What does it mean to be a social media influencer? This is a question many of us “OLD SCHOOL” social media pioneers toss around while giggling under our breath. I guess it means you have more than 10,000 followers on the latest social media outlet. But seriously, what is a social media influencer? I want you to meet Kelly Olexa.
Basketball hall-of-famer Pat Williams is the founder and senior vice president of the NBA’s Orlando Magic. In addition to his roles with the Orlando Magic, he served as general manager of the 1983 world champion Philadelphia 76ers and managed both the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. Pat is best known for acquiring top talents such as Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway.
“Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things.” – Denis Diderot
Allison Andrews gave me a card with this quote one afternoon in 2005 while the Road Show crew from WCNC-TV in Charlotte, NC was preparing for a live television production. She always knew how to get the team excited about the live television event we were about to produce.
From the moment I met him…I just started laughing. Not because he always wears a bowtie, I like bowties and I wear them constantly. Not because of his cool, unique, circular glasses; because I just recently started wearing glasses and I wanted something cool.
I just believe…don’t you? It’s that time of the year where kids can be kids and so can us little adults. We just can’t hold it back, admit it…you get a little a little giddy when see jolly ole Kris Kringle. You have the yearning to go crawl up in his lap and share your greatest wish, each and every holiday season.
In 2006, I was working for the WCNC-TV Investigative Unit in Charlotte, NC. I was part of the team sent to the U.S.–Mexico border in Arizona in the hopes to find people migrating to the Carolinas. I was sent with the team because I knew the land, the people, and how to navigate the bureaucratic monster called “The Wall”.
In 1998, I found myself in a new job, new city, new state, and really a whole new side of the country. This southern born and bred young adult from South Carolina found himself in Phoenix, Arizona working for, at-the-time, the flagship television station for Meredith Corporation. KPHO-TV5 is where I met Morgan Loew.
Home is powerful word, powerful state of mind, and a sense of security for those across this United States of America fabric. In part one of this series examining the idea of home inside and outside our borders, we find ourselves in McAllen, Texas.
Homes of Hope has a tremendous vision, providing opportunities for generational change throughout South Carolina. They do this in two ways, by rebuilding communities and rebuilding lives. But what does that really mean? In their 20th year of operations, they have developed 600 homes for families and helped over 300 men restore their lives. Their mission is to rebuild communities and individual lives through housing, economic and workforce development.
If you have ever met Nick…you are drawn in by his British accent and the inner desire to figure out how to spell his last name. Here is why, because you will never forget this man once you shake his hand, so you better know how to spell his last name.
Nick Charalambous is a man of many passions. He loves his work. He loves telling stories for the church he loves. He loves his wife. He loves Christ…and I believe this affection is one of many intersections you will find woven together inside this soft spoken man. Nick is a fellow storyteller, and it is time for his story to be told.