Year: 2023

Little Brother Block Party outside long-awaited Missy Lane’s Assembly Room highlights the Significance of Hip-Hop and Jazz in Durham

By Carl Kenney

December 25, 2023

There is a lot of pride in being made in Durham. Hip-hop duo Little Brother, consisting of rappers Phonte Coleman and Big Pooh, made their Bull City pride known earlier this season during their block party celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album, The Listening. Made in Durham: A Little Brother Block Party, was […]

A cry for access and equality

By Carl Kenney

December 21, 2023

The healthcare dilemma faced by Durham noncitizen residents. Durham, N.C – Forty-year-old Price Mundeke came to Durham in 2015 as a refugee from Africa seeking a better life. As an immigrant with refugee status, Mundeke, a former citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was able to get government-assisted medical insurance. However, the insurance eventually […]

Preserving the past, shaping the future: Durham’s historic communities fight against urban development

By Carl Kenney

December 14, 2023

Community is one of the primary ways we connect with one another. It’s a key part of how we’re socialized; it determines who we are. As a community journalist, my job is to focus on the nuances of communities and provide a voice to the voiceless. Durham is a growing community with changing needs, but […]

County Commissioners Pass SCAD 3-1, Durham County Residents Nervous for Future

By Carl Kenney

After 4.5 hours of discussion, the Durham County Commissioners on Monday voted 3-1 to approve Simplifying Codes for more Affordable Development — a decision which follows months of advocacy from various Durham community members against the implementation of SCAD to rural areas outside of the city of Durham limits. On November 20, the Durham city […]

Development in Southeast Durham: Sediment runoff from mass grading and buffer variances pose a threat to Falls Lake

By Carl Kenney

On September 7, The Southern Environmental Law Center filed a lawsuit in federal court against Clayton Properties Group, Inc. for ongoing pollution into the Durham creek, Martin Branch, which connects the Lick Creek watershed to Falls Lake. Clayton Properties Inc. owns several prominent housing developments in southeast Durham, including the Fendol Farms retirement community along […]

A Writer’s Reflection on the Durham Voice: Semester of Growth

By Carl Kenney

December 12, 2023

This semester, I grew as a storyteller by serving as a student writer for The Durham Voice. Some of the stories I wrote covered important issues in Durham such as environmentalism, politics, and affordable housing. As a Raleigh native, I wasn’t too familiar with the Durham political landscape. From what I’ve learned, Durham’s rich, multi-cultural […]

The World of African Dance Through the Eyes of Aya Shabu

By Carl Kenney

Holland Bodner December 12 2023 Aya Shabu is one of Durham’s leading dancers, paving the way for a new generation. Her career in Haitian dance has developed throughout her lifetime as she has found success as a storyteller. Shabu wants to tell a new story by reminding Durham about the beauty and power that lies […]

Plans to revitalize old Durham Police HQ in the works after years of vacancy

By Ava Dobson

Rusted railings and a worn-out exterior reflect a city’s sentiments surrounding a long-empty building on 505 W. Chapel Hill Street. Once the Old Durham, North Carolina Police Headquarters, the site has been vacant since 2019, as per the city’s official website. However, change may be on the horizon. During the city council meeting on Nov. […]

A Note to the Durham VOICE

By Carl Kenney

By Hannah Adams Published Dec. 12 I extend my deepest gratitude to Durham VOICE for providing me with unforgettable experiences that have been instrumental in propelling my journalism career to new heights. Prior to my involvement with your esteemed platform, I contributed to Black Ink Magazine, where I enjoyed the freedom to explore diverse topics […]

Marshall Williams Jr.: Beyond the Ballot – A Visionary’s Impact on Durham’s Future

By Carl Kenney

By Hannah Adams Published Dec. 12 Despite not securing victory in the Durham mayoral primary, 35-year-old IT sales leader Marshall Williams Jr. remains dedicated to addressing key issues and emphasizes his commitment to collaborative solutions. With a track record including captaining a football team, ranking top nationally in pharmaceutical sales, and pioneering technology startups, Williams […]

Durham bus drivers want more safety features in buses improved

By Carl Kenney

Durham, NC- Bus drivers in Durham, N.C are calling for enhanced safety measures on buses in the wake of increasing crime levels in the city. While there have been only one reported cases of bus driver assault over the past year, drivers are urging city officials to prioritize safety measures. Violent passengers are pushing many […]

‘I’m just so happy that I get to make a difference’: The Story of Elijah King

By Audrey Kashatus

December 11, 2023

Elijah King was born and raised in Durham with his mom and little sister. By the time King turned 18-years-old, he had moved 11 different times. King grew up witnessing things most kids his age couldn’t have imagined. He saw eviction, moving places under 24 hours, crashing at his grandparent’s house and even different pastor’s […]

Burlington man v. Durham DSS: Guilty until proven innocent

By Carl Kenney

What was supposed to be a heartwarming union between Garnell Hill and his discovered son takes several legal turns with the Durham County Department of Social Services, posing unforeseen challenges three years later.

Reflection on the Durham Voice: Expanding My Horizons to Durham

By Audrey Kashatus

December 10, 2023

Over the course of nearly two years, I have written extensively for the UNC-Chapel Hill student newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel, covering anything and everything about Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Orange County. This semester, my journalistic purview expanded to encompass Durham, N.C., which has since become of profound significance to me. The four months I […]

“Anything is possible for a little Black girl from Hamlet,” Durham District Attorney Satana Deberry is running for North Carolina attorney general

By Carl Kenney

December 9, 2023

On Nov. 10, Durham District Attorney, Satana Deberry, entered the Democratic primary for attorney general. If elected she would not only be the first Black attorney general but also the first female elected to the position in North Carolina. With Duplin County attorney Charles Ingram now out of the running, she is left with two […]

Post Election Reflection – Caroline Horne

By Carl Kenney

December 5, 2023

Coming into my assignment working for the Durham VOICE through my class at UNC, I was basically blind. I had never lived in Durham, known anyone from Durham or even read any news about Durham. To say I felt underqualified to fairly and competently cover stories regarding important and weighty topics was an understatement. The […]

Sensory Friendly Awareness Film Series fills a need in the Durham community at the Carolina Theatre

By Emma Hall

November 30, 2023

“The sensory friendly film series is a series that we’ve created to be very welcoming and supportive of individuals with autism or other folks that may have sensory accommodations.”

Despite her campaign suspension, Shelia Huggins’ family carries political legacy

By Carl Kenney

November 29, 2023

Caroline DalyNovember 29, 2023 For Shelia Huggins, a former candidate for Durham City Council, life has always revolved around elections and politics. Huggins’ mom, Ann, first introduced Shelia to the political world during her childhood, as she has been involved in public service for a long time. “I was already in it,” Shelia said. “So, […]

Public forum develops plan for future art and cultural development in Durham

By Carl Kenney

November 28, 2023

Published November 28, 2023 at 2:06pm Candidates at public forum listen to Laura Ritchie deliver a closing message. She spoke about the importance of arts for the people of Durham. From left to right: Carl Rist, Javiera Caballero, Khaliah Karim, Leonardo Williams, Mike Woodard, Monique Holsey-Hyman, Nate Baker. Durham community members gathered at NorthStar Church […]

Opinion: Reflecting on the Durham race and what this means for the 2024 federal election

By Emma Hall

November 25, 2023

The chaos of the 2023 municipal elections will only crescendo in the 2024 presidential election. My hope is that the messy, divisive nature of Durham politics doesn’t serve as a prequel to the federal elections this next year.

A reflection of my time at the Durham Voice

By Ava Dobson

November 23, 2023

Reflecting on my time reporting for the Durham community has been the hardest task assigned to me yet. Not because I don’t know what to say, but because I feel unqualified to in so few words. I believe the most significant takeaway I can provide is the least obvious: while media outlets often portray Durham […]

Learning and growing from the Durham municipal elections

By Carl Kenney

November 22, 2023

Caroline Daly November 22, 2023 The election season for Durham mayor and city council were intense at times. I was not surprised by the outcome of the mayoral election because Leonardo Williams came out on top which was expected. However, my reporting focused more on the city council elections. Shelia Huggins was the candidate I […]

Durham Public Schools Introduces Initiative to Bridge Educational Gaps

By Carl Kenney

November 19, 2023

By Dezarae Churchill, Amina Accram, Emily Peek DURHAM, NC — Durham Public Schools is introducing a new initiative that it hopes will improve academic excellence, student wellbeing and parent engagement. Called the Growing Together Initiative, the school district hopes the program will help its schools be more efficient and financially accountable. “With the explosion of […]

My Reflection on the Durham Voice

By Carl Kenney

November 16, 2023

by Christina Polge Uploaded November 16 at 3pm Writing for the Durham Voice has been a powerful experience for me. It reminded me about the true value of journalism: the readers. When writing my stories, I spent a lot of time considering what would be important for Durham residents to know and then I centered […]

Nate Baker’s community support helps him advance in election

By Carl Kenney

November 10, 2023

What makes a candidate a winner? Is it incumbent status or donations? Or maybe voters feel they can trust a prominent voice in a community that knows the candidate well before they were a candidate. Nate Baker, a candidate new to politics with a background in urban planning, surpassed competition in the primaries. He received […]

The roots of the work: Blair LM Kelley’s process to publishing ‘Black Folk’

By Carl Kenney

November 9, 2023

Blair LM Kelley, author of Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class, shared insights on incorporating her ancestral line into her book’s writing process during the Writer’s Discussion Series Lecture last Thursday evening, November 2. Kelley is a Ph.D. holder in History with certificates in African and African American studies and women’s studies […]

Durham’s Community Art: A Historical Exploration

By Carl Kenney

November 6, 2023

By Hannah Adams Published Nov. 6 Durham comes to life through vibrant and diverse community murals. These pieces of art celebrate Durham’s rich history, culture and diversity, and have become an integral part of the city’s landscape. “While some states attempt to remove the historical truths that shaped this country; Durham has decided to embrace […]

Durham City Council candidate Sheila Huggins ends campaign, cites voter turnout

By Carl Kenney

November 3, 2023

Caroline Daly November 2, 2023 On Wednesday, Oct. 18, Huggins held a press conference where she announced that she and her team made the decision to suspend her campaign for an at-large seat on the Durham City Council. Following the primary election on Oct. 10, Shelia Huggins was among the top six choices for Durham […]

Carl Rist hopes to appeal to voters with affordable housing and climate action policies

By Ava Dobson

November 2, 2023

Carl Rist recently achieved a monumental milestone in his campaign. The city council-member- hopeful was one of six candidates to receive enough votes to secure a spot on the city of Durham, N.C.’s general election ballot. Instead of celebrating, he plans on immediately preparing for the upcoming electoral event. “I’m focused on the next steps,” […]

Leonardo Williams leads mayoral votes with a personal connection to Durham

By Emma Hall

Williams went to North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C., and has worked as an educator and entrepreneur in Durham since. He also emphasized that as a Black man, he believes he can better connect to Durham issues than Woodard.

“A lot of Durham problems that we are experiencing right now, they are personal, lived experiences to me,” he said.

Former colleagues respond to Woodard’s confidence in reuniting the Durham City Council

By Carl Kenney

Published 3:17 pm, November 2, 2023 Senator Mike Woodard watches the results of the Durham mayoral primary N.C. Sen. Mike Woodard (D-Durham) hopes to reunite the Durham City Council if elected mayor. Woodard served on the Durham City Council for seven years before becoming a senator, and two of his former colleagues are concerned about […]

After years of underperforming, Glenn Elementary is quickly gaining ground

By Carl Kenney

November 1, 2023

With a master’s degree and the ability to speak two languages, kindergarten teacher Nancy Gonzalez had her pick of jobs at top-rated schools across North Carolina when she graduated in 2022. She chose Durham’s Glenn Elementary School, which was labeled as a “D” school at the time. Last spring 100% of teachers replied “Yes” when […]

Durham strives to enhance education and inclusion for students with autism

By Carl Kenney

From sensory spaces to advocacy, experts recommend a comprehensive approach DURHAM, NC — Durham accessibility experts are calling for the use of sensory spaces and better teacher training to support students with disabilities. Experts and community leaders say that more needs to be done to accommodate the needs of students with a disability, particularly those […]

LGBTQ Community Thoughts After Durham’s Primary Elections

By Audrey Kashatus

October 31, 2023

As Durham gets closer to its municipal elections this year, one demographic has important topics on its mind when deciding between candidates. The remaining two candidates for the mayor of Durham are Mike Woodard and Leonardo Williams. Sylvester Williams, who has previously opposed gay marriage and cited sexuality as a contributor to the high drug […]

‘Our stories deserve to be told’: Stagville Memorial Project aims to bring more equitable and diverse history to downtown Durham

By Carl Kenney

October 17, 2023

Ricky Hart has known about his ancestry since he was a child, when his father took him on visits to their family home, the Hart House: a small cabin located on what used to be the Bennehan-Cameron Stagville Plantation and is now home to Historic Stagville. Historic Stagville is located 10 miles north of downtown […]

Candidates endorsed by DCABP move forward in the Durham primary elections

By Eliza Benbow

After a tumultuous year for the Durham City Council, the Political Action Committee for the Durham Committee for the Affairs of Black People, or DCABP, sought to endorse candidates that they believed would take a holistic approach to the city’s growth. Cassandra Stokes, the political action committee chair for the DCABP, said they chose candidates […]

Gun violence and economic crisis drive Marshall Williams Jr.’s run for Durham mayor

By Carl Kenney

October 16, 2023

Durham, North Carolina By Hannah Adams Published Oct. 16, 2023 Gun violence, housing affordability, and economic development remain significant policy areas for Marshall Williams Jr. after losing the Durham primary. His enduring love for the city ensures his continued impact, regardless of the election results. “I’m fit to represent Durham because I am Durham. No […]

Gentrification’s Toll on Durham’s Environment

By Carl Kenney

Holland Bodner Published October 16, 2023 Durham citizens are facing an affordable housing crisis as companies gentrify Durham neighborhoods. This year, Durham residents saw a 6.3 percent increase in housing prices with newly developed properties. The Durham community is seeing the detrimental effects of gentrification through environmental destruction from rising temperatures, water pollution, and tree loss. […]

Nate Baker turns away real estate developer campaign donations, endorsed by two Durham PACs

By Carl Kenney

October 14, 2023

Nate Baker has promised to turn away campaign donations from real estate developers in his campaign for Durham City Council. Baker believes that there should be a balance between developers and the City Council which controls zoning and development that Durham has failed to maintain. “I think it’s inappropriate, at best unethical, and corrupting to […]

Durham Youth Mentoring Collaborative hosts annual symposium in anticipation of 2023 city elections

By Ava Dobson

October 13, 2023

From left, Atrayus Goode, Kanalyn Jackson, and Associate of Youth & Public Policy Sontee Dean display a love for their work through genuine smiles (Picture courtesy of the Youth Mentoring Collaborative website). Grinning from ear-to-ear for a zany caricature, little girls patiently await the result of their goofy expressions. It’s Saturday October 7, and the […]

Local Churches Promote Inclusion Ahead of Durham Elections

By Audrey Kashatus

October 12, 2023

Sylvester Williams, a candidate for the mayor of Durham and former financial analyst, is now a pastor at The Assembly at Durham Christian Center. This campaign will mark Williams’ fourth time running for the mayor of Durham. During his previous run in 2017, Williams received less than 2% of the vote. Despite his three unsuccessful […]

City Council candidate aims to reduce negative impacts of automation and artificial intelligence on Durham workers

By Carl Kenney

By Caroline Daly, October 12th Shelia Huggins is running for election to Durham City Council in North Carolina. The focus of her campaign is increasing the number of better paying jobs and opportunities for Durham residents, despite the rising presence of automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI). One of her main concerns relates to the impact […]

Mike Woodard hopes to improve housing, economic development, city services in Durham

By Carl Kenney

Published 3:02 pm on October 12, 2023 (N.C. Sen. Mike Woodard, D-Durham, shakes Council Member Monique Holsey-Hyman’s hand at Holsey-Hyman’s press conference after she got cleared from an extortion investigation. (Photo taken by Jailyn Neville) N.C. Sen. Mike Woodard, (D-Durham), finished second in the primary for Durham mayor, making him a finalist for the seat. […]

Durham primary election results show close race for City Council and mayor

By Emma Hall

The municipal primary election results are in. Only a month away from Election Day, Durham held primary elections on Oct. 10 to determine the candidates for mayor and City Council in the 2023 general election. Every precinct in Durham voted in the primary elections. Out of the over 200,000 residents in Durham, 23,684 Durham residents […]

Charlitta Burruss’ is Running for the People

By Carl Kenney

October 11, 2023

Charlitta Burruss is running for mayor of Durham. Photo by Kendall Chavis. Charlitta Burruss, a candidate for the mayoral office of Durham, spent her Thursday morning driving around the community picking up and replacing her campaign signs that were kicked over or thrown out. Burruss said that she always looks out for her opponent’s signs […]

City Council Member Hopeful Carl Rist Proposes “Change” for Durham

By Carl Kenney

October 9, 2023

“I’m 61 today!” Donning a simple black t-shirt and khakis, city council member hopeful Carl Rist stands outside of Durham Main Library to greet potential voters. It’s early voting week, and Rist is the only individual on the ballot present. Confetti and presents appear to be low on the tier list of importance- […]

Renee J. Vaughan Talks Housing, Community, and Policing for the Future of Durham

By Carl Kenney

This year’s Durham’s City Council elections have 12 candidates running for three open seats. Renee J. Vaughan is running for the first time for Durham City Council at-large, in hopes that diverse voices of the people of Durham are represented. Vaughan is a twenty-six year Durham resident, a certified research administrator at Duke University, has […]

‘To whom much is given, much is required’ – the mindset of Mayor candidate DeDreana Freeman

By Carl Kenney

October 6, 2023

By: Noel Harris October 6, 2023 As reporters and supporters gather at Durham City Hall, Councilwoman DeDreana Freeman stands about ten feet away with an unforgettable presence. Council member Monique Holsey-Hyman addresses being cleared of extortion allegations before turning her attention to Freeman. She says Freeman supported her during it all. She says Freeman risked […]

Durham City Council Member Monique Holsey-Hyman reclaiming innocence after seven-month investigation

By Jailyn Neville

October 3, 2023

September 30, 2023 Trigger Warning: Mentions of suicidal thoughts In a mere 24 hours, Durham City Council Member Monique Holsey-Hyman went from announcing her run for city council to being investigated by the State Bureau of Investigation for allegedly extorting a local developer. Suddenly, she was facing the possibility of the council insisting on her […]