“What moves men of genius, or rather what inspires their work, is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been said is still not enough.”
— Eugene DelacroixWriting is a way to advocate for a better world. That’s my philosophy, and fueled by that, I craft stories that highlight the struggles of society. My books revolve around tough conversations and painful truths, with my ultimate goal being to bring a voice to these issues. To that end, I host a rotating Charity Spotlight where organizations who align with topics I tackle can shine. I write stories, but these groups, they do the real work. Even if all you can do is read about them, that’s one more person in the world who knows these issues persist.
These charities exist because what has already been done is still not enough.
Rural Empowerment Association
In 1999, Hurricane Floyd struck the coast of North Carolina. Over 50 individuals died, and the economic destruction totaled in the billions. Children drowned in the floodwaters. Local businesses vanished beneath never-ending rain. Wetland towns were cut off from the mainland, preventing food and medical transport from reaching those communities. When the government stepped in to provide financial relief, funds were heavily diverted to Wilmington and Virginia Beach on the grounds these places needed more resources because they housed more inhabitants.
Rural counties like Martin and Duplin were left isolated. These counties are predominantly low-income farmers and people of color, and while we will never be able to confirm if that factored into the decision to deny them assistance, the scars from that choice are still visible in 2026.
The Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help (REACH) was founded in 2002 by Devon Hall and Dothula Baron-Hall to address the gap in assistance. In their own words REACH “addresses issues such as the health impacts of nearby industrial agriculture, mental and emotional oppression, economic challenges, and limited access to education, employment, housing, and youth programs.” They work directly within the communities to help, listening to what the residents need and providing direct access to funds and education through partnerships with institutions like UNC-Chapel Hill and John Hopkins University.
To get involved or learn more, please visit their website.