Author: Jordan Meadows

Photographer: Mathias Bishop Staff Writer: Jordan Meadows The African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh celebrated its 15th year. The event took place over the weekend on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh. Known for attracting over 40,000 attendees, the festival aimed to unite and educate through the celebration of African American culture. Highlights included performances by The Ray Band and the Singo Dance Troupe, interactive art projects, and a variety of

By: Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer Since its inception in 2010, PORCH Communities has been at the forefront of local hunger relief, contributing over $12 million across all chapters, impacting approximately 700,000 individuals. The grassroots organization, founded and directed by Christine Cotton, believes every community member should have enough fresh food to live an active, healthy life. With a mission to combat hunger by mobilizing neighbors, building community, and providing fresh,

By: Jordan Meadows  Staff Writer In the first half of 2024, Raleigh has seen a troubling rise in homicides despite an overall decline in violent crime. This paradoxical trend has highlighted significant challenges for city leaders and law enforcement as they grapple with a multifaceted crime landscape. The Raleigh Police Department (RPD) reported a 5% decline in overall violent crime in the first six months of this year compared to

By: Jordan Meadows - Staff Writer CASA, a leading nonprofit in affordable housing, is nearing the completion of its most ambitious project to date: King's Ridge. This $13.7 million development is set to make a significant impact on the lives of up to 100 individuals and families in Raleigh who have experienced homelessness or face challenges due to disabilities and low income. King's Ridge will offer a range of housing

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Since its inception in 2010, PORCH Communities has been at the forefront of local hunger relief, providing more than $6.5 million in aid to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area. The grassroots organization, founded and directed by Christine Cotton, believes every community member should have enough fresh food to live an active, healthy life. With a mission to combat hunger by mobilizing neighbors, building community, and providing

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer On Friday afternoon, Vice President Kamala Harris made her latest appearance in North Carolina. This state has become a key battleground in the upcoming presidential election. The rally, which took place at Wake Tech's Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence, marks Harris's seventh visit to the state this year -sixteenth visit since 2021- as the Democratic campaign intensifies its efforts to sway undecided voters. Harris's frequent

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Winston-Salem, renowned as the City of Arts and Innovation, is once again in the spotlight as it hosted the 35th International Black Theatre Festival (IBTF). This biennial event, a cornerstone of Black theater, commenced on July 29 and went through August 3, drawing thousands of theater enthusiasts and professionals to the region. The festival, celebrated for its showcase of Black artistry, is produced by the

By: Jordan Meadows (Staff Writer) Professional organizations of African American educators, historically known as "Colored Teachers Associations" (CTAs), have played a crucial role in the development of Black education in the United States. Originating as early as 1861, CTAs were instrumental in forming a professional community for Black educators, representing a significant chapter in both African American history and U.S. education. The first documented CTA emerged in Ohio, but by

By: Jordan Meadows (PHOTOS/SFLRP) Staff Writer STEM careers focus as much on discovery, innovation, and problem-solving as on the specific fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. This was a key takeaway from the Youth STEAM Summit-where "A" stands for agriculture-recently held at the Rocky Mount Event Center. Held on July 25th, the 2024 Youth STEAM Summit was organized by Roanoke Cooperative's Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project (SFLRP), a

  By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer With the 2024 state elections approaching, Safiyah Jackson is vying for the North Carolina House District 37 seat in Wake County, which is currently occupied by Republican Erin Paré. This district includes Fuquay-Varina and parts of Holly Springs and Garner, and represents a rapidly growing area of North Carolina. Jackson's campaign diverges from the typical political playbook, focusing intently on education, child development, and