People

Minorities combat obesity epidemic

Friday, June 14th, 2013, 1:53pm

Obesity rates continue to rise in the US across all demographics.

But African-Americans and Hispanics are still the most affected according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

The current obesity rate of Mexican-American adults is about 41 percent, higher than the overall national average of about 36 percent of Americans who are obese.

African-Americans have the highest obesity rates at almost 50 percent.

"My mom died of diabetes and high blood pressure and cholesterol and I got to a point where I was almost 300 hundred pounds," said Louis DesChamps.

For African-American women, the numbers are especially dramatic.

Four out of five are obese.

"I was definitely considered overweight and obese," said Kiera DesChamps.

Witnessing the health problems their families suffered, Louis and Kiera took control of their weight.

"I've lost 75 pounds since November so I'm excited," said Louis.

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City leaders celebrate book donation from Rosen Publishing

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Monday, June 3rd, 2013, 3:33pm

City leaders celebrate book donation from Rosen Publishing

City leaders gathered Monday at David Cox Road Elementary School in northeast Charlotte to celebrate Rosen Publishing’s donation of nearly 10,000 books to Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx’s Mayor’s Mentoring Alliance and other local nonprofits.

The donation is intended to help improve literacy and guard against summer learning loss among Charlotte’s youth.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education Chair Mary McCray, City Councilwoman Beth Pickering, Rosen Publishing CEO Roger Rosen, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library CEO Lee Keesler, Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners Chair Pat Cotham, and CMS Superintendent Heath Morrison were all in attendance at the celebration.

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From Sit-ins to Eat-ins: Celebrating 50 yrs of Desegregation in Charlotte

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 2:27pm

From Sit-ins to Eat-ins: Celebrating 50 yrs of Desegregation in Charlotte

Charlotte made national headlines in May 1963 when Chamber of Commerce members led by Mayor Stan Brookshire voluntarily joined with African American leaders to go two-by-two and desegregate Charlotte’s leading restaurants. This “eat-in” came three years after the sit-in movement had opened lunch counters.

Charlotte Civil Rights activist Dr. Reginald Hawkins triggered the action, leading a march on May 20, 1963 from Johnson C.

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Who wants to Go Pro with Steve Smith?

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 1:01pm

Every year, thousands of young football fans dream of breaking the huddle with hero Steve Smith. Showmars, a proud sponsor of Steve Smith’s Football ProCamp, is making that dream a reality for four Charlotte-area children this summer.

Showmars is giving away four spots to the 2013 Steve Smith Football ProCamp. Football fans can sign up by filling out an entry form at any of Showmars 28 Charlotte-Metro locations.

ProCamp is a youth athletic camp for children in grades 1- 8. Established in 1998, the camp provides thousands of youth the opportunity to attend camp with their sporting heroes. At the camp, attendees learn football fundamentals and meet children their own age with like interests.

This year’s ProCamp event will be held at Ardrey Kell High School on Monday, June 10, and Tuesday, June 11.

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100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte hold 1st Movement of Youth Robotics Competition

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Thursday, April 11th, 2013, 2:12pm

100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte hold 1st Movement of Youth Robotics Competition

The mentees of the 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte, a nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of African American youth, will present “Senior Solutions” in their first robotics competition at the Urban League, located at 740 W. 5th Street, on Saturday, April 13, at 9 a.m.

Following the international FIRST LEGO League program’s 2012 guidelines, “Senior Solutions” involves consulting with senior citizens and developing an innovative robotic solution to make their life easier.

Teams of mentees will prepare technological and marketing presentations.

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USO of NC names Jeff Byers as Ambassador

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Thursday, March 7th, 2013, 11:42am

USO of NC names Jeff Byers as Ambassador

The USO of NC, the leading organization responsible for lifting the spirits of troops and their families in North Carolina announced Thursday that Jeff Byers, a center for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League, as their ambassador.

“As a child I remember looking up to soldiers with admiration, thinking of how honorable they were for their service to our country,” said Byers. “I've never lost the appreciation for their sacrifice and am grateful I can finally give back through the USO of NC. It's an honor to be part of such a selfless organization, and serve our troops for all they've given to protect our nation and our freedoms.”

Byers entered the NFL in 2010 and signed with the Carolinas Panthers in 2011.

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CMPD Officers awarded MADD Award of Excellence

Submitted by John Cominsky on Tuesday, March 5th, 3:51 pm

Two local police officers have been recognized for their work combating drunk driving.

Officers Jonathan Cerdan and Matthew Pressley with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have been awarded the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Award of Excellence for their tireless work in DWI enforcement.

MADD presents the awards annually to officers who go above and beyond their job requirements and dedicate themselves to the ideals of law enforcement and criminal justice.

Officer Cerdan was recognized for the critical DWI enforcement training that he created and organized last year within the CMPD.

Officer Pressley was recognized for having made 158 DWI arrests in 2012, which ranks fifth in the state of North Carolina.

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