North Carolinians are warm, curious, and engaging — and a little skeptical. Sometimes a newcomer might come face to face with that skepticism: “Hey … do you even live here?” And even if you do, in fact, live here, the question of belonging in fast-growing Western North Carolina is one that is front and center. In partnership with two young mayors, Dalton George (Boone, N.C.) and Preston Blakley (Fletcher, N.C.), “Do You Even Live Here?” (DYELH) is asking a quintessential North Carolina question of belonging through the fun, curious stewardship of our two dynamic hosts. We are bringing curiosity and storytelling about Western North Carolina to a one-of-a-kind community-oriented politics podcast, which will also be syndicated statewide on radio. Do You Even Live Here? offers a distinct, engaging way for radio stations to fulfill their FCC community service requirements while keeping listeners deeply connected to local narratives.
About the hosts: Mayor Preston Blakely and Mayor Dalton George
Preston Blakely: Born in Asheville in 1994 and raised in nearby Fletcher, Preston Blakely’s roots run deep in Western North Carolina. His late grandmother, Patricia McCurry, was a dedicated public servant who drove a city bus in Asheville. In 1990, his parents founded Quality Janitorial Group, a commercial cleaning and supply company. While building the business from the ground up, his parents worked full-time jobs, and Preston often pitched in alongside them as a child. He credits those early experiences with instilling a deep work ethic and a passion for community service. In 2021, at just 27 years old, Preston ran for office and was elected mayor of Fletcher.
Dalton George: Dalton grew up in the small town of Midway, North Carolina. Raised primarily by a single father who worked in the state’s furniture industry during its final peak years, Dalton owes much of his upbringing to his village, particularly his adopted grandparents. He discovered his passion for advocacy after successfully organizing his apartment building’s tenants to fight an exploitative landlord. Realizing the direct impact of local governance, he filed to run for office. He initially received an appointment to fill a vacancy, won the seat in his own right in November 2021 at age 22, and was elected mayor of Boone in 2025.
Beacon Media, a 501(c)3 nonpartisan nonprofit launched in 2024,works to amplify trusted community messengers and deliver persuasive, values-based messaging that engages new audiences in community building across North Carolina.