Author: Judaea Ingram

By Judaea Ingram Special to the Carolinian As communities across North Carolina prepare for Juneteenth celebrations later this month, organizers are expecting another year of large crowds, educational programming, and cultural events that honor both history and progress. Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas learned they were free. Although President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863,

By Judaea Ingram Special to the Carolinian More than two decades after her passing, Nina Simone remains one of the most influential artists in American history. Known for her powerful voice, exceptional musical talent, and unwavering commitment to social justice, Simone's impact continues to be felt across generations. While audiences around the world recognize her as a legendary singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist, many North Carolinians take pride in

By Judaea Ingram Special To The Carolinian GOLDSBORO, N.C. - Cheryl Lewis Alston did not plan to become a farmer. A retired educator, she first brought gardens into classrooms as a way to teach science through hands-on learning. Today, that approach has grown into a community farm project that blends food production, education and access on city-owned land in Wayne County. Alston, founder and director of the Little Washington Growing

By Judaea Ingram Special To The Carolinian RALEIGH, N.C. - Music filled the air as families danced through the crowd, children gathered around activity stations, and community members explored wellness resources from local organizations. Black-owned businesses lined the streets while people stopped for chair massages, conversations, and moments of connection inside the wellness suite. At the center of the event stood a simple but powerful reminder: "You Matter." For Darkness

By Judaea Ingram Special To The Carolinian RALEIGH, N.C. - For many North Carolinians, the State Fair experience begins with food. From turkey legs and funnel cakes to deep-fried desserts and fresh lemonade, food vendors have long been one of the fair's biggest attractions. But now, some vendors say major pricing changes could threaten whether smaller businesses can afford to return at all. The North Carolina State Fair is moving

By  Judaea Ingram Special to the Carolinian DURHAM, N.C - Weekend baseball at Durham Bulls Athletic Park carried a festive, family-centered atmosphere as the Durham Bulls hosted a home series against the Round Rock Express, highlighted by a Mother's Day celebration that blended baseball, special events, and community tradition in downtown Durham. While the series itself was part of the regular Minor League Baseball schedule, Sunday's matchup stood out as

By Judaea Ingram Special To The Carolinian SALISBURY, N.C. - Downtown Salisbury was packed with visitors Saturday as thousands gathered for the annual Cheerwine Festival, celebrating the cherry-flavored soft drink that has remained a North Carolina favorite for generations. Music echoed through downtown streets as festivalgoers moved between vendor tents, food trucks, live performances, and family activities during the daylong event. Bright red Cheerwine branding could be seen throughout the

By Judaea Ingram Special to the Carolinian CARY, N.C. - Despite early rain and gray skies, families, healthcare workers, students, and community organizations gathered across the Triangle for the 2026 March for Babies walk, an annual event organized by March of Dimes to raise awareness and funding for maternal and infant health. Participants arrived wearing purple and pink event shirts, while many children and families sported superhero capes bearing the

By Judaea Ingram Special To The Carolinian As graduation season peaks across North Carolina, thousands of college students in the Triangle are stepping into a job market that remains strong overall but increasingly competitive for entry-level positions. The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill region, often referred to as the Research Triangle, continues to rank as one of the fastest-growing hubs for college-educated residents in the country. Recent Census-based analysis shows the area has

By Judaea Ingram Special to the Carolinian DURHAM, N.C. - Durham's performing arts scene was transported to the roaring twenties over the weekend as the touring Broadway production of The Great Gatsby completed a week of sold-out performances at the Durham Performing Arts Center, drawing more than 21,000 guests to the venue. The production, staged at the Durham Performing Arts Center, brought the world of F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic novel