Countenance Spring 25

Spring 2025

A multi-award-winning magazine by ECU students, now in its ninth year

INSIDE: •A LUCKY FIND •A PASSION FOR TEACHING •SHOULD PRETTY HURT? •DESPERATELY SEEKING HOUSING •FAR EAST MEETS EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA

COUNTENANCE

CONTENTS 4

front cover photo by Pel Law

A LUCKY FIND Ever since his mother’s death and the breakup of his family, Derek Stevens had looked for “home” amid the foster care system and, later, an itinerant life. Finally, he found community, purpose and a home of sorts at a Raleigh coffee shop.

Story by Shahd Allahabi

12

A PASSION FOR TEACHING

Jane Harwell has been a teacher for years, but today, her desk sits in a corner of her bedroom and her students are scattered all over the U.S. They are refugees and immigrants, and teaching English as a Second Language is Jane’s specialty.

Story by Pel Law

18

SHOULD PRETTY HURT?

Many Black women struggle with “texturism” – a form of discrimination against coarser, Afro-textured hair. This has long led many women to smooth their curls and coils with harsh chemicals, but others increasingly resist such pressures, as hair is a central part of Black culture and identity.

Story by Mya Alderman

2 Countenance Spring 2025

24

DESPERATELY SEEKING AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Home away from home has gotten much more expensive for Travis Froyd and Yahir Almanza.

The two are among many ECU students who increasingly have to prioritize their jobs while trying to get their degrees in order to pay for escalating local rent prices.

Story by Madison McKenna

30

WHERE THE FAR EAST MEETS EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA

The Far East Emporium in Havelock is the place where active and former Marines and families who have spent time in Asia can find the breads, produce and other goods they knew and loved.

Story by Mara Grace Phinney

Countenance (Vol. 9, Issue 1) is a general feature magazine produced by students in the School of

Communication at East Carolina University since 2017. The articles were written by students in the Fall 2024 Feature Writing class taught by Cindy Elmore. Countenance was designed by students in Creative Design in Publishing,

which was taught by Barbara Bullington in the spring of

2025. Funding for the magazine is provided by the School of Communication.

Questions or feedback can be addressed to Cindy Elmore at elmorec@ecu.edu or 252-328-5306.

For more information about Countenance, including awards received and additional photo credits, please visit: countenance5.wordpress.com

We're online too at: countenance5.wordpress.com

Countenance design team: Nazariee Basnight Emma Coughlin Jill French Sadie Gray Darian Hale Gabbi Heath Candon Johnson Trinity Kelleher

Kiki Moona Matt Richards Jacarea Scott Mallory Sheldon Garett Skillman Darrius Wood Hailey Yentz Gracie Zudonyi

Spring 2025 Countenance 3

A LUCKY FIND: HOW ONE MAN'S JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE LED TO A SPECIAL CAFE

by Shahd Allahabi

In spite of being thrust into the foster care system after tragedy struck his family, Derek Stevens found a home and a calling in a cafe, aptly named Lucky Tree.

D

erek Stevens first picked up a henna stick at a Raleigh café, his hands steady despite a lifetime of turbulence. With his black, fluffy hair and youthful appearance — at 31, Derek could easily pass for 25 — he may not immediately fit the stereotype of someone who had a difficult upbringing. Behind his quiet smile lies a story of loss, resilience and the search for home — a journey that has taken him from tragedy in Houston to community in North Carolina.

A childhood interrupted On any given Monday night at Lucky Tree, a cozy coffee shop near the N.C. State campus, Derek sits amid the hum of espresso machines and the clinking of cups, weaving intricate patterns on the hands of eager patrons. The delicate swirls of henna tell stories of beauty and connection — a stark contrast to the chaos that marked his early years.

4 Countenance Spring 2025

Derek’s story begins in Houston, Texas, where his childhood fractured in an instant. At 12, he walked through his front door and into a nightmare. His mother’s blood stained the carpet, and his older sister had disappeared. She was later arrested for the shooting, the result of a bitter argument that spiraled out of control.

“I never held it against her,” Derek says quietly, twisting a beaded black necklace around his fingers. “She still lives with the guilt. She is still paying for it.”

The tragedy set off a chain reaction.

Derek’s father, unable to cope with the loss, turned to alcohol, leaving their home unstable and unsafe.

Child Protective Services intervened, and Derek was thrust into the foster care system — a world of rigid rules, frequent moves and emotional neglect.

Statistics paint a sobering picture of the challenges faced by children in foster care. According to a 2021 report by the American Academy of Pediatrics,

Derek Stevens outside Lucky Tree Coffeehouse & Art Gallery. photo courtesy of Derek Stevens

PEOPLE IN PROFILE

Spring 2025 Countenance 5

Life is about the people you meet and the moments you create.

Customers enjoying live music inside Lucky Tree photo courtesy of Lucky Tree Facebook page

nearly 50% of foster youth experience significant mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression or PTSD, compared to 10 to 20% of the general youth population.

Despite this, less than one-third of foster children receive adequate mental health services.

Derek recalls the inadequacy of support vividly.

“Therapy was a joke,” he says. “One therapist asked me, ‘Did you even love your mother?’ How do you even answer that?”

He pauses, his hand instinctively covering his neck as if shielding himself from a resurfacing pain.

For Derek, therapy sessions felt impersonal and 6 Countenance Spring 2025

transactional, offering little in the way of genuine healing.

For much of his adolescence, Derek lived in a foster home run by a couple in their 50s who fostered children primarily for the financial support it provided. The house was crowded, with up to a dozen kids at a time, and governed by strict rules.

“No one cared about the kids,” Derek says. “We couldn’t go beyond the street. No TVs, no devices.

It was just survival.”

At 23, Derek left the foster system and ventured out on his own. He tried his hand at various jobs — truck driving, warehouse work — but found

PEOPLE IN PROFILE At Lucky Tree, Derek Stevens is able to share his artwork with others.

photo courtesy of Derek Stevens

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He picked it up faster than anyone I’ve ever seen. Within days, he was better than me.

himself drawn to a more unconventional life. He hitchhiked across the West, worked on a farm in North Carolina, and even lived in a rustic log cabin.

“Those were the highlights,” he says. “I wanted freedom more than anything.”

Yet, freedom came at a cost. Derek eventually found himself homeless in Raleigh. For him, though, homelessness was preferable to the foster system.

“The only real issue was finding a place to sleep,” he says. “I’d shower at a gym, and my friends helped out when I needed it.”

No clear path Derek’s story is just one example of a much larger issue. Every year, thousands of young adults age out of the foster care system, many like Derek, without a clear path forward. Without the stability of family or a solid support network, they are left to navigate adulthood alone. While Derek’s journey is unique, the reality for many foster children is that they enter adulthood with no safety net.

Grim numbers highlight this issue. According to the Finally Family Homes Organization, 20% of foster children will end up homeless the day they leave foster care. On top of that, around 20,000 young adults age out of foster care every year, which means nearly 4,000 children transition directly from the system into potential homelessness annually.

These young adults face uphill battles — completing high school, pursuing higher education and finding 8 Countenance Spring 2025

stable employment are all major hurdles. The cost to society is staggering: the Annie E. Casey Foundation estimates that U.S. taxpayers could save $4.1 billion (about $13 per person in the U.S.) annually if aged-out foster adolescents achieved the same outcomes as those who were never in the system.

Finding a refuge It was during this uncertain time that Derek found solace in a local café, the Lucky Tree. With its warm lighting, mismatched furniture and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee, it became a refuge for him.

Though he arrived with a large backpack, his clothes disheveled, and his hair unkempt, the community there welcomed him. Over time, he became a regular, a fixture, and eventually, even an artist-in-residence of sorts.

One evening, Derek watched as a henna artist named Sanaa Dali worked on a design at a nearby table.

Intrigued, he struck up a conversation. Within a week, Sanaa was teaching him her techniques.

“He picked it up faster than anyone I’ve ever seen,” she says. “Within days, he was better than me.”

Henna became more than just a skill for Derek — it was a form of therapy, as well as a way to connect with others and share a piece of himself.

Derek’s art is now a cornerstone of Lucky Tree’s community. Every other Monday, patrons line up to have their hands adorned with his intricate designs.

PEOPLE IN PROFILE Examples of Derek Steven's henna artwork. photos by Shahd Allahabi

Spring 2025 Countenance 9

Every other Monday, patrons line up to have their hands adorned with intricate designs.

Samantha Morton photo courtesy of gdcgraphics at flickr.com/photos/gdcgraphics/ Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 additional photos: Public Domain 10 Countenance Spring 2025

Sanaa describes Derek as someone people gravitate toward. “If you need Derek, he’s there,” she says. “He has this ability to calm people, to make them feel seen.”

Among those who found friendship with Derek is Jake Wishard, a musician who frequents Lucky Tree.

“Our friendship developed so seamlessly, I don’t even remember how it started,” Jake says.

Jake often offered Derek a place to stay, and the two quickly became close.

“He’s someone you can rely on, no matter what,” Jake explains.

Another friend, Omar Eldaly, a Ph.D. candidate in mechanical engineering at N.C. State, met Derek through a mutual friend.

“I started going to Lucky Tree more often, and naturally, we became friends,” Omar says. “Derek’s ability to connect with people is unique. He has built a community around himself without even trying.”

Today, Derek has found a sense of stability.

He lives with a roommate, earns money through his art, and trains others in martial arts. For him, home is not a physical place but a feeling — a state of being anchored by the connections he has made.

“Life is about the people you meet and the moments you create,” Derek says, a faint smile playing on his lips as he sketches a new design.

His journey from a broken childhood to a fulfilling present underscores a simple truth: resilience is not about forgetting where you

PEOPLE IN PROFILE come from but about using it to shape where you are going. At Lucky Tree, amid the hum of espresso machines and the chatter of friends, Derek has built something extraordinary.

Through his art, his friendships and his quiet strength, he has created a community where he belongs — a place to finally call home. n

Resources for those aging out of foster care:

Shahd Allahabi is a Yemeni-American writer with a passion for storytelling. A junior at ECU, Shahd enjoys exploring themes of culture, community and connection.

•Fosterclub.com offers a free Transition Toolkit.

•Foster Care to Success (FC2S) provides information about available college scholarships for foster youth.

•Apprenticeship.gov lets site visitors search for apprenticeships in a variety of occupations across the country.

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Visit communication.ecu.edu for more information.

Spring 2025 Countenance 11

A PASSION FOR TEACHING: HOW ONE WOMAN'S LOVE OF SHARING KNOWLEDGE HELPS EMPOWER OTHERS

As an English as a Second Language teacher, Jane Harwell's class is online and most of her students are refugees who fled from war-torn countries. photo by Pel Law

12 Countenance Spring 2025

PEOPLE IN PROFILE

by Pel Law

Her classroom is online. Her goal is to get to get to know her students as individuals. Her students learn more than a second language.

I

t is 10 a.m. on a Friday and Jane Harwell is getting ready to teach English to a class of refugee students. Her classroom is online, and she teaches from a corner of her bedroom in Carrboro, North Carolina, that she has converted into her personal office. In her space, she has a wooden table where her laptop is set on top of several art books. She plugs in her wired headphones and logs on to greet her students.

“Good morning, teacher,” her students say, sounding excited to be in class.

At 61, Jane has devoted her whole professional career to teaching, with English as a Second Language being a primary focus. She teaches every weekday, not only working with groups but also one-on-one with individuals. Most of Jane’s students are refugees with little to no English proficiency who fled war-torn countries.

“The group that I met today are Karen or Pwo Karen speakers,” Jane said, referring to languages spoken by ethnic minorities in Myanmar and Thailand.

“I'm working with Afghan students as well and they are very new to English.”

The ESL class works on basic reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.

Additionally, Jane also teaches U.S. citizenship, assisting students with both the application process and the accompanying test.

Jane made the transition from teaching in a Carrboro community classroom to online via Zoom during the pandemic. Even though Zoom was a big change for her and her students, having lessons online proved to be beneficial. Students who don’t have transportation or who don’t live in the area can now attend classes using their smartphones or computers.

Spring 2025 Countenance 13

I think ESL teachers are really important and actually have a lot of impact because for the clients to be able to learn and speak English gives them that confidence to be able to navigate their new community.

One of those students is 53-yearold Nan Than Than Win from Arizona. Nan, who immigrated from Myanmar, said through a translator that she is very grateful to be able to attend class.

“Teacher is very kind,” Nan said. “She is understanding and caring with us.”

Nan, similar to many of Jane’s students, joined the class through community connections, many of them family members or friends of Jane’s former ESL students. Another way Jane gains students is through immigrant and refugee organizations.

Patrick Hance, an employment specialist at Refugee Community Partnership in Carrboro, has referred many students to Jane, helping individuals to find jobs with better pay and working conditions.

Four benefits of ESL courses •improved language skills

•enhanced career opportunities

•greater cultural understanding

•increased self-confidence

source: ESL American English Center

14 Countenance Spring 2025

He also assists people with enrolling in ESL classes.

“This country is extremely hard to navigate without having English skills,” Hance said. “There's a lot of workplace violations that go hand in hand with immigrant and refugee workers.”

Hance explained that while some employers treat immigrant and refugee workers well, others take advantage of them, particularly in terms of breaks and owed payouts.

He also said that the Refugee Community Partnership advocates for both translators and English teachers as part of its language justice work.

“We advocate for people to be able to navigate life in the United States without knowing sufficient English,” Hance said. “But it is still important for people to be able to have the opportunity to learn English and I think that all teachers like Jane do a really good job of helping people to accomplish that.”

Let's decide together Before teaching mostly refugees, Jane taught a wide variety of students. She worked with kids in hospitals and was an ESL teacher at Durham Technical Community College to adult international students. She also spent time in the beginning of her career teaching kids who were taken out of the school system for behavioral reasons.

Jane said she doesn’t approach teaching with the intention of controlling how a student thinks, but with the goal of getting to know her students as individuals.

She said she likes figuring out what their strengths are as well as what they need to improve and grow.

PEOPLE IN PROFILE

Part of Jane Harwell's job is to stay up to date on immigration and related laws. photo by Pel Law

“It's funny sometimes with adults, because I'll say, what do you think you want to do?” Jane said. “They’re like, 'you decide'.” She responds with, “No, let's decide together.”

Prior to receiving her teaching license, Jane earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Yale University. She taught middle school for several years before attending UNC Chapel Hill in 1993 to complete her Master of Arts in Folklore. Eventually, in 2008, she returned to teaching middle school, this time as an ESL teacher.

Among her students was Eh Mu Ho, now 27 and married. Eh Mu met Jane in the seventh grade and is a case manager for the refugee resettlement agency Church World Service in Wilmington. Eh Mu said that Jane inspired her to be where she is now.

“Over the past 10 years we have become very good friends,” Eh Mu said. “She's someone I look up to and I go to when I need advice personally and career-wise.”

Eh Mu said Jane was not only an excellent teacher, but also someone who was willing to help her and her family outside of school. Eh Mu said when she did not have transportation, Jane would offer to drive her to events and also help her parents, who did not speak English, with scheduling important appointments.

“When I decided that I wanted to pursue higher education, it was really hard to understand the college process because my parents never did that,” Eh Mu said. “So I rely a lot on Mrs. Harwell to help me with those things.”

Building confidence and community According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ESL teachers are typically employed by community colleges, community-based organizations and public schools.

Yet, by 2033, employment for the field is expected to decline by 13 percent.

Eh Mu said one of her duties at her job is to refer clients to English classes. She said while Wilmington has some ESL classes available at places like Cape Fear Community College and Cape Fear Literacy Council, very few organizations offer classes specifically for refugee and immigrant populations.

“I think ESL teachers are really important and actually have a lot of impact,” Eh Mu said, “because for the clients, to be able to learn and speak English gives them that confidence to be able to navigate their new community.”

Jane’s role in providing such confidence came about in a roundabout way. She said as a kid she enjoyed school and liked her teachers, and what drew her to teaching was the opportunity to create a community in the classroom. But Jane would ultimately leave the public school system in 2012 because she felt constrained after changes were made to curriculum and testing.

Spring 2025 Countenance 15

In addition to teaching, Jane Harwell is also a lifelong learner with many interests, including playing the ukulele. photo by Pel Law

People like Jane, who stick with teaching for so long, do it not because it's easy and not because of the compensation.

But (they) do it because it is really part of their identity, part of who they are.

16 Countenance Spring 2025

“When the administrative stuff felt kind of oppressive, that's always just kind of a bummer,” Jane said. “I like being in a place that's a little more organic.”

Teaching and other passions Outside of teaching, Jane is a vegetarian who enjoys reading and gardening. She's also a student, taking piano lessons and learning Spanish through an online community. Most recently, Jane began learning how to play the ukulele.

“I'm always learning and reading about immigration and legal stuff and what's going on,” Jane said. “There's so much changing all the time so I try to keep really informed about that stuff.”

A relationship Jane cherishes is the one she has with her husband of 31 years. Jane said her friendship and partnership with her husband play a huge role in her life, partly because they never chose to have children.

Daniel Whittle, Jane’s husband, and a lawyer for the Environmental Defense Fund, shares the sentiment. “She's a great partner and she is extremely generous,” he said.

Daniel remembers how in the beginning Jane would tell him about her experiences dealing with the challenges involved

PEOPLE IN PROFILE with being a teacher. He said Jane was naturally drawn to teaching and that she taught wherever they moved.

“People like Jane, who stick with teaching for so long, do it not because it's easy and not because of the compensation,” Daniel said. “But (they) do it because it is really part of their identity, part of who they are.”

Ever since leaving the public school system, Jane has been working with refugees and immigrants as a community volunteer. Daniel said Jane has a passion for helping people and continues to reinvent the way she teaches.

Last year, Jane launched her own YouTube channel where she uploads videos for her students. She said YouTube is an opportunity for her to make and develop something creative in addition to offering her students other learning options.

Although Jane said that change is inevitable as she gets older, she hopes to always teach in some way. She said teaching is a big part of what she loves about her life. n Pel Law is from Chapel Hill and graduates from ECU in May 2025. He hopes to become a journalist, reporting on culture and fashion.

The ABCs of ESL According to University of the Potomac, "ESL classes cover a variety of areas and topics, providing students with opportunities to enhance their English language speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills." This same source also relates that English proficiency is "a gateway to countless possibilities for achieving success."

Did you know there are different types of ESL classes?

Here's a quick look at some of them: Intensive English Programs (IEP)

University-based programs designed for rapid language acquisition.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Designed to equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in academic settings. A key component is academic writing, but there is also an emphasis on research skills.

Business English

For professionals seeking to enhance effective communication in the workplace, including vocabulary, professional writing skills, public speaking, and crosscultural communication.

Conversation Classes

Assists individuals with improving their speaking and listening skills for diverse social and professional real-life communication situations.

ESL for Specific Purposes (ESP)

Focus on reading, speaking, listening, and writing for specific occupational settings. For example, medical English courses tailored to help healthcare professionals communicate with patients.

Online ESL Courses

These courses provide flexibility and accessibility by using technology for interactive learning experiences.

ESL in K-12 Education

These classes are often integrated into K-12 education.

Adult ESL Education

Tailored to help adults develop proficiency in English. A key aspect is the development of English language skills for everyday activities. Often offered online.

English Immersion Programs

This immersion approach is often employed via study abroad programs and language camps.

Kids and Teens

Age-appropriate curriculum with a play-based learning approach and interactive teaching methods including storytelling and imaginative play. source: University of the Potomac

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SHOULD PRETTY HURT? EXPLORING SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS ABOUT BLACK WOMEN'S HAIR Wh

An example of the wide array of hair care products for Black hair available on store shelves photo by Mya Alderman

ISSUES IN PROFILE

by Mya Alderman

“Texturism” — a form of discrimination against coarser, Afro-textured hair — has long led many women to smooth their curls with harsh chemicals.

But, the struggle to conform has been resisted with a movement to embrace Black American heritage.

O

n a sunny Saturday morning, 7-year-old Jade Robb was getting ready for a family reunion dinner party. The bathroom countertop was cluttered with hairspray, rubber bands, makeup and beauty products, all mingled with the sharp, chemical scent of hair relaxer.

White cream from the relaxer smeared across the sink as Jade’s mom smoothed it through

her hair.

With every stroke of the brush, the burning sensation crept up her scalp, but Jade struggled to sit still. Staring into the mirror, Jade was learning a hard truth: “pretty hurts.”

Shadows of texturism Just like Jade, many Black women are introduced to chemical relaxers at an early age. Jade, now 19 and a nursing student at East Carolina University, explains that she grew up “around a lot of Hispanic kids with wavy hair and wished mine looked like that."

By middle school, she became acutely aware of the societal expectations surrounding Black women’s hair.

"The light skin and dark skin divide was huge where I lived. The light-skinned girls’ hair was considered 'beautiful,' while dark-skinned girls’ hair was labeled 'a mess.'"

Jade’s battle with texturism and her struggle to conform to societal standards is a story shared by many Black women. For decades, they have risked their health using harsh chemicals in pursuit of society’s idea of beauty, often leaving behind emotional damage.

The shadows of texturism have haunted Black women for decades. A 2022 study by the Dove beauty brand company revealed that Black women are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home from work due to their hair, underscoring the ongoing societal bias against Afro-textured hair.

Defined by many as a form of social injustice, texturism involves discrimination against individuals with coarser, Afro-textured hair. This discrimination is rooted in the belief that hair textures that resemble features typically associated with people of European descent are more attractive and acceptable.

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However, hair is a central part of Black culture and identity, historically representing pride, resistance and celebration.

and cleanliness of Black hair, rather than focusing on straightening it. This success led her to become the first Black woman and American female millionaire, according to a 2018 book by Patrick Obukowho, a chemist and expert on ethnic haircare and skincare The black hair care industry product formulation. and hair care movements The widespread use of chemical relaxers did not occur until the 1950s. According to the History Garrett Augustus Morgan accidentally discovered the Makers, a national nonprofit research and educational method of chemically straightening hair. According to institution that preserves stories about African the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Americans, one key player was George E. Johnson.

Innovation at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Johnson, an entrepreneur and innovator, got a $500 Museum of American History, Morgan began his loan to create the Johnson Products Company in the entrepreneurial journey in 1907 by opening a shop to 1950s, focusing on the African American male hair care repair and sell sewing machines. While experimenting market. He initially sold Ultra Wave, a hair relaxer with a liquid to prevent sewing machine needles from for men, which used sodium hydroxide (lye) as a key burning fabric, he discovered that it could straighten ingredient.

Black hair, a realization he tested on a dog’s fur.

He later developed Ultra Sheen, a revolutionary He transformed the liquid into a cream and founded at-home hair straightener. In 1971, Johnson Products the G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Company to market it. became the first African American-owned company to In addition, Morgan developed a Black hair dye and a be listed on the American Stock Exchange. curved-tooth comb, contributing to a comprehensive Black hair preferences experienced a change after the line of hair-care products. This led to the alkaline Civil Rights Act of 1964 paved the way for the Black relaxer and revolutionized the Black hair market.

Power Movement. According to the Smithsonian’s Another key figure in the Black hair care industry National Museum of African American History & was Madame C.J. Walker, also known as the "de-kink Culture, the Afro pick and Afro hairstyle emerged queen." Born Sarah Breedlove, she created an empire as key symbols of Black Nationalism. As more Black by selling products designed to improve the health individuals embraced wearing their natural hair, this represented a return to cultural roots and the celebration of Afrocentric beauty.

The design of the Afro pick, with its wide-spaced teeth and comfortable handle, made it easier to maintain the natural curl pattern while combing through coiled hair. But despite this widespread movement, relaxers were still popular with Black people, specifically on the job, where many felt Jade Robb, now 19 and the need to return to a look that was a nursing student at East seen by some as more “professional.”

Carolina University, is one By the 1980s and 1990s, hairstyles of many Black women also played a significant role in hip-hop introduced to chemical culture, with men popularizing the relaxers at an early age.

Jheri curl in the 1980s and the Philly Fade in the 1990s. photo by Mya Alderman Women embraced styles like wedges, finger waves, braids and dreadlocks, reflecting the influence of both Black nationalism and working-class creativity, according to the African American Museum of Iowa.

This Natural Hair Movement lost some momentum in the 1980s due to continued on p. 22

20 Countenance Spring 2025

A journey through history

ISSUES IN PROFILE

by Mya Alderman

African American hair heritage and tradition: Beauty versus oppression

Portrait of a Creole Woman in a Madras Tignon

A

public domain photo from en.wikipedia.org/

ccording to the African American Museum of Iowa, a statewide institution dedicated to preserving and teaching the history of African Americans in the region, Black American heritage can be traced back to countries in West and Central Africa, such as Senegal, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria.

Among the Wolof, Mende, Mandingo and Yoruba tribes, hair held deep cultural significance.

It symbolized everything from geographical roots and marital status to age, religion and social standing.

Hair was also believed to connect individuals to the spiritual world, serving as a medium to communicate with gods and spirits. Additionally, it was thought to have protective powers, enhance medicinal potency, cast spells and even attract a mate.

While in African societies hair was seen as a trait of beauty, Europeans saw it as means to oppress when they began to colonize the New World.

In an act to dehumanize and strip the enslaved people of their heritage, slave traders would shave their heads. For the enslaved, this act was not just an assault on their appearance, it was an assault on their identity.

To create further divide, slave masters would separate the enslaved based on their skin tone and hair texture. Lighter skin slaves with looser hair textures would work in the house and had access to better clothing, food, education and, in rare cases, freedom when their master died. Darker skin slaves with coarser hair worked in the fields and faced unsanitary living conditions and malnutrition, which led to them wearing scarves and kerchiefs to protect from the sun and from various scalp diseases.

In the early 1700s, African American men dominated the hair industry, primarily serving white clients. But, by the 1820s, as hostility toward Black men grew, they were prohibited from styling white women’s hair, increasing demand for Black women in the industry.

The Center for Women’s History at the New York Historical Society explains that as Louisiana became a

Spanish colony in 1763, it had a thriving community of Black people who were free but were still denied the rights and privileges of white citizens.

The Spanish government, concerned about maintaining social hierarchies, sought to restrict the influence of free Black people. A significant worry was the beauty of free Black women, which attracted the attention of white men.

To address this, Gov. Esteban Rodríguez Miró enacted the Tignon Law in 1786. This law required free Black women to wear a tignon, a headscarf typically associated with enslaved women, to visually link them to the enslaved class and diminish their perceived status.

From restriction to a signal of beauty However, free Black women turned this restriction into an act of defiance.

They complied with the law but transformed the tignon into a symbol of beauty, creativity and wealth by using vibrant colors, luxurious fabrics, feathers and jewels. Instead of marking them as inferior, the headscarves became a statement of individuality and resilience.

Even after Louisiana became a U.S. state in 1803 and the law was no longer enforced, many Black women continued to wear tignons as a cultural expression. n

Find out more!

Scan the QR code to learn more about the history of the tignon.

madras texture photo generated by Adobe Firefly

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the globalization of Eurocentric beauty ideals, according to the Black Wall Street Media website. However, the movement experienced a second wave and continued to reevaluate society's views on natural hair. According to 2022 research in the journal, French Ethnology, the movement is characterized by the dissemination of discourses that revalue Afro hair, both in education and as an identity, and by the circulation of knowledge and techniques related to hair care and manipulation.

This movement, which emerged in the United States, spread widely to Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and, to a lesser extent, West Africa. It grew, in particular, through internet discussion forums, personal blogs, social media pages, and later through video-sharing platforms.

“In recent years, I notice more Black women embracing their hair and being kinder to it,” says Dr. Chaniqua Simpson, a sociologist in the African and African American Studies Department at East Carolina University. “I remember going to my first job and feeling pressured to straighten my hair. Thankfully, I never did, but I’ve noticed less and less Black women getting asked about it.”

Pressure versus preference and health

Data is mixed about recent sales of chemical relaxers.

According to a 2013 report by Mintel, the world’s leading marketing agency, relaxer sales dropped by 26% between 2008 and 2013, decreasing from $206 million Global discussions about identity to an estimated $152 million. Some analysts predict the downward trajectory will persist as consumers grow The Natural Hair Movement and the increased increasingly concerned about the health implications of awareness of Eurocentrism — and their effect on Black chemical relaxers. youth — continue to redefine the significance of Afro Ariana Boozer, the owner of MakAriana salon in textured hair and prompt global discussions about Fayetteville, North Carolina, says people should Black identity and acceptance. embrace the hair they are born with.

“Everybody's born different. I don't try to push it on my clients to wear their natural hair, but those that do or want a change, I give them guidance on how to make sure it is healthy."

She says that more clients have asked her for guidance on which products to use and how to take care of their natural curls.

MaKayla Walker, a 29-year-old client of Ariana’s who has suffered hair breakage from relaxers, says the Natural Hair Movement has been the best thing to happen for Black people.

“I love it! I wouldn't go back to a relaxed hair. My hair is now healthier and growing great now that I stopped.”

More and more states have passed laws to protect Afro textured hair and protective hairstyles. The CROWN Act MaKayla Walker, who has suffered hair (Creating a Respectful and Open breakage from relaxers, says the Natural Workplace for Natural Hair) Hair Movement has been the best thing to prohibits discrimination based happen for Black people. on hair texture and protective hairstyles, including braids, photo by Mya Alderman twists, locs and Bantu knots, in workplaces, schools and other 22 Countenance Spring 2025

ISSUES IN PROFILE

In recent years, I notice more Black women embracing their hair and being kinder to it. I remember going to my first job and feeling pressured to straighten my hair. Thankfully, I never did, but I’ve noticed less and less Black women getting asked about it. public spaces. The legislation was promoted by DOVE and the CROWN Coalition in partnership with then State Senator Holly J. Mitchell in California in June 2019. It became California law a month later. Since then, many states have passed their own CROWN act, and the legislation has been proposed at the federal level but with little success.

“They should have done this sooner because black women and men have been turned down from great job opportunities just because of the crown they were born with,” said 55-year-old Angelique Boozer, a medical support assistant in Fayetteville.

In spite of the legislation, some Black people still choose to wear their relaxed hair. For many, relaxed hair offers convenience and manageability to their daily routines. Others may feel societal pressure to maintain a "professional" look, particularly in workplaces where natural hairstyles are not yet fully accepted. Personal preferences also play a role, as some simply prefer the aesthetic of relaxed hair.

Harriyanna Hook, a 26-year-old content creator, part-time college student, and entrepreneur with her

The logo for MakAriana Cosmetology, located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Ariana Boozer, the owner of MakAriana salon, says she gives clients guidance on how to make sure their hair is healthy, but doesn't tell them what they should do with their hair.

own haircare products, said she doesn’t have time to do her hair and only gets relaxers twice a year.

She said that as a social media influencer, she has a responsibility to educate her audience and to promote positive messages about hair care.

“People should really do their research before jumping to conclusions.

Further research needs to be done to prove an absolute link between

relaxers and cancer.”

Yet, the research is pretty convincing. Alexandra White, who heads the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and was lead author on a study connecting hair relaxers with cancer, said in a news release that the risk is high.

“We estimated that 1.64% of women who never used hair straighteners would go on to develop uterine cancer by the age of 70; but for frequent users, that risk goes up to 4.05%.”

While she acknowledged that uterine cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer, it is growing in the U.S., particularly among Black women.

A continuing journey For many Black women, the fight to embrace their natural selves has been worth the struggle.

“My grandma has had a relaxer since she was small,” said Jade, the ECU student with vivid memories of childhood hair relaxers. “While she may not like it, my hair is who I am, and I have stopped caring if she or anyone else approves of it.”

Jade added, one day “we will live in a society where Afro-textured hair is viewed as a symbol of empowerment rather than embarrassment.”

The journey toward this ideal is a combination of personal resilience, cultural reclamation and societal change. It requires a reevaluation of beauty standards to recognize that every curl, coil and kink has inherent beauty and deserves celebration. It is not just about hair; it is about reclaiming identity and challenging centuries of Eurocentric beauty standards. n Mya Alderman is from Kelly, North Carolina, and will graduate from ECU in December 2025. She hopes to be a photojournalist, among other future pursuits in journalism.

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DESPERATELY SEEKING AFFORDABLE

HOUSING: IS BUDGET-FRIENDLY HOUSING STILL ATTAINABLE FOR ECU STUDENTS?

Aerial drone photo of the Greenville, North Carolina grid area. photo by Thomas Weybrecht 24 Countenance Spring 2025

ISSUES IN PROFILE

by Madison McKenna

Finding affordable housing is a challenge many students face. With rising rent prices and long wait lists for dorms, students are feeling the pressure.

Local leaders and organizations are working on solutions, but students say the need for affordable housing is urgent.

T

ravis Froyd’s search for housing at East Carolina University felt like a neverending struggle. As he scrolled through countless listings and toured many different places to live, one thought kept running through his mind: everything was too expensive.

"It was overwhelming," he said. "I felt like I was looking at the same prices over and over again. Everything was out of my budget."

Froyd’s typical day starts before sunrise and stretches far into the night, a relentless grind fueled by the need to keep a roof over his head. As a senior majoring in business management, Travis has been working overtime to afford his rent.

“I ended up in a four-bedroom with shared bathrooms to make ends meet," he said.

“Even then my rent is still super expensive.”

Froyd works two jobs while being a full-time student in order to be able to pay for rent, which makes for very long days.

“I wake up every day, go to class. I then go work my maintenance job. I then go home, eat, do some homework, and head right back out the door to work my nightclub job till 2 in the morning," said Froyd, who is from Mocksville, North Carolina.

Yahir Almanza has a similar story. At the same time he is a student in ECU’s dental school, Yahir works a part time job at a local pizza shop in order to keep up with his living expenses. What used to be manageable prices have grown more difficult to handle, he said, as rent prices in Greenville seem to rise every year.

“It was so much cheaper when I first got here,” he explained.

As students at ECU settle in, many find that the cost of housing is an even greater challenge than their own coursework. As rent prices keep rising, many upperclassmen at ECU are now finding it cheaper to stay in the dorms instead of moving off-campus.

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Yahir Almanza is a student in ECU's dental school and works part time. Like many, he juggles school and work as rent prices rise. photo by Madison McKenna

The median gross rent for apartments in Greenville was $983 per month between 2019 and 2023, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. National trends suggest it is higher now.

East Carolina students like Travis and Yahir say they are having to bend over backwards in order to afford rent. Juggling part-time jobs alongside their classes adds to the stress.

Looking for viable solutions

According to Mason Myhand, than renting an apartment. "I a Campus Living services thought the dorms would be more representative, ECU’s dorms are affordable, especially with the full for the 2024–25 school year. All FAFSA help," she said. freshmen are guaranteed housing; But Caroline was put on a however, older students face more waiting list with over 200 other difficulty securing a spot, with students. a waitlist for non-freshmen who "I didn’t think the waiting list wish to live in the dorms. would be that long," Caroline “Upperclassmen students explained. "It just wasn’t possible keep applying more and more to get in." each year to live in the dorms Caroline said she was forced and I would assume it's because to move in with her boyfriend to off-campus housing is becoming make ends meet. so expensive,” said Mason. He With so many students needing added that living in the dorms is affordable housing, many are left generally more affordable than struggling to find options. renting an off-campus apartment, particularly for students who receive financial aid. This makes on-campus housing an appealing option for students, although the waitlist makes it hard for nonfreshmen to secure a spot.

This happened to sophomore Caroline Emory.

In spring 2024, she Student housing at East Carolina University is based in three neighborhoods: College Hill, applied for financial West End and Central, which is shown here. aid through FAFSA, hoping that a dorm room would be cheaper photo by Barbara Bullington 26 Countenance Spring 2025

Greenville City Council member Marion Blackburn wants to address the challenges that have left many ECU students struggling to find affordable accommodations. But local governments like Greenville’s have few options.

Blackburn’s district represents over 90% of the ECU student body, and she strives “to be open and responsive to student needs." In a recent case involving a student whose landlord refused to fix a broken pipe, Blackburn intervened, helping the student to get out of her lease and access resources for better housing options.

While some large cities have implemented rent control measures, Greenville has not.

ISSUES IN PROFILE "The city council currently lacks the tools to directly impact housing affordability," Blackburn explained. "If we want more housing options, we need to encourage developers to invest in our community."

The city's housing demand has gotten worse since the COVID-19 pandemic, which was when rental prices began to skyrocket.

"Once activities resumed, we saw a sudden influx of people moving here, which has driven up rental costs significantly," Blackburn said.

She said the city needs to take proactive measures, including public-private partnerships, to address housing shortages.

Blackburn believes that if the city offered more housing options for students, then rent would be cheaper. One potential solution she proposed is a Greek Village, designed to provide dedicated living spaces for sorority and fraternity members. This development would help alleviate pressure on the housing market by offering a special location for those students to live, freeing up more rental options.

"By creating more targeted housing, we can reduce the strain on the overall market," she added.

However, Blackburn is also aware of the role that landlord pressure tactics may play in housing prices, which is why, "I try to maintain a good

Caroline Emory hoped dorm living would be cheaper than living off campus. But she was put on a waiting list with over 200 other students. photo by Madison McKenna

It was overwhelming.

I felt like I was looking at the same prices over and over again. Everything was out of my budget.

relationship with landlords to ensure they uphold their responsibilities," she said.

Many landlords are raising prices, using tactics that pressure students to sign leases far too quickly.

"Apartments tend to get more expensive the longer you wait, which can be daunting for students," she warned. Instead, “students need to put their foot down; they are a lot more powerful than they think,” she said.

As an example, if an apartment leasing agent tells a student one price but then raises that price a few weeks later, “the student should fight for the original price that was given to them.”

While Blackburn wishes for a subsidized or controlled housing market, she remains committed to finding viable solutions for students. In 2022, she and other city officials held a housing forum designed to engage with Greenville residents about the high costs, which she said provided feedback about what could be done.

One option is the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and its Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. According to Blackburn, this could be a vital resource for promoting the development of affordable rental housing in Greenville. Offering tax credits to developers who provide housing to low-income residents could help to lessen the problem of housing affordability. As long as participants comply with program regulations, this ensures that these housing options remain accessible to those in need.

Blackburn said such an initiative would not only help to offset the cost of construction but also help create partnerships between public Spring 2025 Countenance 27

get u o y o d t a Wh ey? n o m r u o y for

An overview of apartment living in Greenville, North Carolina

Average rent in Greenville, North Carolina

Floor plan type

Average square feet

$554 per month

\ studio

433 square feet

$954 per month

one bedroom

697 square feet

$1,085 per month

two bedrooms

974 square feet

$1,473 per month

three bedrooms

1,215 square feet

source: apartments.com/rent-market-trends/greenville-nc/

28 Countenance Spring 2025

ISSUES IN PROFILE and private sectors to create sustainable communities where affordable living is a reality.

Not just a local issue ECU students are not the only college students struggling with housing costs. NASPA, a national organization representing Student Affairs administrators in higher education, wants colleges and universities to be more upfront about housing costs. Alexa Chamberlain, the organization's director of research and strategy, said colleges can be very misleading when it comes to telling students their total cost of attendance. Universities calculate the cost of attendance in different ways, and they don’t always include things like off campus living or local cost differences.

The U.S. Department of Education suggests using “reasonable methods” to estimate costs, but according to Chamberlain, doesn’t give clear rules. This means universities use their own methods, which makes it hard for students to compare costs, she added.

One thing is certain. Unless things improve, students like Travis, Yahir, and Caroline, as well as many others, will continue to struggle. n Madison McKenna, from Souderton, Pennsylvania, will graduate from ECU in 2026. She enjoys snowboarding and photography and wants to work in broadcast journalism.

For tips about juggling the college work/life balance, check out this multimedia website — created by ECU student Bella Hoch in Web Design for Communication Professionals in the School of Communication — by scanning this QR Code:

1 2 3 4 5

Key steps to finding off-campus housing

Start in advance! Begin looking early.

Many sources recommend starting your search 3–6 months in advance to ensure the most options. ECU students can visit offcampushousing.ecu.edu/housing for a list of rentals and check out offcampus.ecu.edu/ for information about the Off-Campus Student Services housing fair and other resources.

Budget! Determine your budget by calculating the maximum amount you can afford for rent. Be sure to factor in potential expenses like utilities and groceries. Be aware that some apartments may have hidden fees, such as garbage disposal and parking. (source: tuitionrewards.com) Inspect! Carefully check the condition of the property, amenities (such as recreational areas) and the neighborhood. Pay attention to availability of safety features, cleanliness and any needed repairs. (source: tuitionrewards.com) Consider distance. If your housing choice is on an off-campus transit route, you can save money on parking or even the cost of a car and auto insurance.

Check transit.ecu.edu for ECU bus routes.

Explore ways to save. Besides saving on transportation, you can save in the following ways: •Find a roommate or roommates to share expenses with (but note that the number of unrelated individuals allowed to live together in a single dwelling unit in Greenville is limited to three).

•Look into units that offer free internet or that are fully furnished.

•Use student discounts where available.

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WHERE THE FAR EAST MEETS EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA EMPORIUM HAS 25-YEAR HISTORY OF CREATING 'A TASTE OF HOME'

30 Countenance Spring 2025

BUSINESS

BUSINESS

by Mara Phinney

From dresses made in Pampanga and Laguna, to Filipino bread and spring rolls, diversifying to serve a changing clientele is one of the keys to success for the Havelock-based Far East Emporium.

T

he Far East Emporium sits on the corner of a small plaza, a cultural meeting ground for the often-shifting local residents. The Filipino and Oriental fusion store in Havelock, North Carolina, is a cultural stand-alone in the small melting-pot military town of 16,000.

For 25 years, the Far East Emporium has been a place where Tita Rose Lutz, 60, has created a home away from home for many.

Rose is often referred to as big sister — “Ate” or aunt — “Tita” in the Philippines’ native language, Tagalog. Culturally these terms are a sign of respect.

Goods change, but faith stays the same

Far East Emporium has changed and grown, and even moved across the street from its original location, over its quarter of a century in business. photo by Mara Phinney

Tita Rose opens the doors to Far East at 11 a.m. on some days. Noon on other days. “Filipino time” as she calls it, but the store is always closed on Sunday.

On a Saturday in November, Tita Rose walks in and blesses the store, then recites the Lord’s prayer. Though the goods in the shop have changed over the years, her faith stays the same.

An array of fruits and vegetables sit in multiple cardboard boxes on the floor. Footlong, skinny purple eggplants and vibrant green guava sit alongside bitter melon in Styrofoam. There are warm yellow plantains with freckled peels, string beans, purple banana blossoms that look identical to corn husks, white radish, green grapefruits called pomelos, and autumn orange persimmons.

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As Betty restocks the chilled produce section, some of Far East's fresh produce — persimmons, pomelos, rambutan — and dried noodles, can be seen in the foreground. photo by Mara Phinney

Tita has just returned from Virginia Beach, her monthly restocking errand that keeps her produce, baked goods — and customers — coming back. She begins plucking apart the Saluyot leaves and sacking them into clear plastic bags. The leafy green is popular among Filipinos for its bite when added to hot and savory soups like Tinola, a chicken and ginger soup.

“I’ve seen three oriental shops come and go here,” says Tita, adding that, after she took over the shop, she diversified it. It’s why she’s been around this long.

In a small military town like 32 Countenance Spring 2025

Havelock, the probability of a stable customer under the age of 50 is unlikely, as many occupants are “owned” by the government until their contract with Uncle Sam — and the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station — comes to an end.

While the U.S. military doesn’t keep data on the nationality or citizenship of military spouses, the number of foreign-born military spouses is believed to be significant. For Havelock businesses like the Far East Emporium, this can mean both a diverse and always changing clientele.

“I pray to God that for every customer that leaves, three more come along,” Tita says.

The shop welcomes in guests with a 10-second chime, long and loud enough for Tita Rose to hear from the shop’s kitchen. While it was once used for catering, it is now only used for orders for lumpia, which are Filipino spring rolls, and for Tita to make meals for herself or her friends when they stop by.

A man with a white bandana walks in. He takes off his glasses and places them on top of his head. Grabbing a basket, his eyes dart to the shelves.

BUSINESS “Do you cook somewhere?” Rose asks Kyle Sizemore, a returning customer from the beach town nearby. His basket is full of sauces, dry noodles, paste jars and oils.

He laughs off the comment. “I spent a lot of time in Asia myself. I like to mix it up.”

Sizemore, a Marine gunnery sergeant who happens to have an advanced flavor palette, has

fermented black bean paste on his grocery list. His tastebuds are yearning for a trip back to his days in Thailand or even his last four years in Hawaii.

“I do a lot of Chinese, Szechuan flavors, Thai, Vietnamese — I’ve got loads of fish sauce,” Sizemore explains.

Tita’s fingers click and the register beeps in response.

She enters in the price of each item individually.

Never stopping

Pomelo slices photo by Polina from pexels.com

Tita Rose wasn’t always running the emporium. In 1999, Rose Lutz turned in her manager’s apron at the Cherry Point Exchange. Her husband, Paul, was stationed at the Marine Air Corps Station, the second largest in the United States.

Paul Lutz describes his wife as “never stopping, never slowing down, even as she gets old.” While joking, he adds, “I don’t even remember life before the business.”

For their family, the shop’s growth and presence have had just as memorable an impact as a child’s.

Paul recalls the early days of Rose’s shop.

“I remember when she started the store. It was initially across the street from where it is now: Rose’s Gifts and Fine Jewelry.”

Vanessa and George, who are regular customers at the emporium, stop in to stock up. photo by Mara Phinney

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Henry Hinton Sr. with his son, who is co-owner of Inner Banks Media. photo courtesy of IBX Media

Rose Lutz packs saluyot leaves. photo by Mara Phinney

Rose first sold fine jewelry and made-to-order gowns. The design idea and sizing would be drawn up and sent to the Philippines with a two-month return date. Within three years Tita Rose expanded to furniture and home décor, reflected in the 3-foot-tall Chinese vases displayed in the front of the store.

With few to no other Filipino-focused oriental stores in the area, Rose started to import goods from her family in Santa Cruz-Zambales, Philippines, who own an all-in-one shop that Rose describes as being like a Filipino 7-Eleven convenience store. She had dried fish sent from Dagupan City and dresses made in Pampanga and Laguna. Since 2006, the emporium has grown more and more.

Today, deep freezers are nuzzled against the walls, filled with hand-rolled lumpia. Next to them are stand-alone display freezers and fridges full of dumplings, more rolls, wrappers and novelty ice cream of different flavors: ube, red bean and coconut, to name a few.

A table to the left of the cash register is full of plump and fresh Filipino breads and desserts, wrapped in clear plastic and tied with a twist knot reading “Glory’s Bakery, Virginia Beach.” Also tucked inside plastic wrap are traditional Pan De Sal — Filipino 34 Countenance Spring 2025

dinner rolls, monay — a dense Filipino bread, and hopia — flaky pastry with mung bean filling.

This table catches the eyes of customers Vanessa and George. Vanessa picks up the monay, the same bread George brought home yesterday from the emporium, but they are back already with two more bags in hand.

I don’t even remember life before the business.

BUSINESS “It tastes like home,” Vanessa explains.

Home is technically Philadelphia for the middle-aged military couple, but because both come from Filipino-American households, the bread reminds them of mornings with their parents. It was the first smell that hit their noses when they woke up as children.

The couple is ready for their son to be back from his freshman year of college, just an hour away in Raleigh. They ask for two bags of lumpia for Thanksgiving, one of veggie for Vanessa and pork for their boy. Thoughts of hugs from their son fill their arms as Tita Rose enters prices into the register.

The door chime sings once again as Betty walks through. The regulars call her Betty Boop, after the cartoon character that shares the same dark hair as the calm-demeanor woman. You could call her a part-timer for Tita Rose, but she only arrives when Tita Rose needs an extra hand. She is around the same age as the owner but comes dressed in a checkered paper-boy hat and striped shirt. Betty grabs a notepad and begins to take inventory, starting in the kitchen freezers. She then grabs a tea kettle and fills it with water before opening the kitchen door. Tita Rose prepares to leave the shop for what seems like a typical venture for her.

“My customer asked for me to say a blessing at their daughter’s first baby shower,” she explains.

A tea kettle screams from the kitchen, and Betty walks out with three mugs.

The shop is quiet now, and it’s time for a pick-me-up. Betty places the mugs down, grabs a plastic box off the table and pulls out instant coffee and a honey jar. She pours hot water into the three mugs and two scoops of coffee and honey into each. Rose grabs the white ceramic mug. “Paris,” it says in cursive above a cartoon of the Eiffel Tower. Drinking from the mug, she packs her brown leather purse and makes her way to the glass doors.

“Salamat Poy, Ate” (Thank You, Sister), Rose exclaims, waving goodbye to Betty.

The time is only 2:30 p.m., a couple hours short of the 5 p.m. closing at Far East, but Rose still exits the shop and makes her way to the celebration.

She has a future customer to bless. n Mara Grace Phinney is from New Bern. She attended both the University of North Florida and East Carolina University, graduating from ECU in December 2024 with a degree in communication.

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