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Two NC Black men, the late Sanford Thurman and Vincent Spaulding , came close to making it big with their inventions. Read more Continue reading Local Black inventors find the path to riches and fame is tough
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North Carolina churches are raising concerns that letting ICE enforce within congregations will deter immigrants from attending worship services and make it harder to offer a safe community haven. Many of those fears are already being realized. Read more Continue reading Trump immigration orders fuel isolation for immigrant parishioners
By Hallie Golden Associated Press As Native Americans across the U.S. come together on Monday for Indigenous Peoples Day to celebrate their history and culture and acknowledge the ongoing challenges they face, many will do so with a focus on the election. From a voting rally in Minneapolis featuring food, games and raffles to a public talk about the Native vote at Virginia Tech, the …Read more Continue reading Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated with an eye on the election
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org When the voluminous melody of bagpipes began to play, Bob Stewart felt a stirring in his blood. The rich, haunting sound connected him to his ancestors in the southern Scottish Highlands dating back to 1654. “I used to wonder why the pipes got my blood pumping,” Stewart said. “But now I know when I feel it in my chest that it …Read more Continue reading Bagpipes, kilts and shared history shine at Scotland County Highland Games
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org It was a beautifully chaotic day for Alma Cruz. Acoustic guitars and trumpets played mariachi tunes as the 29-year-old ran around downtown Lumberton in her bright yellow, floral Tehuana dress, honoring her roots in Oaxaca, Mexico, during the Hispanic Cultural Festival. Cruz organized the inaugural event, which took place Sept. 14 and featured Latin food trucks, traditional dances, musical performances and …Read more Continue reading More Hispanic residents are moving to NC’s shrinking Border Belt region
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By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org This story is published in partnership with The Assembly. It was a sight that ruined Lauren Cole’s childhood memories: cracked concrete filled with murky green water, overgrown weeds, and hundreds of waterbugs. “This is hard to look at,” said Cole, now 71. It was the first time she’d returned to Whiteville’s Wedgewood Road swimming pool in nearly two decades. “We used …Read more Continue reading The abandoned pools of Columbus County
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By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org By exploring major historical events of his people, 19-year-old Lumbee author Kaden Thompson is bringing his cultural identity to the forefront of his creative work. The Robeson County native has self published three books in his young career, two of which explore flashpoints of the Lumbee tribe. With each story he examines how events of the past, including the Lowry War …Read more Continue reading Q&A with Kaden Thompson: Honoring Lumbee culture through youthful creativity
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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
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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
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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
