Do Good Charlotte

“We are more than what someone did to us.”  That single sentence captures what so many sexual abuse and assault survivors struggle to believe: That trauma doesn’t define them and that healing is possible. Host Pamela Escobar talks with Brave Step's founder, Crystal Emerick, and volunteer Ly Semidey, two women who are creating spaces where survivors aren't just heard, but empowered to reclaim their stories and build the lives they deserve.

Just in time for Earth Day, 2026, host Pamela Escobar talks with the Catawba Riverkeeper's Chief Scientist Brandon Jones, about the river's role in Charlotte's ecosystem and our daily lives, and the importance of keeping it clean.

Dress for Success Charlotte is best known for setting women up with professional clothes for interviews and jobs. But they’ve always known that success takes more than a suit. Today, the majority of Dress for Success’ work actually focuses on career development. More women are coming to them for help choosing career paths, building financial skills, and learning to navigate the working world while managing everything else life throws at them. Host Pamela Escobar is joined by Dr. Emily Wheeler, the executive director of Dress for Success Charlotte… and Kenea Clarkel, who’s living proof of what happens when women receive the full support they deserve.

More than half of foster families quit within their first year. When foster families burn out, children get moved again. And again. And again. The average foster child cycles through seven different homes before finding a forever family. Charlotte Angels recognizes that foster families are the lifeline for vulnerable children… but only if those families feel equipped and connected. In this episode, host Pamela Escobar is joined by Charlotte Angels co-executive directors Nicole Hanks and Camille Maara… friends for over 25 years who embody the very mission they're building.

Camp Blue Skies Since 2009, Camp Blue Skies has been offering week-long overnight camps specifically for adults 21 and older with developmental disabilities, life-enriching experiences that provide the recreation, connection, and life skills that become so much harder to access after theirt 21st birthday. In this episode, host Pamela Escobar is joined by Richard Sesler, who was inspired by his son to create Camp Blue Skies…and his good friend, Woody, whose stepson was one of those first campers.

New neighborhoods and homes are popping up constantly in Charlotte. All that construction means one thing: there’s a massive demand for skilled workers. And right now, there are plenty of young adults searching for stable careers with real opportunity. So what happens when you play matchmaker between that talent and those jobs? You get Builders Bridge, a nonprofit that’s training young adults and connecting them with sustainable careers in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and construction. IN this episode, host Pamela Escobar talks with Bae Reh, who found his career through Builders Bridge, and Jackie Fitzella, who makes these life-changing matches happen.

One in five teenagers has considered suicide, according to the CDC. When Brooks Turner's daughter was diagnosed with a mental health condition, the journey to find help felt isolating and overwhelming.  So she did something about it. She created Mind the Gap, a nonprofit designed to make sure nobody in a mental health crisis falls through the cracks. Today, Brooks joins host Pamela Escobar alongside Mind the Gap's Executive Director, Kimberly Walker-Thurmond. This episode discusses mental health, including depression and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. Just call or text 988.

Recorded at Share Charlotte's Giving Tuesday event at The Pearl in Uptown Charlotte, host Pamela Escobar talks with leaders from four local non-profits who are doing good in the Queen City. SEGMENT 1 (Start): Disability Rights and Resources Executive Director Samantha Nevins SEGMENT 2 (17:00) : Achieving Success On Purpose Founder Dr. Kareem Puranda SEGMENT 3 (27:12) : Assist ME Founder Jack Sheehan, and Community Outreach and Development Chair Jolyn Sloan SEGMENT 4 (40:55) : Junior League of Charlotte's President-Elect Laura Snead and Vice-President-Elect Mary Behler.

Lions Services has been creating jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired for 91 years. Host Pamela Escobar talks with Agatha Bisbikis, developmental director for Lions Services, and Raven Joiner, a Lions Services employee and a proud advocate for the low vision community.

Road to Hire and the Equitable Foundation are connected through the Crescent Coalition, a cohort of Charlotte nonprofits working together from middle school through college… and now beyond.  Their vision - to prepare a talented pool of young adults for Charlotte's employers, and as a result – shape the future workforce of our city. Host Pamela Escobar is joined by Dr. Monique Perry-Graves, CEO of Road to Hire, and by Jarian Kerekes, Head of Social Impact at the Equitable Foundation.

For many of us, a college education can mean a ticket to a better life. But when you're the first in your family to even consider college, the path forward can feel overwhelming. That can often be the case for many Latin Americans in Charlotte. Host Pamela Escobar talks with LAWA President and CEO Daniela Izurieta, who offers bilingual college access workshops (High School Series) in partnership with colleges and universities in the Greater Charlotte area.

Addressing hunger should be about more than just putting food on the table. That's exactly what Angels & Sparrows in Huntersville has been proving since 2008.  While they’re feeding people, they’re also empowering them to find long-term stability so they can break the cycle. In this episode, Host Pamela Escobar is joined by Interim Executive Director Brandi Jones to discuss how Angels & Sparrows approach helps people transition from survival mode to thriving mode – and how you can support their mission.

We usually think of mental health struggles affecting our younger generations, but what about our elders and their caregivers? When seniors feel forgotten and caregivers are running on empty…depression, anxiety, and despair can take hold. But a creative connection could be a turning point. That's exactly what the Gladys Love Project is proving every day. Their creative projects are fostering deeper connections between elders and giving caregivers space to breathe and heal.

Courtnie Goble used her own experience navigating the college admissions process solo to creat The Academy of Goal Achievers, which connects students with mentors who walk this journey with them…and she’s joins host Pamela Escobar to talk about their work and how you can help.

This episode is a perfect example of how a single moment of awareness can spark an entire movement. When Emmanuel and Adrienne Threatt went on their first date in uptown Charlotte more than a decade ago, they kept noticing homelessness around them. Specifically, they noticed people struggling with things many of us take for granted: a hot shower, clean laundry, even brushing our teeth. So, they took action. Emmanual and Adrienne join host Pamela Escobar to talk about their non-profit, Hope Vibes. If you're inspired by the Threatt's story, check out their 30 Days to Launch Your Nonprofit Toolkit, built for everyday people who are passionate about making change but overwhelmed by the process. Find it here: https://givehopedaily.systeme.io/hopefuel

This is the 100th episode of Do Good CLT! It all started back in February 2019 with a simple idea: Shine a light on all the good happening right here in Charlotte.  We wanted to create something that reminded people of that. And more importantly, that we can do good. Since that very first episode, we've had the privilege of sitting down with more than a hundred nonprofits doing incredible work—organizations walking alongside families through cancer journeys, connecting kids with the resources and confidence they need to thrive, and tackling challenges we might never have imagined. But here's what we've learned: The real magic isn't just in the individual stories. It's in how they all connect to create this web of support that makes Charlotte such a strong and incredible place. So today, we're taking a step back to talk about that collective impact and what comes next.  We're joined by our partners at SHARE Charlotte, who've been with us on this journey.

Communities in Schools Charlotte sees every day how removing barriers can completely change a student's trajectory. Host Pamela Escobar welcomes back CIS President and CEO Men Tchaas Ari, to share the incredible work CIS is doing in our schools, and Dwight Jacobs, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain at Duke Energy, to talk about their partnership in making this Shop for Good campaign possible.

Mitchell's House provides counseling and therapy for seriously ill children and their families. It’s filling a critical gap in our healthcare system where medical treatment ends, but emotional support is desperately needed. Host Pamela Excober is joined by its founder, Meg McElwain, who channeled her grief into creating this resource, and Ashley Witt McGarrell, whose family has found crucial emotional support through Mitchell's House.

FeedNC in Mooresville feeds needy families through groceries and meals, and also help train people for jobs, connect them with resources, and offer up great programs for kids. In this episode, host Pamela Escober is joined by Director of Operations Dawson Graham and Development Coordinator Karen Belgrader, who, together, are bringing a fresh perspective to FeedNC's mission to not just preserve dignity, but restore it.

Emerald School of Excellence is an accredited recovery high school in Charlotte serving students from NC and SC.  Host Pamela Escobar talks with the creator of Emerald School, Mary Ferreri, and Nicole Higginbotham, a parent of an Emerald student and now, their Community Development Officer.