Author: Jordan Meadows

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

By: Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has appointed Dr. Karrie G. Dixon as its new Chancellor, succeeding Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye. Dixon's selection follows a comprehensive national search led by UNC System President Peter Hans, which attracted over 50 candidates. Dixon, a first-generation college graduate, holds a bachelor's degree in communication from NC State University, a master's degree in speech communication from UNC-Greensboro, and a Doctor

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer In July 1967, Lela Pierce Thompson made history as the first African American woman to graduate from Wilmington College, now known as UNC-Wilmington, following its integration. After graduating from the formerly all-Black Williston High School in the early 1950s, Lela Thompson initially worked at a local laundromat. Following a severe burn that left her hospitalized, she chose to pursue higher education instead of returning to

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer  On Tuesday morning, the North Carolina State Board of Elections decided that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 's We The People Party would be permitted to run for president. The board denied ballot access to another third-party candidate, Cornel West, and his newly established party, Justice For All. This decision, unlike Kennedy's, was made strictly along party lines. The Democratic majority cited concerns that, although Justice

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer North Carolina, especially the Raleigh metro area, is witnessing rapid population growth. Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that The Triangle has seen one of the largest increases in retirement-age residents nationwide since the pandemic. The number of retirement-age residents has soared by 18.3 percent in Raleigh and over 15 percent in Durham since 2020, nearly doubling the national growth rate. This rapid

  By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed into law four bills on Wednesday. One of the bills focuses on creating a registry managed by the North Carolina Department of Revenue specifically for certified vapor products, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine-containing consumables. Starting at the end of 2024, manufacturers will be required to obtain certification to sell these products in the state. Another bill signed by Cooper

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer The US Supreme Court made a significant decision on Friday, overturning a controversial 40-year-old precedent that mandated courts to defer to government agencies' interpretations of ambiguous laws by a 6-3 margin. This marks the end of the "Chevron deference," coinciding with North Carolina's top court preparing to address its deference case. Chief Justice John Roberts authored the majority opinions in two federal high court decisions,