Author: Dominique Heath

By Dominique Heath Columnist RALEIGH, N.C. - The smell of freshly fried doughnuts, the sounds of carnival rides and lines stretching around food stands could only mean one thing: the North Carolina State Fair was back. The 2026 fair welcomed 910,584 visitors over its 11-day run, bringing another year of food, entertainment and a celebration of North Carolina agriculture. Although attendance fell from 946,811 in 2025, according to the North

By Dominique Heath, Columnist CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - What was supposed to be a simple Monday night watch party for Black students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill quickly turned into something much more frightening after a man with no affiliation to the university allegedly entered a locked campus building, yelled racial slurs and caused students to fear he may have had a weapon. Now, students and

By Dominique Heath Every time another Black person is found hanging, especially from a tree or in a public place, we all think the same thing: Black people do not hang themselves. Some people hear that and immediately rush to correct us: "Suicide is not exclusive to race." And we know, but that is not the point. The point is that Black people in America have a historical memory that

By Dominique Heath Columnist For five days, Hadestown stepped off the Broadway stage and onto the big screen, giving moviegoers a rare opportunity to experience the Tony Award-winning musical on the big screen. More than a filmed stage production, Hadestown is a bold reinterpretation of Greek mythology that blends ancient storytelling with the musical traditions of New Orleans, creating a production that feels both timeless and strikingly modern. The musical

By Dominique Heath Columnist BUIES CREEK - Before the first presentation began, attendees filled Campbell University's student union hall exchanging business cards, introducing themselves to different organizations and discussing how they could better serve survivors in their own communities. It was a fitting start for the North Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking's (NCCAHT) 2026 Collective Impact Conference, where law enforcement officers, educators, survivor advocates, nonprofit leaders and service providers gathered

By Dominique Heath Staff Writer KNIGHTDALE, N.C. - Music filled Knightdale Station Park while dancers took the stage, spoken word artists shared stories and residents joined together in celebration during the Town of Knightdale's annual African American Festival on June 13. Held in recognition of Juneteenth, the festival transformed the park into a showcase of African American culture through live performances, food, art and community engagement. Despite temperatures climbing into

By Dominique Heath Columnist Thousands gathered in Raleigh for MudGirl Run 2026, an obstacle mud run that has grown from a grassroots empowerment event into an international movement centered on resilience, community, and support. Founded with the mission of creating an inclusive event focused less on competition and more on personal strength, MudGirl has expanded across multiple cities and countries, drawing participants from all walks of life. What began as

By Dominique Heath Columnist The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) brought student filmmakers, educators, local leaders and community members together at The Cary Theater for the Second Annual NCACC 100 Strong Productions Student Film Festival, a statewide event centered around storytelling, local history and community impact through film. Hosted by NCACC's documentary division, 100 Strong Productions, the festival gave students from counties across North Carolina an opportunity to

By Dominique Heath Guest Columnist Each April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month returns with a familiar call to attention. Teal ribbons appear, statistics are shared, and conversations begin to surface again. But awareness, in practice, is often misunderstood. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. Nationally, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 6 men experience sexual violence in their lifetime.

By: Dominique Heath, Guest Columnist For nearly a century, the Carolina Theatre has been a central part of Durham's cultural landscape. However, beyond its role as an entertainment hub, the theater also played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. During the 1960s, as a city-owned institution, it became a battleground for the fight against segregation, with local activists challenging discriminatory policies and paving the way for integration. A