Author: Jheri Hardaway

Jheri Hardaway is a staff writer for The Carolinian whose reporting explores the intersection of activism, politics, and community life across North Carolina. Drawing on her own experience and history in political organizing and civic engagement, Hardaway focuses on political coverage that highlights grassroots movements, public policy, and the voices of communities often overlooked in traditional media. Through thoughtful storytelling and analysis, she brings attention to the people and issues shaping the region’s political and social landscape.

A Long Career of Caring: Congratulations, Dr. Mask

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By Jheri Hardaway Staff Writer For years, I looked forward to the kind and welcoming medical advice on our local evening news. July 31st, 2026, marked the end of a more than three-decade career for the face of medical guidance and community health in Central North Carolina. Dr. Allen Mask has remained a single, steady, and reliable voice. As he enters a well-earned retirement, North Carolina marks the conclusion of
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What Could Happen in the Nolan Wells Case

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By Jheri Hardaway Staff Writer The tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Nolan Wells have sparked intense public outcry and urgent demands for legal accountability. In commentary addressing the investigation, community advocates, including Dr. Umar Johnson, have emphasized that every individual involved, whether directly responsible for Nolan's death or active in subsequent attempts to obstruct investigation efforts, must face the full severity of state and federal law. If justice is
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A Legacy of Artistry: The Biennial Meeting of the International Black Theatre Festival

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By Jheri Hardaway Staff Writer Winston-Salem, NC - The landscape of American performing arts was forever changed when the "Marvtastic" Larry Leon Hamlin founded the North Carolina Black Repertory Company (NC Black Rep). As the first professional Black theatre company in the state, NC Black Rep established a vital platform for creative expression and cultural preservation. Central to its mission is a steadfast commitment to exposing diverse audiences to the
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Kratom and the Impacts 

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By Jheri Hardaway Staff Writer Sitting on display in local gas stations, smoke shops, and corner markets right next to energy drinks and candy bars, you'll find Kratom. National Institute on Drug Abuse has reported that people report using kratom to "alleviate pain, to address symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, to help stop or reduce opioid or other substance use, and to manage withdrawal symptoms and
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The Unaffiliated Majority: North Carolina’s Independent Voters Rewrite the Political Playbook

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By Jheri Hardaway Staff Writer For decades, North Carolina's political story was written in shades of deep red and classic blue. A traditional battleground defined by the push and pull between registered Democrats and Republicans. Today, the state's political map is being quietly reconfigured by a different group altogether: the unaffiliated voter. This voter is an unpredictable, often hard-to-read wild card. Representing nearly 40% of the state's total electorate, unaffiliated
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TBJ Corridors of Opportunity: How Harnett and Lee Counties Are Navigating Tech, Trade, and Transformation

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By Jheri Hardaway Staff Writer SANFORD, NC - Business leaders, elected officials, and regional developers gathered last Thursday for the Triangle Business Journal's "Corridors of Opportunity" panel, focusing on the rapid transformation taking place in the Greater Triangle's southern frontier: Lee and Harnett Counties. Once defined primarily by manufacturing and agriculture, the region is rapidly transitioning into a high-tech and biomanufacturing hub. However, as escalating land prices and suburban spillover
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COMTO North Carolina 2026 Welcomes Its New Board

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By Jheri Hardaway Staff Writer Raleigh, NC - Transportation leaders, public agency officials, private industry partners, and emerging professionals gathered on Hillsborough Street last Thursday, July 23, for the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) North Carolina 2026 Summer Social. The evening combined networking, community investment, and a pivotal milestone for the chapter's leadership: the official swearing-in of the incoming Executive Board of Directors. The evening opened with recognition for
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Harnett Co. NAACP 5473B Is Active 

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[caption id="attachment_18939" align="alignnone" width="1585"] Screenshot[/caption] By Jheri Hardaway Staff Writer Lillington, NC - Under the leadership of President Benita Harrington, the Harnett County NAACP 5473B has maintained a consistent and influential presence in local governance, with representatives attending meetings ranging from the Board of Elections to the County Commission. The branch's impact is evidenced by its high engagement levels, including a recent sold-out Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast featuring
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Campbell Faces Community Pushback Over River Park Clear-Cutting Plan

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By Jheri Hardaway Staff Writer Buies Creek, NC - On a webpage dedicated to ending Campbell University's River Park Clear-Cutting Plan, a citizen shared the following: "I remember walking through the woodlands of Campbell University's River Park, a place that seemed to hold history under its canopy. Those 380 acres along the Cape Fear River were where I, along with countless others, learned to read a landscape, connect with nature,
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“Africa to Carolina” Public Art Installation Is Unveiled at Brunswick Town

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By Jheri Hardaway Staff Writer Winnabow, NC - Amidst the heavy, sun-drenched air of the lower Cape Fear, history and art converged at the Brunswick Town Fort Anderson State Historic Site on Thursday, July 16. Dozens of community members, historians, and state officials gathered for the historic unveiling of the "Africa to Carolina" public art installation. Commissioned by the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission (NCAAHC) and funded through the
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