Xaveria Baird, born in Asheville, NC, was raised by his grandmother Justine Baird after his mother, Sharyn, struggled with addiction and incarceration. The oldest of two, he grew up in the Shiloh community and found his first passions in basketball and football at Asheville High School, later playing football at Brevard College while studying Early Childhood Education.In 2014, he began working with preschoolers as a teacher’s assistant and soon discovered acting through mentor Jon Menick. With the support of agent Jessica Boswell, he became a professional actor in 2017 with Screen Artist Talent. After losing his mother to cancer in 2018, Xaveria took on a greater role in raising his sister, Zamarii, and deepened his commitment to art and inspiring positive change.
Aiden Hyatt, a recent graduate of Asheville High School, is driven by the dream of becoming a successful model. In this episode of our Youth Voice platform, we explore Aiden’s journey—highlighting the everyday experiences, aspirations, and challenges of navigating the modeling industry as an emerging talent.
In this episode, Nina and Roger dive deep into the world of relationships, asking the question: are marriages becoming “cancel-cultured”? The conversation explores cheating, getting caught, and whether infidelity means the end of a relationship—or if it’s still possible to rebuild and move forward together.
In this episode of our Youth Voice series, we sit down with rising star Elijah Cox — a recent Asheville High graduate and incoming Class of 2029 student at UNC Greensboro. But Elijah isn’t just hitting the books — he’s also the young founder of Chill Cereal Bar, a bold business venture that’s been turning heads across Western North Carolina.Joining him on this entrepreneurial journey is his biggest supporter and partner-in-grind, his mom Patricia, affectionately known as the “Mom-mager.” Together, they share the inspiring story behind Chill Cereal Bar, navigating the highs, the setbacks, and the powerful comeback that’s redefining their brand.Tune in as we explore the hustle, heart, and hustle-again spirit of this incredible mother-son duo — a true powerhouse from the 828!You’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you’ll be inspired. We hope you enjoy the conversation!Chill Cereal Bar website: www.chillcerealbar.com
In this episode of the 828 Elite Podcast, we had the incredible privilege of sitting down with the talented and dynamic Maria Young — a proud Western North Carolina native and All-American collegiate basketball player.Maria shares insights from her powerful book, Lost In A Game: The Journey to self Discovery, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the exciting stage productions she’s currently directing. From the court to the creative arts, Maria's journey is one of resilience, purpose, and vision.You don’t want to miss this inspiring conversation — we hope you enjoy the episode!
In this episode, we welcome Joe Greene—entrepreneur, father, author, and cancer survivor. We delve into Joe's powerful journey, including his experience with early detection and colon cancer. Join us as we explore his mission to raise awareness, discuss his current book, and get a preview of his upcoming release. We hope you enjoy the conversation
This interview features Nicole Cush, Executive Director of Glitter Sisters Inc. We explore her powerful impact through the organization and take a closer look at the concept of Collective Courage. More than just the principal of a prestigious high school, Nicole is one of the most dynamic and fascinating women in Western North Carolina—especially if you're passionate about music festivals and meaningful youth programs. This is one conversation you won’t want to miss. *This interview starts in the middle of the conversation due to technical difficulties*
**Episode 1: Welcome to the 828 Elite Podcast!**In this very first episode of the 828 Elite Podcast, we’re kicking things off with an exciting introduction to your hosts, Roger and Nina. Roger Reid, a passionate youth advocate and community leader from Asheville, North Carolina, joins forces with Nina, a dynamic and thoughtful voice in the local community, to bring you a podcast that celebrates the success stories, talents, and culture of the 828 area code.In this episode, we’ll dive into some incredible topics, including:-**The Purpose of 828 Elite**: We’ll talk about the vision behind the podcast and what we hope to accomplish by highlighting local talent, stories, and events.- **Community Impact**: Roger shares his journey as a youth advocate and how he’s making a difference in Asheville and beyond.- **Spotlight on Local Achievements**: We’ll discuss the importance of celebrating success and the rising stars in the 828 region.- **Healing Through Laughter**: Get a sneak peek into the upcoming Yella Boyz Podcast, where we’ll explore how humor can be a tool for healing and growth.Tune in to learn more about what’s to come on the 828 Elite Podcast as we set the stage for inspiring conversations, interviews, and everything that makes our community thrive. Don’t miss it!