Maggie Bunzey
Program Executive
Maggie Bunzey- Program Executive
1. Who are you and what is your role at ABW?
My name is Maggie Bunzey and I am the Program Executive. I started my time at ABW in August of 2024 as the Program & Literacy Coordinator and moved into this role in January of 2025.
2. What inspired you to work with children and families in this community?
I spent several years working as a Title I school teacher in Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools and saw first hand how the school system let students fall through the cracks. I became incredibly passionate about supporting students literacy growth and also for helping their families feel welcomed into the process. When the opportunity to work at ABW came to me it felt like the perfect way to use my knowledge of the school system, intensive literacy training, and my desire to support whole families all at one time.
3. Can you share a little about your background– whether through education, work, or life experience– that brought you to this work?
I graduated from UNCW as a Teaching Fellow with a B.A. in Elementary Education, concentrating in Behavioral Studies, with a minor in Spanish. I started working as a summer camp counselor when I was 16 and since then have spent the majority of my professional career supporting children in one way or another. Since moving to Charlotte in 2021 I received my TESOL Certification and have been looking for a way to get more involved with the schools. I believe that children are the heart of a community, and by supporting them the effects can ripple out everywhere. Working at ABW gives me the chance every day to support children in their literacy is the best way I can make Charlotte a better place to live for everyone.
4. What do you love about being part of the ABW team?
I have never been part of a team where everyone truly cares about the students as much as we do. It is so special to be surrounded by people who love the children as much as I do and always have their best interest at heart.
5. What’s one fun fact or hobby that helps you recharge outside of work?
One of my favorite pastimes is going to the movies, or even just watching them at home! I also love sewing and seeing my friends in my spare time.
6. What’s one hope you have for the students we serve?
The greatest hope I have for our students is that they can see different choices for themselves. For any number of reasons, our students often don’t see their own potential or the amazing things they are capable of. Most of all I want them to know that when they leave our program I will think of them often and love them even if I don’t see them every day. That no matter how long it’s been I am always here if they need me.
Toyia Bishop
Administrative Specialist
Toyia Bishop- Administrative Specialist
- Who are you and what is your role at ABW?
My name is Toyia Bishop and I am the Administrative Specialist here at ABW for the last 4 years now.
- What inspired you to work with children and families in this community?
My inspiration comes from witnessing the difference that strong community programs make in the lives of families. I’ve seen how providing resources, mentorship and opportunities not only helps children succeed but also strengthens families. Knowing that my work can help break down barriers and create brighter futures inspires me every day.
- Can you share a little about your background– whether through education, work, or life experience– that brought you to this work?
My life has been shaped by a variety of experiences that have taught me resilience, responsibility, and the importance of community. From a young age, I learned the value of hard work and perseverance, which has carried me through both challenges and achievements.
- What do you love about being part of the ABW team?
What I enjoy most about being part of a team is the sense of support and collaboration. I value being able to share ideas, learn from others, and work towards common goals together. Achievements feel even more rewarding when they’re accomplished as a group, and I appreciate the encouragement and relationships that come from working as a team.
- What’s one fun fact or hobby that helps you recharge outside of work?
I enjoy learning dance routines from YouTube and playing card games online.
- What’s one hope you have for the students we serve?
My hope for the students we serve is that they grow with confidence, curiosity, and resilience, always knowing they are valued, supported, and capable of achieving great things.
Anthony McKnight
Program & Literacy Coordinator
Anthony McKnight- Program & Literacy Coordinator
- Who are you, and what is your role at A Better World?
I am Anthony McKnight, Literacy/Program Coordinator for A Better World.
- What inspired you to work with children and families in this community?
I’ve been involved with serving youth and communities for most of my professional career, and when presented with an opportunity to serve with A Better World, I felt that in addition to working with children in a worthy cause, it would also be a great opportunity to learn more about the city, and in particular, how the kids in our program are shaped by it.
- Can you share a little about your background — whether through education, work, or life experience – that brought you to this work?
I believe a combination of my education, work, and life experience has prepared me for this opportunity with A Better World. I’m originally from Queens, NY, and ever since I graduated from high school, I’ve been travelling back and forth between NY and NC. I originally attended North Carolina A&T State University as an Accounting major, but eventually changed, graduating with a degree in African American Studies and English minor. While at NC A&T, I ultimately learned that money was cool and useful, but that I valued “knowledge of self” a bit more. Through this knowledge, I joined other community-based nonprofits, schools, and community-facing government agencies, and learned more about what “community” truly meant, and how each entity makes its impact from different angles. Joining A Better World allows me to put all the things I’ve learned in other positions into practice, while approaching it with an understanding of how important the work we do is.
- What do you love most about being part of the A Better World team?
What I love most about being a part of A Better World is that though we are made up of a small staff, everyone approaches this work with big hearts and deep intention. From the staff, faculty, and volunteers, everyone that I’ve encountered cares about the work and the lives it impacts.
- What’s one fun fact or hobby that helps you recharge outside of work?
Something that I’m really into that helps me recharge outside of work is ART! Whether it’s writing, listening to music, watching a movie, or going to a museum, it’s always cool to observe and be a part of some type of healthy self-expression and vision. A lot of the time, it inspires me to take my art to another level.
- What’s one hope you have for the students we serve?
One hope I have for the students we serve is that when they leave this program, they walk away with valuable skills, experiences, and relationships that take them where they want to go in life, where they can come back as a testament to the mission of A Better World.
Board Members
KEN GILLIARD
Founder
DAVE WILLINGHAM
Board Chair
Pinnacle Financial Partners
KYLE CAPOSSELA
JP Morgan
Vice Chair
CATHY PURVIS
Fidelity Investments (Retired)
WENDY SMOLEN
Attorney & Community Volunteer
Board Secretary
SANDY MCCASLAN
Christ Resurrection Church
A Better World
Board Treasurer
CRAIG MILLER
Spectrum Companies
DEAN PURVIS
Bank of America (Retired)
CARL FOCHLER
Real Estate Developer
GAVIN SHUCK
Truist Advisory Group
ROD HOWZE
Christ Resurrection Church
NC State Trooper
DAN MCGEE
First Eagle Investments
CARMEN TEAGUE
MDVIP
SCOTT ABRY
Makari Group, LLC
Yvette Parsons
