Helping the Houseless with Block Love’s Deborah Denise Phillips: Part 2

Deborah Denise Phillips, founder of Block Love in Charlotte, North Carolina, joins Walter Latham Sr, Keena Parham, and Briggette Stokes on the Walt Weekly Podcast. Block Love Charlotte was founded over seven years ago to help those experiencing homelessness in and around the city of Charlotte. Deborah and her team provide meals, tents, tarps, sleeping bags, hygiene products, clothing, and other daily necessities to the houseless community. They also offer services such as housing navigation, mental health and wellness checkups, and workforce development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Block Love Charlotte remained consistent in their mission and served every single day. They also faced challenges such as the lack of safe restroom facilities and transportation for their neighbors. Despite these challenges, they continued to advocate for the homeless community and make a difference in their lives. The conversation explores the challenges faced by marginalized communities, particularly immigrants and people of color, in accessing support and resources. It highlights the importance of meeting people where they are and building trust to provide effective assistance. The discussion also touches on the impact of trauma and mental health issues within these communities. The conversation emphasizes the need for equitable distribution of resources and challenges the stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream media. It also addresses the ongoing drug epidemic, particularly the prevalence of fentanyl and its devastating effects. In this conversation, Deborah Phillips, the founder of Block Love CLT, discusses the challenges faced by the homeless population, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlights the lack of affordable housing, the increase in homelessness among seniors, and the struggles faced by the trans community. Deborah emphasizes the importance of providing support and resources to those in need and shares her own experiences of overcoming adversity. She also encourages listeners to put aside pride and ask for help when needed, and to make a difference in the lives of others.

Deborah Phillips and her organization, Block Love Charlotte founded over seven years ago to help those experiencing homelessness in and around the city of Charlotte has helped make a difference amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Deborah pours her soul into the work she does daily, which she describes as her heart’s mission to spread love throughout this city one Block at a time.

After working 23 years in the Information Technology Industry this mother of three and domestic abuse survivor has stepped into her God-given assignment to help those who need a hand whether homeless or not. She wants to be the hand she once needed when she fell on hard times. In mid-May of 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Deborah quit her job at a law firm to fully dedicate all her time to her organization and to those she refers to as her Block Family.

Along with her amazing team, volunteers, and family, she has remained consistent with the mission and Block Love Charlotte has served every single day since March 8th of 2020. No easy task, but with the citizens of the city and the ones who honestly believe in the work being performed, Deborah has been able to make a difference in the homeless community.

Mrs. Phillips has overcome many recent obstacles including chronic health challenges but that did not stop her from obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in May of 2022 from Winston-Salem State University.  Deborah is also the recipient of the, Growing the Dream”, Martin Luther King, Jr, Award presented by WSOC news station in Charlotte, NC and the 2022 recipient of the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Community Service Award among other honors.

Through the Block Love Charlotte social media presence, her organization has helped invoke the spirit of giving in others. More information about her organization can be found at the website, http://www.blockloveclt.org.