We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Trammel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebecca, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
My first inclination is not to think of what could go wrong but what could go right. I ask myself, “what would likely happen if I don’t take action? Who would it cost? What would it cost them? Is it something my conscience could tolerate?”

I guess I lean towards risk taking by nature. Before I began this journey of addressing systemic issues to bring healing to communities and positive change, I served as an EMT. I became an EMT because I noticed that I have a “run in, assess and address” response to crises. I don’t assume that there is nothing I can do. When there are people who are willing to put in the work and have access to the resources and skills to implement interventions, lives can be saved and situations can be turned around. I feel like the same is true for many of the issues that challenge the wellbeing of society. I have the heart of a social worker, like my mother but I move like an EMT. My mother, Ruthie Trammel, MSW/LCSW, was a brilliant addiction specialist. I wandered into social work in trying to carry on her legacy.

Today, it feels like I’m working to keep public education, the hopes of educators, and the future of our children alive. Thirty years ago, five rural counties successfully sued the state of North Carolina because they couldn’t provide their children with the educational opportunities necessary for a brighter future. Despite four court rulings in favor of the case, Leandro v. NC, the state still hasn’t fulfilled its constitutional obligation to provide every child with access to a sound basic education. The Leandro Plan, which requires a $5.54 billion investment in public education, would create a cradle-to-career system and finally bring the state into compliance with this mandate. Yet, despite having one of the largest economies in the country, North Carolina continues to face formidable opposition to delivering on this promise.

In 2024, Community Conversations received the ZSR Statewide Systemic Change Grant to make Leandro a household name in 2024. It’s an audacious goal and a bold risk. Of course the thought has crossed my mind, “What if we can’t pull this off?” But then I have looked into the expectant, innocent eyes of children across our state and I’m compelled by love to keep going. My wise friend, Dr. Jonathan Sher, former executive director of the predecessor of NC Child said, “You can win but you cannot fail.” I have a God-given dream for justice, the inherent dignity of every person to be honored, and their potential to be released in such a way that it brings joy and healing to our world. I want to cultivate and contribute to a society in which every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Risks required to attain that which has never been achieved. When obstacles come to threaten our success, I try to assess but not obsess…mitigate but not magnify. I try to keep my “eyes on the prize…fight the good fight” and do my very best to be flexible about how to reach our goals. I believe in some of the work that I do, failure is just not an option.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I actually spoke more about this earlier about what I’m doing these days with the #IAmLeandro Campaign.

Here’s the Back story if it offers value.

I began my journey in 2014 when my family and I founded *Ruthie Trammel’s Champions for Compassion* (RTC4C) two days after my mom passed away. We wanted to honor her legacy by removing barriers to recovery, reducing the stigma surrounding addiction and mental illness, and restoring hope. Our early efforts included providing bicycles and bus passes for people in recovery, and I co-designed a jewelry line to bring the conversation about addiction into public spaces in a disarming way.

As time went on, I recognized that prevention is key, and this led me to focus on addressing the social determinants of health, particularly in education. In 2019, I started *Community Conversations* as a special project to tackle these issues through educational advocacy. This has since evolved into my life’s work—advocating for equitable education for all children in North Carolina through the *#IAmLeandro* campaign. What began as a tribute to my mom’s work has become a movement to ensure every child has access to a sound basic education.

Our approach is unique!

Champions and Community Conversations are quite distinct: Champions for Compassion is about providing services to people and communities who are navigating storms -whether a natural or personal disaster. Community Conversations is about addressing systems that are impacting people in harmful ways. There will always be a need to respond to emerging issues but in my nonprofit work, I would like to resolve problems by addressing root issues and move on to new challenges. In other words, nothing would make me happier than to work myself out of a job!

#IAmLeandro Campaign presents Leandro v. NC in a new light. We are inviting people from all walks of life to see that we are ALL stakeholders in public education. In that regard, we are ALL “Leandro.” Leandro Barr was the first named litigant in the original case when it was filed in 1994. People of every ethnicity and tax bracket, from a wide variety of professional disciplines relate to Leandro v. NC in a unique, yet important way. We are appealing to people across the US to see that public education is fundamental to the stability of our society, public health, our democracy and economy.

Lessons:

Connection with God and Community. I try to surround myself with the people who will bring out the best in me and I in them. When doing systemic justice work and in building anything new, it has been important to have a few people who can love and support me. When I get experience a hard set back or get knocked down, I need a place of safety to find comfort and perspective. This happens in prayerfully connecting with God and also sharing my pain with people who know me best and love me most. Set backs happen but they are just set ups for a greater comeback!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I live so close to the beach, we’re getting some “vitamin SEA!” It’s hard to top listening to the sound of the ocean, walking along the beach or watching the sunrise or sunset.

We would walk the river walk board walk by the Cape Fear River. Star-gazing at Fort Fisher after 9pm can be pretty spectacular.

We would introduce her to Heather Wilson and September Krueger at Cameron Arts Museum where there is always a beautiful, thought provoking exhibit or lively discussion happening there.

Food in the Port City is serious business! We would see the lovely Anastasia Worrell at The Green House and enjoy the ambiance and savor the chef’s vegan, culinary masterpieces. We’d dine at Mr. Joe’s place, Szechuan 132. Chef Rhodes at Catch has perfected grilling salmon and his brussel sprouts never disappoint. I can’t let a fried come to Wilmington and not eat a hot honey Chicken sandwich at Cory Scott’s On Thyme. Kyotos and Brooklyn Pizza would be on the list of places to eat. Smoke on the Water gets a W for ambiance.

I also enjoy cooking and entertaining and bringing people together. Any reason to bring out the china and cloth napkins and I’m here for it!

What I’d most want to offer is my home, hospitality and heart- expanding, thought provoking conversation. Presence is a gift that cannot be bought or replaced.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to give a shout out to my mom, Ruth Trammel, LCSW, MSW. My mom was an incredible person whose love, wisdom, advocacy and compassion touched the lives of many in her short 59 years. She was a substance use disorder specialist who died of ovarian cancer in 2014. She lived out her faith through her commitment to loving people courageously, honoring the inherent value of each person regardless of their circumstances. She was principled and generous; ethical in every way and her strong convictions, sound moral compass and compassion guided her. I could go on and on about her. When she received her “ultimate promotion”, she left behind a brilliant legacy of service, integrity and compassion. I’m grateful that I had the honor of being “Ruthie’s kiddo.”

Website: www.championsforcompassion.com and www.iamleandro.org

Instagram: iamleadronc

Linkedin: rebecca-trammel

Twitter: IAmLeandroNC

Facebook: Champions for Compassion/I Am Leandro

Youtube: @communityconversations6259

Other: https://Patreon.com/theadvocate007

Image Credits
Katherine Clark Photography for the picture with the women at the beach modeling Jewelry.

Michael Herbert for dancers come together in the park to learn the Jerusalema dance, Juneteenth 2021. (pic by the tree)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutNorthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.