Our Story


How It All Got Started. 

In 2018, 4 people began to meet to talk about how they could get interest in their small town.  How could they entice visitors to experience everything the town had to offer and to encourage growth?

Those 4 people were:  Jeffery Hamilton, Rudy Theatre.  Cindy Brookshire, Writer & Volunteer.  Donna Reid, Owner, Reid's Country Sampler.  Melissa Dooley, Event Coordinator for the Town of Selma.  And so, "4 cups Selma" was born.

Through creative collaboration, these 4 people were able to help the town move forward in their challenges.  They worked together to solve problems instead of complaining about them.  They researched and implemented many ideas from other towns to spark change.  They invited others to join them.

These simple actions got the attention of other business owners and citizens who were invested in seeing Selma grow and prosper.  The weekly meetings continued, and growth happened.

Today, Activate Selma is now a 501(c)3 non-profit organization comprised of residents, volunteers, and business owners promoting Selma and all the town has to offer. A few dozen or more members of the 300+- group gather every Wednesday at 9 am at varying locations throughout Selma in order to spark creative problem-solving.

Our motto is, “We don’t complain, we take action.” Anyone is welcome.


Read more about how we got started and what we are doing lately:

Follow Activate Selma on social media: Facebook.com/ActivateSelmaNC or Instagram @ActivateSelma

Donate NOW
Your donation is tax-deductible and will help spark
change, and ultimately, growth in Selma, NC

Click HERE for the donation page

2025 Leadership Team

President

Kim Wooten

Owner, Selma Jewelry

Vice President

Ron Hester

Owner, Barbetta, LLC

Secretary

Mike Jentes

Director of Operations at Assist Church Expansion

Treasurer

Heidi Hester

Owner, Heidi Moore, CPA

Content Manager

Chandler Pernell

Owner, Call Pernell, INC.

Website Support

Melissa Dooley

Marketing / Sales Coordinator, The Dupree House

Newsletter Content

Cindy Brookshire

Author

Member - At - Large

 Jeffery Hamilton

 Group Sales for Rudy Theatre


Original Logo after group changed their name from 
"4 cups Selma" to "Activate Selma" in 2019.

More On How It Started


The first MAJOR project the group took on, was to enter the HGTV Hometown Takeover contest.  Activate Selma worked together to complete the video in just 2 weeks and this collaboration sparked the creative energy for the next and the next and the next.  

Interested in getting involved?

Contact Us