Author: Jordan Meadows

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Joseph Philippe Lemercier Laroche, a 25-year-old Haitian engineer, was the only known Black passenger, along with his children, aboard the ill-fated Titanic. His story, buried for decades beneath the weight of history, has recently re-emerged. Born on May 26, 1886, in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, Joseph Laroche was a gifted student. At just 15 years old, he was sent to Beauvais, France, to pursue a formal education

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer The 19th Annual NC Black Summit was held last Thursday and Friday at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree, bringing together Black elected officials, public policy advocates, community stakeholders, strategic partners, and constituents from across the state. Under the theme Charting OUR Course Through a Crisis, the sold-out event served as a vital gathering point for Black leadership to navigate the post-election climate, address pressing community concerns,

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer For nearly two decades, the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission has been consequential in finding justice in the state - and a national model for reform. Created by the General Assembly in 2006 and formally established in 2007, the commission has reviewed thousands of claims of wrongful conviction and played a critical role in the exoneration of 16 individuals who collectively served more than 300

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer In Part 1 of the series, we explored the historical context of the cover-up culture within law enforcement in North Carolina and the Triangle area, with insights from Dr. Kimberly D. Muktarian-a Raleigh native, journalist, historian, and civil rights activist. In Part 2, we examined several examples of this troubling culture in law enforcement, where Dr. Kim shared her personal encounters with officers and discussed

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer On Thursday evening, community members gathered in downtown Durham for a panel discussion hosted by the Carolina Forward Foundation, a non-profit policy organization focused on shaping North Carolina's future. Titled "Abundance" the event brought together journalist and author Derek Thompson, Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell, and Durham Mayor Leo Williams. Carolina Forward founder Blair Reeves moderated the discussion, which explored how cities and states can embrace

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer In a tribute to the history and legacy of historically Black fraternities and sororities, several universities across the nation have recently unveiled permanent installations that honor the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and its member organizations. These commemorations acknowledge the profound impact of the "Divine Nine" on campus communities, from leadership and civic engagement to academic excellence. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill celebrated

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer As homeowners in North Carolina face escalating insurance premiums, experts continue to grapple with the underlying reasons behind these hikes. The situation has become increasingly dire, with some homeowners seeing double-digit percentage increases in just a few years. According to Travis Fain, a communications consultant with the North Carolina Rate Bureau, these rising premiums are part of a broader national trend. "If you look at

[caption id="attachment_11347" align="alignnone" width="2560"]  [/caption] By: Jordan Meadows | Staff Writer Names are more than mere labels; they carry the weight of history, culture, and identity. For African Americans, names have long been a way to assert individuality, heritage, and pride. Yet, throughout history, names such as Lynishia, Laquisha, Shaqueen, Marquise, Neveah, Lucinda, and Felicia have sometimes been unfairly labeled as "black" or even "ghetto." These names are far more

  By Jordan Meadows | Staff Writer In recent months, North Carolina homeowners have seen a surge in their insurance premiums, a trend that has left many questioning the stability of the state's insurance market.  In January 2024, Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced that the North Carolina Department of Insurance had reached a settlement with insurance companies over their proposed rate increases. The North Carolina Rate Bureau, which represents homeowners'

By: Jordan Meadows | Staff Writer In Part 1 of the series, we explored the historical context behind the culture of cover-ups within North Carolina and the Triangle's law enforcement agencies with Dr. Kimberly D. Muktarian, a Raleigh native, journalist, historian, and civil rights activist. In Part 2, we discuss more examples of this tragic culture in law enforcement, share Dr. Kim's personal experiences with members of the force, and