Written by: Carl Kenney

East Durham Sweet Shoppe: Uniting Community through Decadent Treats and Local Flavor

By Carl Kenney

February 22, 2024

Stacy Ramos’s East Durham Sweet Shoppe isn’t just about sweets; it’s a beacon of community spirit and collaboration in East Durham. Through her dedication to fostering relationships and supporting local talent, Ramos has turned her storefront into a cherished gathering place. With dreams of expansion and a commitment to providing jobs for Durham citizens, Ramos’s vision extends far beyond confectionery delights—it’s about building a stronger, more connected community, one sweet treat at a time.

Durham and Dance, A Trip To Linden’s Dancewear

By Carl Kenney

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 By Lesley Gonzalez For the last 16 years, Linden’s Dancewear has served as a pillar of Durham’s vibrant dance community by filling the void that Durham dancers face with a lack of dancewear stores in the area. Renee and Samantha Allen, the dynamic mother-daughter duo who co-own the store, work tirelessly […]

Visionary Vintage Vendors

By Carl Kenney

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 […]

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival: the passion, history, and what to look forward to

By Carl Kenney

February 21, 2024

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 By Alyssa Clark Full Frame Documentary Film Festival celebrates the nonfiction work of rising filmmakers and showcases their works to the public. The festival, an annual four-day event hosted in downtown Durham, is dedicated to documentary work and presents 60-70 films at the Carolina Theater. Founded by Nancy Buirski in 1998, […]

‘Funky and liberated, with a touch of class’: Carl Kenney’s style journey

By Carl Kenney

February 20, 2024

When Carl Kenney Jr. walks into a room, all eyes are immediately on him. Having held numerous respected positions in the Durham community and beyond, such recognition comes naturally. However, what initially draws the eye is Kenney’s flair for style and fashion.

Tabb runs for school board

By Carl Kenney

Wendell Tabb taught theater at Hillside High School for almost four decades. He’s running for an uncontested open seat on the Durham Public Schools board.

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 […]

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 […]

Burlington man v. Durham DSS: Guilty until proven innocent

By Carl Kenney

December 11, 2023

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.

“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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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

By 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 […]

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 […]

‘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 […]

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 […]

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

By Carl Kenney

October 12, 2023

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. […]

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 […]

“I want to empower people, not just real estate profit:” Nate Baker running for Durham City Council

By Carl Kenney

October 3, 2023

Nate Baker sees a problem with Durham city development and is running for City Council to fix it. Born and raised in Durham, Baker is a product of the Durham County public school system. He is 34 years old and the youngest candidate in the running. Baker holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University in […]

Shelia Huggins aims to help Durham residents in bid for City Council

By Carl Kenney

By Caroline Daly, October 2nd Shelia Huggins is running for election for the Durham City Council in North Carolina. Huggins has lived in Durham for a little over 20 years with her husband and daughter. Over the past nine years, she has worked in three different Durham city departments and is involved with many organizations […]

Durham City Council Candidate Khalilah Karim Values Community Above All

By Carl Kenney

October 2, 2023

City Council candidate Khalilah Karim By Holland Bodner, October 2nd 2023 As election season continues in Durham, one candidate is doing the work in hopes of securing a seat on the city council. Khalilah Karim amplifies the voice of the city by advocating for voters. Karim started in her hometown of Decatur, Georgia and has […]

Column: Durham mayor candidate Marshall Williams Jr.’s youth doesn’t define him

By Carl Kenney

Marshall Williams Jr., candidate for Durham mayor By Hannah Adams Published Oct. 2, 2023 When I drove up to the house, I felt anxious. It was strange to be interviewing a mayoral candidate in their household. But when I saw Marshall Williams Jr. on his porch, carrying two cases of water bottles inside, my anxiousness […]

‘Grassroots democracy in action’: A look at political action committees in Durham

By Carl Kenney

Oct. 2, 2023 As candidates and voters prepare for the Oct. 10 elections in Durham, another participant in the city’s politics is raising its voice. Durham’s political action committees (PACs) are instrumental in informing and encouraging voters to participate in this year’s general elections, where 12 candidates are running for three seats on the Durham […]

J.J. Campbell is running on a people-focused platform for Durham City Council

By Carl Kenney

by Mazin Elnagheeb, Oct. 2 2023 J.J. Campbell at Sandy Creek Park on October 1, 2023 (Photo by Mazin Elnagheeb) J.J. Campbell, a man with an eclectic background including dolphin training, experience with nonprofits, and geophysics, is running for Durham City Council with a people-centric platform. Campbell said his eclectic background will aid him in […]

City council candidate Bonita Green impacts a Durham community with her legacy garden

By Carl Kenney

Bonita Green, community advocate and director of the Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation, is running for City Council At-Large this fall with one significant campaign objective in mind: to promote meaningful and sustainable grassroots change. After moving back to Durham from Florida in 2012, Green noticed not only how much her community had changed, but how […]

Senator Mike Woodard Faces Endorsement Setback Over Voting Record

By Carl Kenney

Published 11:58 am, October 2nd, 2023 (Mike Woodard greets Durham voters at a press conference. (Photo by Jailyn Neville) North Carolina Senator Mike Woodard (D-Durham) did not receive endorsements from INDY Week or Durham People’s Alliance in his run for mayor due to questions about his recent voting history. In its recently published list of […]