Changemaker Coverage

Extended interview: Durham native Ayesha Rascoe shares her NPR journey, release of new book

Ayesha Rascoe hosts "Weekend Edition Sunday" and Saturday episodes of "Up First" on NPR. She is a Durham native.

Durham native Ayesha Rascoe sets her own tone as NPR host

Ayesha Rascoe hosts "Weekend Edition Sunday" and Saturday episodes of "Up First" on NPR. She is a Durham native and has purposely kept her Southern accent.

Destinee Patterson, WRAL reporter

Durham native sets her own tone at NPR

Ayesha Rascoe hosts "Weekend Edition Sunday" on NPR. She is a Durham native and has purposely kept her Southern accent.

'A beacon of hope': NC Freedom Park opens Wednesday in honor of African Americans' struggle for freedom

The North Carolina Freedom Park opened Wednesday in downtown Raleigh.

Eric Miller, WRAL reporter and Destinee Patterson, WRAL reporter

Robeson County contractor wins bid for the redesigning of Fort Bragg signs

Fort Bragg has begun redesigning its signs and a Robeson County-based company is playing a major role in the change.

Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter

Inside look at North Carolina Freedom Park ahead of opening this summer

The North Carolina Freedom Park is set to open in the summer of 2023 on the corner of North Wilmington Street and East Lane Street in Raleigh.

HBCUs attract new students with esports curriculum

A growing number of HBCUs are adding the sport to their curriculum to help attract students.

HBCUs attracting students with esports curriculum

A growing number of HBCUs are adding esports to their curriculum to help attract students.

Rick Armstrong, WRAL photojournalist

NCCU alum creates new program and endowment for students

Jazz musician Marcus Anderson has created the "Leadership in Entertainment and the Arts Program," or L.E.A.P. It uses mentoring and coaching, including an online portal, to teach North Carolina Central University students what they need outside of the classroom.

North Carolina Central University alum gives back to school that helped shape him as a musician

Jazz musician Marcus Anderson has created the "Leadership in Entertainment and the Arts Program," or L.E.A.P. It uses mentoring and coaching, including an online portal, to teach North Carolina Central University students what they need outside of the classroom.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

NC State, Lenovo help HBCU students master business marketing

Students visited the Lenovo campus in the RTP to learn how to help local minority business owners better monitor marketing trends and increase their profits.

NC State, Lenovo partnership helps HBCU students with new data visualization tools for marketing

Students visited the Lenovo campus in the RTP to learn how to help local minority business owners better monitor marketing trends and increase their profits.

Rick Armstrong, WRAL photojournalist

New book preserves untold history of Raleigh's historic Black neighborhoods

In Raleigh, Black families were often pushed to live in "less desirable" areas, close to cemeteries, industrial sites and flood zones. As these historic neighborhoods are slowly destroyed, author and historian Carmen Cauthen preserves their stories in her new book.

Segregation and gentrification: History of Raleigh's Black neighborhoods preserved in new book

In Raleigh, Black families were often pushed to live in "less desirable" areas, close to cemeteries, industrial sites and flood zones. As these historic neighborhoods are slowly destroyed, author and historian Carmen Cauthen preserves their stories in her new book.

Rick Armstrong, WRAL enterprise multimedia journalist & Heather Leah, WRAL multiplatform producer

Black Founders Exchange pitch event held in Durham

On Friday, Black entrepreneurs pitched their startups to investors at the seventh annual Google for Startups Black Founders Exchange event at American Underground in Durham.

Innovative teaching methods helping Durham students succeed

KIPP Durham College Preparatory is working with a new program focused on closing the achievement gap and to meet students' needs.

Educators focused on making east Durham a bright spot for students

KIPP Durham College Preparatory is working with a new program focused on closing the achievement gap and to meet students' needs.

Lora Lavigne, WRAL Durham reporter

Two NCCU trailblazers could be memorialized along Fayetteville Street

The Durham City Council is moving forward with an honorary designation for two trailblazers connected to North Carolina Central University.

Part of Fayetteville Street in Durham could soon honor 20th century trailblazers

The Durham City Council is moving forward with an honorary designation for part of Fayetteville Street, near North Carolina Central University.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

Sidekicks Academy uses holistic approach with DPS students

Sidekicks Academy is currently operating in two Durham Public Schools: R.N. Harris Elementary School and Burton Magnet Elementary School.

Nonprofit Taekwondo classes use holistic approach to connect with Durham Public Schools students

A nonprofit is making a big difference in the Bull City.

Monica Casey, WRAL Durham reporter

New historic marker recognizes North Carolina's first Black female attorney

A new historic marker is honoring the alte Ruth Whitehead Whaley in Goldsboro

Historic marker for first Black woman certified as attorney in NC inspires hope for Goldsboro leaders

The first Black woman to be certified as an attorney in North Carolina never practiced law in this state.

Keenan Willard, WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter

How the city of Raleigh is celebrating Juneteenth in 2022

Raleigh Fire Department Lt. Chaz Moore and Raleigh's Juneteenth Jubilee grand marshal Dr. Frank Fields joined WRAL News at Noon to discuss how the city is celebrating the federal holiday.

Triangle youth working to make community a better place

A special group of students are focused on making a positive impact in their Morrisville and Apex communities. The service-minded youth are primarily from Indian-American families.