Advance Carolina showing up for community in Cleveland County
Austin Costner, Cleveland County organizer, stands in front of a storage unit filled with donated supplies during a countywide distribution that delivered more than 4,500 items.
In Cleveland County, Advance Carolina’s Southwest team is staying connected to the community through service, local engagement and intentional outreach to young people.
On March 9, Austin Costner, Cleveland County organizer, led a countywide school supply distribution, delivering more than 4,500 donated items to over 32 locations. The effort reached every public school in Cleveland County, as well as district programs, after-school sites such as the Boys & Girls Club, and local colleges and universities.
A volunteer delivery team that included Advance Carolina staff and regional partners supported the distribution, reflecting a coordinated approach to meeting community needs.
“This work is about more than supplies. It’s about making sure students have what they need to succeed,” said Austin Costner, Cleveland County organizer. “Access to basic resources is a critical part of economic empowerment.”
Local partners and members of NAACP Branch 5379-B gather at a Cleveland County Board of Education meeting to honor the Shelby 4, who broke racial barriers in 1963.
Honoring local history and advancing community recognition
Following the distribution, local partners gathered at a Cleveland County Board of Education meeting alongside members of NAACP Branch 5379-B, where the board voted unanimously to honor the Shelby 4 — four students who, in 1963, broke racial barriers by attending an all-white school.
The resolution recognizes Rayfield Cabaniss, Mary Elizabeth Borders, Severne Logan Budd and Cynthia Lowe for their courage and lasting impact. Community members also recognized Budd, the only living member of the group.
After more than six decades, the effort will result in the placement of a memorial within Shelby High School, marking a significant milestone in preserving local history and honoring those who paved the way.
Cleveland County students visit the Advance Carolina table at the C.O.R.E. HBCU College and Career Fair.
Engaging the next generation
The following week, on March 10-11, the Cleveland County organizing team participated in the C.O.R.E HBCU College and Career Fair, connecting directly with students about opportunities for civic engagement and leadership.
During the two-day event, nearly 60 students signed up to volunteer or receive organizational updates. The team also established connections with advisors from North Carolina A&T State University, UNC Charlotte and Cleveland Community College, opening the door for future partnerships and campus-based engagement.
Across each of these efforts, Advance Carolina’s Southwest regional team in Cleveland County continues to demonstrate a community-centered approach rooted in service, partnership and long-term impact.