North Carolina Humanities Council

THIS GRANT ENGAGES PUBLIC AND ACADEMIC AUDIENCES TO EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF WOMEN STUDIES IN THE STATE. THROUGH WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, AND OTHER PUBLIC EVENTS THE PROJECT WILL EXPLORE CURRENT RESEARCH AND DIALOGUE FROM THE DISCIPLINE.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS A LECTURE SERIES WITH INDIGENOUS AUTHORS, ARTISTS, SCHOLARS, AND CHEFS. CONTENT IS INSPIRED BY THE ONGOING HERITAGE AGRICULTURE PROJECTS AT THE CATAWBA AND DAVIDSON COLLEGE FARMS.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS A DOCUMENTARY FILM ABOUT THE GROUNDBREAKING LIFE OF JAPANESE IMMIGRANT AND EARLY PHOTOGRAPHER GEORGE MASA. MASA CAME TO WESTERN NC IN 1915 AND WAS A PASSIONATE ARTIST AND ADVOCATE FOR THE CREATION OF THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK AND THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS AN EXHIBITION ON THE HISTORY OF HISPANIC PEOPLES IN NORTH CAROLINA FROM SPANISH EXPLORERS TO THE PRESENT. THE PROJECT WILL CAPTURE ORAL HISTORIES FROM THE COMMUNITY.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE CREATION OF A SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOUR OF AND INFORMATIONAL SIGNAGE FOR THE JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOLS CAMPUS TO BETTER CONTEXTUALIZE THE SCHOOLS HISTORICAL SITES, STUDIOS, LANDSCAPE, AND GARDEN FOR PUBLIC AUDIENCES. STARTED IN 1925, THE FOLK SCHOOL IS THE OLDEST FOLK SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY AND PLAYS A KEY PART OF PRESERVATION OF FAR-WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COLLECTION OF 30 ORAL HISTORIES OF WOMEN LEADERS IN NORTH CAROLINA. THESE ORAL HISTORIES WILL BE FACILITATED WITH GUIDANCE FROM THE SOUTHERN ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM AT UNC CHAPEL HILL AND WILL LATER BE PRESERVED IN THE ARCHIVES AT UNC CHAPEL HILLS WILSON LIBRARY. THE ORAL HISTORIES WILL ALSO BE ACCESSIBLE ONLINE IN A DIGITAL EXHIBITION.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE CREATION OF K-12 CURRICULUM ON NC HISTORY AND CULTURE DEVELOPED BY COLLABORATORS FROM UNC CHAPEL HILL AND UNC PEMBROKE. IT ALSO SUPPORTED EDUCATOR WORKSHOPS TO BRING K-12 TEACHERS TO THE MUSEUM OF THE SOUTHEAST AMERICAN INDIAN TO GET HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH THE CONTENT.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS A SYMPOSIUM ON THE HISTORY OF LYNCHING IN NORTH CAROLINA. 10 NORTH CAROLINA COUNTIES HAVE ESTABLISHED COALITIONS TO REFLECT ON THIS HISTORY AND SUPPORT DESCENDANT AND COMMUNITY-LED PUBLIC HISTORY WORK.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE CREATION OF A COMMUNITY-CURATED EXHIBITION FEATURING LOCAL ORAL HISTORIES, CURRICULUM FOR K-12 SCHOOLS, AND AN EXHIBITION PUBLICATION.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW BISCUITS AND BANJOS FESTIVAL IN DURHAM, NC CURATED BY GRAMMY & PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING ARTIST RHIANNON GIDDENS OF GREENSBORO. THE TWO-DAY FESTIVAL WILL INCLUDE PANELS, WORKSHOPS, WALKING TOURS AND MORE THAT WILL ALLOW PARTICIPANTS TO EXCHANGE IDEAS, CELEBRATE TRADITIONS, AND TRACE THE MUSICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL CONNECTIONS OF OLD TIME, COUNTRY, AMERICANA, FOLK AND BLUES GENERAS.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN THE CREATION OF A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE HISTORY OF BASKETBALL IN KINSTON, NC A SMALL TOWN WITH A BIG STAT: IT IS THE SINGLE GREATEST PRODUCER OF NBA PLAYERS IN THE WORLD.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS INTERGENERATIONAL STORYTELLING WITH YOUTH COLLECTING ORAL HISTORIES FROM COMMUNITY ELDERS AROUND THE STATE. THE ORAL HISTORIES COLLECTED WILL BE USED TO CREATE SHORT DOCUMENTARIES, K-12 CURRICULUM, AND A HISTORICAL FICTION CHILDREN'S BOOK.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS A 12-MONTH IMMERSION PROGRAM FOR NEW NORTH CAROLINIANS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST TO LEARN ABOUT NC CULTURE AND HISTORY AND ENHANCE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION TO ASSIMILATE TO THEIR NEW HOME.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS A COMMUNITY IMPACT FILM SERIES WHICH USES FILM AND DISCUSSION TO FACILITATE CONVERSATIONS ON TOPICS OF COMMUNITY INTEREST.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEVERAL EVENTS INCLUDING A CIVIL WAR REGIMENTAL REENACTMENT BY THE 35TH USCT, A PROGRAM ON 19TH-CENTURY MEDICAL PRACTICES, AND RECOGNITION OF EMANCIPATION DAY.

SUPPORT THE CREATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ENGAGING, INCLUSIVE AND FACTUALLY ACCURATE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR GRADE 8-12 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ON THE DOCUMENTARY FEATURE INSURRECTION 1898, WHICH TELLS THE STORY OF A COUP D'TAT IN WILMINGTON, NC, IN WHICH WHITE SUPREMACISTS OVERTHREW THE MULTI-RACIAL GOVERNMENT OF NC'S LARGEST CITY THROUGH A COORDINATED CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION THAT DESTROYED BLACK POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC POWER, IMPOSED WHITE CONTROL, AND LED TO THE DEATH OF UP TO 150 BLACK RESIDENTS. THESE RESOURCES WILL ADDRESS THESE KEY HUMANITIES NARRATIVES: CITY OF HOPE: PROGRESS AND PROMISE OF BLACK WILMINGTONIANS, 1897; WHITE SUPREMACY AND POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC POWER; DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF BLACK VOTERS IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH; POWER OF WHITE-OWNED NEWSPAPERS AND THE ROLE OF THE BLACK PRESS; THE IMPACT OF RACIAL VIOLENCE ON WEALTH INEQUALITY; THE LEGACY OF RACIAL TERROR AND TRAUMA; AND HISTORY, POWER, AND CONTROL OF THE NARRATIVE.

"FINDING COMMON GROUND" USES ARTS AND HISTORY TO FOSTER DIALOGUE AND REFLECTION ABOUT THE REALITIES OF PREJUDICE AS WELL AS THE POSSIBILITIES THAT COME FROM INTERSECTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS. WE WILL HOST TWO 3-PART INTERACTIVE SERIES ABOUT THE EXPERIENCES AND CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED GROUPS IN NC. THE SERIES WILL TAKE PLACE IN DURHAM, NC IN FALL 2023 AND IN GREENVILLE, NC IN SPRING 2024. PARTICIPANTS WILL TAKE AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES AND PRESENT-DAY CHALLENGES OF JEWS, MUSLIMS, AND IMMIGRANTS IN NC THROUGH THE LENS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES. EACH SESSION WILL FOSTER CULTURAL LITERACY FOR PARTICIPANTS AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SINCERE, INTERGROUP RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING AMONGST LEADERS AND PARTICIPANTS. PARTICIPANTS WILL HONE THEIR ABILITIES TO PRODUCTIVELY EMPATHIZE WITH PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT IDENTITIES, TO DECODE POPULAR REPRESENTATIONS OF HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED GROUPS, AND TO CREATE ACTION PLANS TO FOSTER GREATER CONNECTION ACROSS DIFFERENCES.

START-UP OF A NEW N.C. HISTORY DAY REGION - FUNDING FROM THIS GRANT WILL FACILITATE THE START-UP A NEW REGION IN THE SANDHILLS AREA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE (UNC PEMBROKE). FUNDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR NC TEACHER FUNDS WILL SUPPORT THE TUITION FOR 8 TEACHERS TO ATTEND THE FALL 2023 HISTORICAL ARGUMENTATION COURSE LED BY NATIONAL HISTORY DAY AND THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO EDUCATORS LOCATED IN ONE OF NC'S 78 RURAL COUNTIES.PROVIDING TEACHING AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS THIS FUNDING WILL SUPPORT THE PURCHASE AND DISTRIBUTION OF TEACHING AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS TO HELP PROVIDE NC TEACHERS WITH THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO LEAD THEIR STUDENTS THROUGH THE NATIONAL HISTORY DAY PROGRAM. MAKING THE EXHIBIT CATEGORY ACCESSIBLE - NATIONAL HISTORY DAY'S MOST POPULAR PROJECT CATEGORY WITH TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ALIKE IS THE EXHIBIT CATEGORY. FUNDS WOULD BE USED TO PURCHASE EXHIBIT BOARDS FOR STUDENTS IN OUR TITLE I SCHOOLS.

WE ARE BLESSED WITH HISTORIC PRESERVATION EFFORTS ALL AROUND US, FROM RESTORING OLD BUILDINGS TO MUSEUMS AND GENEALOGICAL LIBRARIES. BUT WHAT OFTEN GETS MISSED IS THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN THOSE HOMES, WROTE THOSE OLD BALLADS & WORE THE OLD CLOTHES. WE PRESERVE THE REMNANTS OF WHAT THE PAST OFFERED BUT FORGET TO DOCUMENT THE OLD FOLKS WHO ARE STILL HERE TODAY WITH A TREASURE-CHEST OF KNOWLEDGE THAT COULD HELP US SOLVE PROBLEMS WE ARE ENCOUNTERING TODAY. THE CENTER SEEKS A GRANT TO PRESERVE AND MAKE ACCESSIBLE OVER 20 YEARS WORTH OF RECORDED ORAL HISTORIES AND APPLY THE INSIGHTS AND WISDOM OF OUR ELDERS TO TODAY'S SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES. WE WILL MAKE THIS KNOWLEDGE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. THE RESILIENCE OF OUR ELDERS OFFERS PROFOUND LESSONS TODAY TO OUR YOUTH ON THE POWER OF COMMUNITY AND INTERCONNECTEDNESS. WE ARE COLLABORATING WITH THE BLACK HISTORY RESEARCH GROUP, THE HENDERSON COUNTY GENEALOGICAL & HISTORY GROUP & THE EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS.

THE FARM AT BLACK MOUNTAIN COLLEGE, CO-CURATED BY DAVID SILVER AND BRUCE JOHANSEN, WILL BE ON VIEW AT BMCM+AC IN ASHEVILLE FROM SEPT 2024-JAN 2025. BUILT FROM A DECADE'S WORTH OF ORIGINAL ARCHIVAL RESEARCH, THE EXHIBITION FOLLOWS RENEGADE STUDENTS, FACULTY, FAMILIES, FARMERS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS AS THEY START AND SUSTAIN A CAMPUS FARM IN THE 1930S, BUILD A BETTER FARM IN THE '40S, AND WATCH IT ALL COLLAPSE IN THE '50S. THE EXHIBITION ESTABLISHES A NEW HISTORY OF BMCONE THAT SPOTLIGHTS THE VITAL CONTRIBUTIONS STUDENTS MADE TO THE FARM AND COLLEGE; THE WAR-TIME EFFORTS MADE BY AN ALL-FEMALE STUDENT BODY TO BUILD THE LAKE EDEN FARM; AND THE MANY LONG-LASTING COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN THE COLLEGE AND THE COMMUNITY, SHATTERING THE MYTH THAT BMC WAS DIVORCED AND DISTANT FROM ITS NEIGHBORS. FINALLY, THE EXHIBITION SHOWS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN COMMUNAL LIVING IS NO LONGER COMMUNAL, AND OFFERS THE FIRST EVER DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE FALL OF THE COLLEGE, A DRAMATIC AND OFTEN DANGEROUS STORY.

IN MARCH OF 2024, THE MUSEUM WILL UNVEIL A NEW EXHIBITION TO TELL THE STORY OF THE NATIONAL NEGRO OPERA COMPANY AND IT'S FOUNDER MARY CARDWELL DAWSON. THIS IS THE STORY OF DANCERS, SINGERS, MUSICIANS, SET DESIGNERS, COSTUME DESIGNERS, PAINTERS, AND THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION TEAM. IT IS THE STORY OF SEGREGATION, OF LACK OF FUNDING, BUT ALSO OF PERSEVERANCE AND DRIVE AS A BLACK VIOLIN PLAYER JOINED THE WHITE PITTSBURG ORCHESTRA TO ACCOMPANY A BLACK CAST. IT IS ALSO THE STORY OF HOW A WOMAN FROM THE PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA CARVED OUT A SPACE FOR HERSELF AND A TALENTED GROUP OF PERFORMERS IN A WORLD WHERE SEPARATE WAS ANYTHING BUT EQUAL. THIS EXHIBIT INTENDS TO BREAK DOWN PERCEIVED BARRIERS SURROUNDING OPERA AS A GENRE, TO CREATE DIALOGUE AROUND ISSUES OF SEGREGATION AND ACCESS IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS ERA, AND TO DEMONSTRATE THE CONTINUED IMPACT OF DAWSON AND THE COMPANY ON NOT ONLY THE PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA, BUT ALSO THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE.

QUEER HISTORY SOUTH (QHS) ACTS AS A NETWORK OF PEOPLE PRESERVING, AND RESEARCHING LGBTQ HISTORY IN THE US SOUTH. TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN THIS WORK AND DEVELOP BEST PRACTICES IN THE FIELD, QHS HOLDS A CONFERENCE EVERY TWO YEARS FOCUSED ON IMPROVING OUR CONNECTIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLSETS. THE CONFERENCE IS IDEAL FOR SCHOLARS, HISTORIANS, ARCHIVISTS, EDUCATORS AND THOSE WORKING TO PRESERVE SOUTHERN LGBTQ HISTORY IN BOTH FORMAL AND INFORMAL WAYS. 2024 WILL BE THE THIRD QHS CONFERENCE HELD SINCE 2019 (2019 BIRMINGHAM, AL; 2022 DALLAS, TX).THE DISPARITIES LGBTQ FACE BOTH REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY PLAY A CRITICAL FACTOR IN THE UNDER- AND MISREPRESENTATION OF LGBTQ HISTORY SPECIFICALLY IN THE SOUTH. QHS SEEKS TO REMEDY THIS DEFICIT BY PROVIDING THOSE INTERESTED (ACADEMICS, PROFESSIONALS, AND COMMUNITY) IN THE LOCATION, PRESERVATION, AND RESEARCH OF SOUTHERN LGBTQ HISTORY WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO PURSUE THESE EFFORTS AND A NETWORK OF LIKEMINDED PEOPLE WITH WHOM TO COLLABORATE.

ISLA PROVIDES FREE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND PROGRAMS TO MORE THAN 200 SPANISH SPEAKING LATINE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE NORTH CAROLINA TRIANGLE AREA. A HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED GROUP DUE TO NUMEROUS BARRIERS, ISLA EXISTS TO BRIDGE THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND OPPORTUNITY GAPS FOR THE LATINE COMMUNITY. THROUGH OUR WEEKLY HERITAGE LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL IMMERSION PROGRAM, ISLA LOS SBADOS, WE PROVIDE LATINE CHILDREN IN PREK THROUGH 12TH GRADE WITH A CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE EDUCATION THAT REFLECTS THEIR BACKGROUNDS AND EXPERIENCES. CHILDREN BASE THEIR VISIONS OF THEIR FUTURES ON WHAT THEY SEE IN THEIR EVERYDAY ENVIRONMENTS. IN THEIR CLASSROOMS AT ISLA, WE HOPE THAT STUDENTS CAN ENVISION WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR THEM WHEN THEY SEE THE SPANISH LANGUAGE AND LATIN AMERICAN CULTURES CELEBRATED EVERY SATURDAY.

ALL HISTORY IS LOCAL HISTORY, BUT STUDENTS OFTEN LEARN PRIMARILY ABOUT PEOPLE, PLACES, AND EVENTS OUTSIDE THEIR OWN LOCAL COMMUNITY OR REGION. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO PRIMARY SOURCE MATERIALS RELATED TO JOHNSTON COUNTY THAT SHED LIGHT ON IMPORTANT TOPICS ALIGNED WITH THE SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM EMPLOYED IN LOCAL CLASSROOMS. WE WILL COLLABORATE WITH AN AMERICAN HISTORY TEACHER IN THE COUNTY'S CAREER AND TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AND WITH THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM'S K-12 SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM SPECIALIST TO CREATE ONLINE LESSON PLANS AND ONLINE ACCESS TO PRIMARY SOURCE MATERIALS THAT CAN BE USED BY TEACHERS AND STUDENTS EITHER AT HOME OR IN CLASSROOMS. WE WILL ALSO DEVELOP TRAVELING EXHIBITS WHICH CAN BE USED TO SHOWCASE LOCAL HISTORY IN SCHOOLS. THESE MATERIALS WILL BE TAILORED FOR 3RD GRADERS WHO LEARN ABOUT THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY, 4TH AND 8TH GRADERS WHO STUDY NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY, AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO STUDY WORLD AND U.S. HISTORY.

GUILFORD'S FREEDOM TRAILS IS A PROJECT SEEKING FUNDING FROM NC HUMANITIES TO DEEPEN STUDENTS' UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN GUILFORD COUNTY, NC. THE INITIATIVE AIMS TO EQUIP A CLASS OF TITLE I NINTH AND TENTH-GRADE STUDENTS IN GREENSBORO WITH EMPATHY, UNDERSTANDING, AND RESPECT THROUGH INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES. A WALKING TOUR OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TRAIL IN GUILFORD COLLEGE WOODS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A HUMANITIES-BASED DISCUSSION. LED BY HUMANITIES EXPERTS FROM GUILFORD COLLEGE, THE TOUR PROVIDES HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES. DISCUSSIONS EXPLORE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD AND ITS CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE, FOSTERING CRITICAL THINKING AND EMPATHY. A TEAM OF EXPERTS WILL DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM TO COMPLEMENT THE TOUR. THE PROJECT TIMELINE SPANS ONE YEAR, WITH INITIAL PHASES FOCUSING ON OUTREACH, PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND CURRICULUM CREATION.

IN A SERIES OF FREE WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, AND PANEL DISCUSSIONS HELD DOWNTOWN AND IN OFF-CAMPUS SPACES, HUMANITIES EXPERTS WILL HELP THE PUBLIC CONSIDER DIVERSE RURAL CULTURES CLOSELY AND IN DEPTH. SCHOLARS WILL OFFER HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND INTERPRETIVE STRATEGIES FOR THOSE REPRESENTATIONS OF RURAL LIFE SEEN IN ANNUAL LOCAL EVENTS, AS WELL AS FOR REPRESENTATIONS OF RURAL CULTURES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. THE SERIES WILL HELP RESIDENTS OF NORTH CAROLINA'S HIGH COUNTRY AND ITS VISITORS (1) BETTER UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT PEOPLES THAT INHABIT RUSTIC REGIONS, AND (2) RELATE FAMILIAR LOCAL TRADITIONS TO THE CUSTOMS OF RURAL CULTURES ABROAD THAT THEY MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENCOUNTER.

THIS PROJECT BUILDS BRIDGES OF DIALOGUE ACROSS RACIAL, RELIGIOUS, GEOGRAPHIC, AND GENERATIONAL DIVISION AND CREATES SPACES OF UNDERSTANDING, HEALING, AND ACTION. IT RESPONDS TO RECENT RESEARCH REVEALING DEEP DIVIDES ACROSS RACE, CLASS, & RURAL/URBAN AREAS IN ALAMANCE COUNTY, AS WELL AS THE ROLE OF FAITH COMMUNITIES IN CATALYZING CHANGE (ALAMANCE CHOOSING HOPE 2022). THE POWER AND PLACE COLLABORATIVEA PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL ARTS & HISTORY CENTER (AACAHC), MAYCO BIGELOW COMMUNITY CENTER, & ELON UNIVERSITYRESPONDS TO THIS CALL.SPECIFICALLY, WE WILL WORK WITH DIVERSE FAITH-BASED PARTNERS FROM MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES TO IDENTIFY COMMUNITY STORYTELLERS. THIS INCLUDES SITE VISITS TO DIFFERENT PLACES OF WORSHIP, NEIGHBORHOOD WALKING TOURS, A TOUR OF THE AACAHC, A COMMUNITY BOOK-CLUB, AND DIALOGUES ON LOCAL ISSUES. STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY STORYTELLERS WILL COLLABORATE TO CONDUCT AN ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW AND CREATE A SHARABLE DIGITAL STORY.

OPENING IN JUNE 2024, THE GREENVILLE MUSEUM OF ART (GMOA) WILL HOST "THE HOME I NEVER KNEW: NI DE AQUI, NI DE ALLA," A GROUP EXHIBITION OF ARTWORK BY LATINO/A/X ARTISTS FROM OR CURRENTLY LIVING IN THE SOUTHEAST REGION OF THE UNITED STATES. OUR CALL FOR ARTWORKS WILL INVITE LATINO/A/X ARTISTS TO SHARE ABOUT THEIR LIVES GROWING UP IN THIS REGION, INCLUDING HARDSHIPS, TRIUMPHS, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. RECLAIMING THE IDEA OF "NI DE AQUI, NI DE ALLA, OR NOT FROM HERE, NOR THERE," WE WILL HIGHLIGHT THE RANGE OF INDIVIDUAL AND SHARED EXPERIENCES ASSOCIATED WITH BEING BOTH "FROM HERE AND "FROM THERE," BELONGING OR NOT BELONGING, OR FEELING MENTALLY, EMOTIONALLY, OR CULTURALLY FROM ELSEWHERE. THIS PROJECT, ORGANIZED IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS CASA AZUL DE WILSON, THE ASSOCIATION OF MEXICANS IN NORTH CAROLINA (AMEXCAN), AND THE LEDONIA WRIGHT CULTURAL CENTER AT EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY (ECU), ADDRESSES THE LACKING REPRESENTATION OF LATINO/A/X VOICES IN OUR REGION.

THE USCT LECTURE AND CONVERSATION SERIES FEATURING DR. SHERWIN BRYANT (NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY), JOEL COOK (ECU), STEVE NUNEZ (UCONN), AND TYANNA WEST (NC CENTRAL) IS TIMELY AND NECESSARY, AS OUR NATION CONFRONTS ENTRENCHED SYSTEMIC AND STRUCTURAL RACISM. WITH ITS GOAL OF ADDRESSING RACISM BY CONTEXTUALIZING CAM'S STEPHEN HAYES'S UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS (USCT) SCULPTURE WITH HISTORY, THIS PROJECT BENEFITS A COMMUNITY MARRED BY A TRAGIC PAST OF WHITE SUPREMACY. BRUNSWICK COUNTY NATIVE DR. SHERWIN BRYANT WILL EXPOUND ON NEW RESEARCH INTO THE LIVES OF ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN OUR REGION, SCHOLAR AND USCT REENACTOR JOEL COOK WILL EXPLORE THE LIVES OF USCT SOLDIERS, WILMINGTON NATIVE STEVE NUNEZ WILL LOOK AT HOW THE MILITANT FIGHT BY THE USCT INFORMS THE FIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND BRUNSWICK COUNTY NATIVE TYANNA WEST LOOKS DEEPLY AT GULLAH GEECHEE HERITAGE. EACH SCHOLAR WILL ALSO WORK TO CREATE A LESSON PLAN THAT CONNECTS WITH THE HISTORY OF THE AREA AND WITH CORE CURRICULUM.

A COLLABORATIVE, COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECT USING ETHNOGRAPHY, STORY-SHARING, PORTRAITURE, AND COMMUNITY CONVERSATION CIRCLES, R TO THE POWER OF 3 EXPLORES RURAL REENTRY THROUGH THE LENS OF RECLAMATION, REDEMPTION, AND RESTORATION. THE OVERARCHING INTENT OF THE PROJECT IS TO EXPAND AND SHIFT THE DOMINANT NARRATIVE AROUND INCARCERATION AND REENTRY; TO BUILD RELATIONAL CAPACITY FOR COLLABORATION WITHIN THE JUSTICE-INVOLVED MEMBERS AND BETWEEN THE JUSTICE-INVOLVED AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS; TO ENHANCE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT BETWEEN RETURNEES, FAMILY MEMBERS, FAITH AND CIVIC LEADERS, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. R TO THE POWER OF 3 EMPLOYS MULTIPLE CREATIVE PATHWAYS FOR SHARING THESE STORIES, INCLUDING STORY CYCLES; INTERACTIVE, TRAVELING EXHIBITS; AND AUDIO/VIDEO PIECES. WHAT ARE THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF AND NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR REENTRY? THIS IS THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION WE WILL EXPLORE WITH VARIED STAKEHOLDERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

COLLABORATE WITH CAROLINA K-12 TO SUPPORT AND PARTNER WITH MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATORS FROM DURHAM, WAKE, AND ORANGE COUNTIES IN A SIX-MONTH PROGRAM: THE PAULI MURRAY SOCIAL JUSTICE TEACHING FELLOWS. THROUGH A FOCUS ON THE LONG HISTORY OF ACTIVISM IN DURHAM, NC, THE FELLOWS WILL GAIN AN APPRECIATION FOR THE DIVERSE WAYS THAT EVERYDAY PEOPLE HAVE RESPONDED TO ATTEMPTS TO FOSTER DIVISION AS WELL AS ACTS OF HATE-BASED VIOLENCE. CONSEQUENTLY, FELLOWS WILL BE EMPOWERED TO TEACH COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND LOCAL HISTORIES AS IMPORTANT PARTS OF STATE AND NATIONAL HISTORY. THE PMC, IN ALIGNMENT WITH ITS VISION OF "REALIZING A WORLD IN WHICH WHOLENESS IS A HUMAN RIGHT," GROUNDS THIS WORK IN A DESIRE TO FOSTER CROSS-CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING, AND TO OFFER RESOURCES THAT EMPOWER STUDENTS TO OBSERVE THE LEGACIES, CONTEMPORARY IMPACTS, AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES OF MOVEMENTS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE. THIS WORK WILL ULTIMATELY BE ROOTED IN THE SPIRIT OF THE WORK OF REV. DR. PAULI MURRAY.

TEACHERS ARE ASKING FOR OUR HELP IN TEACHING THE DIFFICULT TOPIC OF NC DEMOCRACY HISTORY AND CIVICS. THIS PROJECT WILL BETTER EQUIP THEM TO TEACH EFFECTIVELY, WITH THE ENGAGEMENT THAT A MUSEUM-BASED PROGRAM OFFERS. BUILDING ON OUR "NC DEMOCRACY" EXHIBITION (FUNDED IN PART BY NC HUMANITIES), THEMES DEVELOPED THROUGHOUT THE MUSEUM, AND A LIBRARY OF WEBINARS, WE HAVE RESOURCES THAT CAN BE BROUGHT INTO THE CLASSROOM, ENRICH THE ON-SITE EXPERIENCE AT THE MUSEUM AND POST-VISIT ACTIVITIES. WE ARE COORDINATING WITH GREENSBORO PUBLIC LIBRARIES AS A VENUE FOR CHECKING OUT "TRAVELING TRUNKS OF DEMOCRACY" THAT WILL BE DEVELOPED WITH THEMES RELATED TO CIVICS AND DEMOCRACY. WE ARE FOCUSING ON UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES AND TITLE 1 SCHOOLS.THIS GRANT WILL SUPPORT TWO EDUCATION CONSULTANTS, ONSITE TEACHER WORKSHOPS, LESSON PLANS, A TRAVELING TRUNK PROGRAM AND SUPPLEMENTARY PRINTED MATERIAL. THIS PILOT PROGRAM WILL BE GEARED TOWARDS 4TH - 5TH GRADES, BUT AVAILABLE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AS WELL.

THE LIBRARY HAS RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH LOCAL CITIZENS, THE CITY OF STATESVILLE, THE NAACP, AND HISTORIC STATESVILLE TO INITIATE A RESEARCH PROJECT FOR THE OLDEST AFRICAN AMERICAN CEMETERY IN THE TOWN IN ORDER TO DESIGNATE THE LOCATION AS A HISTORIC SITE. RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THAT THE CEMETERY IS THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTY FOR FORMERLY ENSLAVED PEOPLES, WHICH HOLDS SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL VALUE TO THE LOCAL AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY. THE CEMETERY HAS FALLEN INTO DISREPAIR OVER THE YEARS AND MANY STONES ARE MISSING, SO THE EXACT NUMBER OF BURIALS IS UNKNOWN. THE LIBRARY WOULD USE FUNDS TO HIRE A WELL-REPUTED COMPANY TO CONDUCT A GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR SURVEY OF THE PROPERTY TO VERIFY THE NUMBER OF BURIALS AT THE SITE. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE GPR SURVEY WILL ALLOW THE SITE TO QUALIFY AS HISTORIC AND THUS PRESERVE THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN STATESVILLE. THE LIBRARY WILL HOST SEVERAL EVENTS DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2023, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TH

UNLIKE CENTRAL AND EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA, WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA HAS NO LARGE STATE-FUNDED HISTORY MUSEUM THAT INTERPRETS OUR DIVERSE NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY. AS SUCH, THE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION HAS TAKEN GREAT STRIDES TO CONVERT OUR FACILITY - THE SMITH-MCDOWELL HOUSE - INTO A CENTER OF HISTORY EDUCATION. OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE DISMANTLED OUR HISTORIC HOUSE EXHIBIT, PAINTED THE ENTIRE FACILITY, AND CREATED A NEW INTERPRETIVE FRAMEWORK. WHEN WE REOPEN IN 2023, THOSE LIVING IN AND VISITING OUR REGION WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ANNUALLY EXPLORE NEW HISTORICAL EXHIBITS CURATED BY HISTORIANS AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS THAT RELATE TO CONTEMPORARY ISSUES. WE ARE NOW CURATING A NEW EXHIBIT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE RAILROAD INCARCERATED LABORERS (RAIL) MEMORIAL PROJECT, THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE PROJECT, AND SEVERAL OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS (SEE SUPPLEMENTAL ATTACHMENT) WHICH WILL 1) RECOGNIZE THE UNWILLING EFFORTS OF THE

WE LIVE IN A WORLD THAT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIVIDED. WHILE FICTIONAL, THERE IS AN ALTERNATE, UTOPIAN VERSION OF AMERICA WHERE DIFFERENCES ARE NOT ONLY EXPLORED, BUT CELEBRATED--L. FRANK BAUM PENNED THIS WORLD WHEN HE WROTE THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ. IN COLLABORATION WITH IMAGINON, THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE OF CHARLOTTE, THE CHARLOTTE ART LEAGUE, THE CHARLOTTE FILM SOCIETY, CHARLOTTE LIT, THE INTERNATIONAL WIZARD OF OZ CLUB, THE LAND OF OZ THEME PARK, AND UNC CHARLOTTE, CHARLOZ INTENDS TO EXPLORE NOT ONLY HOW BAUM'S FAIRY TALE CELEBRATED NON-TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES, DIVERSE CHARACTERS, AND VALUABLE LESSONS, BUT ALSO EXPLORE HOW OZ HAS CHANGED TO CONTINUE TO REFLECT AMERICA, HER VALUES AND HER DIVERSITY. BAUM'S OZ SERIES WAS HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY HIS SUFFRAGIST MOTHER-IN-LAW, MATILDA GAGE, AND HIS USE OF GENDER WAS NOT ONLY REVOLUTIONARY FOR HIS TIME, BUT CONTINUES TO FEEL QUITE MODERN TODAY (JEOPARDY CHAMPION AMY SCHNEIDER RECENTLY SHARED OZMA'S CONNECTIONS TO THE TRANS COMMUNITY).

ISLA LOS SBADOS IS A FREE, WEEKLY EDUCATIONAL HERITAGE LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM FOR LATINX STUDENTS THAT AIMS TO SUPPORT SPANISH LITERACY SKILLS, CULTURAL PRIDE, AND BILINGUALISM. WE ELEVATE DIVERSE RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND LINGUISTIC BACKGROUNDS BY CREATING MULTILINGUAL, CULTURALLY-AFFIRMING SPACES THAT ARE OFTEN NOT AVAILABLE TO OUR STUDENTS. WHEREAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAY OFTEN UNDERVALUE THE MEANINGFUL STORIES AND KNOWLEDGE THAT THESE CHILDREN BRING TO CLASSROOMS, ISLA UPLIFTS THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND CULTURAL VALUE THAT OUR COMMUNITY POSSESSES. FOR MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY, ISLA LOS SBADOS IS THE ONLY PLACE WHERE THEY CAN USE THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE, LEARN ABOUT THEIR DIVERSE LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE, AND EXPLORE THEIR CULTURAL IDENTITY. OUR RESPONSE TO THIS IS A STUDENT-CENTERED AND STUDENT-LED APPROACH TO TEACHING THAT USES INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION TO RESPECT EACH LEARNER AND THEIR INTERESTS. WE GET TO KNOW THEIR ASPIRATIONS, OFFER SUPPORT, AND ENSURE THAT THEIR FEEDBACK IS REFLECTED IN

THIS PROJECT UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE AND RICHNESS OF THE BOSTON-THURMOND COMMUNITY FOR RESIDENTS, SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND INSTITUTIONS, AND THE GREATER TRIAD OF NORTH CAROLINA. IN THE EARLY 1900S, BOSTON-THURMOND WAS A THRIVING, SELF-SUFFICIENT COMMUNITY BUT LIKE MANY OTHER HISTORICALLY BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS, IT WAS DISRUPTED BY NUMEROUS "PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS". WE BELIEVE THE THEMES OF INEQUALITY, SYSTEMIC RACISM, COMMUNITY ACTIVISM, CIVIC NEGLECT, AND URBAN DESIGN WILL CONNECT TO LARGER NARRATIVES UNDER DISCUSSION IN AND AROUND THE STATE AND AMERICAN SOUTH. RESIDENT EFFORTS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR HISTORY FOUND CRITICAL GAPS IN COLLECTIVE KNOWLEDGE AND EXISTING PUBLIC RESOURCES/ARCHIVES, ESPECIALLY IN COMPARISON TO OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS. THEY ALSO RAISED THE URGENT NEED TO CAPTURE VOICES OF OLDER RESIDENTS, WITH UNANSWERED QUESTIONS LIKE "WHERE DID THE NAME BOSTON-THURMOND COME FROM". THIS PROPOSED WORK LEVERAGES OUR STRONG TEAM AND BUILDS UPON OUR PRIOR WORK TO UNCOVER STORIES THAT HUM

KIDZU IS PROPOSING THE CREATION OF A FAMILY WORKSHOP SERIES AND ASSOCIATED INTERACTIVE MUSEUM EXHIBIT AND WEBSITE, CENTERED AROUND CIVIL DISCOURSE FOR THE YOUNGEST LEARNERS WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING FAMILIES WITH THE TOOLS TO TALK ABOUT DIFFICULT TOPICS WITH RESPECT AND THE GOAL OF REACHING GREATER UNDERSTANDING AND CONNECTION. KIDZU IS WORKING WITH THE UNC PROGRAM OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE, CAROLINA PUBLIC HUMANITIES, UNC GLOBAL EDUCATION CENTER, AND NATIONAL PAIDEIA CENTER TO GROUND THESE CONVERSATIONS IN THE HUMANITIES AND OFFER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES VALUABLE TOOLS IN HOW TO PRACTICE CIVIL DISCOURSE AND MOVE THROUGH DISAGREEMENT AND HARD CONVERSATIONS.

MIXED RACE IDENTITY IS VERY OLD IN NORTH CAROLINA, YET OVERLOOKED. A PORTABLE EXHIBIT OF THE WINTON TRIANGLE'S PEOPLE AND THEIR BUILDINGS WILL HIGHLIGHT THEIR LONGEVITY IN THE AREA, CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES. AS A MULTI-GENERATION MIXED-RACE LANDOWNING COMMUNITY, THE WINTON TRIANGLE PEOPLE'S STORY CAN BE TOLD THROUGH THEIR SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, HOMES, SHOPS, FUNERAL HOMES, HEALTH CLINICS AND A FAIRGROUND. THE TWENTY-FIVE 24X30 INCH PANELS WILL JOIN PHOTOGRAPHS OF HISTORIC PEOPLE WITH THEIR BUILDINGS AND SITES ALONG WITH TEXT. EACH BUILDING PHOTOGRAPH WILL BE AT LEAST 15" X 24" IN SIZE. SOME BUILDINGS WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED AND LIT AT DUSK OR BY AERIAL DRONE. AMONG THE PANELS:-ONE OF THE LARGEST ROSENWALD SCHOOLS, C.S. BROWN CULTURAL ARTS CENTER AND MUSEUM, WHICH WILL HOST THE EXHIBIT-THE ROSENWALD SCHOOLHOUSE OF PLEASANT PLAINS SCHOOL, FOUNDED BY 1859 WHEN EDUCATION OF PEOPLE OF COLOR WAS PROSCRIBED. -ATLANTIC DISTRICT FAIRGROUND WITH ITS MILE HARNESS RACING TRACK THE LAST OF ITS K

THE FIRST PHASE OF THE BICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION OF LAFAYETTE'S 1824-1825 FAREWELL TOUR IS THE CREATION AND PRODUCTION OF A MOBILE AND WEB-BASED TRAVEL TOUR OR TRAVELOGUE COVERING ALL THE PLACES THAT LAFAYETTE VISITED IN NORTH CAROLINA DURING HIS 13-MONTH VICTORY TOUR ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. THE SECOND PHASE WILL CONSIST OF EVENTS, WITH LAFAYETTE INTERPRETERS AND GUEST SPEAKERS, HELD ON THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF LAFAYETTE'S 1824-1825 VISITS TO EACH LOCALITY. JUST AS LAFAYETTE'S VISIT IN 1824-1825 WAS AN IMPORTANT PRELUDE TO AMERICA'S JUBILEE YEAR, 1826 - AS LUCY PENHALLOW OF PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE WROTE ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1824, THE CHANCE TO FINALLY EXPRESS DEEP GRATITUDE PERSONALLY TO THE HERO OF THE REVOLUTION "MADE ME FEEL TEN TIMES MORE OF AN AMERICAN THAN I DID BEFORE" - SO WILL THE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS IN 2024-2025 SERVE AS THE OVERTURE TO OUR COUNTRY'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2026. THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF LAFAYETTE (AFL) IS SEEKING FUNDING FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A WEB-BASED T

WHEREAS STUDENT VETERANS TEND TO OUTPERFORM TRADITIONAL STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THEIR ACADEMIC CAREERS, THAT FIRST SEMESTER CAN SIGNIFICANTLY NEGATIVELY IMPACT THEIR OVERALL GPAS, SENSE OF BELONGING, AND CONTRIBUTE TO FEELINGS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION. THEY ARE NON-TRADITIONAL, HAVE FAMILIES, OR ARE STILL ACTIVE RESERVES, WHICH CAN LEAVE THEM LITTLE TIME TO EXPLORE STUDENT RESOURCES ON CAMPUS OR JOIN STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND FURTHER AMPLIFIES THEIR FEELINGS OF ISOLATION AND SENSE OF ISOLATION IN THE CLASSROOM. STUDENT VETERANS MIGHT FEEL OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE TRADITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE POPULATION, THAT THEY DON'T BELONG IN A UNIVERSITY, AND BE UNACCUSTOMED TO BEING IN CONTROL OF THEIR OWN SCHEDULES, HAVING LEFT A CULTURE IN WHICH EVERY MINUTE IS PLANNED AND EVERY ACTION SUPPORTS A FAMILIAL TEAM. TO BETTER SUPPORT THESE STUDENTS, IN 2017 WE DEVELOPED THE VETERAN TO SCHOLAR BOOT CAMP, WHICH BUILDS COMMUNITY AND UNDERSTANDING BY CULTIVATING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WAR EXPERIENCES THROU