The Warrior Team
Michelle Love, President and Co-Founder
Hi! I'm Michelle Love. I have always considered being a mom as my highest calling. I am truly one of the biggest momma-bears out there and blessed to be the mother to two world-changing children.
In an effort to create some good from the loss of my son, my focus is to make a difference in the world of childhood cancer, sharing the love of Christ with others and living authentically with deep pain, heartache and joy, as an example of how good can rise from tragedy. I see the good that has come and know it will continue to come from my son’s life, the manner in which we lived through my child’s battle with cancer, and how Carly and I continue to survive his devastating loss. I continue to push forward with BJ’s message of faith through trial, and continue to spread his story in hopes to inspire and motivate others.
Carly Love, Co-Founder, Director, Youth Division
Carly is BJ’s younger (and only) sister. They were 3 1/2 years apart in age. Carly adored her brother and tagged along with him and his friends. She was only 11 years old when she witnessed her brother’s death, and has been surviving this devastating loss with her own sense of grace and determination. Carly graduated in June 2023 from high school as valedictorian, and from Gaston College with an associate's degree in Business Administration in May 2023. She is now a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she is studying to become an actuary. She runs a small business called CarlyAnnaCrafts where she designs, creates, and sells crochet patterns.
Carly leads the Youth Division for Stand Firm Warrior. She and her team manages and assembles SFWF's customized BJ’s Battle Bags, and leads efforts for youth engagement.
The Executive TEAM
Cherie Parks (middle) is a CPA and Stand Firm Warrior’s Treasurer. Cherie and Michelle became friends in 2011 when Cherie’s son Matthew, and BJ were on the same basketball team. Their friendship quickly cemented and the two became sister-friends. Their boys were already great friends, and most of their friends at school thought they were brothers. When BJ was diagnosed with leukemia, Cherie took great care of Carly, and developed the nickname of “2Mom”. There is no greater gift than true friendship.
Rosetta Barrick (left) is the Secretary for Stand Firm Warrior. Michelle and Cherie met Rosetta in 2012 when their sons played football together. Their friendship blossomed quickly, and by the time BJ was diagnosed with leukemia, Rosetta quickly became a major source of support, and the unbreakable steel magnolia bond between the three of us was forged. It is a true blessing when friends become family.
New P-I-C (Puppy In Charge)
We still miss our almost-14-year-old PIC, Lucy Love, but Theodore Winston Love is learning to fill in the gaps. "Teddy," a toy poodle, was named after the Build-a-Bear that BJ received in the hospital and named "Ted".