Author: Jordan Meadows

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Settled along Rock Quarry Road, a modest yet surprisingly spacious building is surrounded by old televisions, washing machines, children's clothes and toys, and cans of food-an image that perfectly captures the essence of Helping Hand Mission in Raleigh, an organization dedicated to supporting everyday people in need. There's a constant commotion of people coming in and out, carrying goods for those in need, while the

    By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Dr. E. Lavonia Ingram Allison, a towering figure in Durham's civil rights movement, passed away at the age of 94 on January 7, 2025. Known for her boldness and deep sense of justice, Dr. Allison spent over five decades fighting for social change, empowerment, and equal opportunities, particularly for marginalized communities. Born and raised in Durham's Hayti community, Dr. Allison experienced the harsh

By Jordan Meadows  Staff Writer Women in state legislatures across the United States have made notable progress, both in terms of the number of women holding office and the influence they wield. But North Carolina's state government still lags behind the national average in female representation. Post-2024 election, women make up 30 percent of North Carolina's General Assembly, with 51 women serving out of 170 members. While this marks a

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer In 2024, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris could have won the Electoral College by winning the states she carried, Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, plus the so-called Blue Wall battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. By 2032, that strategy would no longer work; given the shift of electoral votes to the South, even if a Democrat in 2032 were to carry the Blue Wall states

  By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer One of the most remarkable moments of 2024 occurred in the fight against HIV. In June, Science Magazine heralded the discovery of a potential game-changer for global health: the twice-yearly drug lenacapavir, which, in an African clinical trial, reduced HIV infections to zero-an astonishing 100% efficacy rate. This breakthrough represents the closest humanity has come to a vaccine for HIV in four decades. The

By: Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer The film industry has long been known for its glamour, but it is also a world where your connections often matter more than your skills. However, a North Carolina-based organization, the Film Partnership of North Carolina (FPNC), is working to break this mold and open up opportunities for a more diverse range of voices and talent in the industry. Founded in Wilmington in 2021 by

By: Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer Dr. Joy Allen’s journey from clinical research executive to firearms trainer and community advocate is defined by a passion for empowerment and a commitment to creating safe spaces for women in the world of firearms education.  Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Allen founded InHER Piece, a pioneering business that offers inclusive and accessible firearms training, personal protection education, and community-building opportunities for women from all

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer The story of Onesimus, an enslaved African man in 18th-century Boston, is one of perseverance and quiet revolution-whose ripples are still felt today in the global fight against infectious diseases. His knowledge of smallpox inoculation, passed down through generations of Africans, played a pivotal role in introducing the practice of variolation to America. This intervention not only saved lives during a devastating smallpox outbreak in

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer The race for the North Carolina Supreme Court has entered a tense and legally complex phase, with Democratic Justice Allison Riggs narrowly edging out Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin by a mere 734 votes. However, Griffin is not backing down. In an unprecedented move, Griffin has filed a legal challenge to the validity of 60,000 votes cast in the state, including those from military and overseas

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer  Gospel singer and music director at Saint Matthew AME Church David R. Davis was honored on Sunday in Raleigh for his years of devoted service to his community and his faith. At 58 years old, Davis has built a remarkable legacy in both music and community leadership. With a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Edward Waters College, he has dedicated over 16 years