The Carolinian Newspaper

Collective Impact Conference to Bring Anti-Human Trafficking Advocates Together at Campbell University
2026-06-16 09:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Campbell University, 143 Main Street, Buies Creek, NC, 27506, United States
BUIES CREEK, N.C. — Community leaders, service providers, educators, advocates, and concerned citizens will gather June 16 for the Collective Impact Conference, a one-day event focused on strengthening North Carolina’s response to human trafficking through collaboration, education and strategic action.
Hosted by the North Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NCCAHT), the conference will take place at Campbell University’s Oscar N. Harris Student Union Ballroom A, located at 143 Main Street in Buies Creek.
The conference theme, “When We Unite, Our Impact Multiplies,” highlights the importance of partnerships among organizations, government agencies, service providers and community members working to prevent trafficking and support survivors.
The event will feature keynote speaker Kirkia Yarbough Smith, a nationally recognized consultant and survivor-centered systems change advocate. Smith has more than 20 years of experience dedicated to strengthening services and creating systemic solutions for vulnerable populations.
Attendees will have opportunities to hear statewide updates, participate in strategy-focused discussions and connect with organizations providing resources and support throughout North Carolina.
Conference sessions include:

Registration and networking
Welcome remarks
Statewide reports
Collective Impact Framework presentation
Lunch and exhibitor expo
Strategy session
Service provider panel
Advocacy and strategy panel
Closing remarks

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., with programming continuing through 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
Tickets start at $20 and include lunch.
The North Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking works to strengthen statewide efforts to prevent human trafficking, support survivors and promote collaboration among organizations dedicated to addressing exploitation and abuse.
For more information or to register, visit www.nccaht.org/conference.
About NCCAHT
The North Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking is a statewide organization committed to fostering collaboration, education and advocacy efforts that combat human trafficking and support survivors throughout North Carolina.

Zebulon Session Seeks Input on Wake County Waste Planning
2026-06-18 17:00 - 19:00 | NC
ZEBULON, N.C. — Residents of eastern Wake County are invited to attend a public information session on June 18 regarding the Beyond the South Wake Landfill Study.
The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Eastern Regional Center, 1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon.
The study is examining long-term options for handling the county’s waste once the South Wake Landfill reaches capacity. County officials are engaging residents throughout Wake County to gather input on environmental, economic, and community considerations that should help shape future decisions.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the planning process, ask questions, and provide feedback during the drop-in session.
Wake County encourages residents to participate and help inform decisions that could affect waste management services for decades to come.

Cary Hosts Public Landfill Study Information Session
2026-06-23 17:00 - 19:00 | NC
CARY, N.C. — Wake County will continue its countywide public engagement effort with a Beyond the South Wake Landfill Study information session on June 23.
The drop-in event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Academy Pavilion at Downtown Cary Park, 327 S. Academy Street, Cary.
The study seeks to identify sustainable, long-term waste disposal solutions for Wake County as population growth continues and the South Wake Landfill approaches its projected capacity. Residents are encouraged to review study information, discuss priorities with county staff, and share feedback about future waste management strategies.
Community input gathered during these sessions will help inform recommendations presented to county leaders as the planning process moves forward.

Raleigh Meeting Continues Wake County Landfill Study Outreach
2026-06-25 17:00 - 19:00 | NC
RALEIGH, N.C. — Wake County residents are invited to attend the final June information session for the Beyond the South Wake Landfill Study on June 25.
The session will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Walnut Creek Wetland Center (Neuse Room), 950 Peterson Street, Raleigh.
The Beyond the South Wake Landfill Study is a comprehensive effort to determine how Wake County will manage solid waste in the future as the current landfill nears the end of its operational lifespan. Officials are evaluating a range of disposal alternatives and are seeking feedback from residents across the county.
Residents attending the session can learn more about the study, ask questions, and provide comments that will help shape future recommendations regarding waste disposal, environmental stewardship, and community priorities.
For more information, residents may visit the Beyond the South Wake Landfill Study webpage and participate in the online engagement process.

CVMSDC’s BOC26 Invites Small Businesses To Envision A Future Built On Innovation, Access and Collaboration
2026-08-02 12:00 - 2026-08-04 15:00 | The Westin Raleigh Durham Airport, 3931 Macaw Street, Raleigh, NC, 27617, United States
As the business landscape accelerates toward a future shaped by artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and rapidly shifting market demands, the CarolinasVirginia Minority Supplier Development Council (CVMSDC) is calling on small businesses and corporate partners to prepare for what comes next.
That call to action will take center stage August 2–4, 2026, when CVMSDC hosts its 49th annual Business Opportunity Conference (BOC26), sponsored by Allstate, at The Westin Raleigh Durham Airport. The threeday gathering is designed not only as a conference, but as a catalyst—an immersive experience where small businesses, minority business owners, corporate partners, government agencies, and community partners converge to build relationships, exchange ideas, and chart a shared path forward.
The theme, Futurism, challenges attendees to look beyond the present moment and imagine the next era of supplier development, innovation, and economic opportunity. The event is positioned as a threeday experience designed to connect business owners with major corporate partners, government agencies, and industry leaders who are ready to do business, emphasizing that it is where “the right people, the right conversations, and the right opportunities all come together.”
This year’s agenda reflects that ambition. From a VIP Welcome Reception and Scholarship Swing Golf Tournament to handson workshops, a Freedom Park tour, the Business Connections Roundtable, and the annual CVMSDC Awards Reception, BOC26 blends education, inspiration, and meaningful engagement. Multiday activations such as The Launch Point will offer curated resources and realtime support for business owners seeking to strengthen their capabilities and competitiveness.
CVMSDC President & Chief Engagement Officer Dominique Simpson Milton underscores the urgency of preparing for the future now. “Futurism requires more than imagination—it requires alignment. As the business landscape and technology evolve with unprecedented speed, small businesses and corporate partners must move forward together with shared purpose,” Milton said. “When our goals are connected, supplier development becomes a powerful engine for resilience, sustainability, and longterm economic growth. BOC26 is where we prepare for what’s next—by building the relationships that will shape the future of business.”
CVMSDC Board Chair Jonathan Wilkins, supplier diversity program executive at Presidio, said, “Small businesses bring agility, creativity, and thought leadership—qualities that corporations need now more than ever in this rapidly evolving business landscape. When CVMSDC corporate partners and SBEs align their goals, together, we’ll unlock a powerful system of shared success and prosperity. BOC26 is not just about preparing for the future, it’s about shaping it together.”
For nearly five decades, CVMSDC has championed economic inclusion through its four pillars: advocacy, certification, connections, and development. BOC26 continues that legacy, serving as one of the Council’s most impactful platforms for strengthening supplier development and expanding opportunities for small businesses and certified Minority Business Enterprises across the region.

Sigma Gamma Rho to Host Operation BigBookBag Backpack Giveaway
2026-08-15 10:00 - 12:00 | SAFEchild, 2841 Kidd Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27610, United States
The Beta Lambda Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. will host its annual Operation BigBookBag Backpack Giveaway on Saturday, August 15, from 10 a.m. to noon at SAFEchild, 2841 Kidd Road, Raleigh.
More than 300 backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed to area students on a first-come, first-served basis, helping families prepare for the upcoming school year. The drive-through community event is held in partnership with the Beta Lambda Sigma Charitable Foundation, SAFEchild, the National Black MBA Association, and the University of Phoenix Raleigh Alumni Chapter.

Operation BigBookBag is one of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.’s National Essential Programs, providing educational resources and school supplies to children across the country while promoting academic success and student achievement.
The Beta Lambda Sigma Chapter, chartered in Raleigh in 1949, has served the community for more than 75 years through programs focused on education, youth development, health, and community service.
For more information, visit www.raleighsgrho.org.
