We asked members of the community how their organizations help the community. We’ve shared some of the responses below.

April Buchanan | Lingerie Expert & Founder of The Perky Lady

Certainly! The Perky Lady brightens the world in several distinct ways: Empowerment Hub: We’re not just a lingerie brand; we’re a platform for empowerment. We empower our team members and our clients to become community leaders and role models. Eco-Chic Commitment: Sustainability is important. Our rejection of fast fashion practices reduces our environmental footprint, urges change in unsustainable manufacturing and consumer practices, and puts an emphasis back on human and environmental value. Local Love: We actively engage with our community, supporting local charities and volunteering. We believe in strengthening the bonds that unite us. Read more>>

Dan Friedman | Food entrepreneur

This business was started to provide jobs for people with disabilities of all types. Doesn’t change the world, just our little part of it, but we provide paying and fulfilling work for people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities here in the Triangle region of North Carolina. We provide those jobs by making delicious, natural watermelon limeade and peach limeade, two Southern-style drinks. Read more>>

Farmside Kitchen | Home of the Farmbowl

In a few ways! 1. Buying Local: At Farmside Kitchen, we’re committed to sourcing locally whenever we can. We prioritize partnerships with farms and suppliers who share our vision for a sustainable agricultural future – one that benefits our partners, the planet and our guests. This not only helps our local farm ecosystem, but also reduces our carbon footprint by cutting down on transit time, minimizing packaging, and ensuring our dishes feature the freshest, most nutrient-dense ingredients available. 2. Fostering a Happy & Healthy Culture: Our purpose is to nourish a happier and healthier way of living. This extends beyond the impact we hope to have on our guests – in fact, it starts on the inside. Read more>>

Linda Freeman | Swing Dance Instructor, Yoga Instructor, Writer

In our epidemic of loneliness, we need connection. We at Got2Lindy Dance Studios have been fostering connection in the Hudson Valley, NY since 2004, turning non-dancers into dancers and strangers into friends with weekly group classes (all are welcome, no partner necessary), monthly dances and special events. Our speciality is swing dance (lindy hop is the authentic american dance style!) and our focus is fun and building community. Read more>>

Howie Shareff | Founder & Executive Director

You Call This Yoga bridges the limited access to wellness practices that many people struggle with. From our inception in 2010, we have provided free accessible yoga classes for people who do not readily have access to a yoga class in person. From the onset of the COVID pandemic in 2019, we cancelled all in-person classes and events and continued to offer 8-10 free weekly online classes. Over the past two years, we have evolved to a hybrid weekly structure of 75% in-person (9) and 25% online (3). This includes a major expansion from the Raleigh/Wake County area in 2023 through the center of North Carolina has provided hundreds people in the Durham, Greensboro and Charlotte areas an oasis of supportive community for people of all sizes, backgrounds and orientations. Read more>>

Jensen Savannah Nichol | Social Media Influencer & Content Creator

Born and raised on the border of North and South Carolina, my passion for showcasing the Carolinas runs deep. What started as a tribute to my late father’s love for the region has transformed into a mission to uplift local businesses. I’m humbled by the impact my social media presence has on driving foot traffic and revenue to these businesses, ultimately bolstering the local economy. It’s a way of honoring my roots and giving back to the communities that have shaped me. Read more>>

Tara Williamson Williamson | Areola, 3D artist, Breast Cancer Survivor & Nurse

Pink Ink Tattoo is an internationally recognized award-winning business that works across the U.S. with the top medical centers and professionals. We have clients travel from all over the world and have helped pioneer 3D Areola Medical Tattooing. Our owner & artist is a ten-year breast cancer survivor who founded this company to help other survivors. Pink Ink Tattoo is very involved in the community and has held annual Day of Hope events dedicated to giving back to our communities and spreading awareness. Pink Ink Tattoo offers 3D Areola Nipple Complex, Scar Camouflage, and medical tattooing services from our certified specialists. Read more>>

Shar Martinez | Beauty Queen & Crowns of Impact Founder

I was crowned Miss Erwin Denim Days 2023 on September 23rd at the Erwin Denim Days Pageant. This pageant is a festival pageant to celebrate and represent our town’s heritage. I am my own brand, however throughout this year, as I do with all of my pageant titles, I will be advocating for my platform which is Crowns of Impact. Crowns of Impact is my initiative to help and to touch many hearts as possible. It goes hand in hand with every queen’s job, which is being the face of the community in all community service aspects. Many people see beauty queens and it’s hard for them to look beyond the shiny crown and pretty pictures, however what you see on the outside is just surface level. Read more>>

Tiffany Griffin | CEO, Co-founder, Co-owner

From the very beginning, Bright Black positioned social impact as a priority. For us, it’s just as important as economic outcomes. As social entrepreneurs with a mission to honor the brilliance of Blackness, we’ve engaged in revenue sharing from our products since the company’s inception. This means that not only do we create products that are aligned with different social issues like voter registration or racial equity in the juvenile justice system, but we also donate anywhere from 10-50% of sales from our different products to organizations working on issues pertaining to racial justice. To date, we’ve donated almost $30K (cash and in kind) and we look forward to continuing these efforts! Read more>>

Bearta Alchacar | NC Vibes, Event Planning and Management

Our mission is to provide a platform to promote cross-cultural respect and understanding in our community through free and affordable celebrations of art, culture, traditions and history. Not everyone have the means to travel but everyone benefits from seeing our beautiful world with diversity in action. We count on our sponsors and courageous entrepreneurs who pay a fee to be a part of the festival to help support our festivals. Big shout out to them! Read more>>

Lenore Braford | Animal Sanctuary Founder

Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge (the Refuge) provides lifelong care to rescued farm animals, educates people about the realities of animal agriculture, and promotes veganism by offering knowledge, support, and community. The Refuge is a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Pittsboro NC. We reach thousands of people every year through our on site and online educational programs. By connecting people directly with rescued farm animals, we work to help the public understand the true nature of these animals and foster a more compassionate world. Read more>>

Louis Deveseleer | Calistree Founder

In our fast-paced society, mental health issues like stress, depression and anxiety, and physical ailments from lack of exercise, have become widespread. These conditions significantly diminish the quality of life for those affected as well as those around them. Regular exercise stands as a simple yet powerful solution. While it’s not the sole remedy, it plays a vital and lasting role in preventing and treating these conditions. The challenge lies in sticking to a fitness routine and knowing what exercises to perform. This is where Calistree steps in. Read more>>

Erin Bratcher | Strength Coach & Business Owner

EBA was initially started right at the beginning of the global pandemic. We very quickly became a resource to those in need of training, providing opportunities for athletes to continue pursuing athletic dreams and serving as a much-needed outlet in a very difficult time. Since then, we have continued to put accessibility at the forefront of our mission and values. While we train athletes of all sports and ages we have become somewhat of a hub for female athletes. Where female athletes have long felt unwelcome in the weightroom we have showed them they belong and deserve to be in this arena too. Read more>>