Best Buddies in North Carolina Champion of the Year Drew Steele is a staple at East Carolina University Pirates basketball games and was featured on NBCUniversal affiliate, WITN-TV. Drew runs through the tunnel with the Pirates and goes out on the basketball court to support the team.

“Drew has worked with us for 10 more or less years. He’s here three days a week and when he’s in the building, everything’s happier,” said Dr. Jasper Lewis D.D.S., P.A. of Eastern Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry. “He shows no limitations.”

Unfortunately, many companies do not consider hiring individuals with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD). Drew was born with Down syndrome. Giving individuals with IDD an equal opportunity to pursue employment will help make our communities more inclusive.