Spotlight on North Carolinians

For 8 years, My Home, NC has been bringing you the stories of the people of North Carolina. Embodying innovation, creativity, perseverance and ingenuity, the people of North Carolina make our state special. Explore these stories below and get to know the next generation of NC leaders who are making a difference in their community and the world.

Ryan Bethea: Oyster Farmer

Ryan Bethea founded his company Oysters Carolina on Harkers Island with a mission to provide the people of North Carolina with the freshest shellfish in the state. His award-winning oyster farm is celebrated by restauranteurs and oyster devotees across North Carolina. 

In this 2021 story from My Home, NC, Ryan speaks to host Heather Burgiss about his passion for introducing North Carolinians to homegrown high quality oysters.

Rodney Bullock: Altitude Academy Barber School

Barbershops have long been the meeting place and cornerstone of communities. A barber from his youth, Rodney Bullock founded Altitude Academy Barber School in Greenville, NC to train the next generation to "work the chair." 

In this 2020 story from My Home, NC, Rodney tells PBS North Carolina about his own journey to his career and his passion for training others in the art of barbering.

Kai Lightner: World-Class Rock Climber

Fayettevile native Kai Lightner is a world-class rock climber and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the sport. At 15, Kai won the Open/Adult Lead Climbing National Champion. Through injuries and challenges, he has won dozens of national competitions. Kai Lightner is also the founder of the nonprofit organization Climbing for Change, which works to make the sport of climbing more inclusive.

In this 2018 story from My Home, NC, follow Kai's journey to stay at the top of his sport.

Khalia Braswell: Digital Diva Doing Good

Charlotte native Khalia Braswell is an innovative leader and award-winning technologist. After she left her role at Apple, Khalia returned to her hometown of Charlotte and started the nonprofit INTech to "lift Black and Latina girls up to be a part of the next generation of technologists." INTech reaches students in NC, across the country and in Canada and South America.

In this 2019 story from My Home, NC, hear more from Khalia on her journey to creating INTech.

Davian Robinson: Fearless

When Davian "DJ" Robinson was born in Hickory, NC the doctor told his mother he would not make it through the night, but defying the odds is just a way of life for DJ Robinson. Meet this fearless young man who is breaking barriers as the first visually impaired dance major at UNC-Charlotte, a world-class Paralympic cyclist and sky diver.

Meet DJ in this 2018 story from My Home, NC, and hear more from him on his passion for dance and adventure.