Month: September 2013

With thanks to “a conspiracy of good people”

By Carl Kenney

September 21, 2013

As we enter our fourth year of publication, it’s important to remember that the VOICE was born out of tragedy. Many of you will remember the spring 2008 murder of beloved UNC student body president Eve Carson, and how the two young black men, subsequently caught, tried and convicted, are from Durham. The late-night abduction […]

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Discovering the community journalism puzzle

By Carl Kenney

September 19, 2013

  Resuscitating someone back from apparent death can be quite challenging but not impossible. I discovered my interest in writing during my internship with YO:Durham, a year long program for Durham teens that focuses on a summer career academy, an internship, service learning and being paired with a mentor. I interned at the Durham VOICE […]

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A new joy for East Durham

By Carl Kenney

    Situated in the heart of East Durham, stands the oldest school building in the city. The historic East Durham Graded School building was built in the 1890s and was replaced by a larger school in 1910. According to City of Durham documents, the school was transformed into a workshop by the Durham Exchange […]

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School Safety at Maureen Joy Charter School

By Carl Kenney

December 16, 2012, is a date many in Connecticut and across the nation will never forget.  A gunman walked into an elementary school and killed 26 people. Twenty of the victims were children. Since then, 14 other schools across the nation have had shootings, including one in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. So what is the newest […]

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A flame that still inspires …

By Carl Kenney

  What is a “role model?” A common answer would be someone that one looks up to, giving that person praise for the good deeds that he or she has done in their life. Role models are often adults, for young people and could usually be a mom or dad. But for me, my role […]

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Following in Martin’s steps

By Carl Kenney

This past summer we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s heroic march on Washington. It made an immediate impact with people all over the country. You can see the changes in 2013 that those courageous, marchers wanted to see back then. Schools are no longer segregated, we can all drink from the […]

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Creating stability in Durham through art

By Carl Kenney

Have you been looking for a place that has real, tangible arts that reflects the dynamic personality of Durham? Liberty Arts, located on 923 Franklin St., is a non-profit arts community whose collaborative practice does just that. Tripp Jarvis, a long-time North Carolinian, is just one of the many artists within Liberty Arts who showcases […]

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Northern High student “brings a wealth of knowledge” to SEEDS

By Carl Kenney

September 18, 2013

Andresha Mcphaul likes to get her hands dirty. The 15-year-old gets dropped off three times a week at SEEDS, a community garden located at 706 Gilbert St. in central Durham that advocates sustainability and food security. She works with a team of crew members to harvest, weigh and prepare the garden’s produce – including okra, tomatoes, […]

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Former Durham football rivals are now both Tar Heels

By Carl Kenney

When eighth-grader Khris Francis began working out in preparation to play high school football, his trainer needed a way to motivate him — a method of pushing the young athlete beyond his limit to bring out the player he had the potential to be. At the time, Francis was stronger and faster than most kids his […]

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EDCI bridges gap between parents, children’s education with ESL classes

By Carl Kenney

Though the odds may be stacked against them, the children of East Durham are fighting for a brighter future with the help of one local organization. The East Durham Children’s Initiative, or EDCI, is a local non-profit organization that serves as a “pipeline” of sorts for the children and families of East Durham and aims […]

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Project seeks to revitalize East Durham

By Carl Kenney

  The neighborhood of East Durham has long celebrated a rich and colorful history, and a local revitalization project in the area is seeking to preserve the historical fabric of the community – one property at a time. Cathleen Turner, the Piedmont regional director of Preservation North Carolina, has been involved with Project Revitalize East […]

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Skating makes a difference at W.D. Hill Rec Center

By Carl Kenney

  Looking for a better way to spend your Friday nights? Well, you may just be in luck – and the whole family is invited. Until Oct. 18, the W.D. Hill Recreation Center will host Family Roller Skating every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. The outdoor rink is located behind the Center at 1308 […]

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SPECTRE Arts serving the community through art

By Carl Kenney

In the midst of the Golden Belt Historic district, at 1004 Morning Glory Ave, stands a revitalized 100-year-old church still dedicated to reaching out to the community, but in different ways. Since opening in May as SPECTRE Arts, the white church formerly called The Lord House has turned into somewhat of a blank canvas for […]

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A place where the food is anointed and the soul is fed.

By Carl Kenney

While there may be many Durham restaurants that serve such home-cooked specialties as oxtail, smothered and fried pork chops and pig’s feet, few claim that their food is “anointed.” That is the claim that JC’s Kitchen on East Main Street makes, the motto of the family owned and operated restaurant is “Where the food is […]

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Durham Titans take over NCCU’s stadium

By Carl Kenney

Last weekend the Eagles of N.C. Central University traveled to Charlotte, but for the kids who play for the Durham Titans, an away game for the Eagles means O’Kelly Riddick Stadium becomes their official home. The Durham Titans, part of the Piedmont Youth Football and Cheer League is one of the many youth programs provided […]

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TROSA holds mega yard sale

By Carl Kenney

Crowds of people came out daily for the Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers (TROSA) recent yard sale. People in search of bargains were not disappointed with the abundance of furniture, electronics, clothes and books. One local shopper, Laura (who did not want her last name used), was impressed with more than just the selection. […]

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SEEDS growing into new facility

By Carl Kenney

  The community garden that has been a fixture in Northeast Central Durham for almost 20 years is moving into a new facility by mid November. SEEDS’ new 5,000 square foot building will change the landscape of the garden and how it interacts with the community. Executive Director Emily Egge wanted to implement “Engaged Design” […]

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Combat photographer reflects on life and war

By Carl Kenney

By VOICE teen writers  Mahdiyah Al-askari, Raeshawn Wall and Ana Aguilar   Imagine scenes of war. Headless bodies, limbs blown off and fumes from burnt flesh. It’s not a first-person shooter video game, but grisly words from a combat photographer. “You know death is around the corner because you can smell it,” said Jerry Rogers, […]

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Mural project delves into local histories

By Carl Kenney

  The mural speaks to us of history. The vibrant yellows, the hissing blues and the bull’s hard stare remind those who walk past it on the first floor of the Holton Resource Center: This, here, is the Bull City. Tough as nails. Hard as bricks. But soft, too, like the carefully painted green leaves. […]

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An Anchor of Hope

By Carl Kenney

  On one of the VOICE’s first student bus tours years ago, I remember Earl “Big Earl” Phillips, at the time, the city’s assistant director for community engagement, telling us that in a few years some places we visited would not be recognizable. Back then, many of the houses around the Golden Belt complex had […]

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