Aaron Johnson, Author at Chapelboro.com

On the Porch: Melissa Driver Beard and Rebecca Hankins – Battling Food Insecurity in Chatham

Posted by Aaron Johnson | Jun 22, 2025 | On The Porch

This Week:

Melissa Driver Beard, CORA, Executive Director

Melissa has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit management, including 20 years in executive leadership. She has directed local, state, national, and international programs that advocate for basic human needs and rights. Under Melissa’s leadership, CORA has achieved over a 200% increase in income and an 88% rise in direct client services, demonstrating her ability to drive transformative growth. With a background in global advocacy, program development, and organizational capacity building, Melissa has championed solutions to food insecurity since 2009, fostering collaboration and sustainability.

Rebecca Hankins, CORA, Development and Communications Director

Rebecca brings more than 20 years of experience as a skilled fundraiser, communication strategist, and project manager. During her tenure at CORA, she spearheaded initiatives that increased fundraising revenue by 250% and expanded donor support by 50%. Rebecca is known for her creative approach to donor engagement, digital and traditional media strategies, and rebranding efforts that elevate CORA’s visibility. Her expertise lies in leveraging partnerships and technology to ensure program sustainability and community impact.

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June 21, 2025

Posted by Aaron Johnson | Jun 21, 2025 | Who's Talking

The legendary UNC President William Friday died IN 2012. In this program Friday reviewed 40 years of his hosting UNC-TV’s North Carolina People and he talks about some of the “unsung North Carolina heroes” who appeared on his program.

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On the Porch: Steve Rao – Asian-American Leader

Posted by Aaron Johnson | Jun 15, 2025 | On The Porch

This Week:

Steve Sandeep Rao, a native of Charleston WV, Steve serves as an At Large Council Member for the Town of Morrisville and served as Mayor Pro Tem from 2015-2017. He served as a Senior Business Development Executive at Alphanumeric Systems, a global tech company headquartered in Raleigh from January 2011 to May 2020 and now serves as Of Counsel and Adviser to State Federal Strategies, where he advises Technology Companies on State and Local Government Business Development Strategy. Council Member Rao is the longest serving Asian-American elected official in NC

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June 14, 2025

Posted by Aaron Johnson | Jun 14, 2025 | Who's Talking

Willis Whichard, lawyer, legislator, Supreme Court justice, and law school dean, is the author of “A Consequential Life: David Lowry Swain, Nineteenth-Century North Carolina, and Their University.” He talks about his new book and Swain, who was a lawyer, judge, governor, and university president.” Whichard, who himself has been a legislator, judge, supreme court justice, and law school dean explains Swain’s contributions to the university and the state.

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June 14, 2025

Posted by Aaron Johnson | Jun 14, 2025 | If You Only Knew

This week, Dr. Deborah Stroman discusses sports history and athletes as activists.

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On the Porch: Cal Cunningham – Lifetime Tar Heel

Posted by Aaron Johnson | Jun 8, 2025 | On The Porch

This Week:

Cal Cunningham is founder of Cunningham Law, PLLC, where he represents clients in real estate development and complex civil litigation. He is also manager of Axiom Property Development, LLC, to deliver workforce-affordable housing in the Triangle. Through Cunningham Capital, LLC, Cal engages in venture capital investment, is a board member of Archaius, Inc. (drone technology) and a member of the Charlotte Angel Fund. Cal also currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Reserve, most recently as deputy commander of a legal detachment. He is also a veteran of tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2020, Cunningham was the Democratic Nominee for United States Senate in North Carolina.

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On the Porch: Dr. Jim Crawford – Presidential Corruption

Posted by Aaron Johnson | Jun 1, 2025 | On The Porch

This Week:

Born into a blue collar and agricultural clan in rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Jim Crawford was the first in his family to graduate from college. Earning his PhD from the University of North Carolina, he taught US and World History at several universities in the piedmont North Carolina for several decades. He served as chairman of the Chatham County board of commissioners, and currently serves as trustee for Central Carolina Community College. He is a firm believer in American democracy and trusts that the constitution will hold firm now as it has in past crises despite the broken, distempered electorate.

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May 31, 2025

Posted by Aaron Johnson | May 31, 2025 | Who's Talking

Chapel Hill’s and Carolina Meadow’s Dr. Vince Tollers, retired Distinguished Service Professor of English at SUNY College at Brockport NY, talks about humor in the Bible.

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On the Porch: Dr. Henry McKoy – NC to DC for the Good of All

Posted by Aaron Johnson | May 25, 2025 | On The Porch

This Week:

Dr. Henry C. McKoy, Jr. is a seasoned professional in business, community and economic development, policy, government, finance, energy, philanthropy and the academic worlds. He held two Senior Presidential appointments in the administration of President Joseph Biden from 2022-2025 following a distinguished career in finance, investing, business, higher education, and public service. Dr. McKoy served as the founding Director of the U.S. Office of State and Community Energy Programs (2022-2024) at the United States Department of Energy where his team managed 28 programs totaling $16 billion in funding, investing in all 50 states, 5 U.S. territories, and Washington, DC, while touching 250 million Americans.