Jaja Staana, Cabarrus County
How has North Carolina shaped your own story?
"Here in North Carolina, my husband and I were married in 2020, and we started discipleship groups that eventually led to the planting of a church. Most of our brethren are young families who come to the United States as healthcare professionals and educators. We are very blessed to be part of a thriving community, and to be living in this beautiful State, where we enjoy peaceful neighborhoods, beautiful mountain towns and beaches, and most of all, a kind people, so diverse and yet so Southern. Last week I had my citizenship interview. I look back at how our friends and co-workers overcame challenges during the pandemic, and how we are now all here, together like family. We are truly blessed to call North Carolina our home!"
Tell us something about your town, city, or community.
"Concord-Kannapolis is a suburb north of Charlotte. There are many young Filipino families here, starting a new life.
Concord-Kannapolis has a lot of common, green spaces, where communities meet. Even our church meets at an Events Place at a local park.
Folks here are patriotic. They honor the authority of law enforcers.
Folks here are also very diverse. We have met and grown friendships with families from the Philippines, from Japan, Greece, from the UK, and even northerners who moved South."
Tell us about someone who made or makes North Carolina what it is—in a positive way.
"All the first reponders and health care professionals who made huge sacrifices to help others during Hurricane Helene,
all the educators who teach our kids (North Carolina's future!), all essential workers, like Amazon personnel, who literally made it possible for all of us to survive the lockdown during the pandemic, all our law enforcement officers who keep our neighborhoods safe----these people make North Carolina what it is."