(upbeat music) - [Narrator] This is a production of PBS Charlotte.

(upbeat music) - Just ahead on Carolina Impact, see how one local organization helps transform the lives of those struggling with mental illness.

Plus, we're celebrating America's 250th birthday through stories of intrigue and courage revealing how our region helped shape the course of the American Revolution.

And her students know her as an educator, but she has talents that may surprise them and you.

Stay right here.

It's all on tonight's Carolina impact.

(upbeat music) Good evening, thanks so much for joining us.

I'm Amy Burkett.

In every corner of our region, there are people quietly fighting battles we don't always see.

At our local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, those battles are met with compassion, community and understanding.

Carolina Impact's Chris Clark shows us how the mission is deeply personal for many of those leaders.

- [Chris] It looks like any other walk, but everyone here has a story.

When you break a bone, people rush to sign your cast, but when the pain's in your mind, it's often kept quiet.

- If somebody is going through a physical health crisis and we know how to show up and we know how to wrap our arms around somebody, and that's just harder to do with mental illness.

- [Chris] That's why the National Alliance on Mental Illness or NAMI Charlotte exists, to make sure no one walks this road alone.

- We are the safety net between someone recognizing they have a problem, they're trying to overcome stigma and the complexity of the problem.

- [Chris] The oldest and largest grassroots nonprofit helping those affected by mental illness, NAMI operates in 48 states and has served Charlotte for 32 years.

Despite decades of work, many families still don't know where to turn or that NAMI even exists.

- I spent 36 years navigating a mental health system and nobody ever told me about NAMI, so I was out there on my own finding my own way.

Unfortunately, it ended a little sooner than I'd wanted, so I have made it my mission to get the word out.

- [Chris] Linda's story isn't unique.

Many who now work for NAMI once faced the same heartbreak, losing a loved one to mental illness before they knew help was out there.

- He knew how to take care of his friends, but he never knew how to take care of himself.

And every time he would do that, he would fall apart.

And I'd say, "Nikki, every time you do that, you give a part of you away and someday there's gonna be nothing left."

And that day came.

- [Chris] Linda's son story echoes so many others, full of promise surrounded by love, yet fighting an invisible battle no one could see.

- Mathias was a 19-year-old UNC Chapel Hill student, 4.0 student always thought he was failing.

He had everything going for him and in his own mind, his illness just did not let him see that that darkness around them.

- [Chris] Now, families like Raphael's and Linda's are turning their pain into purpose, helping others navigate the same confusing system they once faced.

Or finding help isn't easy and time can be the difference between crisis and recovery.

- I recall there was a 48 hour period when he had a panic attack and anxiety issues and within those 48 hours I was trying to see if there was a therapist or a psychiatrist that was able to take him.

We made 25 calls within those 48 hours and not a single person was able to see Mathias without having a three to four week appointment.

That's what struck a chord with me when I learned about NAMI was the resources they have, the ability to reach out and get help.

(phone rings) - [Chris] When you reach out for help from NAMI Charlotte, there's a good chance the voice on the other end of the phone belongs to Lisa Drew.

- We get the calls that "I am struggling and I don't really know what I'm facing.

Could you help me figure out what I need to do and who I need to talk to?"

We get a lot of calls from parents of adult children who have either been recently diagnosed with a severe mental illness or have been struggling with a severe mental illness.

- [Chris] Once that call is made, volunteers and NAMI's navigator program find the right resources, follow up to make sure care is happening and offer something even more valuable, understanding.

- Many of us have lived experience with different mental health conditions or illnesses, and so we are able to share those experiences.

We are able to walk alongside the person who feels really alone.

- [Chris] Help on the phone and in person through various support groups geared towards individual needs.

- Currently we have 13 support groups that happen somewhere in Charlotte every month, whether it's family support, peer support, a men's only group, a women's only group, a young person's group.

- The very first thing they're gonna find is that they're suddenly part of a community that understands what they're going through.

And that in and of itself is incredibly powerful.

- [Chris] That same message you're not alone is when Raphael now carries into locker rooms and rinks.

After losing his son Mattias, a talented hockey player, Raphael turned his grief into advocacy through sports.

- One thing we did when Mattias passed that year, we went to the junior hockey program here in Charlotte, North Carolina with the Charlotte Rush and we had a mental health discussion with the team members there, and the whole theme was, it's okay to not be okay.

- [Chris] From those conversations in churches, classrooms, and offices, NAMI Charlotte's mission expands far beyond awareness.

Their work touches every corner of the community offering support, education, and connection for anyone affected by mental illness.

- We are charged with four things.

We support people, we bring awareness to mental health, we educate people and we connect people to resources.

- [Chris] And one of the most visible ways that mission comes to life is through NAMI Walks Charlotte, a two mile event that turns compassion into movement and awareness into celebration.

It's more than a fundraiser.

It's a moment to remember, to connect, and to walk together toward hope.

- It's probably like the most fun party you ever wanna throw.

It's such a celebration of life and love.

- [Chris] For families who face the darkness of mental illness, that togetherness is everything.

A reminder that healing isn't found in isolation but in community, each conversation, each connection, each step helps replace silence with understanding.

And here in Charlotte, every step truly matters.

For Carolina Impact, I'm Chris Clark.

- Thank you Chris.

Through the pain, they've found purpose turning loss into leadership and struggle into support.

NAMI Charlotte continues to prove that when one voice speaks up, others find the courage to do the same.

Because healing here begins with connection.

Well, from rebuilding lives to revisiting our roots as America approaches, its 250th anniversary, we're looking back at how our region helped shape the revolution that started it all.

While just about everyone knows the date, July 4th, 1776, there's a good chance you're not aware of a date just 14 months prior, May 20th, 1775.

Carolina Impact's Jason Terzis tells us why that date, at least in North Carolina is just as important.

- Well, it's one of these classic, how did I not know this type of stories?

Personally, I've been living in the Carolinas for 13 years and until earlier this year had never heard about something called the Meck Dec.

What is it and why is it so important to our Carolina roots?

If you don't know, you're about to find out.

(bomb exploding) (pleasant music) (canon fires) 250 years ago, from 1775 to 1783, the Revolutionary War was the catalyst for American independence.

Reminders of this monumental event can be seen all over in places like Charleston's Historic District, Boston's Freedom Trail, and Philadelphia's Independence Hall.

Cities where history is everywhere.

But in Charlotte, a gleaning light of the new South with its banking industry and glass and steel skyscrapers, history is not quite as visible.

- In the name of progress, we've forgotten the very sort of origin story that makes us unique and special and probably the envy of every town in America.

- Charlotte, all its historic for the most part, monuments and homes and so forth are gone.

So you have to sort of imagine what it looked like in 1775 or 1780 when the British marched through town.

- [Jason] Charlotte's ties to the revolution run deeper than most people may be aware.

Here, you just have to look around a little bit to find it.

- And it's hiding in plain sight if you live in Charlotte, in Mecklenburg.

But so few people have heard of it.

- This is the cradle of American independence whether people wanna acknowledge that or not.

- [Jason] There's Independent Square where Trade meets Tryon in the heart of uptown, various plaques, signs, and historical markers around uptown, the spirit of Mecklenburg statue on the outskirts of uptown, Independence Expressway, Freedom Park, and the State's First in Freedom license plate.

- So When you tell people or you learn about all of these connotations in Charlotte history, Freedom Park, Independence Square, the date on the state flag, and you think, how come no one's told me this?

- It's so important for all of us as North Carolinians to know a little bit about our history.

The top yellow ribbon on the state flag May 20th, 1775.

What is that?

What does it stand for?

(uplifting music) - [Jason] The Carolina Piedmont region was first developed by a migration wave of Scott's Irish Presbyterians.

They named it Charlottetown in honor of the wife of Great Britain's King George, Queen Charlotte from the Mecklenburg region of Germany.

- Our city's story began in 1755.

- We were established at the crossroads of two first people's trading pets.

- They built a town and named it for a queen hoping to maintain peace with the king.

- We were taxed without representation, British soldiers were killing our fellow colonists without cause.

- Imagine Charlottetown as it was then a frontier village restless with tension and uncertainty, ordinary people going about their daily lives in the town square, unaware that word of bloodshed between British soldiers and colonial farmers in Massachusetts is about to arrive.

And with it everything changes.

(upbeat music) - [Jason] On the evening of May 19th, 1775, town leaders gathered at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse at the corner of Trade and Tryon.

- 26 militia leaders, Scots-Irish Presbyterians are meeting in the log courthouse in uptown Charlotte.

When those men on the 19th heard from the rider from the north that King George had done the unthinkable, sent his soldiers to kill his citizens, how would they react?

- And they go ballistic and they get very agitated.

And over a series of 24 hours, they debate a series of resolutions, which we now call the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, in which they say that the county of Mecklenburg is "Free and independent" of Great Britain.

- It was this unique, perfect storm of people, religion, context, what was going on with the king.

- [Jason] On May 20th, 1775, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence was read aloud by Thomas Polk from the top of the courthouse steps.

- Our intent to declare our freedom.

- Because they were feisty Scots-Irish Presbyterians, They were like, "Let's just put it in writing and get to fighting."

- And here by absolve ourselves from all allegiance to the British rule.

(crowd shouting) - It is the first formal declaration of independence in America.

- [Group] Hurray!

- Hip, hip.

- [Group] Hurray!

- Hip, hip.

- [Group] Hurray!

(uplifting music) - [Jason] That day, May 20th, 1775 is now emblazoned in a yellow ribbon across the top part of the North Carolina state flag.

And it came more than a full year before the National Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.

- How have I not heard of the story?

This incredible wrinkle of American history.

It's just insane.

- We are free.

- To North Carolina and freedom.

- [Group] Hurray!

- [Jason] After the Meck Dec was signed, local tavern owner, Captain James Jack rode by horseback some 500 miles delivering it to the second continental Congress in Philadelphia.

- What brought me to Charlotte was my great-great-great-great grandfather, Captain James Jack.

His tavern was one block down the Trade Street.

He had been born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, so he knew the way back to Pennsylvania.

- And he does this, he delivers this Meck Dec and they say, "This is premature.

We're debating something called the Olive Branch Petition to avoid a civil war with Great Britain."

And they sent him home.

And at that point, the story more or less would've been done, but for the original papers are lost later in a fire in 1800.

And you get in a whole debate between Jefferson and Adams in the 19th centuries about whether the story's true or not, but because the original papers are gone and will never be found, the entire story relies on eyewitness testimony and other collateral, circumstantial evidence that it happened.

- [Jason] Fact or fiction, whether the Meck Dec actually happened or not has been debated for decades.

But what is undeniable is that within a few short years, the American colonies were at war with the mother country paving the way for American independence and the birth of a new nation.

- I love this story so much, Jason, thank you to you and the rest of our production team who worked so hard to make it happen.

But the community has a chance to enjoy this public event as well, correct?

- Alright, well we love for you and your families to join us at a special event coming up called Stars, Stripes and Stories, an American 250th celebration.

It will be held on Wednesday, November 12th at 6:30 in the evening at Central Piedmont's Halton Theater.

We're gonna have segments from Ken Burns latest documentary, "The American Revolution," as well as segments from our companion documentary, which you just saw a little clip of "Freedom's Footsteps: a Southern Perspective to the American Revolution."

We'll also have special patriotic performances by the Sedgefield Montessori Elementary School choir.

Plus you invited to share your own American story as part of our 250th celebration.

Admission is free, we want everyone to join us, but we'd love for you to register at wtvl.org/250.

We'd love to see you and your families out there that evening.

Now, if you can't make it that evening, or even if you do make it the broadcast, both our local and national documentaries set to air on Sunday, November 16th, beginning at 7:30.

First we're gonna have our "Freedom's Footsteps" documentary, and then we're gonna go right into the Ken Burns national documentary.

So you're gonna get a little bit of the local flavor on the Meck Dec and then right into the America's 250th.

It's gonna be a fun night.

- I really am looking forward to it and I hope that everyone can join us.

Thanks so much, Jason.

- Absolutely.

- Well keeping with the spirit of celebration, this next story honors a different kind of companion in our lives.

Around our region, you'll find dogs and their humans everywhere at parks, cafes, even breweries.

But if you are ready to make a splash with your four-legged friend, there's a place just for you.

AquaPups Charlotte offers a heated pool, swim lessons, rehab sessions, and plenty of wagging tails.

Producer Russ Hunsinger takes us to meet some splash happy furry friends.

(transition whooshing) (dogs barking) ♪ Who let the dogs out ♪ ♪ Who, who, who, who ♪ ♪ Who let the dogs out ♪ ♪ Who, who, who, who ♪ - Some dogs do not know how to swim.

It's not a natural thing for some of them.

We're at AquaPups Charlotte and this is a part of Independence Veterinary Clinic, and we also have Healing Pups and Spot Pups.

It's a very unique situation where you come, you stay with your dog, you're there the whole time, and you're actually throwing toys for them in the pool.

So it's very fun, interactive, definitely prepare to get wet.

(dogs barking) (pleasant music) - You ready?

- We come to AquaPups almost every day of the week.

Indy loves to get in the pool and swim.

Are you ready?

Come.

(dog barking) I get off of work and then she's right by my side ready to head here at the pool.

I mean, we can't miss a day unless it's just storming or just really bad weather.

(pleasant music) (water sloshing) - It just depends on the dog and the situation.

You know, we have people that these dogs have never seen water before at a like a pool and they come in and they do great.

Some of 'em, it just takes a little bit of time to build 'em up, to eventually get them in the water.

But for the most part, most dogs will swim and do well.

(dog barking) (water splashing) So you come in for an orientation, they're gonna wear a life jacket and the staff is going to go into the pool area with them and teach them how to get off of the ramp, fetch a toy, and then come back.

Then once they pass, once they're swimming off the ramp and coming back, then they can come back for group swims where there can be up to five dogs in the pool at a time.

Or you can come back for private swims and it's just you and your dog at the pool.

(water splashing) - [Participant] She has made a best friend with Merlin.

Merlin's a little black and white Frenchy Boston with a life jacket.

- [Russ] They definitely have favorite toys whenever you come, we keep toys here.

We have Healing Pup Charlotte, which is physical therapy and rehab.

And then we also have Woofin' Workout, which is a weight loss program.

(pleasant music) - This is Finn, my Goldendoodle, who is four years old.

Finn has epilepsy and was diagnosed when he was two and he's four now.

He had a lot of problems with his mobility.

He had a lot of weight gain due to the drugs taken for the epilepsy.

And coming to Heather and coming to the Woofin' Workout has dramatically enhanced Finn's quality of life.

Finn has lost 12 pounds and Finn has gone over a year without a seizure, which he had had before we started here.

Finn had 26 seizures.

So it is remarkable.

(pleasant music) - This is an underwater treadmill.

We use this to build up strength.

So when dogs are particularly weak, they don't necessarily want to walk in a correct position.

So they end up losing a lot of muscle.

And so this can give them back to them because it is so low impact.

So when you have the water up to shoulder and hip height, you're taking about 80% of that weight off of those joints so you can get a really great exercise in a low impact way.

(pleasant music) We really love what we do here.

We form a really close bond with a lot of these dogs.

(pleasant music) I run the PT department here.

I do everything from these Woofin' Workout.

We do a lot of laser therapy.

So we have a Class IV laser, which helps a lot with pain and inflammation.

We do a lot of strength building exercises.

(water sloshing) (pleasant music) - It's very relaxing to watch a dog swim.

Like there's nothing better in the world than to watch dogs swim.

(dog barks) - She goes home and goes to bed just straight out.

She sleeps all night then.

(dog howls) - He has great quality of life now, thanks to doing this.

We've come three days a week to see Heather.

- Alright, Finny.

- It makes me emotional to see the difference in his life.

You know, I think that there was a time when I thought Finn wouldn't make it to four.

And so to be here and know that Heather and that AquaPups Woofin' Workout, they've all supported us.

Yay.

I'm so proud of you.

(water splashing) It's like a family.

- Thank you, Russ.

According to the American Kennel Club, exercise is just as important for your dog as it is for us.

Physical activity can provide mental stimulation, reduce the risk of obesity, and help prolong your furry friend's life.

Whether it's our pets or our people, we all need outlets that keep us active, inspired and connected.

And that brings us to our final story tonight about a woman who's inspiring others in more ways than one.

To her students and colleagues, Carlo Dawson is known as the dedicated dean of students at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill.

But beyond the hallways, there's so much more to her story.

She's a poet, a performer, and part of a family where creativity runs deep.

Carolina Impact's Dara Khalid and videographer John Branscum introduce us to the many layers of Carlos talent and the artistic spirit that flows through her entire family.

(crowd talking) (pleasant music) - Good morning.

I like that.

That's, look at that.

That's cute.

- [Dara] Like most high school administrators, morning duty comes with the job.

- There's not too much going on.

I'm hearing a little bit of excitement, so I'm kind of trying to check and see what's happening over there.

- [Dara] For Carlo Dawson, the Dean of Students at Northwestern High School... - Hey, good morning.

- [Dara] She doesn't look at it like your average boring shift where you just give orders and make sure students behave.

- Right.

That's right.

You know what?

I forgot my hat.

- [Dara] No, this is her chance to really connect with students and make them feel seen.

- If I can give them some encouraging word before they go.

So I always say, good morning.

I always say, have a great day, you're doing great things, good morning.

- Which means you'll find her snapping pictures like a proud mom.

- I love it.

- [Dara] Of students in their matching PJs on Pajama Day.

- Yeah, you can get in it.

- [Dara] Or learning new dance moves or a TikTok video because it simply makes them smile.

- You know, instead of just saying, "Y'all need to go," you know, engage 'em and then say head on.

You know, because they're human beings.

- [Dara] Carlo has such a great relationship with the students.

You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you she's only been here for a few months.

And as assistant principal, Katrina Byers has seen firsthand, it didn't take long for Carlo to make her mark.

- She's so full of ideas, which is refreshing for our school, for her to come in and just kind of radiate that energy she has, positivity, bring ideas and the love for kids as well as the love and education.

- [Dara] Although Carlo has only been in this role at Northwestern for a few months, her journey in education began over 20 years ago, actually right here at Northwestern, where she was an English teacher.

So how'd she know this was the field for her?

- Well, I did not know.

I did not know.

- [Dara] In fact, she spent the first three years of undergrad at the College of Charleston as a biology major until she finally decided to switch majors and follow her heart.

- After I graduated school with an English degree, I went back home for a while and I was, I was working with the young people and my mom said, "You know you're teaching."

And I was like, really?

And she said, "I think you'll be good at it."

- [Dara] From there, Carlo was hooked.

And over two decades later, she still loves uplifting young people.

But something students may not know is that education isn't her only passion.

- Nowadays, I wonder what it feels like to be loved.

- [Dara] When she's not on the school's campus.

She's out and about performing her original poetry as Rock Hill Poet Laureate, an honor she was given by city officials in May.

- It's something that I dreamed about.

I'm just so excited about it because I get to give to others what poetry gave to me.

I get to be a voice for all those poets out there.

- [Dara] Carlo's love for poetry goes all the way back to elementary school when she first began reading poetic books of the Bible, like Psalms and Lamentations.

But what pushed her to start writing it herself wasn't poetic at all.

- I would befriend those who people picked on and then people picked on me.

And so I started to just write down everything that I felt in my journal, and I wrote it in the form of poetry.

Poetry really saved my life.

- Holding this journal here that has your memories from 12th grade year high school going into freshman year, What does it mean kind of as you're flipping through these pages?

- Well, I get to see a moment in time where I thought I had everything altogether and I didn't.

But I do get to see how important words have always been to me.

To the resting place, we'd go fishing for hours and hours and the sunshine, joy, and happiness we surely devour.

At the resting place, we never got bored or fidgety for we knew life there was pure simplicity.

(Carlos singing) - [Dara] Creativity runs deep in Carlos' family, her husband, daughter, and son all share that same artistic spark.

During family karaoke, her kids enjoy taking turns singing and hitting all the right notes.

♪ Joys the dream come true ♪ But their talents go beyond that.

- And the very last dizzying thing I could think about was this stupid thing from lit class.

- [Dara] Carlo's 15-year-old son Corian loves to act and has been in a movie, TV episodes, and several productions at his high school.

- Also sophomore year- - [Dara] Her 17-year-old daughter, Kyle is an artist.

- [Carlo] She's very athletic.

- [Dara] Her eye catching work has won competitions across Rock Hill and been featured in multiple art shows at her school.

She was even the illustrator for one of her mom's children's books.

As a sculptor and illustrator, Carlo's husband Christopher brought his wife's words to life and her book, "Why We Celebrate The Rich Legacy of Juneteenth."

It's a creative collaboration that he calls one of his most meaningful projects.

- It was great, so to be able to do those illustrations really made a bond for the two of us that's gonna last a lifetime.

You know, even when we're gone, that book is still gonna be there, and it still gonna represent what we did together.

- Whether Carlo's lifting her voice in song with her family, sharing poetry that inspires her community.

- Alright y'all, it's that time.

Let's head to climb.

- Or pouring her heart into her students, she leaves every space brighter, filled with her special blend of creativity, passion, and love.

- Hey darling, good morning.

Y'all have a good day.

- [Dara] For Carolina Impact, I'm Dara Khalid.

Thanks, Dara, on top of being a busy Poet Laureate and educator, Carlo also runs her own nonprofit Power of Progeny Foundation, where she encourages young people to embrace the diversity of our world through story, community service, and creativity.

Well, that's all the time we have this evening, but I'd like to thank our friends at the Haven and the laurels at Carolina Place for being in our studio audience.

It was wonderful to get a chance to meet them.

We always enjoy meeting you as well, and we look forward to seeing you back here again next time on Carolina Impact.

Goodnight my friends.

(upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music fades) (upbeat music) - [Narrator] A production of PBS Charlotte.