Sarah Gherghel
Program Coordinator
Sarah is a passionate and creative professional dedicated to making opportunities for people to be seen. With expertise in project management, clinical therapy, and administrative leadership, she combines compassion with a results-driven approach. As a Project Manager for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Sarah has spent over two years leading the Living Archives project, focusing on design, quality, trauma-informed story collection, and community engagement. Her work not only highlights individual narratives but also fosters a sense of belonging within the community. Sarah holds a Master’s in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. She previously led the Therapy Department at House of Providence, supporting at-risk foster children. Her international experience includes community initiatives in Thailand and Mexico, where she leveraged her communication skills and culturally aware advocacy to create impactful, inclusive programs that empower diverse voices.
Martha Yesowitch
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Community Partnerships Manager, Project Supervisor
Martha is an accomplished Partnerships Manager with a strong track record of building impactful relationships between public libraries and community stakeholders. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from the University of South Carolina-Columbia. A dedicated advocate for equitable access to essential resources—such as information, food, and healthcare—Martha actively collaborates with local organizations to create meaningful partnerships that benefit the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. In her role as Community Partnerships Manager for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, she also leads the Living Archives project.
Debbie Rubenstein
Project Consultant
Debbie is a professional connector and innovator, spending the past 25 years connecting and engaging communities around the seminal ideas that reinforce democracy. She worked for 12 years with journalist Bill Moyers, amplifying his documentaries into cultural phenomena with websites, promotion campaigns, books and curricula. She has worked in Charlotte to ensure public school equity in Mecklenburg through successful public lobbying campaigns, a social enterprise and more and is a trusted voice among the grassroots community. The Living Archives allowed her to augment these strategic partnership skills with her video experience to ensure that the stories gathered for the archives would connect in community as well.
Living Archives Ambassadors
Alesha Lackey
Regional Manager-Allegra Westbrooks Branch
I am from Statesville and have lived in North Carolina all my life. I earned my Bachelor’s in Mass Communications at Winston-Salem State University and my MLIS at UNC-Greensboro. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, reading, and traveling, but my favorite thing of all is spending time with my son.
Jamey Rorie
Teen Librarian-Allegra Westbrooks Branch
I have been with CML for 10 years working with Teens. I enjoy tinkering with technology, 3d printing, video editing, Dungeon and Dragons, and exploring new ways of reaching our teen patrons. My most rewarding experiences at CML is the chance to see teens grow up and become fine adults.
Sabrina Robinson
Library Associate, Teen Services-West Blvd Branch
I am an accomplished artist whose work lifts up and normalizes conversations about activism, civic & social change, & mental health. At CML I use my art to transform social movements in Charlotte into programs that provide insight, depth, & encouragement to amplify unique voices.
Lidiz Mora
Camino Research Institute
I am a Medical Doctor from Venezuela and Community Researcher at Camino Research Institute, I’ve been in Charlotte since November 2019. Initially visiting for vacation, I remained due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, I advocate for NC Latino communities’ voices and teach Clinical Research at Harvard University.
Ana Robles
Library Assistant-South Blvd Branch
I was born in Mexico and lived there until I was six. Hablo español, un peu de français, and I aspire to study other languages. I enjoy learning, cooking, dancing, traveling, and being with loved ones. My career revolves around building equity through programming, community engagement, and advocacy. Explore more of my work on LinkedIn here.
Kyle Hearns
Library Services Specialist-West Blvd Branch
I’m from Lansing, MI. I have a Psychology degree from UNCC and I will get my MLIS in Spring 2023. I enjoy fishing, gardening, vintage records and photography. Using history to connect past and present generations is my passion. Fun fact: my grandfather was the White House butler portrayed by Lenny Kravitz in the movie The Butler.
Teresa Cain
Librarian-West Blvd Branch
I’m a storycatcher, storyteller, and rescuer of damaged kimonos. (They tell stories, too.) I have a gift for recognizing connections and developing professional partnerships based on them. Career highlights: being onstage when Peter Pan flew and sitting in Desmond Tutu’s chair.
Clay Freeman
Library Outreach Specialist
I love driving to the mountains, hot coffee on cold mornings, a bowl of popcorn with a good show to binge, and the prerequisite love of reading that all library employees share. “I believe that reading and writing are the most nourishing forms of meditation anyone has so far found.” -Vonnegut
Meilis White
Library Assistant-West Blvd Branch
I was born in Ahoskie, NC, but raised in Rock Hill, SC. I have two brothers and am a proud Auntie (TiTi) of five. I have my bachelor’s in History with a minor in Writing and Language from Francis Marion University. And I will receive my MLIS with a concentration in Archives in Spring 2023. I love to attend concerts and festivals.
Pamela McCarter
Library Outreach Specialist and DEI Advocate
My library career began when I was 9 years old. I grew up in a farming community with limited access to books, so I checked out my books to the kids in my neighborhood (charged fines too). I believe that was the start of my community advocacy. I’m a designer, crafter, storyteller, and connector.
Living Archives Interns
Tori Pritchett
Living Archives Intern
I am currently pursuing my Masters in Social Work at Johnson C. Smith University. I’m inspired by helping people, which raised my interest in this project. What I enjoy most about being a part of this project is providing a safe place for the communities to share their amazing stories.
Justice Silver
Living Archives Intern
I’m a 23-year old multi-media artist from Wendell, North Carolina. Rooted in my Black-Southern upbringing, I draw inspiration for my creativity and storytelling. As a freelance creator, I excel in videography, photography, scriptwriting, editing, and directing, exploring diverse artistic expressions.
Jazmeen Ryals
Living Archives Intern
I’m a dynamic Master of Social Work student from Johnson C. Smith University. Born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, Jazmeen, I am recently married and new to Charlotte. I enjoy traveling, supporting black-owned businesses, and spending time with my nephews. Passionate about collaboration, I seek to make positive change, big or small.
María Solano Rodriguez
Living Archives Intern
I’m originally from Madrid, Spain. I moved to the US over 9 years ago, graduated in Communication Studies from UNC Charlotte in 2022, aiming to become a journalist. I’m passionate about translating and helping others understand English and Spanish, currently pursuing my Spanish masters in Translation and Interpretation at UNC Charlotte. In my spare time, I enjoy playing video games and immersing myself in music.
Special Thanks
It takes a lot of people working together and believing in a goal to make something like this a success. Some are staff, some are volunteers and others consult but each one played a part in this important endeavor. Our first thanks go to Martha Yesowitch and Jenni Gaisbauer at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation for their peerless leadership and support. The staff at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library contributed in myriad ways from collecting interviews, to supporting events, to connecting us with partners. Edgar Marcano and Tony Arrezza at Moka House and Diego Ayala offered video editing expertise while many community artists including Sabrina Robinson, Lily Sum, Hector Vaca Cruz, Hannah Hasan, and Abel Jackson brought out the color and life embedded in every story.