By Heather Diehl
April 23, 2024
By: Heather Diehl On Feb. 25, 2024, high school senior, Pilot (he/they) approached the podium in Durham Central Park and gazed into a crowd illuminated by candles. The diverse assembly, representative of individuals from all walks of life, had gathered to mourn the loss of Nex Benedict. Benedict, a 16-year-old resident of Owassa, OK, ended […]
Read moreBy Lucy Marques
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 By Lucy Marques In 2020, filmmaker Katina Parker founded Feed Durham, a mutual aid collective focusing on providing quality food for the Durham community. While Feed Durham began as an outgrowth of one of Parker’s annual family barbecues, the organization has now provided meals for over 165,000 people right from Parker’s […]
Read moreBy Alyssa Clark
April 18, 2024
Thursday, April 18, 2024 By Alyssa Clark With Earth Day approaching on April 22, the Durham community is looking for environmentally conscious ways to help its city thrive. Earth Day is every day in Durham for organizations like Keep Durham Beautiful that aim to make the community a cleaner place to live. Keep Durham Beautiful […]
Read moreBy Alyssa Clark
April 9, 2024
Tuesday, April 9, 2024 By Alyssa Clark With spring arriving early this year, the blossoming trees mean pollen is everywhere, forcing us to reach for our allergy medicines sooner than expected. Seasonal allergies have started and there is no slowing down to the amount of pollen that is in the air in Durham. In Durham, […]
Read moreBy Emily Chambliss
April 8, 2024
Monday, April 8, 2024 By Emily Chambliss In 2022, a few weeks before Thanksgiving, Susanna Strasser put framed family photos in her new rental home while the walls shook around her. The floor vibrated beneath her feet, and the few belongings she brought into the home rattled in their boxes. Smoke drifted through her backyard […]
Read moreBy Lucy Marques
April 2, 2024
Alexis Gumbs poses for a portrait. Photo by Sufia Ikbal-Doucet. Tuesday, April 2, 2024 By Lucy Marques At the beginning of high school, Durham-based writer Alexis Pauline Gumbs read “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston, for the first time. As they were reading the coming-of-age story, Gumbs was the same age as […]
Read moreBy Laney Crawley
March 22, 2024
Friday, March 22, 2024 By Laney Crawley Durham stands as a beacon of cultural richness, academic excellence and community vibrancy. Its streets are alive with the energy of residents and visitors alike, drawn to the city’s diverse array of attractions, cultural events, and educational opportunities. Yet, amidst the bustling activity and vibrant spirit, Durham grapples […]
Read moreBy Pragya Upreti
He grew up in the south side of Durham, a space he characterizes as the origin of his progressive activism.
Read moreBy Heather Diehl
February 23, 2024
Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 By Heather Diehl Safe Space Salon and Art Gallery in Durham, N.C., exudes a welcoming energy starting with the pride flags waving in the wind and the wagging tail of Cassie, the salon’s dog, greeting everyone as they walk inside. The name, Safe Space, encompasses exactly what owner, Panduh Kat (she/they), […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
February 22, 2024
Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 By Ava Mayo With the pandemic resulting in the closure of many traditional mom and pop stores 2022 was a hesitant time for aspiring business owners. However, for Durham locals, Garret Young-Wright and Aaron Wan, the pandemic proved an opportune time to invest in a future devoted to wears of the […]
Read moreBy Jahvaree Ritzie
February 21, 2024
UNC football is looking to better the community.
Read moreBy Pragya Upreti
February 20, 2024
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024 By Pragya Upreti What began as an overpayment error in the Durham Public School system—allocating an unintended extra amount to the paychecks of several DPS employees due to an accounting error—has devolved into something far greater, impacting employees and their families on profound levels. DPS superintendent Pascal Mubenga resigned amid the […]
Read moreBy 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 […]
Read moreBy 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 […]
Read moreBy 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 […]
Read moreBy 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 […]
Read moreBy 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 […]
Read moreBy 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 […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
November 2, 2023
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 […]
Read moreBy 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 […]
Read moreBy 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 […]
Read moreBy 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 […]
Read moreBy 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 […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
October 9, 2023
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 […]
Read moreBy 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 […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
October 2, 2023
By Walker Livingston Oct. 2, 2023 — DURHAM, N.C. Shanetta Burris is running for Durham City Council with community at the forefront of her campaign. She is one of 12 candidates running for the Council’s three open seats this fall. The Durham Municipal Primary election on Oct. 10 will narrow the field of candidates to […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
April 12, 2022
Some claim that it’s always Black History Month — so then it’s never too late to celebrate the pioneering work of a bold and enterprising young Black journalist, Milton B. Robinson who, in 1945 launched The Harris Herald, billed proudly as the “Only Negro Newspaper in Rutherford County.” Robinson’s publication was a groundbreaking, heroic […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
When Martha Flowers passed, I bet there was a band of heavenly angels out there at the Pearly Gates to welcome her to the heavenly chorus. For Martha Flowers could sing. Our spirit mother and world-class opera diva, Martha died peacefully on Friday, March 11, at the Jim and Betsey Bryan Hospice Home in Pittsboroafter […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
November 12, 2021
By Camila Villatoro DCI Cristo Rey High School Intern The Durham VOICE Three thousand miles from Durham, there’s a little country at the southern end of Central America that many people may not be familiar with. El Salvador, the smallest country in Central America, has almost 6.5 million people, and is heavily populated for being […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
By Rosemarie Dole DCI/Cristo Rey High School Intern The Durham VOICE Even though autumn came late to Durham this year, there’s still enough colorful leaves on the trees to enjoy the season. Looking for ways to not only celebrate the fall season but also ways to get out of the house from Covid lockdowns before […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
November 5, 2021
By Lesly Santos DCI Intern The Durham VOICE American College Testing, (the ACT), is a test costing from about $55-$77 required of high school juniors and seniors applying for admission to most colleges and universities. Over the last couple years schools have been debating whether to keep these standardized tests. Due to Covid 19, schools […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
May 14, 2021
I started working with The Durham VOICE my freshman year of high school. Needless to say, I did not start as the Teen Editor-in-Chief of The VOICE. When I was younger, I would just go out with my phone and take pictures of other people, so I started as a photographer. Whenever I was […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
December 18, 2020
Annual Durham Production Streams On Demand for the 14th Christmas Season One of Durham’s top traditions continues this weekend in a nontraditional way. Triangle Performance Ensemble presents Black Nativity Durham as a virtual production for the first time in its history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Produced by Wendell Tabb and co-produced by Xavier Cason, […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
November 28, 2020
By Leslie Santos DCI Intern My friend, Lauryn Perry, and I were looking for something to do one day this fall, but with Covid-19 throwing things into chaos, we didn’t know exactly what. In late October, with Halloween just around the corner, we decided to hunt for sunflowers and to go to a pumpkin patch. […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
September 18, 2020
https://overcast.fm/+gbOiCoPJI Jem is a student at Durham Tech Community College. Join us for a conversation with Jem! Listen through the link above or on Spotify!
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
https://overcast.fm/+gbOjSL2iU Kira Lee is a former member of PYO’s Youth Advisory Board and a student in Durham. Join us for a conversation with Kira — listen through the link above or on Spotify:
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
August 15, 2020
Editor’s Note: This story was written just before the NCHSAA announced the postponement of high school athletics for fall 2020. Volleyball and cross country are the first sports that will be allowed to practice: both start practice Nov. 4 with the first competition set for Nov. 16. Covid-19 has affected the world in ways we’d […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
April 2, 2020
Hillside High School math teacher Raychelle Baptist had planned to teach her students about exponential curves after spring break. But then one such curve forced Durham Public Schools to close its doors. North Carolina reported its first case of COVID-19 on March 3, and just a few weeks later, the state now has over 1,800 […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
As the COVID-19 threat continues and thousands of families and children face hunger every day, Durham residents are mobilizing to deliver hot meals to make sure no one goes hungry. Durham Public Schools Foundation strives to support food security and remote learning for students due to public school closures caused by the coronavirus in North […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
February 27, 2020
While many classrooms across the country tell the stories of often-celebrated black figures and events during Black History Month, one professor decided to take a different route by shining a light on an underrepresented industry. As part of his world societies course Tuesday afternoon, Terry Mosley, a professor in the department of history at North […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
February 13, 2020
Every day for months, it was simply routine for Durham resident Lutrenda Sumpter to shower with rain boots on. “By myself, (in the) dark and everything,” the 65-year-old recounted as she perched on a leather sofa in the living room of her second-story public housing unit. “That’s how they left me.” Sumpter has been renting […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
Early last Saturday in Durham, high school teachers and education advocates braved frigid winds to gather outside the W.G. Pearson Center on 600 E. Umstead St. and welcome students with song and dance. Once inside, parents and students met program leaders and some teachers from their schools who were ready to lead a full morning […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
From under his blue baseball cap, Royelle Hubbert sings along, “Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper.” He glances into the rearview mirror every so often to make sure his passengers are still covering the backup vocals. “I try to help set the tone for the day by the music I play in the van,” said […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
After outgrowing one of their previous locations, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties were ready for a change of scenery. The nonprofit organization rang in the new year with the opening of a new site on Jan. 6 at 1010 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway in South Durham. “I expect it […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
Mother-daughter duo Val and Joi Jackson started their business with just $500 and a dream of affordable natural hair care. Val Jackson, 63, a clinical data specialist from Durham, and her daughter, Joi Jackson, 38, from Durham, co-own Hairizon, a beauty store located on 3119 Guess Rd. in Durham, North Carolina. Hairizon has been in […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
Frederick Farrington spent nine years in prison. Now, he is the founder of Bridging the Gap for Hope, a nonprofit that assists former inmates with reentering Durham and preventing repeat offenses. “What I’ve been able to do is connect what’s going on,” he said. “I’m an advocate for those individuals like myself who go to […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
January 30, 2020
Millions around the country spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day at marches and in churches earlier this month. However, many middle and high school students in Durham chose a different way to celebrate – planting trees. Jonathan Brooks is the principal of Eastway Elementary School, where students from Riverside High School, Rogers-Herr Middle School and […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
The love most people have for their pets is an unbreakable bond. And many of us choose to express the strength of that bond in unconventional ways. Some choose to get the face of their furry feline etched on their skin forever in tattoo form. Others opt to dress their personable pooch in outfits to […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
Dreaming of a better world and realizing it through unity; that is the theme of the upcoming collaborative concert between North Carolina Central University Choir and the Choral Society of Durham Chamber Choir. There will be two performances and admission is free to both, according to NCCU Choir Director Roberta Laws. The first will be […]
Read moreBy Carl Kenney
Pauli Murray, the noted civil rights leader and women’s rights activist, is one of Hillside High School’s most accomplished alumni. But until recently, there was no physical recognition of Murray at the school. Thanks to the school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), that’s no longer the case. With the help of the Durham Public Schools […]
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