social-emotional well being, as central to our core values, we recognize the racial inequalities inherent in the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Leigh Dyer, Director, Strategic Marketing and Communications. “These inequalities as well as the recent killings of black people by police, have laid bare the pain and hurt in our own community. We have and will continue to listen, redoubling our commitment to live our ideals with intention.”

Trinity Episcopal School

Gaston Day teachers were flexible but still managed to challenge our students in the classroom. At the onset, the school implemented synchronous virtual learning with a regular schedule which proved too stressful for students and teachers. So, they quickly developed a modified schedule that allowed for more breaks and advising in the afternoons.

Providence Day School

With many faculty members already experienced with innovative digital tools and some having prior experience teaching online through the Global Online Academy, Providence Day School was excited to continue to find innovations in ways to deliver teaching and learning to its students. PDS anticipates having students on campus in some form for the fall semester and continues to focus on being flexible, making the best use of its resources to educate its students, invest in their social-emotional wellbeing, and keep them safe. COVID-19 has also strengthened its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

At Trinity Episcopal School, gratitude is top of mind even during trying times. “COVID-19 has deepened our gratitude for the countless things that make Trinity Episcopal School the special place that it is,” says Katie Brown, marketing and communications director at Trinity. “It has confirmed the strength of our foundation and how our investment in creating scholars, nurturing spirituality and embracing diversity cannot be dampened, even in the midst of a global pandemic.” The situation has also taught them “to think, teach and connect in new ways.” The school plans to improve its cleaning, safety and health protocols and is continuing to build some of the more creative learning modes from its remote learning into lesson planning this fall. As with many other schools, being apart from their community, sacrificing hands-on learning in the classroom, missing year-end class trips and experiences, and being apart from its service learning partners and neighbors has been difficult for Trinity. However, the school has been challenged to find learning everywhere, connect in new and creative ways, learn how to celebrate small victories and more deeply appreciate the present. P

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

Charlotte Latin School Spotlight

Charlotte Latin welcomes Latoya Pousa as Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

“I am excited and honored to build upon Dr. Sonja Taylor’s work in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Charlotte Latin is a vibrant community that embraces new people, perspectives, and best practices. I look forward to collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to develop strategies and initiatives that will not only enhance school culture, but also afford all students the opportunity to explore identity development and civic responsibility in a rapidly changing city. I have lived in Charlotte most of my life and it is home for me. It is a city that attracts people because of its rich diversity and small-town feel. This makes it an ideal place to appreciate multiculturalism.” — Latoya Pousa

CharlotteLatin.org 704.846.1100

Every school has a story

...welcome to ours!

Carmel Christian School is a greater Charlotte area private Christian school. We offer an excellent education built upon biblical truth, which equips students to impact the world for Jesus Christ. We offer an excellent education built upon biblical truth, which equips students to impact the world for Jesus Christ. Students participate in a challenging college preparatory curriculum taught through the lens of a biblical worldview. Our mission and Christ's love REMAIN the same in the midst of the uncertainties in the world around us. In light of challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic,. we are committed to excellence, flexibility and discipleship while prioritizing community health and safety.

QUICK FACTS: • Student Population: Over 900 students Grades K-12 • STEM: Award-winning International Space Station Team • Athletics: Varsity Men’s Tennis State Champions (4); Varsity Men’s Basketball State Champions (2); Varsity Girls Golf State Champions (1) • Arts: Elementary, Middle and High School Musicals • Missions: Students serve locally and internationally • Class of 2020: 100% accepted to the colleges and universities of their choice

Accepting Applications for 2021-2022 Discover our story when you tour with us! Click on the ADMISSIONS START HERE tab to schedule your visit.

Serving Students Grades K-12 | carmelchristian.org

Ali Michael, Ph.D., co-founder and director of the Race Institute for K-12 Educators, trained Providence Day educators on building anti-racist classrooms during the 2019-20 school year.

The Pursuit of Wholeness Providence Day prepares our students to be empathetic problem solvers and active global citizens through our TK-12 global curriculum. We teach students to respect others, develop their communication skills, and build confidence, so they can collaborate and lead in our culturally diverse society. We are in year two of a five-year action plan centered around equity and inclusion, and have launched an anti-racist task force. We are also launching a new group, AFIRM: Alumni Fostering Inclusion, Respect, & Multiculturalism. Virtual Open Houses will be held at 6:30 p.m. on October 29 for grades TK-5, and at 2:00 p.m. on November 8 for grades TK-12. Please contact our Admissions team at PDS.Admissions@providenceday.org for more information.

www.ProvidenceDay.org/About/Equity-and-Inclusion

creating

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SPIRITUALITY

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DIVERSITY in Charlotteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center City

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WHY CHARLOTTE PREP? THE PREK - 8TH GRADE STRUCTURE OF OUR SCHOOL IS ONE OF OUR SIGNATURE STRENGTHS. It provides us with our singular focus: we are a school for children, where every child is known, loved, and challenged. Everything we do is designed to nurture our students.Â Our school is friendly, supportive, diverse, and connected, and we celebrate the infinite value of each student while emphasizing the importance of community, character, and compassion.

Small School, Strong Community SCHEDULE A TIME TO CONNECT

Call us at 704-721-7199 to schedule your personalized tour today. JrK â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Grade 12 | cannonschool.org

The Call to

Defund Police Has Cities Reexamining Public Safety A By Tonya Jameson

few years ago, the phrase ”defund the police” was an ignorable chant among activists, but the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers this spring has cities throughout the country, including Charlotte, examining public safety. To most experts and leaders, the term refers to reallocating a large portion of police departments’ budgets to social services and community groups. For local activists, such as Kass Ottley, the movement to defund police departments is long overdue. “We’re not talking about abolishing police at this point. We’re talking about reducing those funds and reallocating them to underserved communities, which would help get rid of the violence, the crime and the killing,” said Ottley, who has organized several local marches to protest police violence. During a town hall hosted by the Harvey B. Gantt Center, Kristie PuckettWilliams, manager of the statewide Campaign for Smart Justice for the ACLU of North Carolina, said divestment from policing means taking money away from things like surveillance and controlling the community. “People who live in the community are closest to the problem and they’re also closest to the solution,” Williams said. “What they are furthest from is the resources and the power. What we are fighting for and what we are pushing for is to make those resources more available so that the community can respond in ways that help create trust, healing, [and] 32

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reduce the amount of trauma that the community experiences.” This summer, policymakers in large cities such as Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and New York supported reducing police department funding. Below are a few changes that are happening around the country: • The New York Police Department is reassigning plainclothes officers at precincts and Housing Bureau anticrime teams to do community policing and detective work. • Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti plans to cut as much as $150 million from the Los Angeles Police Department's budget. • San Francisco Mayor London Breed plans to redirect some police funds to the city's African-American community, and police will no longer respond to non-criminal calls. • Minneapolis City Council signed a pledge to dismantle the police department and create new public safety systems. In Charlotte, the city council approved a resolution to not purchase tear gas next

year, and the council adopted the “8 Can’t Wait” rules created by Campaign Zero, an organization that supports a movement to end police violence in Charlotte. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department also announced the addition of a duty to intervene policy after video footage of Floyd’s death showed other officers simply standing around while Floyd was being fatally restrained. The proposed changes in Charlotte were received with some skepticism among community advocates. Before retirement, former Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney said his department had not planned to purchase tear gas next year anyway, which renders the resolution simply symbolic. Regarding 8 Can’t Wait, CMPD has said that it already does everything in the campaign. Advocates also complain that the duty to intervene policy doesn’t go far enough. “We have been bamboozled and hoodwinked,” said S.A.F.E Coalition’s Robert Dawkins. In an interview with the Charlotte Observer regarding the reforms, he said, “City council doesn’t know what CMPD is doing and they don’t want to know.” The current city council is pushing for more transparency around police policy and spending. The council’s Safe Communities committee is now the epicenter in this vetting process. The committee established the Safe Communities Public Input Group in July to provide perspectives to the committee on various aspects of policing and how law enforcement interacts with the community. The new attention on policing comes when CMPD is in the midst of a leadership change. Chief Kerr Putney, often the focus of frustrated activists, retired in early July. New Police Chief Johnny Jennings has expressed a different approach to working with the community. During his swearing-in ceremony, Jennings said he spent the last few months getting feedback from the community and, as a result, community collaboration will be one of

Schools, the school system could hire two teachers for every school resource officer and that would yield better results for student education. However, in school– like society–there is a general perception that Black people are dangerous, he said. People protesting police brutality are met by officers wearing riot gear and hurling tear gas. Yet, in the early months of the pandemic, people protesting the state’s quarantine weren’t met with that type of force, he pointed out. In fact, in Michigan when armed protestors descended on the state legislature to protest the stay-at-home order this spring, there was no riot gear and no tear gas. America’s history is rife with these types of double standards, and there’s growing exasperation among people of color over the protections extended to police to use whatever tactics they want to maintain order in their neighborhoods. Throughout American history, highly publicized protests have been catalysts for change. This moment is familiar, yet different. We have been here before as we see images of police officers and protestors clashing in American cities. It was only six years ago that the media and many politicians characterized the Black Lives Matter movement as something to fear.

Back then activists took to the streets to protest the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray and so many others at the hands of law enforcement. It was only four years ago that those protests happened right here in Charlotte when Keith Lamont Scott was shot and killed by a CMPD officer. This time, however, is also different. What started as protests in America are occurring in cities throughout the world. What started as a march for George Floyd on Beatties Ford Road found its way through uptown, Myers Park, Plaza-Midwood and Ballantyne. Calls to defund police departments are being taken seriously as city leaders examine the best way to keep communities safe without doing harm to the people who are supposed to be protected. This is not going to be easy, but, in this moment, it feels like something is shifting in Charlotte and nationwide. As Kass Ottley said, “People are really wanting to have conversation. We all play a part in this. We’re bridging and we’re connecting.” P Editor’s Note: Writer Tonya Jameson is acting chair of the Citizen’s Review Board and moderator of the Safe Communities Public Input Group.

zef art / Shutterstock.com.

four core values in his administration. “It’s important that we continue the partnership with the community and create a sense of inclusiveness and not division,” he said during his swearing in. We are never going to move the needle and build a positive relationship with our community until we recognize how the community wants to be policed.” Much of the attention around defunding police has focused on city police departments, but UNC Charlotte Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership Tracy Benson, author of “Unconscious Bias in Schools: A Developmental Approach to Exploring Race and Racism,” said the community needs to pay more attention to what is happening in the school system. Benson said schools are one of the starting points where Black children are stereotyped as exhibiting criminal behavior, hence the school-to-prison pipeline. Benson said school resource officers were initially hired in the ‘70s to build a better bond with children. That role has changed significantly over the years. Children are being arrested for behavior that isn’t criminal such as being disruptive or disrespectful in class or refusing to leave the classroom, he said. Black and Brown children are policed and arrested more than their white counterparts at predominately white schools. “School resource officers do not make schools safer, they just criminalize everyday behavior of a particular age group,” he said. Looking at schools as a microcosm of the larger society, school resource officers reflect poor prioritization on how to best educate children. According to Benson’s research on Charlotte-Mecklenburg

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

Turning talk into action Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re committed to investing in diverse communities with personalized financial guidance, coaching programs, and $100 million in additional capital for Black-owned businesses and organizations annually. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s do this together at usbank.com/action

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. Nerthuz / Jag_cz / Shutterstock.com. Photo illustration by SPARK Publications

Jaiwha G West C reen- Former harlotte B High Sc and Member, hool West Charlotte High School Band

Arts in Education A Stimulant for Success By Sonja Whitemon

hen it comes to shaping a child’s future, academics is an obvious key; but researchers and scholars for years have found consistently that within a child’s curriculum, students whose experiences include the arts are best prepared for success in life. They have found that through the arts, students develop a complete and balanced education and they develop the life skills needed for the world we live in today.

While these studies show that the arts help students develop the thinking, social and motivational skills needed for success in school, work and life, they also show that fine arts courses have been found to help students excel in math and sciences as well. And there is a good reason for that, says Adam Sobers, band director at West Charlotte High School. “As musicians, when they are reading music and performing, they are marching to this certain spot, they have the music memorized, the nuances are memorized,

not just the notes—how soft to play the note, how hard to play the note, how short. All these things go into one production. Their brains are on overdrive when they are reading music, playing music and performing. Now, when they go sit down in math class or reading class, that teacher is asking them to do just one thing—just one. They’ve got this.” Sobers also believes it is important for students to get the opportunity to express themselves in a world where technology reigns supreme.

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

“A lot of kids find themselves lost in technology, lost within themselves.” he says, “Arts offer them the opportunity to develop good mental habits. It is easy, even for us as adults, to find ourselves swiping a cell phone. I always say to my students, ‘put the phone down. Let’s do something productive.’” And, even in the areas of social and emotional development, Sobers says participation in the arts can be beneficial. He has observed that bullying in schools can be stifling and participation in arts can help students find safe social networks. “If they are involved in programs such as marching band or theater or dance, things like that help students break out of their shells. I’ve seen too many kids not really cultivate who they could be simply because of what they think others are thinking about them. That little monkey on their back leaves. They have to be involved with something.” Sobers also says there are some students who are just apathetic about school and really do not want to be there. He believes that arts are one of the greatest things that draws some of them to school daily. ”I’ve seen a lot of students whose attitudes towards academics change as a result of being a part of the band. And students who were already solid in their academics let the band further enhance their good qualities and habits.” One of those students is Jaiwha Green, now a senior at UNC Chapel Hill, studying sociology, chemistry and biology. She is working toward a career in pediatrics. Adam Sobers- Band Director, West Charlotte High School

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Green joined the band in the 6th grade and continued in college. She says it taught her the discipline and the time management needed to participate in academics and extracurricular activities. She says meeting new people every year and the experience of going different places to perform were exciting and the support of her family was an awesome experience. She says that being in the band in high school taught her many things. “Band was the first thing that got me out of my comfort zone. Before I was very cautious and shy, not open to doing anything new or things I wasn’t used to. Going to high school was a scary time. There were so many new things and new people. I think joining the marching band was the best decision I ever made in high school.” Despite the evidence, there are fears that the arts will be squeezed out of school curriculums to emphasize a small set of core studies such as STEM courses. The Mecklenburg County School District, however, considers arts a core academic subject under the No Child Left Behind Act and under the North Carolina 21st Century Skills project. Approximately 100,000 students district-wide are involved in arts instruction. The Fine Arts department supports more than 650 dance, music, theater arts and visual arts teachers within its K-12 Visual and Performing Arts program, according to the district’s website. As Covid-19 is changing much of what we know about life, it remains to be seen how it will impact arts within school systems. Adam Sobers says he is already thinking about how he will adjust to make sure his students get what they need. P

PROUD TO GIVE BUSINESSES A LIFT CATS is proud to provide opportunities for businesses to create local jobs through the advancement of transit projects. CATS also seeks to create an environment that gives small and socially or economically challenged local businesses the opportunity to compete for publicly funded contracts by participating in the Small Business Opportunity (SBO) and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Programs. To date, 11 DBE firms have been awarded contracts of over $13 million to help build the CityLYNX Gold Line Streetcar. As the major provider of public transportation to Charlotte and the surrounding region, CATS relies on the communities we serve to build and operate the service every day. By working together on these new opportunities, we can all keep our communities moving in the right direction. For more information, visit ridetransit.org.

CATS. YOUR RIDE IS HERE.

Little things are a big deal Now more than ever. Peace of mind has taken on added importance. Dining, shopping, medical needs and access to people who can lend a helping hand are paramount. For those living at Sharon Towers, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all part of being a resident. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where the little things matter a lot.

To learn more, go to SharonTowers.org or contact our Marketing Department at 704.556.3231.

5100 SHARON ROAD | CHARLOTTE, NC | 28210

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Greater Steps Scholars

Greater Name, Same Mission Formerly the Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund, Greater Steps Scholars aims to make a college education possible for every student living in subsidized housing.

t was 1983 when Dr. John Crawford, a youth services coordinator for INLIVIAN (formerly known as the Charlotte Housing Authority), first conceived of the idea of a scholarship fund for students living in Charlotte public housing. “I wanted to do something more for the kids I was working with,” he remembers. Shortly after, Crawford received a call from a young CHA resident student, a senior at Winston-Salem State University. He needed $300 to complete his degree. Crawford contacted a friend, the two paid for the student to return to school, and he graduated that year with honors. The next year, Crawford launched the Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund. Thirty-seven years later, the Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship has a new name — Greater Steps Scholars. The mission, however, is the same—to ensure every child living in Charlotte’s subsidized housing communities has both the opportunity for and an expectation of a college education. Since 1984, the Greater Steps Scholars foundation has awarded 940 scholarships totaling $3.8 million, 95 of those being for the 2020-2021 school year. In addition to financial aid, Greater Steps also provides one-on-one coaching to scholars by pairing them with professional mentors. “We believe financial access to a postsecondary education, combined with emotional support and social capital will create viable paths to self-sufficiency and economic mobility for low-poverty students,” says Aisha Strothers, Greater Steps Scholars’ executive director. The new name has been several years in the making. There were two reasons for the change. The first is to correct a misconception among prospective and current donors that the foundation is part of INLIVIAN and receives government funding.

Aisha Strothers

Dr. John Crawford

Kedeja Adams

“We have a great partnership with INLIVIAN, and while our programming benefits students living in INLIVIANmanaged residences, we are separate entities. We rely solely on individual and private sector support,” Strothers says. She says the second reason for the change was that many stakeholders, including current students and alumni, felt the former name was a mismatch for the aspirational and inspirational nature of the program. Kedeja Adams is one of those students. Adams attended Central Piedmont Community College for two years before graduating from North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro. She’s now in her last year of medical school at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and credits Greater Steps for helping her continue her educational journey. “The scholarship allowed me to focus on my studies instead of leaving me with a heavy financial burden,” she says. “Because I had the funds to meet my basic needs, I could spend more time on what I was interested in — leadership, volunteer work, and outreach.” “Steps lead you out, but Greater Steps lead you up,” Strothers says. “Our students may not have the same funds or social capital that their middle or upperclass counterparts have, but they have ambition and hope. We help even out the playing field by providing tools that match their determination to succeed. And, each ‘greater step’ leads to another, helping multiply the potential of each student and every member of our community.” “We want to continue to support more children, have them go through the program, be successful, and then come back to influence a new generation,” Crawford says. “This name change helps us stay true to that mission.” To learn more about Greater Steps Scholars, visit www.greatersteps.org. P

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

Remembering A Loss Due to COVID-19 By Robert Hopkins

s I think about my dad this first Father’s Day spent without him, oddly enough, the legal doctrine res ipsa loquitur comes to mind. Its Latin for “the thing speaks for itself.” The doctrine is used when a court of law lacks eyewitness testimony or other direct evidence of an event and must rely on general knowledge. It also aptly describes my dad’s work ethic. What I remember most about my dad is how he quietly went about getting things done. His repair work typically went unnoticed until the appliance, sink, faucet, car, etc., was needed, and then, like magic, the thing that was broken was now working. No video recording of my dad’s handy work was ever made, no Facebook postings, no tweets of his accomplishments. Nevertheless, the evidence of a good man taking care of his family was undeniable. My dad died this past April due to complications from coronavirus. He was 96. He died in much the same way he lived his life: no pomp, no circumstance, no eyewitnesses. As much as I will miss his ability to fix anything and everything mechanical, it is the masterful work he did quietly fixing relationships that I will miss the most. Almost forty years ago my dad wrote a letter to help fix a broken relationship with his stubborn teenage son. The letter is copied verbatim below. I want to share its contents with anyone who desires to fix broken relationships today, especially those relationships recently damaged by the current racial/political tension in our country. The age-old wisdom that worked 40 years ago to help mend a father/ son relationship still works today. I hope my dad’s words encourage “the quiet fixer” in all of us.

December 25, 1981 Dear Robert, You may be surprised to receive a letter from your father who lives under the same roof and talks to you almost every day, but a letter has some advantages over the spoken word. A person can take time in writing a letter. If a mistake is made it can be corrected before the letter is completed, but a word spoken cannot be withdrawn even though it is regretted and even though we tried to correct it by other words. It has been spoken. Also, a letter can be read from time to time so that its message is repeated. Maybe in the time of greatest need. First, you should know that I am proud of you and have confidence that you will develop into a fine mature man. Contrary to belief some may have I do not think you have lost your senses nor that you are “going to the dogs.” I do think you will have some painful experiences as you grow older

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though and I would like to prepare you for them. Each person throughout his life must make many decisions. Our life is affected by these decisions right or wrong. Sometimes we can correct a wrong decision but some which determine the future course of our lives cannot be reversed once made, no matter how much we regret it or would want to change it. We do not make wrong decisions because we want to be wrong but because we do not know or correctly understand all the facts. In my life I have seen the truth of the statement in Proverbs “there is a way that seems right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death.” Knowing this I try to prevent you're being in situations where you may be forced to make a decision that is beyond your level of maturity or experience.

Robert and his Dad, Starling Hopkins

community matters. Now more than ever,

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September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

Mr. Starling Hopkins

Each step in life should be taken in order. When a person runs ahead, he will encounter experiences and problems he is not prepared and/or able to cope with. We will not always agree, nor do I expect that every time I will be absolutely correct, but God has given me the responsibility for your care until you reach maturity. God has given you the responsibility to obey and honor your parents. If we both submit our desires to God's will, our differences will be small and our understanding will be increased. Whatever your choices and our differences may be, I want you to know that you are my son and I love you. May God bless you and give you many years of joy in service to him. With love, Your Father

Attorney Robert Hopkins is the youngest of the eight children born to Starling and Bernice Hopkins. He resides in Waxhaw, NC, with his wife and two kids. He is working on publishing a book of his dad and momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letters from World War II.

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY

The Rosenwald

Schools By Hope Yancey | Photos by Hope Yancey

The Billingsville Rosenwald School is remarkably well preserved. It sits behind the current Billingsville Elementary School, southeast of uptown Charlotte. The McClintock Rosenwald School still stands on the campus of McClintock Presybterian Church on Erwin Road in the Steele Creek area.

n the early part of the 20th century, a new educational movement in the southern United States sought to improve educational opportunities for African-American children during segregation. According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Rosenwald schools were the result of a collaboration between African-American educator and author Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald, the Sears Roebuck executive and philanthropist. On his website, historysouth.org, Dr. Tom Hanchett notes Washington came up with the idea and funding came from Rosenwald through matching grants. Communities contributed financially, and local school boards oversaw the schools. An influential African American educator in Charlotte, Dr. George E.

There is legislation in Congress to commemorate the history of the Rosenwald schools, according to the National Trust, which has endorsed the bill. The Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act of 2019 would require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the schools.

Davis, was an important fundraiser for the Rosenwald schools, says Hanchett. Rosenwald schools were an attempt to “make public education a little bit more equal,” he says. Hanchett was staff historian at the Levine Museum of the New South for 16 years. Recently, he completed a one-year appointment as historian-in-residence for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. A sign in front of the Billingsville Rosenwald School, behind the current Billingsville Elementary, notes North Carolina had 813 Rosenwald schools, with 26 of them in Mecklenburg County. North Carolina’s total was higher than any other state, something Hanchett says might be attributable to the many historically Black colleges and universities that could serve as “points of organizing.” A handful of the schools built in

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

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A marker explains the significance of the Billingsville Rosenwald School.

A rear view of the Billingsville Rosenwald School shows characteristic banks of windows that let in plenty of light.

Mecklenburg County are still standing in good shape. The Billingsville Rosenwald School, built in 1927, is well preserved and functions today as a community center in Grier Heights. As was typical of Rosenwald schools, its design resembles a house. Land for the school came from Sam Billings, an African American landowner, according to the school’s National Register of Historic Places registration form. Rosenwald schools were “sites of nurture” and displayed “hominess,” Hanchett says. This style, he says, fit with the African American women and men who taught in them. They were part of the community and interacted with it in all aspects. Women could take on leadership roles. The Caldwell Rosenwald School is another proud example of a Rosenwald school. The building is now part of Burgess Supply Co., a Huntersville flooring business. The McClintock Rosenwald School, on Erwin Road in the Steele Creek area, sits on a church campus. The building has been used as a fellowship hall, according to the website

A sign in front of the Billingsville Rosenwald School, behind the current Billingsville Elementary, notes North Carolina had 813 Rosenwald schools, with 26 of them in Mecklenburg County. of McClintock Presbyterian Church. Fisk University in Tennessee has a large collection of documentation on the Rosenwald schools. An online database lists McClintock School as having been built at a total cost of $2,925 in 1922, about 10 years before the last Rosenwald schools were constructed in 1932. Rosenwald schools face similar preservation challenges as other old buildings, Hanchett says. He says finding continued uses for them and

determining how to “meet the ravages of time” are among the factors that can jeopardize them. Their history demonstrates Americans’ desire for education and tells stories of “struggle” and “sacrifice,” and the buildings themselves are valuable, according to Hanchett. The buildings are “great coming-together places,” he says. Hanchett finds a message appropriate for modern times in the banks of windows the structures feature, allowing in plenty of natural light. Rural communities often lacked electricity, so the buildings made the most of sunlight. This focus can provide us “inspiration” for how we build today, he says. There is legislation in Congress to commemorate the history of the Rosenwald schools, according to the National Trust, which has endorsed the bill. The Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act of 2019 would require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the schools. P Visit historysouth.org to learn more about Rosenwald schools.

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

Village HeartBEAT Shows Strength

in Unity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mrs. Mamie Floyd, a member of Greater Salem Church, has lost over 60lbs while participating in Village HeartBEAT.

020 has been a whirlwind year of

the unexpected. A global pandemic, a brutal political climate filled with social and racial injustice, seasoned with fear and economic instability. And through it all, the Village HeartBEAT family (VHB) rose to the challenge of committing to a healthier stronger community. Obesity a Known COVID Risk According to the Center for Disease (CDC), early data suggests that obesity is associated with a greater risk of a severe COVID19 infection. CDC also lowered the bar for where the risk starts – from a BMI of 40% to a BMI of 30%. Consequently, the VHB program worked hard and moved quickly to help the community manage their health and get their weight under control in order to combat the virus.

Ms. Faye Marshall, a member of New Covenant Bibleway Church, has lost over 80lbs while participating in Village HeartBEAT.

During quarantine, the T.C. Elder Community Health Leadership Academy adapted an online classroom environment that continued to teach strategic physical and mental health education. In addition, virtual spaces were created to assist seniors with online chair aerobics from the safety of their homes.

VHB participants safely screened for Behavior Risk Factors: BMI, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol.

VHB Pastors have been on the frontline fighting against hunger and poverty throughout this pandemic, while helping the community through feeding and economic assistance programs, and access to care. Throughout this year, Village HeartBEAT has adapted, evolved and thrived. The results are in, it’s never too late to adopt healthier habits, especially during a pandemic.

JOIN THE VILLAGE HEARTBEAT MOVEMENT

VillageHB.org•CharMeck.org FaceBook/VillageHeartBEAT For questions contact Cheryl S. Emanuel

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VHB partnered with the Sheriff’s Office, Atrium Health and C.W. Williams Health Center to provide COVID-19 mobile testing at over 25 VHB network- church sites, screening over 4,000 residents.

One Body With Many Parts “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

Photos by Zuri Creative Services

PrideBusiness By Tonya Jameson

Local Pharmacy Dispenses

Meds and TLC Amina Abubakar

estled in the Independence Square shopping center is a Black-owned pharmacy that doles out more than pills and bandages. Rx Clinic Pharmacy dispenses time. In today’s world of drive-thru medical care, Rx Clinic, owned by Kenyan-born Amina Abubakar is a throwback to an era when doctors and pharmacists knew their patients. Her pharmacy serves as a clinic–filling prescriptions, calling patients and doctors, and providing oneon-one attention. “[The medical industry] has marketed and convinced consumers that faster is better,” she said. “Medicine can heal, medicine can kill.” Growing up in Kenya, Abubakar saw AIDS ravage people with poor health care. She came to the U.S. thinking it would be different here, but Abubakar saw that low-income Americans had

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

similar challenges as people in Kenya. “I thought there were no problems here. I never knew there were communities who had no access to food or to health care,” she said. “It was eye opening.” Abubakar started her pharmacy career at a chain pharmacy but quickly realized that it was not a good fit for her. Basically, she took too long to get customers out of the door. Many of her senior customers didn’t understand what medicines they were taking and why. They often referred to their prescriptions by the color of the pills, she said. Often patients were still taking medicines that they no longer needed. In America, about $150 billion is spent annually for problems caused by medications, she said. Abubakar decided to open her own pharmacy so she could give customers more personalized care. Since opening in

2009, Abubakar has added two additional locations and grown to five employees. Client Richard Mills, 65, met Abubakar when she opened her first location 10 years ago. She did a presentation at his apartment complex about diabetes and HIV. She talked in terms that were easy to understand when she explained how medicines could interact, he said. She was caring and personable, so Mills gave her a try. He’s been a loyal customer ever since, he said. “They embrace you like you’re a member of the family,” he said. “They make sure I have everything I need.” Two Rx Clinic locations are in Amity Medical Group locations, owned by Wes Thompson. Thompson made Rx Clinic his onsite pharmacy after patients talked about the care they received. Patients told him that they received monthly calls about their medicines. Patients told him about the conscientious way

“The CVS’s of the world have a place. Fast and convenient. We want to cater to those who need us as advocates. We are going to take the time to talk to you. We’re going to call you every month. We’re going to know your family.” —Amina Abubakar

the staff treated them and the respect they received. “It was more than just filling the prescriptions. This was a prescription for a person that mattered,” he said. This pharmacist goes the extra mile for her customers. When Abubakar opened, she immediately added delivery because during follow ups with patients, she learned that many missed renewing prescriptions because they did not have transportation. We live in a busy society, she said, and sometimes Rx Clinic drivers are the only people their senior customers see. For people with difficulty reading, her team creates pillboxes with the images of the sun and moon to denote what time of day they should take the pills. “The CVS’s of the world have a place. Fast and convenient,” she said. “We want to cater to those who need us as advocates. We are going to take the time to talk to you. We’re going to call you every month.

We’re going to know your family. We’re going to know your pets. We’re going to know what’s going on.” Her staff visits patients in the hospital, she said. She has contracts with primary care providers to provide remote monitoring between medical appointments. Thompson said the monthly monitoring has created documentable improvements among his patients. They keep their appointments and lab visits, he said. There’s been a reduction in blood pressure, cholesterol and A1C levels. Her team gives medical providers feedback on how patients are faring with their prescriptions. “It’s just this real collaborative approach,” Thompson said. “It really rounds out the holistic approach to medicine.” In addition, Rx Clinic makes medicines to accommodate patients. For example, they can create a topical solution for someone who can’t swallow an oral

medicine or treats for pets who won’t eat pills. Abubakar was part of a team that worked with the FDA during the Obama administration to develop genetic testing for drug therapy. These days, Abubakar is most excited about being approved to use FDA technology to determine brain health. Her pharmacy is also nationally accredited to treat people with complex diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease. Treating these types of patients, as well as those dealing with HIV, are special to Abubakar. “You need a partner that’s on top of your game so you’re not alone,” she said. “Most of these patients are so sick they don’t have time to worry about their medicine.” Her goal is to build community around healthcare. She’s doing it one phone call, delivery and prescription at a time. P

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

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Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

PrideBusiness

FYI News & Notes

Compiled by Katrice Bryant

Black Menu NC Launches New Platform BLACKMENUNC.com has recently launched to create an online food directory that highlights black-owned restaurants that offer fresh local cuisine throughout the state. Business owners can showcase their businesses, what they have to offer and appeal to a wider range of customers with a free listing service that includes their company names, business descriptions, addresses, phone numbers and Web site URLs for visitors. A premium listing service is also available. “Our top priority is serving the community and helping our neighbors and North Carolina Black restaurant owners through these difficult times. As we continue to monitor the ongoing health crisis, you can trust that our restaurant partners will adhere to the restrictions put in place to protect our friends, families, and communities,” said Web site spokesperson Victor Waddell. Visit the online platform to find restaurants near you. https://blackmenunc.com/

The Charlotte Museum of History Announces New Leaders The Charlotte Museum of History has announced Dee Dixon the new chair of its board of trustees. Robert Stickler will serve as vice chair as of July 1. Tim Gallagher also joined the board of trustees. “With their deep experience with community and cultural organizations in Dee Dixon Charlotte and their backgrounds in media and publishing, Dee and Robert will bring valued perspectives to lead our board of trustees,” said Adria Focht, president and CEO of the museum. “Together with trustees like Tim, they will help ensure a strong strategic direction for the museum and a bright future of continued service to our community.” Dee Dixon is a seasoned advertising and communications professional and a successful entrepreneur who built Pride Magazine into an important voice for the Charlotte community. She also founded the nonprofit PEEP (Pride Entrepreneur Education Program), co-founded Pride Public Relations and was the visionary behind several major Charlotte events, including the Pride Sunset Jazz Festival, Pride Awards Gala and the Charlotte Small Business Symposium. Robert Stickler is retired from the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, where he was president and CEO. After a career in journalism, Stickler transitioned to corporate communications roles at Barnett Bank, NationsBank and later Bank of America, where he supported CEO Ken Lewis before retiring in 2012.

The Chambers-McCain Foundation Announces Scholarship Awards To Two African-American Male High School Seniors

Jonathan C. Weaver

Robert Dailey

The Chambers-McCain Foundation of Beta Delta Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity has announced that Robert Dailey of Fort Mill and Jonathan C. Weaver of Tega Cay will each receive an annual scholarship award of $2,500 for four years (a total of $10,000) to assist with their college studies. The Boulé Scholars Program is a coordinated effort between the Beta Delta Boulé and the Grand Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity to cultivate, celebrate, and promote academic excellence at every educational level—from elementary to postgraduate studies. “The Chambers-McCain Foundation will help develop the next generation of leaders by providing financial support and mentorship,” said Robert Keene, president of the ChambersMcCain Foundation. “Our focus seeks to build a consistent and sustainable foundation for future success for these already impressive young men.” The scholarship program will not only grant a monetary award to scholarship recipients but also provide much-needed mentorship from Beta Delta Boulé members throughout their undergraduate career. Dailey has been admitted to Northeastern University and plans to study business. Weaver will attend Howard University and will study public policy. Both recipients graduated from Fort Mill High School in June and are active members of the Young Black Leadership Alliance (YBLA), an organization that often partners with the Chambers-McCain Foundation for fundraising and programming initiatives. The Beta Delta Boulé Scholarship will award scholarships annually to eligible African-American men in the Charlotte community. For scholarship eligibility requirements or general information about the Beta Delta Boulé Scholarship Program, visit www.chambers-mccain.org for additional details. P

September-October 2020 | Pride Magazine

PrideHealth

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare TCL Staff Helps Find Homes for Hundreds

icolette Smith slept on a couch in a dark room in a friend’s home, worrying about what new troubles tomorrow might bring. She had no diploma, no job, and no control. People like Smith, who has severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI), often find themselves living by someone else’s rules on a friend’s couch, in an adult care facility, or even in a mental health hospital. Some may even live outdoors. Nicolette Smith Longing for stability and a chance to make decisions about where she lived, what she ate, and how to care of herself, Smith called Cardinal Innovations Healthcare’s Transitions to Community Living (TCL) program. TCL has helped over 1,000 North Carolinians set up their own homes and start living the way they want. Cardinal’s TCL staff prepared Smith to live independently, helping her find a stable job as a cleaner for a janitorial company and guiding her through the skills she would need – how to pay bills, stock her kitchen, find the quickest bus route to work, and make appointments with her therapist. When Smith got her keys, they may as well have been Olympic gold. “I’m always still staring at them,” she said, proudly recalling what she did to prepare to live on her own. “Living in this home has turned me into a very positive person. It’s been a blessing to be a part of this community.” Cardinal Innovations, which manages mental health care for Medicaid in 20 counties, moved 205 people like Smith into their own apartments in 2020, and has helped 1,083 people total since the program began in 2013. The total moved is equivalent to building a mental health institution where someone like Smith might find herself living a life with fewer choices.

How TCL Started

TCL was born out of U.S. Department of Justice settlement requiring North Carolina to transition 3,000 people with mental illness out of adult care facilities and hospitals and into the community by July 1, 2021. TCL works with landlords to secure housing for members in the program. Members typically choose from three options provided by the staff based on their listed desires. “One of the things that rings true for Charlotte is that housing costs are high. Availability of affordable housing is a challenge,” said Mike Bridges, TCL Director for Cardinal Innovations. The COVID-19 pandemic has also posed challenges, but the TCL program has continued to transition people into their own homes safely using virtual tools and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mike Bridges guidelines.

Leading with Hope, Inspiration

Margaret Rivers, In-reach Manager for Cardinal Innovations’ TCL program, said her team’s job is to educate and inspire. She leads a team of professionals and Peer Support Specialists who introduce eligible individuals to the TCL program and offer a glimpse of what’s possible. “Our job description is very unique,” said Rivers. “It’s not only education. We also instill hope, which is awesome.” Rivers knows what TCL members are going through, she said. When she was working as a teacher in South Carolina, she started having mental illness symptoms. “My mother had mental illness. Her onset was in her 20s. That’s all Margaret Rivers

Charlotte Multicultural Resource Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

I knew growing up,” Rivers said. “I did everything I could to not have mental illness. It didn’t stop anything. I still went through it right around the same age.” Rivers said she lived in a mental health hospital for seven months. Similar to TCL, she transitioned out of the hospital and into the community with support. Now she helps others through the experience. Her team shares information about services with people in TCL and helps them connect to their communities. “It’s truly a joy to educate people who never thought they would have this opportunity,” she said.

Building Bridges to a New Home

Sometimes, when someone is referred to TCL, they may need practice before living on their own. In 2018, Cardinal Innovations started a pilot program called The Bridge to help people transition to independent living in their communities. “We assess their capacity to live independently – their ability to cook for themselves, how they manage their personal hygiene or take medication without being prompted,” said Roxanna Johnson, TCL Housing Manager. Caramore Community, Inc., a Cardinal provider, staffs Bridge locations in Chapel Hill, which opened in 2018, and in Charlotte, which opened in January 2020. The goal is to open a third location in Winston-Salem in 2021. People in a Bridge house stay for about 45 to 90 days and then they move into their own place. “When you have a home, that’s an adjustment for folks,” Johnson said. “When people come to Bridge housing, it gives them an opportunity to plan meals individually and for the group that’s living together because it’s congregate living. It gives folks an opportunity to demonstrate their skills.” P Need mental health help fast? Call **ASK from your cell phone or call 1-800-939-5911.

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By Dr. Patrick Evivie and Valerie Evivie

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Body:

A Closer Look at the Immune System

OVID-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019. It is caused by a virus called SARS-COV-2, which first appeared in late 2019 and quickly spread around the world becoming the most fatal pandemic of our lifetime. The U.S. has become one of the epicenters of the pandemic accounting for nearly a quarter of the world's deaths. As the U.S. continues to grapple with how to effectively address this pandemic amidst differing opinions on the next steps, African Americans and other minorities continue to be disproportionately impacted. Many have attributed this increased risk to structural inequities, essential jobs and pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity, which are prevalent in communities of color. The virus can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets in the air or deposited on surfaces, and possibly by fecal-oral route. Once infected, you could remain asymptomatic for two to 14 days before any symptom of the disease presents. This is why it is important to self-quarantine for 14 days after a possible exposure to the virus. Common symptoms include fever, chills, cough, trouble breathing, fatigue, muscle ache, loss of smell or taste; however, 40 to 45 percent of those infected will remain asymptomatic while they could potentially be spreading the virus to more vulnerable individuals with compromised immune systems, especially the elderly and people with chronic illness.

COVID-19 and The Immune System

The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that defends the body against infection; however, in some instances it goes rogue and wreaks more havoc on the body than the virus that triggered it. The genetic material in COVID-19 is an RNA-virus. To survive, it needs to replicate itself by inserting its RNA into cells, hijacking the cellular machinery to produce

Pride Magazine | www.pridemagazineonline.com

new viruses within the body. The body then reacts by releasing proteins from the immune system in order to fight off the virus and compensate for any malfunction or damage to the body. Unfortunately, in some instances a Cytokine Storm Syndrome (Cytokine Storm) occurs when proteins released by the immune system become injurious to the body. This can result in severe consequences such as blood clots, strokes, respiratory disease, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and death. As knowledge around COVID-19 expands, experts have identified this hyperimmune response as the significant cause of many COVID-19 related deaths and a reason for the susceptibility of otherwise healthy individuals. Currently doctors treat severely ill patients with aggressive Cytokine Storm Syndrome with antiinflammatory therapy to

mitigate the body’s response and antiviral treatment to decrease the viral burden of COVID-19 on the body. P Dr. Patrick Evivie is Medical Director, PrimeCare Medical Center. Valerie E. Evivie works as a Network Relations Consultant at Mercy Care.

linear_design / solar22 / Shutterstock.com.

PrideHealth

How to Protect Yourself and Others Although there is currently no vaccine for COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified more than 100 potential vaccine candidates in preclinical development, however, nothing is completely guaranteed as the situation is evolving rapidly. As the race for a vaccine continues amidst the uncertainty of what is next, people are looking for ways to protect themselves and their loved ones. It is important to adhere to safety precautions such as: • Practice social distancing • Wear a cloth face mask • Wash your hands • Avoid traveling

• Reduce stress • Exercise regularly • Maintain a healthy and balanced diet • Manage any chronic medical conditions as recommended by your physician These precautions decrease the likelihood of exposure and transfer of COVID-19. They also encourage lifestyle choices such as regular exercising and managing chronic medical conditions, which strengthen the immune system. For more information on COVID19, check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website and your local health department.

Life isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always easy. Sometimes, you just need a little help.

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare: Medicaid and public health services and supports to help people live their best lives.

For mental health help fast, call ASK (star-star-2-7-5) from your cell phone or 1.800.939.5911. Or visit us online at cardinalinnovations.org. Mental Health | Substance Use Disorders | Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities