Category: Culture

Bladen County, Columbus County, Culture, Profile

Q&A with Terry Mann: Jewish synagogue donation honors close relationship with communities

By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Terry Mann believes in giving back to the community while also making sure the Jewish community is recognized and remembered.  Mann and other Jewish families who were members of the Beth Israel Synagogue came together earlier this year to donate $200,000 to the Southeastern Community College Foundation and Bladen Community College.  Mann, 71, currently serves as the mayor of Whiteville. For …Read more Continue reading Q&A with Terry Mann: Jewish synagogue donation honors close relationship with communities

Kerria Weaver
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Culture, Education

Tyris Jones taps into the art of storytelling

By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Tyris Jones, 55, has always dreamed of his name being in lights on Broadway and knows one day he is going to win an Oscar.  In his community, Jones is best known as a storyteller and enjoys sharing his craft with others. The Border Belt Independent spoke with Jones about storytelling and how he brings awareness to this uncommon art form. …Read more Continue reading Tyris Jones taps into the art of storytelling

Kerria Weaver
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Culture, Uncategorized

Border Belt People: Jessica Cory brings awareness to Lumbee literature

By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Jessica Cory, a lecturer at Appalachian State University, grew up hearing about the Lumbee tribe from her mother-in-law, who grew up in Robeson County. These stories inspired her to write about the significance of tribal history. The Border Belt Independent spoke with Cory about her writing and her interest in the Lumbee tribe. Q. When did you become interested in writing …Read more Continue reading Border Belt People: Jessica Cory brings awareness to Lumbee literature

Kerria Weaver
Waccamaw-Siouan tribe, PFAS, Native American, STEM Sticky post
Columbus County, Culture, Education, Environment

Border Belt People: Ashley Lomboy brings Western science, Indigenous culture together

By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Ashley Lomboy of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe took an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) from a young age. This fascination led her to become a Global Information Security Manager at Corning Optical Fiber and Cable, and later, founder of the Waccamaw Siouan STEM Studio. The Border Belt Independent spoke with Lomboy about her many accomplishments and how she …Read more Continue reading Border Belt People: Ashley Lomboy brings Western science, Indigenous culture together

Kerria Weaver
Culture

‘Lumbeeland’ film explores drug culture’s impact on Native American tribe

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Malinda Maynor Lowery has long been educating the public about the Lumbee tribe’s history and culture, from its roots in what is now eastern North Carolina to the racism tribal members endured during the Jim Crow era.  In a new short film, “Lumbeeland,” Maynor Lowery aims to shed light on a dark and persistent struggle that plagues the community many Lumbees …Read more Continue reading ‘Lumbeeland’ film explores drug culture’s impact on Native American tribe

Sarah NagemSarah Nagem
Robeson County, Lumber River, megalodon, shark teeth, Indian canoe, Lumbee Tribe, UNC Pembroke, scuba diver Sticky post
Culture, Environment, Robeson County

Border Belt People: A Q&A with Paul Valenti, historian and Lumber River diver

By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Paul Valenti, 69, works as the chief water plant operator in Lumberton, but he is also well known for being a historian and scuba diver. Born and raised in Lumberton, Valenti has explored the Lumber River, finding many historical artifacts from megalodon shark teeth to an 1,100-year-old canoe. The Border Belt Independent spoke with Valenti about his experience as a diver …Read more Continue reading Border Belt People: A Q&A with Paul Valenti, historian and Lumber River diver

Kerria Weaver
Lumbee Tribe, UNC Pembroke, Indians, Robeson, Native American Sticky post
Culture, Profile, Robeson County

Border Belt People: Q&A with Nancy Fields, director of the Museum of the Southeast American Indian

By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Nancy Strickland Fields serves as director and curator of the Museum of the Southeast American Indian located on UNC Pembroke’s campus, working for the museum since 2017. As director and curator, Fields, 50, makes sure the public is made aware of the history, art, and culture of Native Americans in their own communities. The Border Belt Independent asked Fields about her …Read more Continue reading Border Belt People: Q&A with Nancy Fields, director of the Museum of the Southeast American Indian

Kerria Weaver