Durham Magazine April/May 2025 by Triangle Media Partners

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APRIL/MAY 2025 VOL 18 NO 2 durhammag.com

EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR Amanda MacLaren amanda.maclaren@durhammag.com

EDITORIAL

EDITOR, CHAPEL HILL MAGAZINE Jessica Stringer

EXECUTIVE EDITOR, CHATHAM MAGAZINE

Morgan Cartier Weston

ASSISTANT EDITOR Renee Ambroso

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Leah Berry

CONTRIBUTORS

April Dudash & Anna-Rhesa Versola

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Alexandra Borda, Charlotte Cooper, Laney Crawley, Hailie Davidson, Phoebe Martel, Taylor Motley, Emilia Rivadeneira, Lauren Rouse, Addie Rowells, Rebecca Savidge, Sabrina Shaw, Jordann Smith-Burgess, Caitlin Toomey and Emma Unger

ART & Production

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kevin Brown

PHOTOGRAPHER

John Michael Simpson

GRAPHIC DESIGNER & PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Lindsay Scott

AD MANAGER

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Durham Magazine is published six times a year by Triangle Media Partners, founded in 2006 by Dan and Ellen Shannon. Subscriptions, $38 for two years, are available at durhammag.com To purchase copies, call 919.933.1551.

Rising to the Occasion

Fred Rogers once shared a piece of wisdom from his mother that has resonated across generations (and which I may have shared before but will forever ring true): “When I was a boy, and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

It’s a reminder that in moments of uncertainty or challenge, there are always those who step up to support, uplift and lead. This issue of our magazine is dedicated to those very people – extraordinary women who are shaping Durham and beyond with their talent, courage and unwavering commitment to others. They are the helpers, the doers – they see a problem, and they immediately go about trying to solve it.

In our 13th annual Women’s Issue, we highlight 10 remarkable women whose work embodies the spirit of service and strength. Among them is Yesenia L. Polanco-Galdamez, an immigration and criminal defense attorney, who tirelessly advocates for the rights of those navigating complex legal challenges. Melanie Allen is driving systemic change at the intersection of climate and social equity at Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice. Jenn Summe, a partner at Primordial Ventures and co-founder of Ladies Investing / Local Angels, is breaking barriers in the investment world, helping create more opportunities for women.

Some of these women nourish us – literally and figuratively. Savannah Miller, chef de cuisine at M Tempura, brings masterful culinary artistry to the table, while Olivia Bellido, department chair of theater arts at Jordan High School, nurtures the creativity of young minds. N.C. Central University Chancellor Karrie Dixon is shaping the next generation of leaders through higher education, and the Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson, executive

COVER

Photo by John Michael Simpson

director of the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina, offers spiritual guidance and advocacy for justice – “the story of our movement is not what we are fighting against, it is what we are fighting for,” she shared in her interview with assistant editor Renee Ambroso.

Then, there are the trailblazers. Dr. Joanne A. P. Wilson, professor emeritus of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at Duke, has paved the way for women, and especially women of color, in medicine. Celebrated country music artist Rissi Palmer uses her platform to uplift marginalized voices in the industry. And standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves is Dr. Sabrina Grinstead, a dedicated veterinarian ensuring the well-being of animals in our community. These women all inspire us to see possibility in the face of challenge, and I have no doubt their stories will leave a lasting impression on you.

Elsewhere in this issue, you’ll find fresh inspiration for bringing new life into your home this spring, an inside look at Sarah P. Duke Gardens’ transformative Garden Gateway project and an exploration of the current trends shaping Durham’s housing market. Whether you’re looking for a dose of inspiration, a reason to celebrate our community or simply something new to discover, I hope this issue gives you just that.

 amanda.maclaren@durhammag.com

AND THE NOMINEES ARE …

We’re always accepting candidates to consider for our annual Women of Achievement issue.

GET THE SCOOP

Learn more about two of our featured women in their full Q&As online:

Melanie Allen co-executive director, Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice

The Rev. Lisa GarciaSampson, Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina

april/may 2025 contents

WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT

42 Savannah Miller chef de cuisine, M Tempura

44 Rissi Palmer singer-songwriter; host, Color Me Country Radio; special correspondent, Country Music Television; curator, The Wavemakers Series, Carolina Theatre

46 The Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson executive director, Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina

48 Dr. Joanne A. P. Wilson professor emeritus of medicine, division of gastroenterology, Duke University School of Medicine

54 Yesenia L. Polanco-Galdamez immigration and criminal defense attorney, Polanco Law

56 Olivia Bellido department chair of theater arts, Jordan High School

58 Dr. Sabrina Grinstead veterinarian and owner, Eno Animal Hospital

60 Melanie Allen co-executive director, Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice

64 Jenn Summe partner, Primordial Ventures; co-founder, Ladies Investing / Local Angels

66 Karrie G. Dixon chancellor, North Carolina Central University

AGING & WELLNESS

108 Stay Golden Discover local spots that help older adults keep moving, stay engaged and live life to the fullest

111 Our Annual Retirement Guide

HOME & GARDEN

70 Remarkable Rooms

Stunning spaces masterfully crafted by three local designers

80 Built to Last Southern artisans forge a new legacy, blending tradition with innovation in furniture and textiles

88 Season of Change

Sarah P. Duke Gardens welcomes visitors while undergoing a yearlong transformation, growing toward a brighter, more sustainable future

94 Mocha Mousse Madness Tips for how to best utilize this comforting brown hue in your home

124 Navigating a Shifting Housing Market Understanding changing trends and buyer adaptations

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

4 Letter from the Editor

10 Go.See.Do. Spring’s top events

32 Let’s Dish Coupe & Stein Champagne Bar

98 Our Top Dentists

120 Biz Briefs

128 Wedding Tying the knot, Bull City-style

PEOPLE & PLACES

16 Book Harvest’s Dream Big Book Drive

18 Meals on Wheels Durham’s Feed the Need Gala

20 Caring House’s Benefit Gala

22 Durham Tech Foundation’s Celebration of Charles Wilson and Jean Wilson

24 Wheels Grand Reopening

26 Durham Regional Association of Realtors’ Awards Membership Luncheon

2025 SUBARU FORESTER HYBRID

2025 SUBARU FORESTER HYBRID powertrain

The Forester Hybrid switches between its gas engine and electric motors to maximize efficiency and power whether you’re running errands or climbing a snowy mountain road. The Forester Hybrid delivers the lowest emissions of any Forester in history and outstanding fuel efficiency, so those adventures are easier on your wallet.

STANDARD SYMMETRICAL all-wheel drive

The 2025 Forester Hybrid is equipped with the legendary capability of standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Optimizing traction for rain, snow, rough roads, and even off-road driving, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive constantly evaluates acceleration, braking, and cornering in real time to continuously deliver power to all four wheels.

wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, and wireless device-charging.

Built on the foundation of the Subaru Global Platform, which is made from high-strength steel for crash protection with active safety systems like EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which acts like an extra set of eyes on the road, and the available DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System, which can give a helpful alert if a driver becomes distracted or drowsy.

Urban Ministries of Durham Auction Gala

APRIL 11

Savor an elegant evening of fine dining and philanthropy at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, featuring silent and live auctions to support Urban Ministries, a nonprofit that has served the Durham community for more than 40 years by providing close to 250,000 meals annually, nightly shelter and programs to help individuals build a stable future. Gala guests can connect with community members and nonprofit leaders, bid on memorabilia and fine art, and enjoy a seated dinner –all in support of a meaningful cause.

Bull City Beer Mile

APRIL 26

Get ready to race, sip and cheer at this fourth annual ultimate fusion of athleticism and craft brews! The Glass Jug Beer Lab and Bull City Running Co. welcome individuals and relay teams to compete in a one-mile drinking race, which involves downing a 12-ounce beer before each quarter-mile lap, at Durham Central Park. Spectators can join the excitement by cheering on the racers while enjoying live DJ music, tasty bites from food trucks and refreshing pours from the Glass Jug beer trailer.

do see go

Meshell Ndegeocello

APRIL 18

Duke Arts Presents brings the Grammy-winning singersongwriter to Reynolds Industries Theater for a powerful performance from her latest album, “No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin,” a transcendent tribute that honors the works and values of writer and activist James Baldwin, weaving themes of faith, race and sexuality into poignant lyricism and music. Accompanied by a live band and two spoken word artists, Meshell delivers an unforgettable experience that brings the Civil Rights leader’s legacy to life.

SPRING’S TOP EVENTS

Compiled by Taylor Motley

Angels Among Us

APRIL 26

Lace up your running shoes or lend a helping hand at this exciting 5K race across the Duke University Medical Center campus, all in support of the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke Cancer Institute. This leading research center treats nearly 1,000 new brain tumor patients each year while advancing groundbreaking discoveries. Not racing? Enjoy a day of fun with food trucks, local vendors, a silent auction and a KidZone packed with activities for little ones!

Kimberly Akimbo

APRIL 29 – MAY 4

This five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical brings its heartfelt and humorous story to the Durham Performing Arts Center on its national tour. Join Kimberly Akimbo, a high schooler with a rare genetic disorder, as she navigates a new chapter in life, her first crush, family chaos and unexpected friendships. Gather your friends and family for an inspiring journey of love, resilience, and self-discovery.

Komen Triangle Race for the Cure

MAY 3

Run a 3-mile track around Boxyard RTP for this national fundraising event benefiting Susan G. Komen’s mission to end breast cancer through research, community outreach and public policy initiatives. Celebrate survivors, patients and loved ones at Hope Village, a special gathering space for those affected by breast cancer. Join the powerful group walk during the opening ceremonies and visit the Tribute Garden, a heartfelt memorial honoring those who have lost their lives to the disease.

Dancing With the Carolina Stars

MAY 21

PlayList Concert Series

MAY 2 – OCT. 3

Kick off every first Friday at Durham Central Park with live music, local vendors and a lively community vibe! This dynamic concert series, co-curated by DCP and WNCU 90.7 FM, showcases a diverse mix of genres and talented performers from across the country. Browse the Night Market’s local artists, businesses and food and drink vendors while soaking in the sounds of each month’s featured band or singer. Enjoy the soulful folk of Charly Lowry in May; groove to the bebop jazz of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band in June; and relish in the Sam Fribush Organ Trio’s funky melodies in July, plus more exciting acts throughout the season!

Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival

MAY 17

Head to Rock Quarry Park for a daylong celebration of African and African American history, arts and culture hosted by Durham Parks and Recreation. This beloved tradition, which is free and open to all, gathers the community together around live music, local artists and the flavors of African cuisine. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, soak in the festive atmosphere and experience the spirit of this 55th annual event, which was established by a group of local students and community members to honor the West African harvest celebration filled with dancing, feasting and cultural pride.

Walk for the Animals

MAY 31

Prepare for a dazzling night at the Carolina Theatre as Durham’s biggest local celebrities take the stage for the organization’s ultimate fundraising event of the year! Watch as contestants team up with professional dance partners to deliver sensational, showstopping performances. Keep the excitement going after the final dance at the after-party, where you can mingle with the stars and enjoy live music.

Leash up your furry friend for a 1.5-mile walk around Duke University’s East Campus, all in support of the Animal Protection Society of Durham, which helps more than 5,000 animals in need each year. Explore local vendors – from doggy day cares to vets and other pet-friendly businesses. Get a portrait taken of your fluffy companion, let your pup show off their skills on the agility course and much more during this fun-filled annual crowdfunding event for a great cause!

(Photo credits, clockwise from top left)

Page 10 Urban Ministries photo by Rotcelis Rose Photography; Meshell Ndegeocello photo by Andre Wagner; Bull City Beer Mile photo courtesy of Kat Benson Page 12 Kimberly Akimbo photo by Joan Marcus; PlayList Concert Series photo courtesy of Charly Lowry; Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival photo by Casha Mosley; Walk for the Animals photo by Tara Lynn & Co.; Dancing With the Carolina Stars photo by HuthPhoto

WHERE PURPOSE TAKES FLIGHT

NCCU’S NEXT CHAPTER

Dr. Karrie G. Dixon, 13th Chancellor, NCCU

At North Carolina Central University, we demonstrate innovation, academic excellence and community impact. As the first HBCU with an AI institute, supported by a $1M Google.org gift, we prepare students for the future.

With Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon as our Eagle-in-Chief, we lead the UNC System in enrollment growth, welcoming our largest first-year class in 114 years1. Our public-facing clinics in nutrition, law, speech pathology, and counseling serve the community, while we drive minority health disparities research in the Triangle.

Closing North Carolina’s credential gap, we deliver ready-to-work nursing professionals with a 100% NCLEX passage rate2, and empower adult learners through online education. NCCU also produces more Black alumni who go on to earn a Ph.D. in history than any other U.S. university.

Our jazz studies program wins championships and critical acclaim, while our student-athletes achieve the highest GPA in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference3 .

At NCCU, we don’t follow trends—we set them. Purpose, impact and transformation define who we are.

breaking-first-year-class-and-military

people &places

Turn the Page

BY LANEY CRAWLEY

Book Harvest’s 14th annual Dream Big Book Drive and Community Celebration brought more than 1,000 community members to the Golden Belt Campus on Jan. 12. More than 80 volunteers and 20 partner organizations helped organize the impressive 43,437 books collected, which included donations from 53 book drives held in the weeks leading up to the celebration. Families took home nearly 2,000 beloved children’s books to enjoy. Guests paraded alongside Paperhand Puppet Project’s colorful creations, cheered on the high-energy performance by the Bouncing Bulldogs and watched the Poetry Fox craft poems on the spot. Local vendors kept everyone fueled with treats like The Mad Popper’s popcorn and B3 Coffee’s hot chocolate. The event, held every year in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, continues to expand access to books and promote literacy for children across the community.

1 Paperhand Puppet Project parade. 2 Book Harvest founder and CEO Ginger Young and Durham Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Lewis. 3 Volunteers Jenny Parker and Peter Parker with Paperhand’s turtle. 4 Sofia carefully collects a children’s book. 5 The Bouncing Bulldogs showcase one of their high-energy routines.

Driving Force

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARLON HEADEN, HEADEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Meals on Wheels Durham marked its 50th anniversary with its sixth annual Feed the Need Gala at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club

DJ Brian Dawson kept the energy high for the 185 attendees as they enjoyed an evening of philanthropy featuring both a silent and a live auction, a raffle and a paddle raise led by auctioneer Matt Newsom. Speakers, including MOWD board president April Dudash, board secretary Rachel Dewees, Executive Director Jason Peace and client Lindsay Leckie, highlighted the organization’s impact. Special video appearances by Greg Ellis of Ellis Family Law and Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, further emphasized the mission. The night was a resounding success, raising more than $120,000 to support the delivery of meals and other lifeenhancing services for Durham’s homebound older adults.

1 Meals on Wheels Durham board president April Dudash. 2 Annaliese Gresham, William Gresham, Dr. Taineisha Bolden and Dorian Bolden.

3 Jennet Bradley. 4 DJ Brian Dawson alongside Meals on Wheels Durham Director of Community Engagement Annette Read, Communications and Special Events Coordinator Nia Richardson, Executive Director Jason Peace, Director of Development and Communications Jill Ullman and Volunteer Services Coordinator Trina Lloyd.

5 Durham County Board of Commissioners chair Nida Allam. 6 Durham Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton and N.C. Rep. Zack Hawkins.

Room to Grow

Caring House celebrated its annual benefit gala on Jan. 25 at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, honoring its incredible community and Dr. Steven Patierno, deputy director of the Duke Cancer Institute. The evening featured remarks from Dr. Michael Kastan, executive director at Duke Cancer Institute, and The Forest at Duke CEO Anita Holt, who spoke about their commitment to Caring House. A poignant moment came when former guest Kristen Smithwick shared her emotional story of her time at Caring House. The event raised an impressive $267,025 to support the mission of providing affordable housing, a healing environment and a support system for Duke Cancer Institute patients.

Want to help provide comfort and healing to even more patients and families? Join the organization for an exclusive evening at Nanas April 13, celebrating the success of its Making Room to Heal campaign. This elegant, multicourse dinner with wine pairings will mark past achievements and propel Caring House toward its $8.5 million goal as it prepares to break ground on an expanded facility that will more than double the number of patients it serves.

Jewelsmith’s Mary Coleman and Tiffany Landers.

Susan Blackwell and Dr. Jeffrey Crawford.

The Forest at Duke COO Sharon Pitt, TEAM Inc. CEO and President Robinson Everett Jr., and The Forest at Duke CEO Anita Holt. 4 Durham Magazine’s Sarah Davis and her dad, Bob Davis. 5 Kara Nunnally, Margaret Griffin, Mary Stewart, Rodney Hood, Dale Stewart, Steve Griffin, Nicholas Livengood and Becca Griffin of Insurance People of North Carolina, a bronze sponsor. 6 Duke Cancer Institute Executive Director Dr. Michael Kastan.

Caring House gala honoree Dr. Steven Patierno.

Dream Builders

BY PHOEBE MARTEL

The Durham Tech Foundation celebrated Charles “Chuck” Wilson Jr. and his wife, Jean Wilson, on Oct. 31, 2024, recognizing their more than 25 years of service to Durham Technical Community College. Chuck, a Durham native and former president of CT Wilson Construction, spent more than a decade on the college’s board of trustees. He and Jean have two scholarships in their name – the Charles and Jean Wilson Scholarship, which prioritizes those in building, engineering and skilled trades; and the C3 Scholarship, which is awarded to Durham Tech students who plan to transfer to NC State, Chuck’s alma mater. Held in the CT Wilson Construction Carpentry Lab on Durham Tech’s campus, the event drew 45 attendees and raised more than $50,000 for the Charles and Jean Wilson Scholarship.

1 Former Durham County Commissioner Brenda Howerton, Ginny Bowman, CT Wilson Construction owner Chuck Wilson Jr. and Durham Magazine’s Ellen Shannon. 2 N.C. Rep. Renée Price and Durham Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Economic Development Matt Gladdek. 3 Diversity Placement Solutions President Gracie Johnson-Lopez and former Durham County Commissioner Ellen Reckhow. 4 Jean Wilson, Walker Lambe PLLC co-founder Jack Walker and Carol Walker. 5 Durham Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Geoff Durham, Durham Technical Community College President J.B. Buxton and MDC Senior Fellow David Dodson.

TINY HEARING AID

Ready to Roll

Durham Parks and Recreation celebrated the grand reopening of Wheels Roller Skating Rink, a community staple beloved by Durhamites for more than 40 years, with a ribbon cutting at Merrick-Moore Park Feb. 27. The newly updated facility features exterior artwork by Dare Coulter that depicts the joy of movement, and the space features a more than 11,000-square-foot rink, rentable roller skates or Rollerblades, a cafe, arcade games and prize station. As City Manager Bo Ferguson put it, “The vibe is so Durham.”

1 Durham Parks and Recreation Director Wade Walcutt. 2 Artist Dare Coulter.

3 Elected officials including Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton, Mayor Leonardo Williams and City Council Member DeDreana Freeman help cut the ribbon to Wheels Roller Skating Rink alongside members of the community.

Too many of Durham’s homebound population, especially older adults, are going hungry and feeling lonely in our community.

Volunteer to provide meals and meaningful connections with local seniors.

Cheering On the Home Team

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

JOHN ELKINS PHOTOGRAPHY

The Durham Regional Association of Realtors hosted its annual Awards

Membership Luncheon Jan. 22 at Hope Valley Country Club, celebrating the outstanding contributions of its members. The event honored the 2024 award winners –dedicated professionals who generously give their time, provide exemplary service, and help advance the association and the Realtor profession. It also recognized Silver Service Recipients: members actively engaged in the real estate profession who have served as a Realtor for 25 years or more. The collective efforts of these award recipients not only strengthen the organization, but also create a lasting impact on the local community.

1 Durham Regional Association of Realtors’ Past President Grace Jones and CEO Shelia Willis. 2 Monarch Mortgage Vice President and Southeast Regional Manager Bryan Parker and Loan Officer Steve Medina.

3 Pickett Sprouse Commercial Real Estate Broker Matthew Morton. 4 Nest Realty Broker Karen Roberts.

5 Stewart, Martin & McCoy Principal Jarvis Martin. 6 2024 Silver Service Recipients DJ Maniace, Latrice McFadden, Julie Borden, Sarah Artz and Audrey Morris.* 7 Pinnacle Financial Partners Area Manager Eddie Blount and Mortgage Advisor Heather Retzlaff. 8 Truist Mortgage Loan Officer Evette Carpenter and Movement Mortgage Branch Leader Don Fowler.

*Not pictured: Jacqueline Anderson, Ryan Belk, Jane Lee, A. Paul Hofmann, Myron Smith and Wendy Steiner.

PHOTO BY SARAH DAVIS

MARCH 8 – JUNE 29, 2025

THE TIME IS ALWAYS NOW

Artists Reframe the Black Figure

Exhibition organized by the National Portrait Gallery, London, and presented by the North Carolina Museum of Art. Support for this exhibition is made possible, in part, by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc.; and the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment for Educational Exhibitions. Research for this exhibition was made possible by Ann and Jim Goodnight/the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fund for Curatorial and Conservation Research and Travel.

Amy Sherald, She was learning to love moments, to love moments for themselves (detail), 2017, oil on canvas, 541/8 × 43 in., © Amy Sherald, Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth; Photo: Joseph Hyde

CLIMATE TRIP DUKE ROAD

Durham is occasion for a few stops to take in some great barbecue.

But for Toddi Steelman, vice president and vice provost for climate and sustainability at Duke University, it was also a way to get a firsthand look at communities working with Duke researchers and students to address changes in their environments that have impacts to the economy, culture and development.

Steelman’s “Climate Road Trip” started off at the Duke Marine Lab on Pivers Island, where she learned about threats to the ecosystem and the coastal community’s economy.

It continued with a rowing expedition down the Great Coharie River, where Duke faculty member Ryan Emanuel is working with members of the Coharie tribe to restore parts of the watershed.

Steelman concluded the journey at Duke with a visit to the reclamation pond, one of the university’s numerous efforts at building more sustainable operations.

From the coastal research to sustainable campus operations, the trip highlighted the multifaceted efforts of Duke’s Climate Commitment.

“The climate has numerous impacts on many facets of our lives —–from our health and well-being to safety and security,” Steelman said. “This is why we have a Duke Climate Commitment. We need to respond to how the world is and continues to change around us. To do that we have a whole-university approach that allows students, faculty, staff and alumni to get involved, in partnership with our communities.”

Above: Toddi Steelman at the Duke Aquafarm in Beaufort, N.C., with faculty member Tom Schultz, who is doing basic science on oyster populations, which play an important economic role in coastal communities.

Steelman’s NC 70 trip began at the Duke Marine Lab, where she met with Duke professors Tom Schultz and Juliet Wong. She visited the Duke Aquafarm, which is a 15-minute boat ride from the Duke Marine Lab on Pivers Island. Schultz and Wong created the oyster beds of the Duke Aquafarm as a hands-on learning experience for Duke students.

“Oysters are environmental superheroes,” Steelman says. “They sequester carbon, filter water, provide habitat and protect shorelines from hurricanes. They also play an important role in coastal communities.”

Schultz said listening to the coastal shoremen was a central part of the research. “There are environmental drivers of this mortality event that we don’t understand,” he says. “As scientists, we need to start measuring things like temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and weather conditions to understand what’s happening.”

Above: Duke students measure temperature, pH, oxygen and salinity of oysters to learn how they are responding at the Duke Aquafarm in Beaufort, N.C.

County, NC

Steelman’s second stop on NC 70 was in Clinton, N.C., where after a series of hurricanes and flooding upended daily life along the Great Coharie River, members of the Coharie tribe took action to save their river. A partnership with Duke professor Ryan Emanuel provided innovative tools to measure the recovery.

Kayaking down the river, Steelman saw how the Coharie were able to restore parts of the river. However, these efforts were undermined as invasive species took over shorelines, beavers built dams that restricted water flow, and extreme drought brought water to unnavigable levels.

Emanuel, a member of the Lumbee tribe, understands the river’s importance and why partnership with the community was essential. He offered, “We know that it’s critical that marginalized perspectives are part of the process of coming up with solutions. If universities can foreground the building and maintenance of good relationships, then productive scientific work can flow from that.”

Steelman commented that Emanuel’s partnership with Coharie people is a “wonderful example of how the blending of science with cultural knowledge can lead to more durable and creative solutions for North Carolina and beyond.”

Duke Reclamation Pond, Durham, NC

Returning to Duke’s campus, Steelman visited one of Duke’s major investments in sustainable operations: A large stormwater management pond that serves as a serene campus site of beauty, a place of wildlife and plant biodiversity, and a source of water that provides the university 100 million gallons annually for the chiller system that cools many campus buildings.

Built in 2010 following a severe drought, the pond is home to herons, ducks, turtles, fish and a variety of native plants, and the walking path circling the pond has become a popular recreation stop. For Steelman and Tavey Capps, Duke’s executive director of climate and sustainability, the pond is also an important factor in

Above: The Duke Reclamation Pond is a visible example of sustainable operations at Duke.

Below Left: Traveling down the 43-milelong Great Coharie River, a longtime source of life, recreation and commerce for the Coharie tribe of North Carolina that has experienced changes after several major hurricanes.

Below Right: The Duke Reclamation Pond captures over 100 million gallons of stormwater runoff annually, and this water is processed at a neighboring chiller plant and is used to heat and cool buildings across campus.

Duke’s sustainability goals and being a good neighbor. During the drought, Duke realized it could capture stormwater on campus for its chiller plant and not draw potable water from Durham’s municipal water system.

Before the work, the land was a degraded and unattractive stream. “It could have just been a utility, a hole in the ground with a fence around it,” Capps says. “But we had conversations around how do you get people out here to enjoy the natural beauty? How do you get students out here to learn from the process?”

“When somebody looks at this pond, they wouldn’t see a utility,” Steelman says. “I think that’s the success of the story. There is so much work that goes on behind the scenes to make this campus sustainable that a lot of us never see.”

Duke achieved carbon neutrality through a combination of infrastructure investments that discontinued the use of coal, promoted steam to hot water conversion, increased in building and plant efficiencies and utilized carbon offsets. Duke will now invest in the next phase of sustainable operations by partnering with Duke Energy and a local solar developer on an historic effort to bring solar energy to Duke’s operations.

Grainger Hall, Durham, NC

The last stop took Steelman into Duke classrooms, where Judy Ledlee is working to make every Duke student “climate fluent.”

Above: Toddi Steelman with Tavey Capps, executive director of climate and sustainability at Duke, who described how the pond is an example of sustainability, a beautiful natural space and an

let’s dish

Coupe & Stein Champagne Bar

BY RENEE AMBROSO

Coupe & Stein is the Bull City’s newest literal hidden gem: a speakeasy-esque spot tucked away in an unassuming corner of Golden Belt Campus’ retrofitted textile mills. If you know, you know. The bar blends historical details with contemporary flair, like the circa-1901 building’s whitewashed brick walls and an eye-catching baby pink piano (yes, it’s functional!), plus trendy food and drink options. Resplendent with gilded features and stylish seating, Coupe & Stein brings the opulence of the 1920s roaring into Golden Belt’s modern live-work-play community.

POP THE BUBBLY

Champagne is in the name, so naturally it reigns supreme at Coupe & Stein. The bar also offers a dazzling selection of sparkling wines and effervescent cocktails, each with a playful twist. Take the “Bubble Bath,” an updated spin on a vodka cranberry featuring prosecco, Grand Marnier and a housemade cranberry shrub –topped with a tiny rubber duck for extra charm. “Who doesn’t love bubbles?” says owner

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ART BY COURT WINTER at

Michelle Aldred. “It’s a happy drink.” But the menu extends far beyond the fizz, with red or white wines, sake, beer, cider and nonalcoholic options to suit every preference.

DESSERT FIRST

“The desserts … are what we’re starting to be known for,” Michelle says. Pastry chef Samantha Rush curates a decadent and extensive sweets menu that rotates weekly. Red velvet tiramisu makes frequent appearances, but options like berry tarts and layer cakes ensure there’s always a tempting treat available to pair with your potation.

FOR THE TABLE

Charcuterie platters, tinned fish plates and seasonal burrata stand out among the savory small plates designed for sharing, but one dish steals the show.

“Our ‘Carolina Bullets’ are one of the most popular,” Michelle says. “Those are jalapeño peppers stuffed with slow-roasted brisket and cream cheese, and wrapped in bacon.”

Michelle says Coupe & Stein’s food and beverage menus are fluid, evolving to highlight seasonal ingredients. “May is always strawberry season [in North Carolina],” Michelle says. “Then tomato season after that, which is one of my favorites, being a Southern girl.”

VIBES ON DECK

Michelle anticipates opening outdoor seating areas in late April when Golden Belt’s former train platform, which currently serves as private event space, transforms into an alfresco extension of the bar. Keep an eye out for a few pet-friendly menu additions, too, inspired by Michelle’s own pug, Frank 

Don’t leave without snagging shortbread cookies for the road.

“Ted Lasso” fans will recognize these buttery treats – they’re made using the same recipe as the ones on screen.

Pro tip

‘Lady in Black’

This tequila-based cocktail exemplifies Coupe & Stein’s endeavors to blend history with modern mixology. It’s named after the ghost of a factory worker that Michelle says she and others have spotted throughout Golden Belt, which also houses The Cotton Room, the event venue she owns.

The drink is a nod to the past with a present-day twist: rock candy, chili liqueur and edible blooms complement the bold flavors of pomegranate liqueur and blackberries, creating a refreshing, fruit-forward sip and vibrant magenta color that’s as striking as its namesake.

NEWS BITES

• Area residents voted for the winners of the Triangle Vegan Chef Challenge after dining at participating restaurants in January, and chefs received their awards during a private ceremony at Pure Vegan Café in Raleigh Feb. 7. The Refectory Cafe won No. 1 overall restaurant while other Durham winners included Krill for best vegan flavor explosion; Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets for best vegan flavor fusion; Cheeni for best veganfriendly dining experience; The Restaurant at The Durham Hotel for heartfelt hospitality and culinary excellence; Zweli’s Kitchen for mind-blowingly good vegan food; Boricua Soul for most vibrant flavors and community spirit; and Zweli’s Ekhaya for most welcoming vegan-friendly restaurant.

• 21c Museum Hotel Durham named Melanie Wilkerson as executive chef to its Counting House Restaurant in March. A Durham native, Melanie’s culinary journey took her from Wales to California before bringing her back home.

“Becoming a chef has been about self-discovery –creating myself in a dish and on a plate,” she says. “Durham is a place built by people who cared, raised up by invisible hands. I want Counting House to celebrate the Black legacy that raised me while nurturing new talent and feeding our community’s future.”

• Hope Cafe opened in early February at 4711 Hope Valley Rd., Ste. 1C, in Woodcroft Shopping Center. Specializing in authentic Thai cuisine, the restaurant offers carryout and delivery options, with dishes such as pad thai, curry noodles and pad woon sen.

• Two-time James Beard Award nominee chef Preeti Waas and her team are set to open a second concept, Nanny Goat, at Horseshoe at Hub RTP later this year. The neighborhood market, located at 3151 Elion Dr., Ste. 105, will offer convenient, high-quality goods, including fresh produce, graband-go bites and artisan gifts, sourced locally and internationally. “We’ve created Nanny Goat to be the go-to market and shop with Hub RTP,” Preeti says. “Our ‘boutique bodega’ of sundries, fresh flowers, and bread and pastries from local bakers will ensure the Horseshoe lobby is a charming destination and not just a space to pass through.”

• QueDogs held a soft opening March 1 at 2020 Chapel Hill Rd., Ste. 37, followed by a grand opening celebration on March 15. Guests enjoyed music, a bounce house and special offers alongside its signature pork barbecue and hot dogs. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

• Chef Matt Kelly, the prominent force behind Nanas and Mateo Bar de Tapas, and Tom Cuomo, former chef at Raleigh’s Papa Shogun and several renowned New York restaurants, are teaming up to launch a new pizza destination in the University Hill development. Dino’s will serve New Yorkand New Jersey-style Italian American favorites, including salads, wings, hoagies, pastas and madeto-order pizza pies in a casual dining setting. Matt says they hope to have the restaurant open daily before the next NFL season starts in September. Tom says their goal is to keep the pizza simple; the two chefs have been testing recipes for months. Dino’s, located at 3109 Shannon Rd., is slated to open this spring. – compiled by Laney Crawley

Mission Statement

The Carolina Theatre welcomes everyone. We enrich the experience of audiences through programming that drives the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of the region.

Background

In the heart of downtown Durham since 1926, the Carolina Theatre has become one of the city’s most beloved nonprofit venues. Offering live events, films, family-focused and educational programs nearly 365 days a year, the theater showcases the best of international, national and local performances to Durham. In addition to hosting world-class events and film festivals in the Bull City, the Carolina Theatre features three historical exhibits that are free and open to the public.

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The Carolina Theatre of Durham is a cultural institution saved by local volunteers. As historical buildings were demolished around her, Connie Moses rallied volunteers to help restore the Carolina Theatre to its 1920s glory. Today, the nonprofit theater is recognized as one North Carolina’s cultural jewels, hosting multiple renowned film festivals and performances. Additionally, the theater’s educational programs introduce the arts to more than 17,000 schoolchildren each year.

Upcoming Events

• Apr. 12: Durham Symphony Orchestra, presented by the Family Saturday Series

• Apr. 15: JOHNNYSWIM: The When The War Is Over Tour, co-presented with NS2

• Apr. 17: The Wavemakers Series, curated by Rissi Palmer, featuring Larry & Joe

• Apr. 19: Sensory Friendly Film Series screening of Toy Story

• May 18: Maria Bamford, co-presented with Emporium Presents and NS2

• May 21: The Carolina Theatre’s Annual Fundraiser, Dancing with the Carolina Stars

• May 23: Retro Film Series double feature screening of Grease and Back to the Beach

Get in Touch!

309 W. Morgan St. Durham, NC 27701 919-560-3030 carolinatheatre.org

How to Support Us

• Become a Star Member: Star Members receive exclusive ticket and parking perks, among other great benefits. Their support helps the theater present the best in music, comedy, performing arts, independent cinema and arts education.

• Help Us Celebrate Our Centennial: In 2026, the theater will commemorate its 100th anniversary with a special year of programming dedicated to honoring the Durham community and the hopes and dreams that will shape the vision for the next century. Join us for events featuring local artists, dance performances, an exclusive gala, and residencies with major stars!

• Sponsor the Wavemakers Series: Produced by the Carolina Theatre and curated by Rissi Palmer, this series is dedicated to celebrating diverse voices and uncovering your next favorite artists.

• Support Our Educational Programs: Contributions to our educational programs allow us to provide an affordable field trip destination for performing arts experiences that complement curriculum goals for both schools and community organizations.

• Become a Volunteer: Join in the fun and gain hands-on experience with our staff to help execute live performances, educational programming and a nationally respected film program.

• Sponsor Our Annual Fundraiser: This event is the Carolina Theatre’s largest fundraising initiative, with proceeds directly supporting the nonprofit’s mission to bring vibrant, thought-provoking live events, films and educational programs to downtown Durham, helping to build awareness of the local arts and small business community.

• Support Film: Whether it’s one of our juried film festivals or our Retro Film Series, we have something for everyone!

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Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved

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Brag Lines

Since its founding six years ago, the Durham community’s investments have allowed DPSF to:

• Give more than $1.7 million in grants directly to school communities

• Reach 600 educators, students and families as we work to provide expanded mental health and wellness supports;

• Provide more than 500 district educators professional growth opportunities;

• Fund college scholarships for nearly 80 Durham Public School high school seniors;

• Develop a robust, reliable source of volunteers ready to support school events, activities and more.

We estimate that our grants and programs directly impacted 25,100 students, educators, and families in 2023/24. Our district-wide partnerships and advocacy strengthens our district for all 30,000+ students in DPS.

About Us

Durham Public Schools Foundation is focused on bringing our community together to strengthen Durham Public Schools and provide all students with a quality education –today and in the future.

Background

In 2018, leaders from across the Durham community came together around a vision for a local education foundation in Durham. Since then, DPS Foundation has granted more than $1.7 million to DPS school communities to meet needs and champion equity for every student.

Ways to Support our Local Public Schools

A consistently, well-funded public school is central to building a student’s lifelong success – giving them the opportunities that lay the foundation for a bright future. Your continuous support makes that possible. Here are some ways to get involved:

• Donate to empower educators and help students thrive

• Volunteer at a DPSF Day of Service to serve our schools with your time and talents

• Partner as a business to help champion local public schools

• Share your DPS alumni story to celebrate those made in Durham Public Schools

• Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on our impact

Get in Touch!

600 W. Umstead St. Durham, NC 27712 development@bullcityschools.org @bullcityschools

For more information, please visit bullcityschools.org

Photo By Alan Qiao, lakewoodinfocus.com

Photo by Artivista Karlin, lakewoodinfocus.com

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Mission

The Foundation’s goals are to consistently present the very best in quality cultural arts programs related to the African American experience, promote cross-cultural understanding between isolated communities, and foster intercultural support.

Wishlist

• 50 for 50 Campaign: Support Hayti’s 50th anniversary as a cultural arts institute.

• Donors Circle: Your annual contributions support programs and community events, like our legacy wall collaboration with the Museum of Durham History.

• Endowment Fund: Estate gifts preserve our legacy and sustain our facility and programs, including the GlaxoSmithKline Endowment for dance programming.

• Program Sponsorship: Jour funders. Support programs or operations through customized scholarships. We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

• Volunteer: Help with our film festival, Kwanzaa celebration, performances, exhibitions and other arts programs.

Brag Lines

We accomplish our mission by providing enlightening and enriching programs in cultural arts and education. The St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation/Hayti Heritage Center continues to be an agent of social change with a long-term commitment to using the arts as a tool to bring communities together and establish common ground among diverse cultures. The Foundation is committed to providing the local community and patrons at large with core programs and other events throughout the year.

Get in Touch!

804 Fayetteville St. Durham, NC 27701 919-683-1709 hayti.org

Background

In the 1970s, when the St. Joseph’s AME Church congregation moved to a new church home, the original structure became the catalyst for the formation of the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation (SJHF). The Foundation was incorporated in 1975 with the intention of preserving the embellished old sanctuary and adapting it for cultural and civic events.

Upcoming Events

• Walking History Tours: Aya Shabu of Whistle Stop Tours reveals Hayti neighborhood history on the first Saturday of each month in the fall and spring.

• Hayti Films: The Southeast’s longest-running Black film festival (30 years) showcases the Black, Southern film experience year-round.

• Black American Music Series: Tributes to Black musical contributions feature local to national artists on the second Sunday of each month.

• Jambalaya Soul Slam: The Triangle’s longestrunning poetry event on the third Saturday of each month.

• Summer Arts Intensive: Arts enrichment for teens 15-17 using Katherine Dunham’s “Socialization through the Arts”™ method.

Mission Statement

The National Institute of Minority Economic Development (Institute) leverages nearly 40 years of experience serving diverse communities. Its mission is to strengthen the asset base of diverse populations through policy, education, and economic opportunities.

Background

Originally known as the NC Institute of Minority Economic Development, the Institute was founded in 1986 by noted economic development advocate Andrea Harris. Its mission was to expand and diversify North Carolina’s economic base by providing direct support to diverse small businesses.

Today, the Institute continues to support small business, affordable housing, and community development initiatives. Serving a six-state region, its programming provides education, training, startup and growth strategies, counseling, and technical assistance.

Upcoming Events

The Executive Networking Conference (ENC) will take place from August 11-13, 2025, at Pinehurst Resort. Established in the mid-1980s, the ENC was initially aimed at building relationships and supply chain opportunities for diverse business executives. Over the years, it has evolved into the region’s premier professional development and business networking event. It convenes established and aspiring diverse small businesses, corporate executives, public-sector decision-makers, community leaders, business lenders, equity investors, and other stakeholders engaged in advancing a diverse economy.

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Over the past two years, the Institute has assisted more than 7,000 entrepreneurs, impacting $249 million in small business capital and resources. Highlights include $58.3 million in lending, with $16.1 million directly from Institute Capital and $5 million toward 58 new low-income housing units. Additionally, clients received $65.1 million in bonding and $78.3 million in contracts, leading to 82 new startups, 628 new jobs, and more than 1,100 jobs retained.

Wish List

• Sponsor a small business or student to attend the ENC

• Offer pro bono professional services for small businesses

• Support our programming through donated time or resources

• Serve on a committee

• Attend an event

• Donate to the Institute’s Legacy Fund

Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved

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Mission Statement

Keep Durham Beautiful builds environmentally just, resilient, and beautiful outdoor spaces in cooperation with Durham communities.

Wish List

• Volunteer at one-time service events, such as litter cleanups, community gardening, tree and pollinator planting, invasive species removal, and trail maintenance

• Join in long-term and skill-based volunteer opportunities, such as:

• Adopt-a-Street: Groups commit to removing litter along a 1-mile stretch of Durham roadside once a month for a year

• Litter Leaders: Join our dedicated team of volunteers trained in litter cleanup safety and operating procedures, then help organize and lead groups in environmental stewardship

• Tree Keepers: Join, learn together, and lead small groups of volunteers in tree planting and tree care activities

• Apply to join the Board of Directors or a committee

• Order a litter supply kit to start picking up litter you see around Durham

• Sponsor a litter kit for a school

• Dedicate a tree

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Background

In 2004, Monica Barnes, Bill Kalhkof and George Stanziale founded Keep Durham Beautiful (KDB) in partnership with the City of Durham and Durham County to promote the beatification of Durham. For 20 years, KDB has joined with Durham communities and businesses to remove half a million pounds of litter, plant thousands of trees and community gardens, and bring people together to take care of Durham’s environment. KDB believes that everyone in Durham should have access to clean, green, and beautiful outdoor spaces.

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In 2024 , Keep Durham Beautiful:

• 4,713 volunteers worked together to make an impact in the Durham community

• 9,413 hours served and 460 events hosted to prevent litter, reduce waste, and green the community

• 738 trees planted or given away to expand and improve Durham’s urban tree canopy

• 21,490 flower bulbs given away to local community organizations, gardens and schools

• 59,068 pounds of litter removed from Durham’s streets, waterways, and parks

• 212 tires removed from Durham communities and green spaces

Tree Planting with Duke Medical at Nativity School on March 2024

Upcoming Events

• Invasive Plant Removal at Wrightwood Park on Friday, April 25, 2025 from 3 to 5 p.m.

• Durham Garden Tour from Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 9 a.m. to Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 5 p.m. Visit distinctive gardens across Durham. Tickets are $30, with need-based scholarships available at durhamgardentour.org

• Plant & Seed Swap on Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Glass Jug Beer Lab (RTP location): Bring seeds or rooted plants grown from seeds, cuttings, or divisions to swap, or select from extra plants and seeds available. Gardening enthusiasts and vendors will be on-site to answer questions

Get in Touch!

2011 Fay St. Durham, NC 27704 919-354-2729 keepdurhambeautiful.org

Scout Pack 451 cleanup at Elmira Park on Earth Day 2024

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Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved

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Mission

North Carolina Central University (NCCU), with a strong tradition of teaching, research, and service, prepares students to become global leaders and practitioners who transform communities. With a nationally-recognized law school as well as highly-acclaimed and innovative programs in the visual and performing arts, sciences, business, humanities, and education, NCCU students are engaged problem solvers. Located in the Research Triangle, the university advances research in biotechnological, biomedical, informational, computational, behavioral, social, and health sciences. Our students enhance the quality of life for citizens and contribute to the economic development of North Carolina, the nation, and the world.

Background

Founded in 1910 by Dr. James E. Shepard, NCCU was the first state-supported liberal arts college for Black students. Rooted in a commitment to education, leadership, and service, NCCU has evolved into a nationally recognized institution. With rigorous academics, groundbreaking research, and a dedication to social mobility, NCCU remains a beacon of opportunity. More than a century later, the university continues to uphold its mission of empowering students for success and service.

Upcoming Events

Day of Giving will take place from noon on April 1, 2025, to noon on April 2, 2025. Each year, NCCU celebrates philanthropy with a 24-hour Day of Giving that demonstrates the collective and positive impact of gifts of all sizes. The NCCU Day of Giving brings our Eagle family together worldwide and allows us to create even more outstanding opportunities and experiences at NCCU.

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NCCU has shaped generations of leaders, driving social and economic progress in Durham and beyond. With nationally ranked programs, innovative research, and a commitment to community engagement, NCCU creates pathways for student success. From securing grants for transformative initiatives to fostering social mobility, the university’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. As a topranked HBCU, NCCU remains a pillar of excellence, uplifting communities and preparing students to lead and serve.

Wish List

• Scholarships to support student success: Scholarships ease financial burdens, allowing students to focus on their studies and reach their full potential. They enable students to fully engage in opportunities at NCCU and beyond, fostering academic and personal growth.

• Internships that prepare students for their careers: Internships provide students with valuable hands-on experience by applying classroom knowledge in real-world settings. They help students build networks, gain industry insights, and develop skills that enhance their career readiness, setting them apart in the job market.

• Employment opportunities for NCCU students and graduates: Employment opportunities provide essential work experience, helping students and graduates develop critical skills and a professional network. These roles facilitate a smooth transition from college to career, supporting long-term career success.

• Investment in research and innovation initiatives: Research and innovation drives advancements across various fields, enhancing NCCU’s academic reputation. These initiatives encourage students to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries while fostering creativity and critical thinking for future success.

X

LeadingCharge the

10 dynamic women who are rewriting the rules, driving progress and leaving a lasting impact on our city

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

Savannah millER

Xhe didn’t trust the Instagram message at first – it had to be fake. Someone claiming to be a casting producer for “Top Chef”? No way.

“My first reaction was, ‘How rude,’” Savannah Miller recalls. “Because that was my dream. You can joke about everything else, but I wish you wouldn’t joke about that.

“But I was wrong.”

Her skepticism turned to trepidation, then excitement. Savannah competed in season 21 of the show, which aired in spring 2024, finishing as a top-three finalist and winning $38,000.

She relied on the inner confidence and self-determination she’d cultivated since landing her first kitchen job at 16. The restaurant’s daily rhythm immediately hooked her. “I was addicted to the idea of running a service, going home, trying to figure out every way that you can make it better and coming back the next day,” she says.

Savannah also found that back-of-the-house roles mimicked elements of her primary interests as a young person: theater and sports. “I could never combine [the two],” she says.

“But in the kitchen, I could do things that were artistic that also felt very physical.”

This passion led the Southern Pines native to attend the New England Culinary Institute. After graduating, Savannah spent four years working in Boston before relocating to Durham in 2017, taking up the role of pastry chef at the now-shuttered Piedmont Restaurant.

About a year later, she was standing in an active construction site on Orange Street with chef and restaurateur Michael Lee, learning about his vision for the tempura restaurant that was taking shape around them. The cuisine and even the scope of the eatery – which seats only 30 – was a new arena for Savannah. She jumped in with both feet.

“We had days when nobody would come in,” she says. “There were nights it was hard to get people to buy into the idea. Then there were times we got [The News & Observer’s] Restaurant of the Year and [on] Bon Appétit’s top 50 [new restaurants list].”

Savannah thrived at M Tempura over the following 6½ years. It’s also where she met her now-fiance, Justin Nye, who worked as the restaurant’s general manager.

After “Top Chef,” Savannah discovered new opportunities. “It opens doors,” she says. The experience was a catalyst that prompted Savannah and Justin – now a farmer – to launch Savvy Hospitality in 2024. 

if you REally want to appREciatE EvERything that you gEt fRom an oppoRtunity likE ‘top chEf,’ thE woRk staRts whEn you gEt back. i’vE nEvER bEEn moRE tiREd, [but] i’m happy to bE hERE and bE busy.

“We are doing private dinners, and it honestly started because of the show,” she says. “I met people who were curious about how they can have a more intimate dining experience [with me] or have us come cook for an event or even in their home.” Savannah sees the venture expanding into a dining concept that’s fully their own. “Our end goal is to have a brick-andmortar,” she says.

Savannah also resumed her role as chef de cuisine at M Tempura, where she continues to enjoy working jointly with Michael. “He’s still my mentor … and I can bounce ideas off him,” but now their relationship feels more collaborative, she says.

The two put their heads together to shape the restaurant’s first brunch menu, which debuted in spring 2024 and features dishes like an omelette with carmelized leeks, maitake mushrooms and masago (a type of fish roe) a la carte, a departure from the restaurant’s traditional kaiseki and omakase menus that are served Tuesday through Saturday evenings.

M Tempura’s open kitchen adds fuel to her fire. Her hands dice, fry, stir and plate without missing a beat as she engages in conversation with patrons seated across the counter. “It energizes me as much as it takes preparation and energy,” she says.

Much of the daily work revolves around prepping fresh ingredients. “I think that some people might find it to be repetitive, but I find it to be meditative,” Savannah says. There’s a certain calmness she enjoys in meticulously cleaning vegetables and fish, carefully readying each element to be combined into a final polished plate.

“The thing I really appreciate about this place is that consistency that I can rely on, because you already know that craziness is going to happen,” Savannah says. “It’s kind of fun to deal with it while you’re peacefully peeling lotus root and cleaning mushrooms. And then 5 o’clock hits, and the restaurant fills up, and everyone’s looking at you.” – by Renee Ambroso

Rissi palmER

Xissi Palmer vividly recalls weekends spent cleaning the house with her mother, the warm hum of vinyl records setting the soundtrack.

“I distinctly remember listening to Patsy Cline and Chaka Khan records and James Taylor and Phoebe Snow and people like that,” the country music artist says. “That informed my listening to this day, and it also kind of informed the way that I sing.”

Her roots trace back to the Pittsburgh suburbs, but her family relocated to St. Louis when she was 12. She later pursued her studies at DePaul University, but the call of music was too strong to ignore. “I lasted one year before I got my first publishing deal in Nashville,” Rissi says. “I moved to Atlanta and would commute back and forth until [I] finally moved full time to Nashville in 2006 and [was] signed.”

Her marriage in 2010 brought her to North Carolina. Rissi and her then-husband, Bryan Stypmann, called Raleigh home until 2016 when they made the move to Durham.

Despite her diverse musical influences growing up, country music captured her heart.

“I loved the stories,” Rissi says. “Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton were my first introductions to this really rich storytelling, and I loved that. I loved the instrumentation; there’s something really intimate about a lot of those records. … You listen to a good country song, you can smell it, you can taste it, you can see it and you can touch it. And that drew me in.”

s ing ER -songw R it ER ; host, c olo R mE c ount R y Radio; sp E cial co RRE spond E nt, c ount R y m usic tE l E vision; cu R ato R , t h E w av E mak ERs sER i E s, c a R olina t h E at RE

Rissi credits her first managers – whom she met in high school but, at her mother’s insistence, didn’t start working with until after graduation –with encouraging her to pursue country music despite the industry’s lack of Black artists. “I’m going to be perfectly honest with you, I loved it, but I did notice as I got older that people who look like me were not singing it and they weren’t performing it,” Rissi says. “That caused me to become self-conscious about liking it and knowing it.”

The path Rissi carved in country music has been far from straightforward, with numerous obstacles. “It’s really a matter of fighting good marketing,” she says. “Country music has always been branded as white people’s music or white men’s blues or whatever.

… It’s always been a question of my authenticity, like ‘Do I really mean this, or am I just trying to be different?’ … Trying to get people to take me seriously, I think, was the hardest part.”

Still, Rissi made history in 2007 as the first Black female country artist in 19 years to chart on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs with her debut single, “Country Girl.” The achievement marked a milestone moment, but it was tinged with bittersweet reflection for Rissi, who couldn’t help but wonder why it took so long for this milestone to happen again.

“It felt really weird to say that in 2007 a record was being broken for Black people when we were about to have a Black president,” she says.

Rissi’s discography continues to garner widespread recognition from top publications. Her self-titled debut album earned a spot among Spin magazine’s list of the 10 best country albums by Black artists in April 2024, and Rolling Stone named her 2019 album, “Revival,” one of the top 25 countrysoul albums of all time in March 2024. These accolades are major achievements in her hard-fought journey, but Rissi acknowledges that Black artists in country music still face an uphill battle.

“On one hand, Black artists have a lot more visibility than they used to,” Rissi says. “There’s also a larger community of Black artists [performing] country music than I was aware of when I was in Nashville … but I don’t think that’s the industry. I just think that that’s what the internet has made possible.

“But … I don’t think much has [truly] changed. Because unfortunately you saw a boom in Black artists being signed in 2020, but nearly all of those artists have been dropped by 2025. … I think we still have a really long way to go.”

Rissi amplifies underrepresented voices in country music through her radio show “Color Me Country,” which can be found on Apple Music. 

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rissi Palmer curates The Wavemakers Series, a groundbreaking performance and conversation program celebrating diverse voices and emerging talents, at the Carolina Theatre.

“I get to talk about the past, the present and the future of artists of color in country music,” she says. “I get to capture a lot of really cool, interesting history; things that a lot of people don’t know. I’m really very proud [and] honored to be the conduit for that.”

Her Color Me Country’s Artist Grant Fund supports this mission of creating more opportunities for artists of color. It’s raised more than $200,000 since 2021, provided 85-plus grants and sent 16 artists of color to London’s Long Road Festival. “Our grantees have gone on to be CMT’s Next Women of Country or perform on Beyoncé’s record.”

Rissi also curates

The Wavemakers Series at the Carolina Theatre, celebrating diverse voices and spotlighting emerging talents from myriad backgrounds.

“I love the Carolina Theatre,” she says. “I was always like, ‘God, I hope I’m big enough one day to play there.’ I used to think about [it] all the time. I think a lot of artists feel that … there’s this purgatory sometimes when [you’re on the brink of success] and … you just need that one thing. That’s what the series is for: People may not necessarily know your name [now], but eventually they will.”

Rissi wraps up her nationwide Trailblazing Women of Country Tour – a tribute to pioneering women of the genre – in early April, but she’s far from slowing down. Her new album, “Survivor’s Joy,” is set to drop this spring, and she’ll take the stage at the Biscuits & Banjos festival here in the Bull City April 25-26. “I love this place so much,” Rissi says of Durham; she lives downtown, and in her rare free moments, she most enjoys spending time with her daughters, Grace Stypmann, 13, and Nova Stypmann, 5, frequenting faves like The Parlour and Durham Central Park. “The city [has] given me so much as an artist, and [given so much] to my children. It’s really nice to be able to bring this [new festival] to Durham.” – by Leah Berry

The Rev. Lisa gaRciasampson X

he Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson grew up in Warren, Rhode Island, and began working for AmeriCorps City Year in Providence in her early 20s, “which was an incredibly formative time for me,” she says. She later moved into her “first career” working for an education nonprofit.

Lisa decided to go to seminary in her late 20s, earning a master’s of divinity from Boston University School of Theology. She moved to Durham six years ago and, in February 2020, became executive director of the Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of North Carolina. Since then, Lisa has helped expand the once-small organization, mobilizing 28 Unitarian Universalist congregations across the state and connecting them with trusted partners advocating for democracy, public safety and other urgent issues. “We’re really proud of our vast growth over the past five years,” she says. Here, she shares how she came to lead the organization and her vision for North Carolina’s future.

What drew you to study theology? I grew up Catholic. During my undergraduate [years] at Hartwick College [in New York], I studied philosophy and religion. It was in my mid 20s, when I was half a decade into working at an education nonprofit, that I realized something was missing; I needed more spiritually grounded work as well as the opportunity to address injustices more systematically. Working directly with underserved youth in Providence was fulfilling and meaningful, but I got a sense that I wanted to go deeper, and I realized that was a call that felt more true to who I was.

When you moved to Durham, what was that transition like? I immediately fell in love. From an organizing perspective, I had never experienced the collaboration, joy and intergenerational dynamics of organizing the way that I [do] here. I think there is something very special happening in this state because of the deep trust that exists among our organizations. It all begins with relationships and the instinct to collaborate, be creative and work toward shared goals and a shared vision for North Carolina, which is put ahead of the individual goals of any one organization.

From another standpoint – if I could gush about Durham a little bit more – I immediately fell in love with the live music. A huge part of my life and the way that I get to experience joy and nourishment on a regular basis is through jazz, blues, bluegrass and the North Carolina Symphony. It feels like, on any given day of the week, there’s absolutely incredible music happening in Durham. The Durham Farmers Market [also exudes] the spirit of beloved community, abundance and joy. The Saturday market is a really sacred ritual for me. 

“Revival,” 2019

“The Back Porch Sessions,” 2015

“Best Day Ever,” 2013

Ex E cutiv E

d i RE cto R ,

t h E u nita R ian u niv ER salist

Justic E m inist R y of n o R th c a R olina

“We have to be spiritually grounded in the idea that we are creating a world of abundance, love and joy,” says Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson, sitting here in the pews at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. “That is really core to me.“

[I also love] great cocktails and great beer. I think the cocktail scene in Durham is incredible [thanks to places like] Kingfisher, Corpse Reviver Bar & Lounge and Alley Twenty Six. The reason why music, the farmers market, good food and the beauty of nature in Durham are so important to me is because right now we need to focus on radical care, not just for one another, but for ourselves. We need to fill our lives with as much beauty, joy, nourishment and rest as possible, so that we have what we need to navigate what’s happening in our world.

Tell us about your day-to-day at work. Very few days are alike. A lot of my time is spent in Zoom meetings with organizations across the state, working together on shared actions. I travel a lot [among our] 28 churches and tons of community partners. Every Friday at 11 a.m. since May 2020 I have led an online event called Friday Action Hour. This is where people of faith and people of conscience – UUs and friends with shared values – come together to take stock of what has happened that week and take action. We have community partners from across the state coming to brief us on important issues … things like work on democracy, fighting for education funding, you name it. So, every Friday for the past 250-plus weeks, that is what my day has looked like: preparing for and hosting a gathering of people online to reflect on what’s happening in our world from a spiritually grounded place, and then taking action.

Are there any achievements since you joined UU Justice NC that make you especially proud? One of the biggest wins we’ve ever been a part of is successfully expanding Medicaid to more than 600,000 people in North Carolina. It’s something that we worked on for years, and Unitarian Universalists showed up in the ways that we were asked to, which I’m very proud of. That was definitely a huge achievement. Expanding Medicaid to [that many people] – there’s no bigger tangible win than that.

Are there any goals you have for yourself professionally in the coming years? We’re at the beginning of launching a massive interfaith coalition in North Carolina. My focus for the next few years is helping to weave together a network of values-aligned people of faith across the state, and making sure that we feel deeply connected and accountable to one another, from our cities to our rural counties, from the mountains to the ocean. We need to deeply experience our mutuality and collectively build radical networks of safety and care that will get us through this moment and that reflect the type of North Carolina that we wish to see. – as told to Renee Ambroso

XDr. Joanne A. P. wilson

film shown at school inspired 13-year-old Joanne A.P. Wilson to set her life’s ambition. She decided that first she would become a nun and follow the religious order to Georgetown University, where she would study medicine before traveling to Africa as a medical missionary. “I had it all figured out,” the now-77-yearold says quietly, laughing to herself. “It was on the movie reels that they showed at school.”

Though the convent was not her destiny, Joanne learned to set clear intentions: have faith in yourself, focus on family and help others along the way. Her early role models included her mother, grandmothers Sarah and Maggie, and her teachers. She was the eldest of seven siblings and attended St. Monica’s School, which was taught by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Catholic Diocese of Raleigh built the church and classrooms to serve Black students during the Jim Crow era. The school operated from 1930 to 1967 at the corner of North Tarboro and Edenton streets in East Raleigh.

Joanne excelled academically, and she began college at UNC in 1965, two years after the university started admitting Black women into the freshman class. She graduated in 1969 with highest honors in chemistry and received the Venable Medal, which recognizes the two most outstanding chemistry majors in the graduating class.

She chose Duke University School of Medicine over Harvard Medical School to remain in North Carolina with her husband, Kenneth H. Wilson, who had one more year at UNC. Joanne faced challenges at Duke as the only Black student and one of just three women in her class of 100, but in 1973, she graduated first in her class, becoming the second Black woman to earn a medical degree from Duke.

She and Ken then moved to Boston to continue medical training, where the couple faced housing discrimination due to their mixed-race marriage. “The interesting thing about those kinds of situations is that typically people don’t just come out and say what they’re thinking,” Joanne says. “I think a lot of times people don’t understand, or don’t know, their own level of bias against other people. We know the toll because, given the studies of implicit bias, the stressors are clearly documented. And it’s still happening today.” 

Scan the QR code for our full interview with Lisa.

p R of E sso R E m ER itus of m E dicin E , d ivision of g ast R o E nt ER ology, d uk E u niv ER sity s chool of mE dicin E

Joanne says she’s disheartened by the current national discourse on diversity, equity and inclusion. “I’ve been discriminated against in the sense that I was the most meritorious candidate, yet because of race [and] gender, they would not choose me,” she says. “You would not choose somebody who could not do the job, because that would be a disservice to everyone. But don’t hold it against someone for being a woman or being Black.”

Joanne says the key to navigating difficult times is knowing your priorities. “For me, family is important,” she says. “Make a list. Make decisions based on what is best for you and your family. You have to figure out what is best for all of you.”

Joanne had to take her own advice in 2000 when her home burned down just days after Christmas. “We lost everything,” she says, remembering cherished photos and family heirlooms. “Twelve days later, my grandmother died. I had to resign from certain things because I knew my family would have to go to the top of the list. Then Grandma Maggie died. My dad got sick in April of that year and died in June. I made the right choice to focus on family.”

Joanne spent 37 of her 45 years in gastroenterology at Duke, caring for thousands of patients and teaching hundreds of trainees. She is widely recognized as a distinguished clinician and researcher specializing in gastrointestinal disorders, with notable contributions to irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer screening. Joanne continuously maintained engagement in medical education, governance and serving in volunteer roles in professional organizations, notably as the first woman and first Black secretary of the American Gastroenterological Association.

“For underrepresented and female faculty, she has paved the way,” says Dr. Melissa Teitelman, a professor of medicine in the gastroenterology division at Duke University Medical Center. “There is no one more willing to give their time and energy to others. This is a trait I continue to try to emulate. Dr. Wilson has always paid it forward. Throughout her career, she supported and mentored younger faculty. I hope the next generation will follow her lead and do the same.”

Joanne’s dedication to the care and well-being of others extends beyond the university lecture hall and operating room. She beams with pride when she speaks of her husband – also a professor emeritus of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, but in the division of infectious diseases – and their three adult children, all Duke alums, and four grandchildren. Though she officially retired in July 2023, Joanne remains active in the community as a volunteer on various boards, including the Orange County Advisory Board on Aging and the board of trustees for Emerson Waldorf School. She also continues to mentor young minds by speaking with junior colleagues and even visiting learning spaces like the one at Morehead Montessori Magnet Elementary School, where students were studying Black History Month this past February.

“I told the kids that my life wasn’t all that different from theirs,” she says. Joanne shared stories about local heroes like former Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal, former N.C. Sen. Howard Lee, and the late

JoannE’s JouRnEy

• 1965 Enters UNC two years after the university began accepting Black women as freshmen undergraduates.

• 1968 Meets Kenneth H. Wilson at UNC’s Lenoir Dining Hall.

• 1969 Graduates from UNC with a bachelor’s in chemistry. Awarded the Venable Medal. Marries Ken after graduation but before entering Duke University School of Medicine as the only Black student and one of three women in her class.

• 1972 Elected to national medical honor society Alpha Omega Alpha and named president of its medical student body.

• 1973 Graduates from Duke, becoming the second Black woman to earn a medical degree from the university.

• 1970s-1980s Completes residency training at Harvard’s Peter Bent Brigham Hospital and gastroenterology training at the Washington VA Medical Center in D.C., and serves on the faculty at the University of Michigan, advocating for maternity leave for medical faculty.

• 1986 Returns to Duke and becomes the first Black woman and the second woman ever to receive tenure as a full professor in the School of Medicine.

• 2007 Receives the Duke Student National Medical Association’s Trailblazers Award.

• 2008 Honored as one of American Gastroenterological Association’s Outstanding Women in Science.

• 2011 Receives the Duke Distinguished Faculty Award from the Duke Medical Alumni Association.

• 2019 Duke University School of Medicine honors her with the Master Clinician-Teacher Award.

• 2021 The annual Joanne A.P. Wilson Lecture in Gastroenterology was established in her honor and is delivered each February.

• 2022 Receives the inaugural Career Achievement Award at Duke University School of Medicine.

• 2023 Serves as the Rakatansky Distinguished Visiting Lecturer and Professor at the Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School.

• 2023 Becomes the 135th president of the American Clinical and Climatological Association – the first Black person and the fourth woman to do so in the organization’s 141-year history. The ACCA began accepting women as members in 1980 and Black members in 1996.

• 2024 Receives the UNC Trailblazer Award for her part in paving the way for Black students during the first 20 years of integration at the university.

Dr. Brenda Armstrong, one of the first African-American students to attend Duke University who became the second Black woman in the United States to become a board-certified pediatric cardiologist. She later served as senior associate dean for student diversity, recruitment and retention at the School of Medicine before passing away in 2018. The course of Joanne’s life, both personal and professional, could easily inspire a movie like the one she watched as a schoolgirl. She hopes many more women, especially women of color, find their own path to fulfillment. – by Anna-Rhesa Versola 

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Skin Secrets!

What Cosmetic Dermatologists Do for Their Own Glow

I try to “eat the rainbow” every day to get a balanced diet. It’s a goal I set and is a very fun challenge, as well as makes you try new foods. Yesterday I ate ginkgo nuts as my “yellow” item because I ran out of bananas!

Dr. Ishii’s Personal Treament Plan:

3-4x (Yearly) (Yearly) (Yearly)

As Needed

• Filler and/or Sculptra

• Fraxel Dual

• Sofwave

• Wrinkle Relaxers

• Clear and Brilliant

• Coolsculpting

After Hours:

• Low intensity exercise (yoga, pilates, spin) 4x weekly

• Weights (1x weekly)

• Medical grade skincare every day

• Fillers

• Wrinkle Relaxers

• Full face Sofwave

1x 4x 2x 3x Dr. Cox’s Personal Treatment Plan:

• Perioral/Periocular Sofwave

• Sculptra

• RF Microneedling with CoolPeel (Yearly) (Yearly) (Yearly) (Yearly)

After Hours:

Exercise (yoga, pilates, spin, weight training) 5x weekly. I love Spenga!

Medical grade skincare every day

Stay hydrated

I enjoy a Mediterranean based diet

Yesenia L. polancogaldamEz X

esenia L. Polanco-Galdamez is living her American dream in Durham, where she has built a career advocating for others while staying true to her roots. The naturalized U.S. citizen, business owner, and immigration and criminal defense attorney was born in El Salvador. She was 4 years old when she moved to Los Angeles. She and her family were living in the city in 1992 when days-long riots broke out following the acquittal of four white police officers who were charged with using excessive force in the arrest of a Black man, Rodney King. A year later, the family sought a fresh start in North Carolina after her father’s cousin, who was already living here, encouraged them to relocate.

“My dad wanted a more calm and safe atmosphere for [me and my sisters] to go to school,” Yesenia says. “I love that Durham is my home. I’ve been here for 32 years.”

Yesenia, who now lives downtown, attended Neal Magnet Middle School and Southern School of Energy and Sustainability before earning her bachelor’s degree from UNC and juris doctor from the David A. Clarke School of Law at the University of the District of Columbia.

“My entire career has been in Durham, but I often find myself thinking, ‘Why aren’t there more Latina and Latino lawyers?’” Yesenia says. “If I walk into a room, I’m going to be expected to explain who I am. I don’t blend in; I stand out.”

She also serves on the board of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority and is vice president of the Durham County Bar Association. She knows the value she brings to the table.

“I have had my own business for 10 years,” Yesenia says. “I’ve been practicing law for over 16 years. Am I experienced enough to be in this room? Let me make sure I say it out loud so that everybody else hears it.”

Yesenia’s passion for advocacy began long before her legal career. She was already engaged in community activism, volunteering as an organizer at El Centro Hispano, when she became a U.S. citizen as a teenager. She realized early on “that there is power in understanding our rights – and

Yesenia L. Polanco-Galdamez stands in front of the West Chapel Hill Street mural by Cornelio Campos, a self-taught Mexican-American artist who immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager.

i’m an immigRant fRom El salvadoR, and i am duRham.

that [those] rights come from the Constitution. “When I started practicing immigration law, it took me a moment to realize we’re talking about the same rights that are either being protected or violated,” she says.

a fEw of yEsEnia’s favoRitE things

• Tacos from the taquerias on Avondale Drive and Taqueria Junior, the taco truck that parks in front of Major the Bull at downtown’s CCB Plaza

• Sunsets on the rooftops of Unscripted Durham and The Roof at The Durham

• Fireworks, especially at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in the summer

• PlayList Concert Series at Durham Central Park

• Walking the wall around Duke University’s East Campus

• Virge Yoga

• Spending time with her nieces and nephews –“I am a very, very proud auntie to all of them” – and her sisters, Ana Santibanez, Sandra Polanco and Cecilia Polanco. “My sisters are the most fabulous entrepreneurs ever,” Yesenia says.

Yesenia’s bilingual and multicultural experiences give her a unique opportunity to connect with others, especially young people with ambitions to practice law. Her advice?

“Really focus on your passion,” Yesenia says. “Be authentic. Show up [as yourself] while being respectful of [others’] differences,” she adds, noting that no one can demand the right to live as they choose while denying others the same freedom.

Tolerance, she says, is what allows us to appreciate what others bring to the table – it enriches us. “This is what brings me joy,” Yesenia says. “I’m sure you can tell – my face lights up. I just came to absorb the human experience with other humans, and that’s what gives me life.”

She says her views on identity and authenticity have evolved over the years and continue to develop. “I’m 42, and the way I show up authentically is different,” Yesenia says. “Authenticity used to mean never letting go of your roots, to have this pride of being a Latina immigrant and [a] Salvadorian. I don’t think that I can ever let go of my roots or my ‘umbligo,’ as we like to say it sometimes in Spanish. My lived experience has been a mix of American and Salvadorian. The people who have influenced me are so diverse. I soak in everything my community has to offer, and Durham has so much to offer in ideology and in culture.” – by Anna-Rhesa Versola

Olivia bEllido

Xeaching isn’t just a career for Olivia Bellido – it’s a passion that has shaped her life and the lives of countless students.

A proud Durham resident since 1990, Olivia has dedicated 20 years to her alma mater, Jordan High School, where she serves as its theater director. But her influence extends far beyond the stage; she creates a sanctuary for students to pursue their passions with fervor and to embrace their authentic selves.

At the heart of Olivia’s approach lies a simple but powerful philosophy of empowerment and autonomy. The realm of tech theater in her program is led entirely by students, granting them full ownership over every aspect of production, from constructing elaborate sets to handling the intricacies of lighting, sound and stage management. This handson experience not only hones her pupils’ technical skills, but also instills a profound sense of responsibility and pride in their work. Meanwhile, for those with little to no stage experience, Olivia’s mentorship serves as a guiding light, illuminating pathways they never deemed possible. Under her tutelage, whether they’re acting, directing or learning the art of stagecraft, students not only discover the discipline of performance, but also uncover untapped talents and aspirations, laying the groundwork for future career paths they may not have previously envisioned.

dE pa R tm E nt c hai R of t h E at ER aR ts, Jo R dan h igh s chool

Olivia’s impact transcends the realms of education and performance. She assumes the role of a mentor, a counselor and a constant support for her students, offering invaluable guidance as they navigate the uncertain terrain of post-graduation life. Her steadfast commitment to their holistic development is reflected both in their artistic achievements as well as in their personal growth and resilience in the face of challenges.

The fruits of Olivia’s labor are manifold, manifesting in myriad accolades and honors bestowed upon both her productions and the young minds she nurtures. Her unwavering dedication has garnered recognition from prestigious institutions, including an honorable mention from the Tony Awards for excellence in arts education in 2023 and the Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year Award in 2024. Moreover,

her musicals consistently earn acclaim, with nominations and wins at the esteemed Rising Star Awards across multiple categories, and many of her students receive top honors at the highly competitive International Thespian Festival year after year.

Yet perhaps the true measure of Olivia’s influence – and the most rewarding aspect of her career – is seeing her students succeed in whatever path they choose. Graduates from her program have gone on to carve out successful careers in arts education, performance and technical theater, their paths brightened by the lessons learned and the connections forged within the walls of Jordan’s theater department. Alumni return year after year to support the program and partake in its ongoing success.

Olivia also remains resolute in ensuring that quality arts experiences remain accessible to all. More than 44% of students at Jordan are enrolled in free and reduced lunch programs, and Olivia knows that financial barriers could easily deter many from experiencing the transformative power of theater. She combats this by offering low-cost or free admission to shows using the school’s currency, “Falcon Feathers,” ensuring that no student is turned away from the magic of live performance. She not only broadens access to the arts through these initiatives, but also fosters a sense of inclusivity and belonging among students from all walks of life, paving the way for a future generation of artists, performers and creatives.

Olivia’s unparalleled dedication, unwavering commitment and transformative lessons have enriched the lives of countless students and have left an indelible mark on the fabric of the school’s community. As the curtain falls on each production at Jordan, Olivia’s legacy endures, serving as a testament to the profound influence that a single individual can wield in shaping the hearts, minds and futures of those entrusted to their care. – by Ashley Pieraccini, Allison Coovadia and Jessica Edwards 

r. Sabrina Grinstead grew up in a tiny Texas town, the youngest of six children. She moved to Durham in 2006 and lives with her husband, Brad Grinstead, two teenage children, two pups, Leia and Badger (pictured), and two cats, Sprite and Capiche, right around the corner from her veterinary practice in north Durham. She’s a remarkable, inexhaustible, fiercely independent small business owner who believes in greatness and leads by example. When she took over Eno Animal Hospital in 2011, it was a cozy but cramped and outdated space. She had a vision to provide the highest level of veterinary care for Durham pets and spent years planning and overseeing the construction of a new hospital. She hasn’t stopped dreaming bigger since. Dr. Grinstead is always looking for ways to grow and improve. Eno earned its Fear Free certification via a program that teaches veterinary health care professionals how to prevent and ease fear, anxiety and stress to create happier patients and visits; offers pet laser therapy, grooming and boarding; and embraces a holistic approach to care alongside the best medical options – prioritizing each pet’s emotional well-being right alongside their physical health. She takes mental health and compassion fatigue seriously, expanding company benefits and promoting a healthy work-life balance. She continually sharpens her management and business skills: leading with compassion, empowerment, gumption and unwavering support for her team. She meets every opportunity with, “Let’s do this;” every challenge with a “Bring it on;” and every tough situation with, “We’ll make it work” – diving right in with passion and determination.

In 2018, Dr. Grinstead created and spearheaded a fundraising effort to outfit every single Durham fire truck with pet oxygen kits, raising and then matching donations from the Eno family and community. Under her leadership, Eno has donated 25 pet oxygen kits in total to fire departments in Durham, Bahama, Stem, Creedmoor, Lebanon and Redwood, North Carolina. In August 2019, those very kits helped first responders save every dog rescued from the Falconbridge Animal Hospital fire.

Beyond her vet practice, she’s a dedicated community advocate, sponsoring local festivals and events, supporting animal welfare causes, partnering with rescue organizations to provide veterinary care to shelter pets and adopting Durham’s newest dog park at Rock Quarry Park, where the Eno team regularly holds special events to answer pet parent questions and gift the pups treats and toys. Dr. Grinstead does so much for everyone and never seeks credit. While she never attributes the success of Eno Animal Hospital to herself, the truth is there would be no success – no celebrations, no milestones, no Eno pride – without her. She is the heart of it all. – by Anna Bengel 

Dr. Sabrina gRinstEad

We Need You!

Join us for Walk for the Animals by forming a team and fundraising!

Together, we can provide more animals with the care, love, and bright futures they deserve!

May 31st 9:00 am – Noon Duke East Campus

Melanie allEn X

elanie Allen is on a mission to prove that climate justice isn’t just about policies – it’s about people. She leads efforts to support grassroots organizations working toward a cleaner, more equitable future, especially in the oftenoverlooked South, and ensures that the fight for climate solutions is inclusive.

A Greensboro native, Melanie studied history and African American studies at Columbia University before moving to Durham in 2011. She first found her footing in health advocacy before transitioning into climate philanthropy, recognizing the deep connections between community well-being and environmental justice. We caught up with her to discuss her journey, the power of grassroots movements, how the South is shaping the future of clean energy and what keeps her motivated – including a profound love for women’s basketball.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the field of environmental justice and philanthropy? I have a job that I did not know existed when I was in high school or even really in college, but as a young person, I got really sick and was diagnosed with a chronic illness. And that brought me into advocating for all people to have access to health care. When I was in New York, I worked with an organization called the Children’s Defense Fund. We were able to expand the state child health insurance program to bring almost a million more children into coverage. But, when I was doing that work and organizing with other people who had health challenges – many of them in the South Bronx – I came to know that many of those health challenges were either caused or exacerbated by environmental issues. And so I came, like so many people do, to environmental justice work through health. I could not unsee or unlearn those things. Even as I continued working on health policy, the environment was a lens that I had.

What is your main focus right now at the Hive Fund? We are a regranting intermediary, which means we raise money and then we make grants to people who are doing extraordinary work to move us toward climate

Women Who Build, Design & Inspire

progress. We focus [specifically] on five key states: Texas, Louisiana, Georgia and then the Carolinas, because [as I] like to say, there’s no path to durable climate action that doesn’t go through the South. Our partners basically do two main things: No. 1, they support work that helps to challenge the growth of climate [change]-causing pollution – that could be anything from helping to stop new gas-fired power plants that we know will contribute to climate pollution [to] also innovating and catalyz[ing] this move to cleaner renewable energy in ways that make sure that everyone is a part of it; No. 2, when we’re dealing with something as complex as climate change and also have a goal of [finding] equitable solutions, it means that we have to have an ecosystem of organizations that work together collectively to bring us closer to that vision, and so we fund [those] ecosystems. We have an extraordinary team of 10 who help do this work.

What challenges have you faced in advocating for more equitable climate funding, and how have you overcome them? What work still needs to be done in this arena? We launched in 2019 and made our first grants in the spring of 2020. That was an exciting time where everyone was thinking about equity and made these commitments. But it’s been a bit of a challenge of late because of political winds, and I just think they’ve made people more hesitant. … One of the challenges has been that we’re based in the South, and the South unfortunately is underfunded, even though as a region, it makes up about 40% of all climate pollution in the U.S. When we launched the fund, less than 2% of climate dollars – or dollars for climate philanthropy – went to organizations that were led by people of color and organizations that were led by women of color. An important part of our work has been to fund people who are doing incredible work that we think has been overlooked and undervalued by philanthropy.

Can you share an example of a project or initiative that has been particularly impactful through the Hive Fund? A lot of our work in North Carolina has been in rural North Carolina, even though we fund a lot of people who are headquartered [in Durham]. One organization that I’ll elevate is a couple of hours to the east – the Center for Energy Education. We’ve supported them since 2020. They do a tremendous amount of workforce development and job placement to bring new people into the solar industry, particularly returning citizens – [individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system] – to offer them the skills they need to succeed in a growing industry that [also] pays well above the local average.

What role do grassroots organizations play in advancing environmental justice, and how can they better access funding and resources? Grassroots organizations are key. In a moment like this, where North Carolina has won billions of dollars in federal funding, many of it toward climate projects or projects that will improve people’s lives by lowering their energy bills and energy cost, organizations [need to be] talking about the work that they do and about projects that have gone successfully, but also about what we stand to lose if these federal dollars that have already been committed don’t actually hit the ground. We’ve learned that some of the best work to move climate [justice] forward is local. We’ve seen organizations rally, show up, push their local city councils or county commissions to make climate pledges and commitments. In Durham, we have a climate pledge to reduce our energy by 80% by 2030 and to have 100% clean energy by 2050.

What are some of the biggest opportunities you see for climate and gender justice in the next five years? This moment is one that is reminding people that change and work that is durable operates at the local level. I see both climate and gender justice as an opportunity for people to reconnect with their communities. I think there’s a lot of great stuff that happens online, but being able to actually be in touch – be in physical community with folks – is really exciting. It’s an opportunity that climate justice affords us. … We’ve seen very recently from [Hurricane] Helene and the fires in California that none of us are protected from climate events. I think that we’re going to continue to see people pull together to figure out what it looks like to build resilient communities. And those are communities that are connected, where you know who to call and what to do when the moment arises.

thE hivE fund has about

150 gRantEEs. wE’vE madE

$90 million in gRants in thEsE fiRst fivE yEaRs and aRE ExcitEd in thE sEcond half of this dEcisivE dEcadE to do EvEn moRE.

_Are there any upcoming initiatives or projects you’re particularly excited about? A lot of our partners are impacted by the federal freeze. Much of the work that we’re doing right now is to support them and make sure that they remain in compliance as we wait for what we believe will happen, which is that federal dollars will flow in alignment with the law and the legal agreements that partners have. On that front, there’s a tremendous amount of opportunity with Solar for All, a program that seeks to roll out solar energy access to people who have historically been locked out due to economic status and income. That’s one of the things I’m most excited about, because I think we’ve heard from so many partners about how life-changing that can be.

Scan the QR code for our full interview with Melanie.

What keeps you motivated in the face of the challenges of this work? I have an amazing family. Most of my family is an hour in either direction. My mom is originally from Raleigh, and the rest of my folks are in Greensboro. I get to spend wonderful time with two young nieces, and now we have two nieces in college and a baby nephew. That keeps me motivated. I’m also deeply into women’s basketball – the WNBA and, of course, we’ve seen women’s college basketball be extraordinary and several other professional leagues pop up. … [I enjoy] just being able to burn off steam with folks and celebrate women’s sports in general. – as told to Leah Berry

Jenn summE X

enn Summe has a pretty ambitious goal: to reshape the landscape for women in investing, tackling the stark disparities they face.

“Half of the startups in this country are founded by women, but startups with all-female teams receive around 2% of all of the venture funding,” she says. “Even valuations at early firms are lower for teams that have women – 16% lower for female-founded companies and 52% lower for all-female teams.

“Women make up about 26% of investment professionals at all [venture capital] firms,” Jenn continues. “Among partners like myself, only 19% are female. … The numbers just keep going down. [Women] are less likely to represent the firm on boards when they do make investments in companies. There’s only 20% that even serve on the committees that make the investment decisions. If you’re not in those rooms that are making those investment committee decisions, then those femaleled companies aren’t going to get funded.”

Jenn’s passion comes from firsthand experience – both navigating these statistics herself and building relationships with others who’ve faced the same challenges.

She moved often as a child – Army family – but proudly claims North Carolina as home, thanks in part to the time her father spent stationed at Fort Bragg. She’s lived in the Triangle since 2006 and in Durham since 2010. Jenn earned her undergraduate degree in cognitive psychology from UNC in 2008 after transferring from UNC Wilmington, then went on to earn her master of business administration from Duke University in 2022.

“I started out at a digital marketing agency for about five years out of college and quickly moved into tech startups – my first job [in this field] was at Windsor Circle Inc. around 2015,” Jenn says. “Once I got into tech startups, I was like, ‘Oh, these are my people. This is my passion.’ I love these young budding businesses and making sure that they’re scalable and watching them grow.”

Jenn never planned to enter the venture capital world, but the path found her when she connected with Joe Colopy, her now-partner at Primordial. “He was looking to build a new way to support entrepreneurs and early-stage companies,” Jenn says, “but with the added bonus of being able to provide mentorship and critical capital at that very early stage, and then also support them with marketing efforts, which was in my background. Once we got to talking about what Primordial was going to be, I just knew that this was the absolute perfect role for me.”

Primordial Ventures, founded in 2021, goes beyond investment – it’s a support system, helping founders bridge the gap between vision and execution by providing capital, monthly check-ins and accountability partnerships. But just as crucial is the community it fosters. “We’re gathering [startups] together with other founders in similar stages … and we have the visibility of the broader startup ecosystems through our sister organization, GrepBeat,” Jenn says. “We try to position ourselves as the investors that founders can be vulnerable with and talk to very candidly.”

Jenn says she spends a good amount of time meeting founders and discovering new startups to invest in, but even if Primordial hasn’t made an investment yet, it strives to offer something valuable with every conversation, whether that’s a helpful connection, a fresh idea or a useful resource.

As a woman in venture capital, Jenn quickly realized she was a minority in the industry. The rooms she entered were predominantly filled with men, often leaving her as one of the few women present. This gender imbalance also created challenges for female founders, who often find themselves pitching to mostly male decision-makers.

paying it foRwaRd

Jenn has been a pivotal influence on my journey from the very beginning. I vividly remember when she took a chance on my co-founders and me during our early stages; her belief in us was a turning point. Jenn will always graciously make time for us. But what makes her truly exceptional is that she helps us recognize our own wins and progress. Jenn has a unique way of showing us the potential and skills we already possess, leaving us feeling motivated and capable. It’s not just about the advice she gives, but about how she empowers us to realize that we already have the talent and capability to achieve our goals. Beyond her strategic expertise, it’s her genuine kindness, curiosity and ambition that truly sets her apart. She’s a hardworking mom and a mentor whose impact goes far beyond just business.

– lucy kostuRko, co-founder and chief product officer, Social Cascade

hElping foundERs succEEd –thosE thREE woRds aRE thE main dRivER in all of thE woRk that i do.

“I was complaining to my co-worker and LiLa co-founder Melissa Crosby, and she was like, ‘You just need to do something about it,’” Jenn says. “The hypothesis was, if we get more women who are involved as both investors in funds or angel investors … then ideally we will see more female-founded and female-led companies, and help those founders get critical funding that they need to grow and scale.” That sparked the idea for Ladies Investing / Local Angels, a free, womenonly group fostering education and dialogue about venture capital and angel investing, which meets regularly to equip participants with the knowledge and confidence they need to navigate financial decision-making across all areas of entrepreneurship and business creation.

Jenn also co-hosts “In The Soup,” a podcast on GrepBeat that offers unfiltered conversations about the world of startups and investing. “We cover evergreen topics, like making your first hires, and then more topical, timely issues – we just had one about the climate tech outlook in a Trump administration,” Jenn says. “The big takeaway being that, as a founder, you’re not alone. There are plenty of people locally who have been in the soup before you, and plenty more who are going through it right now.”

Jenn’s approach to guiding others comes from a place of true understanding and expertise in her field. “I definitely have a special preference for people who have worked in startups knowing how startups should operate,” Jenn says. “We’ve all been operators at Primordial, and that’s really important for our culture – we’ve walked in your shoes, learned our lessons, and now we’re here to help, share and support. I’d love to see more women –[and] more women of color – in the VC community.”

Beyond her role at Primordial and several volunteer positions, Jenn cherishes quality time with her husband, Jeff Gula, and their son, AJ Gula Summe, 5 – you can often find them hiking together at Eno River State Park. A family of gamers, they also channel their affinity for video games into a meaningful cause by supporting Extra Life, a nonprofit raising funds for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through gaming marathons.

It’s safe to say Jenn wears many hats, but she’s most grateful to have found her true passion. “It can take some time to find the right lane for you,” Jenn says. “But once you [do], it’s so nice. This is the community I was meant to be a part of, and I’m really excited that I get to do all of this wonderful work.” Step by step, Jenn is making a lasting impact – and changing the numbers along the way. – by Leah Berry 

Karrie G. dixon

arrie G. Dixon’s journey has come full circle, returning her to Durham two decades after she first called it home. The Winston-Salem native and mother of two daughters, ages 22 and 14, is still adjusting to the near-celebrity status that comes with leading North Carolina Central University. After nearly a year in the role, she will be officially installed as the college’s 13th chancellor during a ceremony at McDougald-McLendon Arena April 11.

Karrie’s passion for higher education ignited in graduate school during a transformative moment in the classroom, where she saw firsthand how administrative policies shape a student’s path to earning a degree. Over time, she connected the dots between a university’s success and its lasting impact on the surrounding community. Now, she is making state history as the first woman to serve as chancellor at two different UNC System universities.

What initially inspired you to pursue a career in higher education, and what keeps you passionate about it today? When I was a graduate student [at UNC Greensboro], I was asked to teach a freshman [and] sophomore level course in public speaking and interpersonal communications. I had an opportunity to meet students and understand where they are in their journey in completing their degree. I thought about the students who experience barriers and challenges that prevent them from completing their degree, and that became an interest of mine. From there, I realized that I love being in the classroom. I love teaching. I left that institution and went to NC State to teach as a visiting and then full-time lecturer. It taught me that student success very often is guided by policy. I finished my doctorate at the age of 28, and I immediately started seeking positions that could impact how we view student success,

c hanc E llo R , n o R th c a R olina cE nt R al u niv ER sity

challenges and barriers in higher education. That is really the foundation that has led me to continue my career in [this field]. I was able to do a lot of the policy work in my 10 years at the UNC System Office. I served my last position there as vice president for academic and student affairs, and a lot of the policy that is in place now is policy that I wrote or implemented. Understanding that piece of it is very important, even today, because everything we do is guided by policy.

You’ve been in this position now for several months. What have you identified as the biggest challenge in your role? Housing. NCCU grew in fall [2024], the largest growth that we’ve seen in the history of the university. And we grew 13% for the spring [2025 semester]. I was confronted with this walking in the door on the first day on the job. We had a housing waiting list of 800 students, but we were able to get it down to fewer than 10.

I’ve put in place a new process of how we are approaching housing – being more strategic, more intentional, starting early and having things in place that will help that not happen again, from the standpoint of carrying

Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon sits among the artworks at North Carolina Central University’s Art Museum.

a waiting list that long. But I also know that, with growth, comes ways in which we have to advocate for additional housing options, and we’re working with partners in the City of Durham and looking at other options. We also want to continue to grow in our online space for adult learners. When you grow in your online space, you don’t have to worry about housing, right? We were the first university to partner with [adult learning nonprofit] Project Kitty Hawk on our RN to BSN degree program [in the Department of Nursing, which allows registered nurses to earn a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing].

Have you experienced any moments that surprised or delighted you in the past few months on campus? I could have the worst day, and I will leave my office, go on campus, talk to students, hear their stories, and they are absolutely amazing. It makes me realize I do what I do because it matters to the students we serve.

Can you share a specific encounter with a student that left a lasting impact on you? I always say to my students that I want them to see me as approachable, as someone they can come up and talk to. Jahmir Hamilton is one student who has an amazing story – he built his own startup company at 20 years old and has taken advantage of the resources on campus, [at] the School of Business and [through its] partnership with PNC, [participating in the] PNC North Carolina HBCU Initiative Pitch Competition. He is doing some amazing things in the tech area. With this generation, technology is their life, and any way that we can advance technology is critical to their success and to the success of the university.

What do you wish others knew about you? This is a huge role. It is a 24/7 role. You’re in the public eye all the time. I remember when my youngest daughter wanted to go to Burger King. We went through the drive-through, and my oldest daughter called me and said, “Mom, were you at Burger King today?” And I said, “How did you know?” I mean, she’s in a whole other city. She said, “Oh, it was on social media.” You never know who’s picking up on who you are, and that was a big transition for me.

What advice would you give to young women today who see you as a role model? Prepare. Prepare. Prepare. Make sure [to take advantage of] any opportunity for professional development, any opportunity for networking, for identifying a mentor and a sponsor, is important right now. Higher education continues to predominantly be led by men, and it’s up to us women to shatter the glass ceiling. Preparation is key.

What guiding philosophy helps you navigate difficult times? Is there a principle you live by every day? There’s one quote that I use quite often, especially at the beginning of [a] semester, that I also used at my previous institution: “It’s not about me. It’s not about us. It’s about ‘we.’’’ We want to make sure everyone on the boat is rowing in the same direction and no one is drilling holes. It’s about all of us doing the right thing for the university at any given time. As a leader, I think it’s important to share with those who you lead how we are important, more important than “I,” and how we have to work together in order to be successful.

Color My World

• Custom design • Repairs • Leading expert in modernist jewelry design • Wedding bands and engagement rings • Style and collection consults • Art from partner Momentum Gallery, Asheville

Rings by Georg Spreng

Remarkable K

rooms

Stunning spaces masterfully crafted by three local designers

BY APRIL DUDASH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN

MICHAEL SIMPSON

odd Cook and his husband, Kevin Dotson, have an undeniable eye for detail. A tiny, pale-gray cardboard model, encased and displayed on their kitchen counter, testifies to their vision. Todd meticulously crafted the three-dimensional structure, a miniature replica of the home addition they completed in 2021. That same keen, confident eye is evident throughout their 1957 midcentury modern house in the Duke Forest neighborhood. 

It’s reflected in the vibrant swirling vases, the fine ballpoint-pen Oscar Ukonu artwork in the dining room and the bold, Roy Lichtenstein-inspired light fixture hanging in their new sunroom.

“Our style is an accumulation of experiences and things we see that we like,” Kevin says. “People will go into a store and buy everything at once, and you’re not buying your idea of how you want to live. You’re buying someone else’s.”

Todd and Kevin were friends with the previous homeowners, and they knew exactly what they wanted when they bought the property in 2017: a sunroom, a full bathroom and a deck addition that would provide an indoor and outdoor space for entertaining guests, as well as an easy place to dry off after taking a dip in their backyard pool.

The pair consulted several architects before they met Alicia HyltonDaniel, owner of Hylton Daniel Design + Construction. She ended up being the catalyst for bringing their vision to life.

The fusion of old and new is seamless as you walk through the home. Alicia collaborated with Todd, who has an affinity for composition as an art director, and Kevin, who honed his attention to detail working with high-end luxury brands like Bang & Olufsen and Louis Vuitton.

“They have this beautiful backyard, and there was not really a way of enjoying it and for it to have a relationship with this pool that

came with the house,” Alicia says. “They truly love their home for what it was and what it is. …They weren’t trying to create anything that would interrupt the true style.”

They retained the original skinny Roman bricks that clad the home’s exterior, transforming them into the new focal wall of the sunroom. Sturdy, midnight-blue industrial siding around the windows and sunroom mirror the home’s original brick pattern while providing durability. The light gray, large-format tile ensures pool-goers don’t slip, even when wet. A mosaic of thin, vertical tiles in the new bathroom pays homage to the keys of their grand piano in the living room. Meanwhile, the outdoor patio now features ample storage, a sink, a fridge and an ice maker.

The sunroom floods the home with natural light, even on cloudy days. Todd and Kevin regularly host gatherings for friends, setting up charcuterie boards on the kitchen island while keeping drinks chilled in the outdoor fridge. In the evenings, they unwind in the additional space with a book and some music.

“It was a three-year process and [talking to] multiple architects to find what fit with us,” Todd says. “Everyone was just amazed at how beautiful it is.” 

Kevin Dotson and Todd Cook appreciate how the deep skylights brighten their sunroom. Much of their decor complements the home's modern design, which is featured in NCModernist’s architecture archive.

Room with a view

Kristin Baker just couldn’t continue to ignore the asymmetry in her living room. Every time she walked by, it bothered her. The space never felt quite right to her after she, her partner, Ben Baker, her daughter, Avery Baker, now 11, and their energetic pit bull, Mila, moved into the 1,900-square-foot South Durham home in 2017.

“The biggest problem with the living room is that the focal wall has a fireplace with it, and also a window – one window – and that drove me bonkers,” says Kristin, executive coach and founder of KB Coaching. “It wasn’t balanced; the window felt like you needed another window. It’s also something I knew I couldn’t fix on my own.”

Kristin loves to incorporate jewel tones into her spaces. People in her Zoom meetings regularly comment on her cheerful fuchsia-painted

BY CATHERINE

ABOVE The unbalanced layout that frustrated Kristin. BELOW Laura Koshel of LK Design helped bring Kristin's vision for her living room to life, creating a bold, vibrant space featuring a cozy window seat, floating shelves, and watercolor rose wallpaper that reflects Kristin's "happy eclectic" style.

PHOTO

wall, adorned with shelves holding sentimental photos of her and her daughter.

As someone who helps clients set goals, Kristin decided to set one for herself: redesign the living room by mid-2023. Her research led her to Laura Koshel, principal designer of LK Design, whose repeat recognition as a readers’ favorite interior designer in Durham Magazine’s Best of Durham poll caught her attention.

When the two met, Kristin shared her vision for a more symmetrical layout, a cozy window seat to watch the birds and bolder colors woven throughout.

“Her style is #HappyEclectic,” Laura says with a smile, adding that they even started incorporating the hashtag in project proposals and emails for Kristin’s space. “She has a bright personality. We needed to reflect that in a way in her interiors – that there’s a happiness here.”

Laura suggested that – rather than overwhelm the room with the addition of built-in bookshelves, which would have made it feel smaller – they use vertical molding around the fireplace to define the space. The contractor ended up finding and using

the exact same molding style to match the existing fireplace design. Floating shelves and two shallow kitchen cabinets (which are only 12 inches deep) provides additional storage without encroaching on the room’s openness. For color, the new wallpaper – adorned with watercolor roses – perfectly complements a framed portrait of a woman wearing a pink floral crown. A light-colored sectional allows the teal rug and fuchsia curtains to pop.

“It’s like [an act of] self-love,” Kristin says. “You deserve to have a nice working space; you deserve to have a beautiful living room. We look at that room every day, and we say, ‘I freakin’ love this.’”

Soak it all in

Dan Pierson and Danielle Pierson could hardly move in the tiny, outdated bathroom of their colonial-style home in Duke Forest.

The old, 1980s shower had a low ceiling and could barely fit a person. There was only a single vanity. Their bedroom closet, which was squeezed into the bathroom footprint, was too shallow for Danielle’s clothes. Even the doors blocked movement when opened. They began searching for designers in early 2024, and they had a hard deadline – baby No. 2 was due in October, and they wanted the new primary bathroom completed before then.

“You couldn’t put two people in there,” Danielle says of the old bathroom design. “You couldn’t pass by each other. I had some inspiration pictures. They tended to be more minimalistic, a lot more open and airy. It was such a cramped, segmented space before.” 

The watercolor rose wallpaper perfectly complements this striking portrait of a woman wearing a pink floral crown. The rich hues of a deep teal rug and fuchsia curtains further tie the entire space together.

PHOTO BY MARK TERRY

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Piersons’

The Piersons ended up working with designers Rachel Stoner and Jordan McLeod of True Design as well as Kevin Lancaster, president and owner of Abacus Builders. The renovation took about 3½ months, requiring major work including cutting into the kitchen ceiling to access plumbing and tearing down bedroom walls to add more square footage to the bathroom and closet. The True Design team optimized the layout and maximized space by incorporating a deeper tub inside the shower.

“The ‘wet room,’ we call it,” Rachel says. “That was the first time True Design implemented something like that, where [the tub and the shower] were together, which I was very proud of. It turned out beautiful.”

The team held many on-site meetings and even drew out plans on the plywood walls. The word “oasis” was tossed around during original planning, and Rachel and Jordan used that to guide their vision, selecting textured blue tiles for the wet room that mimicked moving water and evoked a spa-like ambiance. A small section of muted, leafy wallpaper at the vanity added warmth and a minimalist touch.

The project wrapped up just one week before Danielle gave birth to a baby boy.

The Piersons’ bathroom is now awash in natural light and feature two sinks, dual medicine cabinets and a deep tub perfect for soaking.

“I posted [a photo of the combined tub and shower] to Facebook, and people said, ‘I love that, I love that the bath is in the shower,’” Danielle says. “It makes a lot of sense.”

The

new primary bathroom features a stunning “wet room” design, where a deep soaking tub sits seamlessly inside the spacious shower. Textured blue tiles mimic the movement of water, creating a serene, spa-like retreat — perfect for unwinding after a long day.

PHOTO BY MARK TERRY

Built last to K

Southern artisans forge a new legacy, blending tradition with innovation in furniture and textiles

BY EMILY CHAMBLISS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MADELINE NGUYEN COURTESY OF UNC MEDIA HUB

ucked in a small, sunlit studio, Kris Frazier hovers over a slab of wood, the rhythmic sound of her drill cutting through the peaceful silence. The scent of sawdust lingers in the air, and sketched designs and unfinished projects lay scattered in a chaotic gallery of inspiration around her.

Once celebrated as a “furniture capital of the world,” North Carolina cities drew craftsmen from across the nation to build a legacy of quality artistry. Even as industrialization swept through the United States and factories moved overseas, the state remains an East Coast hub for a booming furniture market.

Durham, home to innumerable murals, galleries and small artist-owned businesses, boasts an arts community that is a big part of what makes its neighborhoods thrive, helping to attract tourists, stimulate commerce and bring residents together.

Several artists in the Bull City are building upon North Carolina’s colorful furniture and textile-making legacy, redefining what it means to be made in the South. 

Elijah Leed carefully shapes molten glass in his East Durham studio.

Wood works

Elijah Leed’s award-winning “Warren Cabinet” sits in an unassuming corner of his East Durham studio. Elijah describes the piece, which features solid dark walnut adorned with bronze mesh, as something to tuck objects away without completely hiding them. The Warren Cabinet breathes new life into traditional craftsmanship, a sleek and modern take on a centuries-old design.

“It’s really a cabinet of curiosities,” Elijah says. “... the bronze gives you a little bit of the ability to see through. [You can stash] something that you treasure personally inside this cabinet; it’s a special place for it.”

Elijah says that building basic pieces and filling orders keep the lights on, but he’ll take any chance he gets to transform old ideas.

“It’s typically challenging, day to day, to try to find time or space to make new things or be creative in a way,” he says. “I’m usually trying to just keep up with what’s coming through the shop. It’s a rare opportunity

to have a hard stop. Is this something new or interesting? We’re doing all this, all this setup, investing all this time into it – let’s go a little bit further and make something entirely new as well.”

Elijah, who studied glass and ceramics at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, says Durham has a deep appreciation for handcrafted pieces and supporting local artists.

“I don’t really have to differentiate myself or be a competitor to my peers or other people in the area who do the same thing,” he says. “There’s generally plenty of work for all of us to be doing. I know a lot of other folks in the area who make the same kind of handcrafted work and in their own unique way.”

Elijah, who also teaches glassblowing to students at North Carolina Central University, values his glassblowing studio, one of only a handful in the region, as an educational resource and a way to mentor community members.

Kris Frazier started at Elijah Leed Studio in an apprenticelike role in April 2021. She spent her first year at the studio learning Elijah’s style before taking on a more managerial role and guiding newer woodworkers. For Kris, crafting furniture is like putting together a puzzle. Figuring her way around pieces keeps tasks that can get repetitive fun and interesting.

“I never come into work and do the same thing all day,” she says.

“Even on boring days, it’s still something that you love doing.”

Kris, a Thomasville, North Carolina, native who visited the former World’s Largest Chair in her hometown as a child, was always a “little artist.” She grew up working furniture markets with her father and grandfather, and fell in love with handcrafting pieces in high school woodworking classes. Kris studied industrial and product design at Appalachian State University, bouncing among studios and foundries in Los Angeles and Walla Walla, Washington, before landing back in

ABOVE Kris Frazier hones her craft on a new project at Elijah Leed Studio, blending skill and creativity in handcrafted design. BELOW The "Warren Cabinet" – rich walnut, bronze mesh and craftsmanship come together in a timeless piece.

At CQC Home, we specialize in transforming homes with creativity, craftsmanship, and precision. From custom kitchens to whole home renovations, additions, and ADUs, our expert team delivers. With our turnkey design-build approach, we seamlessly manage every detail—from the first sketch to the final reveal.

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North Carolina to be closer to her family. She says Durham supports local first – you’ll see art from community creatives, and countertops or shelving from studios like Elijah Leed, in many of the bakeries, coffee shops and restaurants near her workplace.

“It is quite rare to find that in a larger community like this,” Kris says. “People who are willing to go out of their way to make sure their people are first.” That’s something unique to the South, she says, adding that there aren’t a lot of places in the U.S. where you can wave at strangers and expect a wave back, or connect with your community in a life-changing way.

“I think it took me moving away to realize there’s something special about it,” she says. “I do love the South. I think there’s a magic to it.”

Spinning

a new yarn

Surrounded by vibrant fibers in her Pinterest-perfect home, Caroline Cockerham quietly reshapes North Carolina’s textile legacy.

The state’s textile industry flourished in the 19th century with the establishment of cotton mills and factories, drawing workers from rural areas to burgeoning towns like Greensboro, Gastonia and Burlington. 

Cicil Rugs co-founder Caroline Cockerham (below) showcases swatches of the brand’s eco-friendly rugs in her Durham home.

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Quality craftsmanship in producing a wide array of products, from durable denim to intricate upholstery fabrics, shaped North Carolina’s economy for more than a century.

But the late 20th century brought significant upheaval. Globalization and competition led to a mass exodus of manufacturing jobs as companies sought cheaper labor overseas. Many historic mills closed their doors, and thousands of jobs were lost.

Today, a new generation of artisans and entrepreneurs are pioneering a new, greener way forward. Cicil Rugs, which offers nontoxic and undyed rugs created with minimal waste, sources wool from small farms and co-ops in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. The wool is scoured, or cleaned, in South Carolina and carded, spun, braided and sewn in North Carolina.

“One thing that we were really intentional about when building Cicil was to try to get outside of these massive systems that are difficult to make sustainable in any way that you spin it,” Caroline says. She co-founded Cicil in 2021 with Laura Tripp, who she met while working with Patagonia from 2013 to 2015. Collaborating in a sustainability-informed environment, Caroline and Laura wanted to incorporate eco-consciousness into a popular, everyday industry.

Traditional rug-making presents significant sustainability challenges. Material sourcing and production land management can lead to deforestation and habitat loss. Synthetic fibers, often derived from petroleum, are nonbiodegradable, and contribute to pollution and waste. The industry also has a history of exploitative labor practices, with artisans working in unsafe conditions for low wages.

In 2018, slave labor and false organic claims in foreign supply chains dried up imports for cotton-reliant companies. Conversations about how to simplify and domesticate textile development inspired Caroline and Laura to weave a new path.

“Mass production lacks connection,” Laura says. “We like to know everything going into our product. We want to know its story.”

Cicil experimented with seaweed and hemp textiles, a product they’re still developing, before launching with wool. Working with ethically sourced wool, a durable fiber with antimicrobial properties, allows Cicil to blend conventional rug production with modern sustainability consideration.

“We don’t always need to completely innovate,” Laura says. “It’s OK to embrace a little bit of tradition while also working on and celebrating new things.”

Caroline, who grew up in Greensboro and studied textile management at NC State University, says North Carolina is the perfect place for textile innovation. The state boasts more than 700 fiber material businesses, many in and around Durham, fostering collaboration and good working relationships.

“We have the resources and the ability to do it,” Caroline says. “I think that it just makes a lot of sense to work locally. It puts the person back in the process.”

Laura sees basing Cicil in Durham as a chance to come home and honor the state’s textile heritage.

“I like to celebrate the good things about the South,” she says. “The South is my home. I have an emotional connection here, even to the textile industry, that I wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else.”

Mark Your Calendar S

Spring into style with the must-attend home and design events of the season

Modapalooza

April 26, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tour eight stunning modernist homes across the Triangle with NCModernist. Ride in style on a luxury bus with fellow architecture and home design enthusiasts while enjoying snacks, drinks and lunch. Meet the talented architects behind these homes, which span the decades from 1960 to 2024. Tickets – $179 for the general public and $159 for Mod Squad members – include a USModernist tote bag and aforementioned refreshments.

Durham Garden Tour

April 26-27

Stroll through Durham’s most beautiful and sustainable gardens on this self-guided tour curated by Keep Durham Beautiful, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary of creating green outdoor spaces throughout the Bull City. “What began as a modest partnership has blossomed into a powerful movement, uniting volunteers, businesses and local organizations in a shared commitment to environmental stewardship,” says Tania Dautlick, Keep Durham Beautiful’s executive director. Explore charming gardens on display, meet knowledgeable docents gain insight into the intentions behind each design. Tickets are $30, with free entry for anyone younger than 18 when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

High Performance

High Tour

April 26-27, noon – 5 p.m.

Discover the benefits of green-certified homes on this free, self-guided tour hosted by the Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties. Visit eco-friendly homes across the Triangle, built around sustainability principles and designed for lower emissions, reduced utility costs and healthier living spaces.

PHOTO BY KEITH ISAACS

Stonewood Estates – Durham, NC

Single-family homes from the mid $600s

Less than 3 miles to Duke

Watkins Grove – Raleigh, NC

Single-family homes from the mid $400s

Easy access to I-540

Carpenters Pointe – Cary, NC

Townhomes from the mid $500s

Panther Creek High

Friendship Village – Apex, NC

Single-family and townhomes coming late summer

Across the street from Apex Friendship schools

Season of K

change

Sarah P. Duke Gardens welcomes visitors while undergoing a yearlong transformation, growing toward a brighter, more sustainable future

BY ADDIE ROWELLS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

hovels went in the ground at Sarah P. Duke Gardens Feb. 3, 2025, kick-starting the $30 million Garden Gateway project, a privately funded endeavor meant to grow and enhance guest experience while maintaining the character and charm of the 85-year-old, 55-acre public gardens, one of our area’s most beloved locales. This includes renovations of the Doris Duke Center, as well as the creation of a new welcome center with a café, gallery space and outdoor meeting areas; improved learning and event facilities in addition to more space for classes, community programs, Duke University events and weddings; a safer and more accessible entrance to the gardens; and expanded green spaces designed for events and enjoyment. 

Sarah P. Duke Gardens' new entrance will feature a larger parking lot and welcome center – complete with gallery space, a cafe and a plant sale area –which will open to visitors in 2026.

RENDERING COURTESY OF DUDA | PAINE ARCHITECTS

“The great news is that the gardens will remain open throughout the entire construction period,” says Duke Gardens Marketing and Communications Director Lauren Smith Hong. “That’s really important to us to continue to be a resource for the community.

“Our location here in the heart of a growing city and a bustling campus means that we’re a very special place for people to come and connect with nature. But it also means that in order to make all of these amazing changes and create these experiences, we do need to temporarily limit access to our main entrance.”

The entrance at 420 Anderson St., the gardens’ parking lots and the Doris Duke Center are all now closed for construction. Public parking will be available on weekends only in the nearby Duke University H Lot, located on Anderson Street and Yearby Avenue. Visitors may enter Duke Gardens on foot through the temporary pedestrian entrance at 2000 Lewis St. and through the garden gates leading to West Campus along Flowers Drive. Guests are strongly encouraged to come to Duke Gardens on weekends when public parking is available or use alternative means of transportation – including the GoDurham Route 6 bus, Duke campus bus, bicycle or ride-hailing service – Monday through Friday (and on the weekends, if possible!). School programs and public tours will also pause during the renovations, but select events will continue, like Walk on the Wild Side, a guided trek through the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants that educates visitors on the ecological importance and natural beauty of native plant species. 

ABOVE Annabel Renwick, curator of the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, leads a group during the Walk on the Wild Side guided tour in early March.

BELOW Mallard ducks swim along in the Millstone Pond. One of the goals of the Garden Gateway project is to enhance the habitat for the diverse species that call Duke Gardens home.

Duke Gardens boasts a diverse collection of exotic and non-native plants, but its Blomquist Garden celebrates the beauty of North Carolina’s own flora, serving as a shining example to encourage guests to incorporate native plants into their own gardens. The Walk on the Wild Side program has been a cornerstone of this endeavor for nearly two decades. “My approach to this garden is to encourage the public to really think about the environment, nature and wildlife, and to encourage them to grow plants in their own backyards, in urban spaces and on their farms that are native and that support wildlife habitats,” says Annabel Renwick, curator at the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants.

Annabel’s journey with Duke Gardens began as a volunteer from 2009 to 2011. She later came on board as the horticulturist at Blomquist a couple years later before taking on the role of curator in 2018. Her work extends beyond overseeing a stunning landscape – it’s about forging connections between people and nature, showing how even small changes in planting choices can have a big ecological impact.

Education and sustainability are core values at Duke Gardens, and Walk on the Wild Side is a perfect example of those principles

in action. The longest-running program at Duke Gardens, it helps to “celebrate biocultural diversity and build community by developing a shared understanding of the way humans are in relationship with an expansive community of life,” says Kavanah Anderson, director of learning and community engagement at Duke Gardens, who plays a key role in shaping the Gardens’ educational initiatives. “The Gardens as a classroom provide many ways to learn, through formal programs and informal self-guided visits that are multisensory, intergenerational and memorable. Learning is done in community – where the garden, the instructor and the participants all learn from [one another]. … Duke Gardens’ programs connect with Duke’s climate commitment by linking gardening practices and observations of biodiverse garden ecosystems to the context, causes and consequences of climate change, as well as recognizing the importance of community building and advocacy as catalysts for positive change.

Indeed, the Garden Gateway project itself incorporates sustainable design principles to ensure long-term environmental responsibility, aligning with Duke University’s High Performance Building Framework. “The Garden Gateway project will transform the visitor experience,” Kavanah says. “... The incredibly talented horticulture staff operationalize sustainability and climate resilience in garden design, and this will be evident on arrival. Before reaching the new, sustainably built welcome center, visitors will be greeted with expanded green spaces that showcase this sustainable horticultural artistry, as well as along accessible paths that lead into [Duke] Gardens. An expanded event lawn will create space for enjoying events, performances and picnics. By increasing the plants in these expanded areas, we are creating additional habitat for the rich biodiversity of species that live in Duke Gardens.”

Both Annabel and Kavanah are optimistic about the changes ahead, seeing them as a way to make the gardens even more engaging and welcoming. “We love hearing what you experience at Duke Gardens,” Kavanah says, noting that the Duke Gardens staff is always open to feedback. “Duke Gardens is for you. There are many ways to be involved – as a visitor, a member, a program participant or a volunteer. It is a place to feel connected to community, which includes plants. It’s a place to wander, to be still, to share your attention and to notice the interconnections and interdependence among many scales of life.”

ABOVE The former street and parking lot will transform into a lush event lawn and gathering area, complete with new landscaping and accessible avenues.

BELOW "Blomquist has always been my favorite, because I just love native plants and woods," says Cindy Richards. "It's a wonderful, beautiful place."

PHOTO BY BILL SNEAD, COURTESY OF DUKE PHOTOGRAPHY

Mocha Mousse

Madness

Tips for how to best utilize this comforting brown hue in your own home

COMPILED BY HAILIE DAVIDSON

Color of the Year

Pantone named Mocha Mousse, a rich, earthy shade of brown, 2025’s color of the year, continuing its tradition of uniting designers around the world by selecting a hue that its experts believe best captures the current connection between color and culture. We asked Ana Tavares of CoCreations Construction & Design, Katherine Gianakos of Max Hugo Interior Design and Sheila O’Rourke of Little Mangum Studio to provide their insights on how to maximize your use of this rich, sophisticated color.

At a Glance

If there’s one word that describes the mood evoked by Mocha Mousse, all three designers agree it would be “warm.” “[It’s] like wrapping yourself in a cashmere blanket,” Sheila O’Rourke says. “It is grounding and unpretentious but has a freshness, because it has not been in the spotlight much recently.”

Ana Tavares agrees that it creates a sense of comfort and coziness, “an inviting atmosphere that promotes relaxation and tranquility,” she says, noting that it’s suitable for both casual and formal settings. “When used in interior design, Mocha Mousse can enhance the overall ambiance by providing a grounding effect that balances lighter colors and bright accents,” Ana adds.

A Versatile Neutral

Mocha Mousse’s balanced neutral tones and warm undertones make it a highly adaptable choice for home interiors. “It seamlessly integrates with both modern and traditional aesthetics, adding depth without overpowering a space,” Katherine

“Mocha Mousse possesses a timeless appeal that gives it enduring staying power in interior design,” Katherine says. “Its versatility and warmth ensure it remains a staple across both contemporary and classic styles.”

Katherine Gianakos Max Hugo Interior Design Ana Tavares

Gianakos says. Ana agrees, noting that its ability to pair with a wide range of colors, textures and styles makes it suitable for various design themes, from contemporary to rustic. “It is a neutral and it is classic, but it is new on the scene, so it feels fresh and modern,” Sheila adds.

Well Suited

This inviting hue shines in living rooms, bedrooms and dining areas. Ana suggests using it strategically: “In living rooms, it can serve as an inviting focal point on accent walls or furniture pieces. In bedrooms, it fosters a serene atmosphere, while dining areas benefit from its warmth, creating an intimate setting for conversation and connection.”

Sheila emphasizes its versatility: “You could … even [use it] in a kids’ room when paired with a bright color like blue, yellow or orange.”

Modern vs. Traditional Pairings

“It makes a lovely paint color or masonry,” Sheila says. “That really connects it back to its roots. It also looks wonderful in velvet and so could be considered for upholstery.”

Mocha Mousse’s flexibility extends across design styles. “In modern interiors, it pairs well with minimalist furniture and clean lines, while in traditional spaces, it complements ornate details and classic textures,” Katherine says. Ana explains that the approach differs in the accompanying decor: “In modern settings, pair it with sleek lines and minimalistic designs to create contrast against vibrant colors or materials like metal and glass. In traditional spaces, classic patterns, vintage furnishings and ornate details enhance its timeless appeal.”

Sheila adds, “The difference would be in the pieces used – whether a modern chair or a traditional chair. Both would look beautiful in this rich, warm tone.”

Color Combos

“Soft whites, deep charcoals and muted earth tones create a sophisticated and timeless look,” Katherine recommends. Ana suggests complementary and analogous colors like creamy whites, deep greens, dusty blues, warm grays, soft blushes or rich burgundies. For a bolder approach, Sheila offers unique pairings: “It would look great with peacock blue, millennial pink or a soft yellow.”

Subtle Touches

“Accent walls or decorative accessories ensure it doesn’t dominate the space,” Katherine says. “You can begin with almost anything –pillows, a rug or even the color in art,” Sheila adds. Ana recommends starting small: Try decorative pillows or throws, or paint a single feature wall to create a focal point.

It’s a Match

The right materials can enhance this warm shade. “Natural materials such as wood, stone and leather, along with textures like linen and wool, complement Mocha Mousse exceptionally well,” Katherine explains. Ana suggests metallic accents in bronze or gold for a touch of elegance. Sheila highlights its adaptability: “It makes a lovely paint color or masonry, connecting it back to its roots. It also looks wonderful in velvet, and so could be considered for upholstery.”

Element of Surprise

For those looking for unique applications, Mocha Mousse offers creative possibilities. “An unexpected way to style it is by incorporating it in ceiling accents or kitchen backsplashes,” Katherine suggests. Ana recommends pairing it with bold colors like teal or mustard yellow for a striking contrast; Shelia agrees, and highlights its year-round appeal as a neutral tone: “It can pair with reds, greens, yellows, oranges, purples,” she says. “So really, any season goes!”

“Mocha Mousse appears to have staying power due to its versatility and timeless appeal,” Ana says. “Earthy tones have been increasingly popular, as they promote a sense of calmness and connection to nature, qualities that resonate well in contemporary interior design philosophies focused on wellness and sustainability. Moreover, the neutral quality of Mocha Mousse allows it to blend seamlessly with various design styles – from modern minimalism to rustic charm – making it a reliable choice for long-term use.”

Sheila O’Rourke Little Mangum Studio

Elizabeth Lindquist, President-Owner & her father, David Lindquist

or the 16th straight year, Durham Magazine commissioned a peerto-peer survey of the local dental community – from endodontists to prosthodontists. The following listing is the result. Dentists and specialists were asked the telling question: “If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?” and also asked to take into consideration years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies and, of course, physical results. The nomination pool of dentists consists of those listed online with the American Dental Association, as well as all dentists listed online with their local dental societies, thus allowing virtually every dentist the opportunity to participate. Dentists are also given the opportunity to nominate other dentists who they feel should be included in the list. Respondents are asked to put aside any personal bias and to use only their knowledge of their peer’s work when evaluating the other nominees.

The Durham area is well-served by the dental community. Hundreds of dentists, specialists and support professionals have made this city home, and the overall quality of dental care in our communities is second to none. What good dentist wouldn’t want to practice here?

endodontics

Hong Chen RTP Endodontics 5318 N.C. Hwy. 55, Ste. 201 919-237-2818 rtpendo.com

Deborah A. Conner 922 Broad St., Ste. B 919-416-4200 debconnerdds.com

Linda Levin Levin Endodontics 3624 Shannon Rd., Ste. 106 919-401-4827 levinendodontics.com

A.K. Bobby Mallik 5324 McFarland Dr., Ste. 120 919-493-5332 durhamendo.com 

Dear friends,

It has been my privilege to serve many of you in the Durham area as your dentist for the past 42 years. It is with bittersweet emotions that I announce that I have retired from practicing dentistry. I would like to thank you for your trust, confidence, and friendship over the years.

Because I want to be certain that my patients continue to receive the best possible care, I have selected Dr. Matt Barnes to carry on my practice. I believe Dr. Barnes is a competent and caring person who has the qualifications and desire to continue the practice in a highly professional manner.

Dr. Barnes is a native of Raleigh and graduated from the UNC School of Dentistry in 2017. He has gained valuable experience working in several dental practices in the local area and is excited about owning his own practice. Matt is looking forward to meeting all of you and being your dentist for many years to come.

Please don’t hesitate to call the office for any of your dental needs. You’ll be greeted by the same friendly faces you have seen for years.

Debbie and I are excited about spending more time with our grandchildren and traveling, but I will miss my patient and work families. I feel truly blessed to have worked all these years with my staff, who have become family members and will be from now on. It’s been a privilege taking care of my friends these many years, and I consider myself blessed to have had each of you as my patient and friend.

Thank you again for your trust, loyalty, & friendship.

Sincerely,

Brent L. Blaylock, DDS

Dr. Brent L. Blaylock

Dr. Matt Barnes

top dentists

a little background

The Top Dentists list for Durham is the result of a rigorous evaluation process consisting of peer-to-peer surveys of area dentists and professionals. This survey was conducted and managed by the nationally recognized third-party firm topDentists LLC of Augusta, Georgia. This list is excerpted from the 2025 topDentists™ list, a database that includes listings for nearly 60 dentists and specialists in Durham. The list is based on detailed evaluations of dentists and professionals by their peers. The complete database is available at usatopdentists.com topDentists management has more than 60 years combined experience compiling peerreview referral guides in the dental, medical and legal fields. Working from this experience, along with the input of several prominent dentists from throughout the United States, topDentists created a selection process that has earned the respect of the country’s leading dental professionals. For more information, call 706-364-0853; write P.O. Box 970, Augusta, Georgia, 30903; email help@usatopdentists.com; or visit usatopdentists.com

The purchase of advertising has no impact on who is included in the Top Dentists list.

Roger A. McDougal

McDougal Endodontics

245 E. Hwy. 54, Ste. 201 919-806-8667 mcdougalendo.org

general dentistry

Brent L. Blaylock (retired)

3206 Old Chapel Hill Rd., Ste. 300 919-518-9963 generaldentistdurham.com

Debora A. Bolton

Bull City Smiles

2705 N. Duke St., Ste. 100 919-381-5900 bullcitysmiles.com

Jason W. Butler

Croasdaile Dental Arts

2900 Croasdaile Dr., Ste. 5 919-383-7402 croasdailedentalarts.com

Lei Cao

Beyond Dental Durham

3917 University Dr., Ste. 150 919-439-8999 beyonddentaldurham.com

Eric T. Cole

Croasdaile Dental Arts

2900 Croasdaile Dr., Ste. 5 919-383-7402 croasdailedentalarts.com

Scott M. Donner

University Commons Dental 3719 University Dr., Ste. A 919-490-3015 universitycommonsdental.com

Mark Donoway

1212 Broad St. 919-286-2235 steadwillisdmd.com

James H. Eaker (retired)

Handcrafted Dentistry

4208 South Alston Ave., Ste. 100 919-544-5620 handcrafteddentistry.com

Alex Fleming

Fleming Dental 1020 Broad Street 919-682-5327 durhamncdentistry.com

Mary V. Gaddis

Park Place Dental

245 E. N.C. Hwy. 54, Ste. 204 919-484-8088 dentistindurham.co

Elizabeth A. Grooms 1212 Broad St. 919-286-4439

Brittanie Harris

A New Reason to Smile

105 Newsom St., Ste. 204 919-471-9106 anewreasontosmile.com

Stephanie Q. Jenkins 5317 Highgate Dr., Ste. 118 919-361-0500 drjenkins-dds.com

James Jorge

Bull City Smiles 2705 N. Duke St., Ste. 100 919-381-5900 bullcitysmiles.com

Audrey Kemp

Bull City Dental 106 W. Parrish St., Ste. 1 919-680-3531 bullcitydentaldownton.com

Shirin Mashhoon

Ninth Street Dental 811 Ninth St., Ste. 280 919-286-9090 ninthstreetdental.com

Kevin P. Matthews 4210 N. Roxboro St., Ste. 130 919-479-1970 kevinpmatthewsdds.com

Lionel M. Nelson

3325 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Ste. 303 919-489-0497 nelsongentledental.com

Desiree T. Palmer

A New Reason to Smile 105 Newsom St., Ste. 204 919-471-9106 anewreasontosmile.com

Laura Parra (retired) 3400 Croasdaile Dr., Ste. 209 919-383-7020 lauraparradds.com 

Catherine D. Ray (retired) 3310 University Dr. 919-489-5380 catherinedraydmd.com

Grant H. Service

2711 N. Duke St., Ste. B 919-220-6553 durhamdentistgrantservice.com

Harold S. Speight (retired) 2711 N. Duke St., Ste. C 919-220-4200 haroldspeightdds.com

Michael A. Tapper

Croasdaile Smiles

2900 Croasdaile Dr., Ste. 2 919-383-8619 croasdailesmiles.com

Jerry ter Avest 2515 Hwy. 54 E. 919-544-6080 jteravestdds.com

William W. Turner Croasdaile Dental Arts 2900 Croasdaile Dr., Ste. 5 919-383-7402 croasdailedentalarts.com

C. Steadman Willis III 1212 Broad St. 919-286-2235 steadwillisdmd.com

oral and maxillofacial surgery

Jeffrey Jelic Jelic Center Functional Aesthetic Maxillofacial Surgery 5501 Fortunes Ridge Dr., Ste. G 919-419-9222 drjelic.com

Aaron Park Triangle Implant Center 5318 N.C. Hwy. 55, Ste. 106 919-806-2912 triangleimplantcenter.com

David B. Powers

Division of Plastic, Maxillofacial & Oral Surgery 40 Duke Medical Circle 919-681-7043 dukemedicine.org/find-doctors-physicians/ david-b-powers-md-dmd

Andrew T. Ruvo

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates 2823 N. Duke St. 919-479-0707 omsanc.com

orthodontics

John R. Christensen

Durham Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics 121 W. Woodcroft Pkwy. 919-489-1543 durhampdo.com 

BULL CITY DENTAL

Tyler Hart

North Carolina Oral Surgery + Orthodontics

3020 S. Miami Blvd. 919-246-3350 ncoso.com

Gavin C. Heymann

Smith & Heymann Orthodontics 2919 Colony Rd. 919-493-4911 smithandheymann.com

Gina Lee North Durham Orthodontics 4301 Ben Franklin Blvd., Ste. 201 919-797-2300 durhambraces.com

Julie H. Mol (retired) Mol Orthodontics 5726 Fayetteville Rd., Ste. 104 919-405-7111 molorthodontics.com

Katya Skillestad

Smith & Heymann Orthodontics 2919 Colony Rd. 919-493-4911 smithandheymann.com

J. Dempsey Smith

Smith & Heymann Orthodontics 2919 Colony Rd. 919-493-4911 smithandheymann.com

Michael J. Wilson

Wilson Orthodontics 2900 Croasdaile Dr., Ste. 3 919-383-7423 wilson-ortho.com

pediatric dentistry

Erica A. Brecher

Duke Street Pediatric Dentistry

2711 N. Duke St., Ste. A 919-220-1416 dukestreetsmiles.com

M. Gentry Byrd

Duke Street Pediatric Dentistry 2711 N. Duke St., Ste. A 919-220-1416 dukestreetsmiles.com

Robert Christensen

Durham Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics 121 W. Woodcroft Pkwy. 919-489-1543 durhampdo.com

Jenny Citineni

Smile First Dental 3616 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. 919-493-2569 smilefirstdental.com

Amy C. Davidian

Southpoint Pediatric Dentistry 249 E. N.C. Hwy. 54, Ste. 300 919-354-6220 southpointpediatricdentistry.com 

Martha Ann Keels

Duke Street Pediatric Dentistry

2711 N. Duke St., Ste. A 919-220-1416

dukestreetsmiles.com

Jamie L. Molina

Durham Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

121 W. Woodcroft Pkwy. 919-489-1543 durhampdo.com

Maria Wang

RTP Pediatric Dentistry

5318 N.C. Hwy. 55, Ste. 202 919-827-1350 rtppediatricdentistry.com

periodontics

Ellie Bash

Ellie Bash Periodontics & Implants

3001 Academy Rd., Ste. 250 919-489-3204

drbashperio.com

Arnold T. McClain

5015 Southpark Dr., Ste. 130 919-484-8338

gumsandimplants.net

Samantha Robles

4301 Ben Franklin Blvd., Ste. 101 919-383-6611 drsamperio.com

prosthodontics

Geoffrey R. Cunningham

Durham Prosthodontics

3709 University Dr., Ste. D 919-489-8661 mydurhamdentist.com

R. Kyle Gazdeck

Durham Prosthodontics

3709 University Dr., Ste. D 919-489-8661

mydurhamdentist.com

Rosanna V. Marquez

Triangle Restoration Dentistry

1920 E. Hwy. 54, Ste. 410 919-544-8106 trianglerestorationdentistry.com

Mark S. Scurria

Triangle Restoration Dentistry

1920 E. Hwy. 54, Ste. 410 919-544-8106

trianglerestorationdentistry.com

Drs. Brittanie Harris and Canai Calmore offer a full scope of cosmetic and family dentistry including: Implant Restorations, Crowns, Partials, Dentures and Invisalign.

In the ever-evolving world of orthodontics, Dr. Lee stands out as a beacon of innovation and personalized care. With a deep commitment to enhancing smiles and improving lives, she brings a wealth of expertise, experience, and a compassionate touch to every patient she serves.

Through the integration of stateof-the-art technology and advanced techniques, Dr. Lee strives for nothing less than perfection for all of her patients. She holds patient desires and concerns as top priorities in guiding their journey towards the perfect smile, employing a comprehensive range of solutions from traditional braces to cutting-edge alternatives, such as clear ceramic braces and clear removable aligners like Invisalign. In addition, she has been trained in the use of advanced alternatives to surgery, using lasers and tiny bone screws to optimize tooth movement, which would otherwise require surgery.

She received her dental degree from Columbia University in New York City in 2000, where she also served on the faculty of orthodontics after completing her orthodontics specialty training before moving to North Carolina in 2005.

STAY

Discover local spots that help older adults keep moving, stay engaged and live life to the fullest

GOLDEN

TABLE TALK

CCOMPILED BY REBECCA

SAVIDGE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

omfort is key when it comes to dining out. These faves offer warm hospitality, ample space and a relaxed atmosphere –perfect for savoring a meal without the rush. They are sure to make every visit feel like a special occasion, whether you’re in the mood for an upscale dinner or a hearty, home-cooked dish.

Parizade offers a timeless blend of elegance and comfort, making it a perfect spot for a refined yet welcoming dining experience. With its spacious layout and attentive service, this Mediterranean-inspired gem ensures a pleasant atmosphere for all guests, and its classic charm makes lingering over dessert all the more enjoyable. Take advantage of its pre-theater menu before a night on the town; catch an evening with live music; or save the date for one of its popular monthly wine dinners.

Try Nantucket Grill at Sutton Station for New England-inspired sandwiches, seafood, burgers and pasta – all delicious warmups to its robust cake menu, where traditional flavors like coconut, lemon, carrot and German chocolate are offered up by the slice (or the half slice!).

Elmo’s Diner has a cozy atmosphere perfect for enjoying a loaded omelet or plate of biscuits and gravy for breakfast or brunch. Opt to try one of the rotating weekly specials that put a spin on the classics – think spicy southwest grits or PB&J pancakes.

Folks with dietary restrictions will find a bevy of options at The Refectory Cafe, from the tofu scramble to the baked oatmeal to its nourishing soups. Or, choose to indulge in the local fish and chips or chicken and waffles. Most sides are gluten-free, too – try the cheesy grits!

Hope Valley Diner is a tried-and-true gathering spot where comfort meets classic diner charm. With its well-lit dining area and friendly service, it’s an easygoing choice for those who appreciate catching up with friends over coffee or enjoying a leisurely dinner. The menu features generous portions of home-cooked favorites, from hearty breakfasts to satisfying Southern staples, making every visit feel cozy and familiar.

A Mediterranean feast awaits at Parizade. Dive into its mezze trio — chickpea hummus, tzatziki and spicy red pepper and feta – plus crispy fried octopus and fingerling potatoes served with olives, capers and saffron aioli.

Brigs at the Park at Park West Shopping Center has a senior menu featuring smaller portions of its signature baskets, griddle combos and sandwiches, all of which are also eligible for a 7% senior discount.

Older adults can also enjoy daily discounts at The Loop, an Italian-inspired grill on Broad Street serving not-too-thick, not-too-thin pizza, loaded salads, wraps (great paired with a cup of tomato bisque or French onion soup) and freshly made burgers. Pro tip: Share the warm blue cheese chips with a friend.

KEEP ON MOVIN’

Staying active isn’t just about exercise –it’s about maintaining independence, boosting energy and having fun along the way. Whether it’s a scenic walk, a group fitness class or a new hobby that keeps you moving, these local opportunities make it easy to stay strong, flexible and engaged. 

ABOVE Barbara Lee Smith, Lynn Solomon and Par Jackson toast before digging into their alfresco meal outside of Parizade.

BELOW Yvette Matthews competes in a past Durham Senior Games, which is coordinated by Durham Parks and Recreation.

Durham Parks and Recreation offers plentiful activities designed to keep you moving, energized and connected. Here are just a handful:

• Living Life Healthy and Fit – A low-impact exercise class designed to help participants stay strong and energized. Meets Tuesdays at W.D. Hill Recreation Center through May 27, 10–11 a.m.

• Mature Men on Weights – Strength training for men to build muscle and improve mobility. Mondays at I.R. Holmes Sr. Recreation Center, April 18 – May 19, 10:15–11:15 a.m.

• Mature Women on Weights – A supportive environment for women looking to gain strength and stay active. Tuesdays at I.R. Holmes Sr. Recreation Center, April 8 – May 13, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

• Pickleball – A fun, social sport that’s easy to learn and great for all skill levels. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park until May 30, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Tai Chi – Improve balance, flexibility and mindfulness with this gentle movement class. Mondays at Edison Johnson Recreation Center through May 5, 7–8 p.m.

Downtown’s Durham Center for Senior Life offers fitness programs, including dance classes, that are accessible to older adults of all backgrounds and abilities.

• Square Dancing – Stay active while dancing to lively tunes – no partner needed. Tuesdays at Edison Johnson Recreation Center until May 27, 10 a.m. – noon

• Bingocize – A fun twist on bingo that gets you moving while you play. Meets at Walltown Park Recreation Center June 30, July 31 and Aug. 25 11 a.m. – noon

• Holton Career & Resource Center Classes include chair exercise, a gentle 45-minute workout designed for older adults to stay strong and flexible, held Mondays and Thursdays from 10-10:45 a.m. June through August. Or, enjoy a game of dominoes to socialize and keep your mind sharp, every Monday from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

DPR also hosts the Durham Senior Games, an Olympic-style event April 21-May 8 that incorporates activities including croquet, table tennis, basketball shooting, swimming and more to promote health and competition for individuals older than 50. It coincides with SilverArts, which showcases visual, literary, heritage and performance art pieces by artists ages 50 and older on display at the Holton Career & Resource Center through May 8, when a presentation of awards takes place at the SilverArts & Games Closing Ceremony from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Head to the Durham Center for Senior Life for a variety of engaging activities, from energizing workout classes like Zumba, dance and muscle pump to a welcoming walking club. Try your luck at bingo, get creative with painting or dive into a good read with a group book club. Along with a consistent weekly schedule, the center hosts monthly events like The Joy of Origami on first Thursday, yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-11 a.m., and African drum and dance classes – introductory sessions on Mondays from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and an intermediate class on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The center will also host a Health Fair May 28 from 8:30-11 a.m. for individuals to meet with local vendors, explore community health and health promotions, and discover ways to enhance their well-being.

The YMCA of the Triangle holds several group fitness classes throughout the week tailored for active older individuals. Classes include cardio strength, dance fusion and water aerobics. The downtown location at 218 W. Morgan St. also offers an array of yoga classes, including “Balanced and Strong” on Mondays from 1–1:45 p.m.; “Gentle Hatha Yoga” on Tuesdays from 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.; “Yoga: Slow Flow” on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.; “Yoga: Yin” on Thursdays at 11:15 a.m.; and a stretching class on Fridays at 11:30 a.m. Adults ages 65 and older can become a member in Durham for $53.89 per month.

HELPING HANDS

Giving back is a rewarding way to stay engaged, build connections and make a meaningful impact in the community. There are plenty of ways to put your time and talents to good use – explore volunteer opportunities in Durham and find the perfect fit for your passion and schedule.

Lend your time to the Museum of Durham History by greeting visitors at the front desk; assisting with events and exhibit openings; or helping preserve local stories by recording oral histories for residents who can’t make it downtown. If you have a story to share, you can also stop by the museum or request a visit from a “Story Squad” member to recount your own oral history.

Make a difference with Meals on Wheels Durham by delivering nutritious meals to homebound community members. If the arts are your passion, get involved with the Carolina Theatre’s performing arts programs or assist at venues like the Durham Performing Arts Center and Hayti Heritage Center. Many other local organizations, including Urban Ministries of Durham and Reality Ministries, also offer ways to give back. For a volunteer opportunity tailored to your skills and interests, visit The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center website at thevolunteercenter.org

THE 2025 DIRECTORY OF ASSISTED LIVING, CONTINUING CARE, INDEPENDENT LIVING, 55+ LIVING AND COHOUSING RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES

AVENDELLE ASSISTED LIVING AT SOUTHPOINT

1305 Capstone Dr., Durham

Entrance Fee Call for pricing

Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing

Contract Options Monthly rate includes personalized care, dining, activities, laundry and housekeeping

Refund Options 14-day notice required

Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but accepted

Contact Information avendelle.com

BROOKDALE CHAPEL HILL ASSISTED LIVING

2220 Farmington Dr., Chapel Hill

Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing

Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing

Contract Options Month-to-month

Medicare Certified No

Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted

Contact Information 984-710-4715; brookdale.com

BROOKDALE CHAPEL HILL ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA CARE

2230 Farmington Dr., Chapel Hill

Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing

Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing

Contract Options Month-to-month

Medicare Certified No

Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted

Contact Information 984-710-4715; brookdale.com

BROOKDALE DURHAM ASSISTED LIVING & DEMENTIA CARE

4434 Ben Franklin Blvd., Durham

Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing

Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing

Contract Options Month-to-month

Medicare Certified No

Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted

Contact Information 919-479-9966; brookdale.com

BROOKDALE MEADOWMONT ASSISTED LIVING & DEMENTIA CARE

100 Lanark Rd., Chapel Hill

Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing

Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing

Contract Options Month-to-month

Medicare Certified No

Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted

Contact Information 919-918-7600; brookdale.com

CALYX LIVING OF DURHAM

4214 Guess Rd., Durham

Entrance Fee Application fee required, call for pricing

Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing

Contract Options Monthly rate includes care, dining, activities, laundry and housekeeping

Refund Options 14-day notice required

Medicare Certified Not applicable

Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but accepted

Minimum Age 60

Contact Information 919-471-0091; calyxseniorliving.com

CAMBRIDGE HILLS ASSISTED LIVING

140 Brookstone Ln., Pittsboro

This all-inclusive four-star community, which has served Chatham and neighboring counties for more than 20 years, is a 90-bed assisted living community with a 38-bed memory care wing that offers both private and semiprivate rooms and award-winning activity programs.

Community Fee Call for pricing

Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing; veteran discounts offered

Contract Options None. Requires 14-day notice before moving out

Refund Options Prorated based on move-out date

Medicare Certified No; Medicaid accepted

Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted

Minimum Age 65

Contact Information Ronda Stubbs, 919-545-9573 or ronda@silver-thread.com; silver-thread.com

CHATHAM RIDGE ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

114 Polks Village Ln., Chapel Hill

Entrance Fee One month’s rent

Monthly Fee Range Starting at $5,035

Contract Options Month-to-month

Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted

Minimum Age 55

Contact Information 919-883-9767; navionseniorsolutions.com/communities/chatham-ridge

THE LAURELS OF CHATHAM

(Skilled Nursing and Rehab Facility)

72 Chatham Business Dr., Pittsboro

Monthly Fee Range

$10,260 – $12,240

Medicare Certified Yes; also accepts most Medicare Advantage plans, commercial insurance, Medicaid and private pay

Long-Term Care Insurance Not accepted

Contact Information Facility: 919-542-6677; Admissions: 919-302-7862; laurelsofchatham.com

ROXBORO ASSISTED LIVING

5660 Durham Rd., Roxboro

Entrance Fee Call for pricing

Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing

Refund Options Requires 14-day notice

Medicare Certified No

Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted

Minimum Age 55

Contact Information 336-598-4697; admin1@roxboroassistedliving.com; roxboroassistedliving.com

TERRABELLA

1911 Orange Grove Rd., Hillsborough

Entrance Fee $2,500

Contract Options Month-to-month

Medicare Certified No

Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted

Minimum Age 55

Contact Information 919-732-9040; terrabellahillsborough.com 

WALTONWOOD CARY PARKWAY

750 SE Cary Pkwy., Cary

Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing on cottages, oneand two-bedroom options in independent living; one- and two-bedroom options in assisted living and private apartments in memory care

Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing

Contract Options Year lease

Medicare Certified No

Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted

Contact Information 919-460-7330; waltonwood.com

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES

CAROLINA MEADOWS

100 Carolina Meadows, Chapel Hill

The 166-acre campus includes a nine-hole golf course, pristine walking trails, tennis courts and pickleball, community gardens and more. Residents enjoy seven distinctive dining venues, a state-of-the-art wellness center and an auditorium that offers fascinating lectures and performances.

Entrance Fee Range

Monthly Fee Range

$147,300 – $881,000

$3,528 – $5,803

Contract Options Fee for Service: Housing, residential services and guaranteed access to health-related services in exchange for entrance fee and monthly fee. Health-related services are provided at per diem rates, which vary. Home Care services are also available. Equity: See below.

Refund Options Predictable 75% Return of Equity refund option offered for all independent living homes on campus. The refund is based off original entrance fee and made payable while still a resident of the community.

Medicare Certified Yes, Medicare Part B

Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but welcome

Minimum Age 62

Contact Information 919-942-4014; 800-458-6756; carolinameadows.org

CAROL WOODS

750 Weaver Dairy Rd., Chapel Hill

Entrance Fee Range

Monthly Fee Range

$106,000 – $545,500

$2,680 – $6,191

Contract Options Modified: Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, residential services like meals and housekeeping and some healthrelated services. Health-related services are provided at a discounted rate.

Refund Options Declining Refund: Pay entry fee; full refund in first 90 days; refund declines at 2% rate each additional month; after 50 months, no refund.

Medicare Certified Yes

Long-Term Care Insurance Not required; could help pay for discounted per diems.

Minimum Age 65 (co-applicant must be at least 55)

Contact Information 919-968-4511; 800-518-9333; carolwoods.org

THE CEDARS OF CHAPEL HILL

100 Cedar Club Circle (Meadowmont), Chapel Hill

Purchase Price Range $400,000s – $1,500,000*

Monthly Fee Range

$3,880 – $8,018

Contract Options *Equity: Actual real estate purchase, with transfer of ownership of the unit. If a resident moves to a health center, 90 prepaid days except two meals per day. After 90 days, member pays discounted rate.

Refund Options Not applicable because of ownership

Medicare Certified Yes

Long-Term Care Insurance Not required

Minimum Age 62 (co-applicant must be at least 50)

Contact Information 919-259-7000; cedarsofchapelhill.com

CROASDAILE VILLAGE

2600 Croasdaile Farm Pkwy., Durham

Set on more than 100 acres, the community offers a blend of calming rural atmosphere and city conveniences within the distinguished residential neighborhood of Croasdaile Farm, located only 6 miles from downtown Durham. Residents enjoy numerous green spaces with yards, gardening and plenty of walking trails, a dog park, lakes and the security of a full continuum of care on-site. The central campus buildings are connected, with a state-of-the-art wellness center, large heated pool,

April 5, 2025

NEUROPATHY BREAKTHROUGH

“My feet feel like they’re on fire.”

“Each step feels like I’m walking through wet paint.”

“I can’t sleep because my hands & feet tingle all night.”

“I live in constant fear that I’ll fall.”

What do all these people have in common? They each suffer from Peripheral Neuropathy (PN). It is estimated that more than 20 million people in the United States have PN. Unfortunately, this figure may be significantly higher as the disease is often misdiagnosed due to its wide array of symptoms.

Dr. Christi De Larco of Piedmont Acupuncture Healthcare in Durham shares the belief that PN is more common than even the worst estimate. “I’ve been treating neuropathy, in all its various forms, for over two decades, and so often my patients come to me because of the symptoms, not because of a diagnosis. They see my newspaper article, or read the testimonial of another patient, and say to themselves, ‘Hey, I feel the same thing.’”

Frankie M. of Hillsborough testified to this: “I remember my husband driving me to my consultation and I saw a woman running just outside our neighborhood. I was so envious - I just kept thinking ‘I would give anything just to walk again.’ My primary care doctor told me my troubles with pain and balance were just symptoms of old age and gave me a prescription. I was so depressed.”

Fortunately Frankie would eventually see Dr. De Larco in a newspaper article talking about similar symptoms and how she offers a real solution at Piedmont Acupuncture Healthcare. “I just knew I had to see her. She was my last hope.”

“Almost all of our patients come to us with a story similar to Frankie’s. They’ve been everywhere else. They’ve been told there’s no hope. They’ve been told it’s ‘just part of getting older,’” shares Sasha, a Patient Care Technician at Piedmont Acupuncture Healthcare. “It just breaks my heart, but I know how much we can help people like Frankie, so I’m always so happy when they walk through our door.”

Peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves, often caused by (and always compounded by) a lack of blood flow in the hands and feet. This lack of blood flow results in a lack of nutrients, and the nerves begin to degenerate and die. This causes pain and other sensations ranging from uncomfortable to debilitating. Because neuropathy is a degenerative condition, once those nerves begin to deteriorate they will continue to do so until they are completely expired, leaving those suffering with crippling balance issues. “In this case, the absence of pain is not necessarily a good thing,” shares Dr. De Larco. “This usually indicates that your nerves are hanging on by a fragile thread.” Those diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy often face a very

grim reality: Western medicine declares there is no solution, while alternative therapies offer little to no results. Dr. De Larco and the staff at Piedmont Acupuncture Healthcare have a track record that proves that they are different, and they pride themselves on being “the last resort with the best results.”

So exactly how is Dr. De Larco able to reverse the effects of this degenerative disease? Through a unique blend of one of the most time-tested therapies and the most cutting-edge.

“Acupuncture has been used to increase blood flow for thousands of years, and it helps get the necessary nutrients to the affected nerves. But the real magic happens when I integrate ATP Resonance BioTherapy®. This is a technology that was originally developed by NASA to expedite healing and recovery.”

“I just can’t say enough about Piedmont Acupuncture Healthcare,” Frankie shares through tears of joy. “My husband and I moved here 3 years ago and he’s gone golfing almost everyday. I always stayed home because of the pain and discomfort. But yesterday, I golfed with him! And next week we’re starting line dancing lessons. I am truly living life these days.”

“According to Frankie’s test results, she has seen a 74% improvement in pain and functionality, which is on par with a majority of our patients,” shares Sasha. “But more important than those test results is the joy she’s expressed in being here, and getting to hear about all the amazing things she’s able to do because she feels great!”

By seamlessly blending the ancient science of acupuncture with modern medical solutions, Dr. De Larco has achieved a 90% success rate in reversing the effects of neuropathy. She starts each patient with an initial consultation during which a sensory exam is performed. “This not only aids in making a proper diagnosis, but it helps to define just how much nerve damage has occurred,” explains the doctor. “This is important because if a patient has suffered more than 95% damage, there is little that I can do to help them. I’m familiar with the medical miracle but I know my limits as a practitioner and the limits of my medicine.”

When it comes to treating Peripheral Neuropathy, regardless of its origin, early detection greatly improves your chances of a full recovery.

If you or someone you love are suffering with chronic pain that presents as burning, tingling or ‘pins and needles,’ or you’ve recently been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy (PN), it’s important to know that there are options. There is hope. Call (919) 813-0103 to schedule an initial consultation or visit PiedmontAcuHC.com to read more incredible success stories. © 2023

auditorium, woodworking shop, indoor pickleball court, art studio, multiple dining venues, a village shop and an interfaith chapel.

Entrance Fee Range $66,231 – $564,763 (includes single and double occupancy)

Monthly Fee Range $2,515 – $5,808 (single occupancy with second person fee of $1,590 for all residential homes)

Contract Options Fee for Service: Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, maintenance and groundskeeping; residential services such as meals, utilities and housekeeping; along with priority access to health-related services and health care navigation. Advanced levels of health services are provided at per-diem rates.

Refund Options Declining Refund: Option 1: Pay lower entry fee; refund declines at rate of 2% per month; after 50 months, no refund. Option 2: 50%

Refund – pay higher entry fee; refund declines at a rate of 2% per month until 50% of residence fee is accrued; refund limited to 50%. Option 3: 90%

Refund – pay higher entry fee; refund declines at a rate of 2% per month until 10% of fee is accrued; refund limited to 90%.

Medicare Certified Yes; rehab on-site

Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but welcome Minimum Age 62

Contact Information 919-384-2475 or 800-960-7737 for marketing and sales; 919-384-2000 for general inquiries; croasdailevillage.org

THE FOREST AT DUKE

2701 Pickett Rd., Durham

Celebrating more than 30 years of community, The Forest at Duke is a vibrant continuing care retirement community located in the heart of Durham. It offers five floor plans for apartment living, six floor plans for cottages and individual homes, and, coming in 2025, 10 all-new apartment floor plans debuting in its 71-residence expansion, The Terraces. Each home provides spacious, contemporary living with access to a range of amenities, coupled with myriad opportunities for fitness, wellness, socialization, entertainment, self-discovery and lifelong learning. The Forest strives to strengthen the community and organizations that enrich the lives of Durham residents.

Entrance Fee Range $97,970 – $695,793

Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing

Contract Options Modified: Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, residential services such as meals and housekeeping, and some health-related services. Health-related services are provided at a greatly discounted rate and are free for a specified number of days.

Refund Options The Forest retains $10,000 of each person’s entry fee as a health care reserve. The remaining balance of the entry fee, the residence fee, is refundable based on the following: 2% of the residence fee accrues to The Forest at Duke each month. The refund decreases to zero over 50 months.

Medicare Certified Yes

Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but welcome Minimum Age 65 (co-applicant must be at least 62)

Contact Information 919-490-8000; 1-800-919-278-9729; forestduke.org

GALLOWAY RIDGE AT FEARRINGTON

3000 Galloway Ridge Rd., Pittsboro

This welcoming life plan community redefines senior living, offering a vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle where the next chapter is filled with possibility and deep connections are fostered among residents and staff, creating a place that truly feels like home.

Nestled south of Chapel Hill, Galloway Ridge offers the perfect balance of small-town charm and big-city access. Adjacent to Fearrington Village, the 62-acre campus is surrounded by miles of scenic trails and sidewalks, with Jordan Lake and the Haw River a short drive away for outdoor enthusiasts.

Residents enjoy an array of amenities, including independent living apartments and villas, multiple dining venues, an art studio, a woodworking shop, a movie theater with stadium seating, a billiards room, and a variety of social and gathering spaces. The WellPlex – which features the Duke Center for Living, a 20,000-square-foot fitness center, Duke Primary Care and the Center for Physical Rehabilitation – supports an active and engaged lifestyle. On-campus primary care services are available through both UNC Health and Duke Primary Care.

For residents in need of additional support, Medicare-certified health care center The Arbor offers 96 private rooms for assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing, ensuring compassionate, high-quality care at every life stage.

The Galloway Ridge team believes aging is about embracing new opportunities, not closing doors. With world-class health care, inspiring programs and a close-knit community that values giving back, residents live with purpose, passion and peace of mind.

Entrance Fee Range

$262,000 – $1,678,000

Monthly Fee Range $4,197 – $9,769

Contract Options Extensive (Type A): For a one-time entrance fee and a monthly service fee, Galloway Ridge’s contract provides housing, dining, housekeeping, utilities, maintenance, wellness services, 24-hour security and a variety of resident amenities. If needed, unlimited assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care are available to residents. An additional meal fee applies when transitioning to higher levels of care.

Refund Options Option 1 (Traditional Entrance Fee): Entrance fee cost is lower but is only refundable on a prorated basis for four years. Refund declines at a rate of 4% in the first month; 2% each additional month; after 4 years, no refund. Option 2 (75% Refundable Entrance Fee): Entrance fee cost is higher but is 75% refundable of original entrance fee cost.

Medicare Certified Yes

Long-Term Care Insurance Not required

Minimum Age 62

Contact Information 919-545-2647; gallowayridge.com

GLENAIRE

4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary

Entrance Fee Range

Monthly Fee Range

$81,000 – $949,000

$3,174 –

$6,620

Contract Options Modified: Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, residential services such as meals and housekeeping and some health-related services, which are provided at a subsidized rate or are free for a specified number of days.

Refund Options Option 1: Declining Refund – refund declines at rate of 2% per month for 48 months. Option 2: 50% refundable.

Option 3: 90% refundable.

Medicare Certified Yes

Long-Term Care Insurance Not required

Minimum Age 62 (co-applicant must be at least 58)

Contact Information 919-460-8095; 800-225-9573; glenaire.org

SEARSTONE

17001 Searstone Dr., Cary

This vibrant community fosters meaningful connections and a zest for life. It first opened in 2013 on the site of a picturesque former horse pasture and added The Highview, a 149-unit expansion designed to elevate the living experience, in March 2024. Indulge at any of its five distinctive dining venues, featuring cuisine from casual bites to gourmet meals shared with friends. Enjoy a private screening in the movie theater, explore creativity in the arts and crafts room or stay active in the state-of-the-art fitness center. Take a peaceful stroll around the scenic lake, then unwind in the comfort of an elegantly designed apartment. With health care services available on campus, Searstone offers a blend of luxury, independence and lifelong care –ensuring that every moment is filled with opportunity, choice and fulfillment.

Entrance Fee Range

Monthly Fee Range

$421,000 – $1,122,000

$3,760 – $9,070 (second person fee is $1,820)

Contract Options Type A LifeCare contract. Residents pay a one-time LifeCare fee to cover costs of assisted living, skilled nursing and/ or memory support. The LifeCare program has significant tax advantages and works well with long-term care policies.

Refund Options Entrance fee is 100% refundable.

Medicare Certified No

Long-Term Care Insurance Yes

Minimum Age 62

Contact Information 919-234-0339; info@searstone.com; searstone.com

SPRINGMOOR

1500 Sawmill Rd., Raleigh

Entrance Fee/Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing

Contract Options Modified: Housing, residential services and some health-related services in exchange for entrance fee and monthly fee, which includes 30 days of free health care (with a maximum balance of 90 days), then is available at a discounted rate.

Refund Options Option 1: Life Occupancy – Residence & Care refund declines at 4% per month for 25 months, then no refund. Option 2: 50% Life Equity – refund declines at 2% per month for 25 months. The remaining 50% is returned to the resident or estate after residency is terminated and within 30 days of re-occupancy of the residential unit. Option 3: 100% Life Equity – 100% of the Residence & Care fee is returned to the resident or estate after residency is terminated. The refund is available, once residency is terminated, six years after initial move-in date, or 30 days after re-occupancy of the residential unit, if six years has passed.

Medicare Certified No

Long-Term Care Insurance Not required

Minimum Age 62

Contact Information 919-848-7080; springmoor.org 

L E A R N I N G

N E V E R

R E T I R E S

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke University is a welcoming community of almost 2000 older adults who share a love of learning. While our members are diverse in their backgrounds and interests, they enjoy exploring new and favorite topics together. Our program offers 200+ courses annually, online and in person, along with volunteer opportunities, social events, interest groups, and exclusive travel options for members. Join OLLI to find new friends, new experiences, and a renewed passion for lifelong learning. For more information, visit online at duke.is/Durham4OLLI

THE TEMPLETON OF CARY

215 Brightmore Dr., Cary

Entrance Fee Range N/A. Community fee is equal to one month’s rent.

Monthly Fee Range

$3,934 – $9,698

Contract Options Rental community with 13-month lease, but can give 30-day notice at any time.

Medicare Certified Yes, for skilled nursing and rehab

Long-Term Care Insurance Yes

Minimum Age 62 (for couples, at least one spouse must be 62)

Contact Information 984-200-3688; thetempletonofcary.com

TWIN LAKES COMMUNITY

3701 Wade Coble Dr., Burlington

An intentional community filled with people who chose Twin Lakes for various reasons, but who all have one thing in common: the desire for a well-rounded life surrounded by others who are engaged and open to new experiences, people and ideas. More than 600 residents in independent living enjoy the 225-acre community and the amenities that make it home. In addition to the spacious campus, this is a unique CCRC: There’s no mandatory meal plan; it offers comparably lower fees; and the neighborhoods are filled with people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.

Entrance Fee Range

Monthly Fee Range

$64,000 – $557,000

$1,945 – $4,477

Contract Options Fee-for-service contract only

Refund Options 30-month declining refund and 50% refund available

Medicare Certified Yes

Long-Term Care Insurance Not required

Minimum Age 62 (co-applicant must be at least 62)

Contact Information 336-538-1572; twinlakescomm.org

THE VILLAGE AT BROOKWOOD

1860 Brookwood Ave., Burlington

This community’s intimate size allows the building of strong friendships. Residents participate in a full array of physical activities that promote healthy living, feed their competitive spirit with fun games and mental challenges, de-stress with their favorite hobby or just relax. In addition to a heated saltwater pool in the wellness center, the community boasts a pickleball court, putting green, raised plant beds and a dog park. The community prides itself on its dining, including lunches in its Tavern or alfresco restaurants; lunches or dinners at its Edith Street Café; and a fine dining experience at Lakeside Dining. Enjoy engaging conversation with friends over a meal prepared by a culinary team while dining staff tend to your every need.

Entrance Fee Options start at $149,700

Monthly Fee Range

$2,934-plus

Contract Options Option 1: LifeCare: Garden Homes & Apartments, bundled services, campus amenities, maintenance and guaranteed future health care provided in exchange for the entrance fee and monthly fee. When moving from one level of care to another, the monthly fee reflects a significant reduction of the daily per diem skilled nursing rate. Option 2: Fee for Service: Garden Homes & Apartments, bundled services, campus amenities, maintenance and guaranteed access to future health care are provided in exchange for entrance fee and monthly fee. Health-related services are provided at the per diem rate.

Refund Options All contracts offer a declining refund over 47 months.

Medicare Certified Yes

Long-Term Care Insurance Not required; can help with costs related to assisted living, memory care, skilled care for Fee-for-Service or LifeCare plans

Minimum Age 62 (co-applicant must be at least 55)

Contact Information 336-570-8440; villageatbrookwood.org

POST-ACUTE CONTINUING CARE SYSTEMS

HILLCREST CONVALESCENT CENTER

1417 W. Pettigrew St., Durham

The center has provided quality care – including after-hospital rehabilitation, 24/7 skilled nursing, home care or out-patient physical therapy – for more than 73 years. Contact the Raleigh or Durham location for more information about its services and signature Elegant Care.

Entrance Fee No deposit or application fee required

Monthly Fee Call for pricing

Contract Options All-inclusive monthly rate for short-term, long-term, assisted living or respite stays

Refund Options Pay only for the days spent, any unused daily rate refunded

Contact Information 919-286-7705; admissions@hillcrestnc.com; hillcrestnc.com

HILLCREST RALEIGH AT CRABTREE

3830 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh

Entrance Fee No deposit or application fee required

Monthly Fee Call for pricing

Contract Options All-inclusive monthly rate for short-term, long-term or respite stays

Refund Options Pay only for the days spent, any unused daily rate refunded

Contact Information 919-781-4900; admissions@hillcrestraleighnc.com; hillcrestnc.com

HILLCREST HOME HEALTH OF THE TRIANGLE

1000 Bear Cat Way, Ste. 104, Morrisville

Personal care, in-home support and companion care, and respite care.

Contact Information 919-468-1204; agencydir@hillcresthh.com

HILLCREST THERAPY & WELLNESS

4215 University Dr., Ste. B2, Durham Physical therapy, specialty treatments and wellness programs.

Contact Information 919-627-6700; rehab.durham@hillcrestptw.com

INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING

BARTLETT RESERVE

300 Meredith Dr., Durham

Entrance Fee $5,000

Monthly Fee Range $3,800 – $4,950

Contract Options Month-to-month; 60-day notice to leave

Medicare Certified Yes

Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted for personal care and veterans benefits

Minimum Age 55

Contact Information Jessica Psihas, 919-634-2197; marketing@bartlettreserve.com; bartlettreserve.com

BRIER POINTE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY

5911 McCrimmon Pkwy., Morrisville

Entrance Fee One month security deposit (partially refundable)

Monthly Fee $4,000 – $6,900

Contract Options Month-to-month

Medicare Certified No Long-Term Care Insurance Can be utilized for additional care

Contact Information 919-378-2902; rlcommunities.com

THE CAMBRIDGE AT BRIER CREEK

7901 TW Alexander Dr., Raleigh

Entrance Fee Range Equivalent to two month’s rent

Monthly Fee Range

$4,135 – $11,995

Contract Options Month-to-month or one-year leases

Medicare Certified Medicare accepted through on-site physician and with WakeMed Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted

Minimum Age 55

Contact Information Marketing Director, 919-737-7000; briercreekinfo@cvsliving.com; cvsliving.com/brier-creek

CAMBRIDGE VILLAGE OF APEX

10000 Cambridge Village Loop, Apex

This all-inclusive independent senior living community invites its residents to live their best life among its luxurious and detail-oriented amenities. The Optimal Living community focuses on improving every aspect of its residents’ lives by providing a total wellness approach and offering a variety of spacious and comfortable apartment floor plans. With its unique hybrid community model, residents have access to onsite primary care, therapy, home health care and rehabilitation, creating a true age-in-place home.

Entrance Fee Based on unit type

Monthly Fee Range

$3,200 – $6,800

Contract Options One-year or month-to- month lease options

Medicare Certified Medicare accepted through on-site physician and with WakeMed Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy 

Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted by on-site home health partner

Minimum Age 55

Contact Information Sales Director, 919-363-2080; apexinfo@cvsliving.com; cvsliving.com/apex

HOLIDAY DURHAM REGENT

3007 Pickett Rd., Durham

Entrance Fee Range First month’s rent

Monthly Fee Range $2,809 – $4,500

Contract Options Month-to-month leases, all independent living

Medicare Certified No medical services included Long-Term Care Insurance No

Minimum Age 67

Contact Information 984-338-1365; holidayseniorliving.com/ retirement-communities/holiday-durham-regent-nc

TWIN RIVERS INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING

25 S. Rectory St., Pittsboro

This 31-unit complex offers a friendly, social and communal atmosphere for independent older adults. Staff is on-call seven days a week, and residents have use of a communal kitchen, game room and other shared spaces.

Entrance Fee Call for pricing and availability

Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing and availability; VA/public servant discounts available

Contract Options None. Requires 60-day notice prior to moving out

Medicare Certified No

Long-Term Care Insurance N/A

Minimum Age 65

Contact Information 919-545-0149; 919-637-7117; trmanager@silver-thread.com; silver-thread.com

55+ COMMUNITIES

CAROLINA ARBORS BY DEL WEBB

357 Carolina Arbors Dr., Durham

Price Range of Houses From the $450s Number of Units 1,292

Resale Status Resale only

Average Size of Houses 1,100 – 2,600 square feet

Amenities Included 37,000-square-foot clubhouse, lifestyle director, fitness center, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, pickleball courts, hot tub, indoor pool and outdoor pool

Contact Information 984-219-7051; contactarbors@gmail.com; ourcarolinaarbors.com

THE COURTYARDS AT ANDREWS CHAPEL

1007 Havenwood Ln., Durham Number of Units 120

Resale Status Resale only

Average Size of Houses 1,500 – 4,000 square feet

Amenities Included Large clubhouse, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, walking trails, pavilion

Sales Contact oscraleigh@epconcommunities.com; epconcommunities.com

THE COURTYARDS AT LOCHMERE

5100 Lilly Atkins Rd., Cary

Price Range of Houses From the upper $500s to the mid $600s Number of Units 73

Resale Status Resale only

Average Size of Houses 1,519 – 2,930 square feet

Amenities Included Clubhouse, fireplace pavilion, fitness center, pool

Sales Contact oscraleigh@epconcommunities.com; epconcommunities.com

THE COURTYARDS AT OAK GROVE

1702 Doc Nichols Rd., Durham

Price Range of Houses From the $500s Number of Units 166

Resale Status New construction

Average Size of Houses 1,500 – 4,000 square feet

Amenities Included Clubhouse, outdoor pool, fitness center, walking trails, pickleball courts, dog park

Sales Contact 919-646-6612; oscraleigh@epconcommunities.com; epconcommunities.com

THE COURTYARDS AT O’KELLY CHAPEL

1601 Vineyard Mist Dr., Cary

Number of Units 149

Resale Status Resale only

Average Size of Houses 2,000 square feet

Amenities Included Clubhouse, outdoor pool, fitness center, walking trails, access to the American Tobacco Trail

Sales Contact oscraleigh@epconcommunities.com; epconcommunities.com

THE COURTYARDS AT SOUTHPOINT

1203 Cherob Ln., Durham

Price Range of Houses From the $500s

Number of Units 161

Resale Status Resale only

Average Size of Houses 1,519 – 2,930 square feet

Amenities Included Clubhouse, outdoor pool, fitness center, walking trails, pavilion, dog park, pickleball, access to the American Tobacco Trail Sales Contact oscraleigh@epconcommunities.com; epconcommunities.com

THE COURTYARDS ON FARRINGTON

5113 Farrington Rd., Durham

Price Range of Houses From the low $500s

Number of Units 64

Resale Status New construction

Average Size of Houses 1,520 – 2,969 square feet

Amenities Included Clubhouse, outdoor pool, fitness center

Sales Contact 919-646-6612; oscraleigh@epconcommunities.com; epconcommunities.com

OVERTURE CHAPEL HILL

5910 Farrington Rd., Chapel Hill

Price Range of Apartment Homes Starting at $1,271/month

Number of Units 184

Average Size of Houses 598 – 1,365 square feet

Amenities Included Heated outdoor pool, outdoor lounge and terrace, fire pit, elevator- accessible floors, happy hours and yappy hours, fitness center and yoga studio, grand club room with demonstration kitchen, 24hour self-serve coffee bar, movie theater, game room, arts and crafts room, on-site guest suite for friends and family, Lyft ride-sharing scheduling through management, 24-hour emergency maintenance and carports available.

Contact Information 919-907-2200; overturechapelhill.com

COHOUSING COMMUNITIES

ELDERBERRY

60 Elderberry Ln., Rougemont

Number of Units 18

Resale Status Resale only

Average Size of Houses 325 – 1,200 square feet

Amenities Included Self-developed, community-oriented cohousing, wooded surroundings, community garden and activities, communityshared tools and equipment, and a common house.

Contact Information Theresa Ahrens, 413-441-0764 or Karolyn Mangeot, richard.mangeot@usa.net; elderberrycohousing.com

VILLAGE HEARTH COHOUSING

4900 Buttonbush Dr., Durham

Price Range of Condos Mid-$300s to high-$400s

Number of Condos 28

Resale Status Resale only

Average Size of Houses 650 – 1,150 square feet

Amenities Included An intentional community 15 minutes north of downtown Durham, created by and for LGBTQIA+ folks and allies on 15 acres, complete with walking trails and community raised-bed gardens. The community is self-governed, making community decisions cooperatively. Single-story accessible homes feature large, welcoming front porches; vaulted ceilings; large windows and skylights. The community-oriented common house includes a gourmet kitchen, dining and meeting room, craft room, laundry room, exercise room and guest suite.

Contact Information 561-714-8009; connect@villagehearthcohousing.com; villagehearthcohousing.com

Become a part of The Village

At The Village at Brookwood, you'll become part of a tight-knit community where neighbors are like family. Relish in a welcoming, nurturing atmosphere surrounded by tranquility and lasting relationships.

the Oak Circle, our exclusive wait list, today! Join

The Village at a glance:

• Heated saltwater pool

• Pet friendly with a dog park

• Countless engaging activities

• Affiliation with Elon University

• Community nestled within a neighborhood

• Spacious garden homes and apartments

• Over 200 new friends!

• Four exceptional restaurants

BIZ BRIEFS

Compiled by Emma Unger

COMINGS & GOINGS

The Durham Arts Council welcomed Mïa Vollkommer (right) as school registrar in February, taking over for Janet Bell, who is retiring from her role after 34 years. Vollkomer previously held arts administrative positions at The George Washington University, the Arts Council of New Orleans and, most recently, Smithsonian Associates, among others.

Anti-poverty and

Sherry L. DeVries, executive director of the Durham Arts Council, also announced she will retire this summer after 23 years of leadership and 43 years in arts administration. The DAC’s board of trustees has begun the search for her successor, working with Arts Consulting Group. DeVries expanded DAC’s arts programming, increased annual support for the arts to an all-time high of $2.26 million last year and grew annual contributions to $2.43 million.

food-relief advocate Amy Beros returned to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina as its president and CEO in February. Her new role follows several years of service with Feeding America, where Beros led nationwide efforts to improve food banks’ capacity. In her previous term with the food bank, Beros was in charge of a multiyear campaign that established the organization’s Raleigh headquarters.

The Durham Bulls announced the team’s field staff for the 2025 season – the franchise’s 30th year at Durham Bulls Athletic Park –confirming manager Morgan Ensberg’s (pictured) return for a second season.

Pitching coach Brian Reith, hitting coach Kenny Hook and assistant hitting coach Tyler Ladendorf also returned this season, while the team welcomed German Melendez for his first season as bench coach.

Michael Avila (pictured) succeeded Michael DeNardis as head coach of the Carolina Flyers Ultimate Frisbee team. Avila has nine years of experience coaching youth and high school Ultimate teams as well as 13 years of experience playing the sport. DeNardis, who coached the team from its inception in 2015, will focus on his role as

an owner, working on back-ofhouse operations to enhance the fan experience and solidify the team’s reputation in the area.

MOVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Chapel Hill Tire opened its 12th location (its third in Durham) at 5588 Highgate Rd. in February. “We are thrilled to ... bring our ‘Work Happy, Drive Happy’ philosophy to even more customers in the area,” Chapel Hill Tire President Marc Pons said. The eight-person team includes manager Amber Harper, parts coordinator Logan Gray, service lead Lance McFarland and senior technician Stevie Ray Cannada

The Durham City Council unanimously approved a rezoning request from property owners, clearing the way for a residential development on more than 23 acres along Hoover Road in East Durham. Plans call for up to 402 housing units, including 25% town homes, with a focus on diversifying housing options and a commitment to affordability.

A recent CoworkingCafe report shows Raleigh-Durham’s coworking spaces increased by 6% in the fourth quarter of 2024, reaching nearly 2.15 million square feet and keeping the area in the top 20 coworking markets. The area also saw a 14% increase in coworking inventory over the past year and larger average space sizes, placing it among the top 10 markets with the most spacious coworking markets.

Bahama Road Veterinary Hospital held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Bahama Veterinary Medical Center at the intersection of North Roxboro and Snow Hill roads Feb. 12. The $10 million state-of-the-art facility is designed to increase and improve service to employees, clients and pets with a 15,000-square-foot building on 28 acres, including 2 miles of walking trails for employees and patient families.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DURHAM BULLS

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHAPEL HILL TIRE

Oak Street Health’s Durham clinic celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting on Feb. 26 at 3729 N. Roxboro St., Ste. B. The health care network provides primary care for older adults and people with disabilities who are on Medicare.

Recess Yoga owner Tom Sowders expanded his business to downtown in March, opening a new studio at 345 W. Main St. across from Five Points Plaza. Less than two years after launching in Carrboro, Sowders celebrated the grand opening with a dance party at Rubies on Five Points on March 8, following a week of soft openings. He will continue operating both studios, offering a variety of classes focused on healthy movement.

Queen City Homestore celebrated the grand opening of its first Triangle location at 3500 N. Roxboro St., Ste. C, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 4. The business, founded in 1952 as a family-owned TV repair shop, now offers appliances, electronics and furniture.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality awarded a $62 million contract to construction firm Skanska for renovations at the department’s Reedy Creek Laboratory in Raleigh. Skanska will add a 33,000-square-foot administrative and visitor’s center, renovate 53,000 square feet of the existing lab and repurpose a building into a central energy plant that will provide the electrical and mechanical systems for the entire facility. The project, which began in March, is slated for completion in December 2027.

Pharmaceutical and biotechnology consulting firm

Beghou Consulting relocated its Durham office to a new space at 555 S. Magnum St.,

doubling the square footage of the firm’s previous location and providing opportunities for anticipated growth by offering spaces that align with the firm’s focus on collaborative and hybrid work.

PARTNERSHIPS & ACQUISITIONS

North Carolina Central University and the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy have launched an Early Assurance Program, offering NCCU students interested in pursuing a pharmacy doctorate the opportunity to secure early assurance of admittance to UNC. The program is available to students who have completed at least three years of undergraduate study and a minimum of 72 credit hours.

NCCU’s Health Professions Career Center will consider candidates and recommend them to the program; Eshelman’s admissions committee will then select up to 10 students per program cohort – the first were chosen in fall 2024.

The United Way of the Greater Triangle, in partnership with Caterpillar Building Construction Products Division, hosted a Hurricane Helene relief event to support western North Carolina communities. Nearly 110 volunteers, along with help

from Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and the Diaper Bank of North Carolina, sent 57,000 diapers and 223 supply kits to families recovering from the hurricane’s effects. This volunteer response was part of the organization’s commitment to immediate and long-term relief efforts for residents in western North Carolina, including raising $2.3 million, which was disbursed to WNC organizations.

Nonprofit food hub Farmer Foodshare secured a five-year local food procurement contract with Durham Public Schools, which began with the 2024-25 school year and provides students with more locally grown produce. This initiative supports area farmers, especially small and historically marginalized producers, while ensuring students have access to healthy, fresh food. The partnership aligns with DPS’ commitment to providing

quality nutrition and supporting the local economy. Farmer Foodshare sources food from more than 70 North Carolina growers year-round.

FUNDING Families Moving

Forward, an organization that combats homelessness by providing temporary housing, case management, skills education and resource connection, received a $10,000 donation from medical spa Aesthetic Solutions. The donation is part of Aesthetic Solutions’ Sparkle Pass program, which donates proceeds earned from Sparkle Pass sales to local nonprofits. Drs. Lisa Ishii and Sue Ellen Cox presented a check for the funds to FMF Director of Development Joe Daly

AWARDS & HONORS

Vets to Vets United Inc., a Durham-based nonprofit that pairs therapy dogs with military veterans to help with challenges or injuries resulting from service, received the North Carolina Peace Prize from the North Carolina Peace Corps Association in March. The organization, which serves veterans at no cost, also helps reduce animal euthanasia in state shelters. The award included a $2,000 check and a hand-thrown vase.

Forbes included several Durham companies on its recent list of the best large and midsize employers in the country. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina ranked No. 29 for best large employers. Duke University and Duke Energy Corporation both appeared in the top 200, while RTI International ranked No. 673 out of 5,000 employers. The City of Durham and Bell and Howell, a provider of automation services, were ranked among the top 500 midsize employers. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF FARMER FOODSHARE

RENDERING COURTESY OF SKANSKA

Coastal Credit Union received four awards from the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, which serves as a philanthropy partner to credit unions in North and South Carolina. Coastal won first place for the Alphonse Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award and second place for the Alphonse Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award, recognizing initiatives like its adult education programs and Coastal Kids Day. Coastal also earned honorable mentions for the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award and the Louise

Herring Philosophy in Action Award for its community outreach. The awards were accepted by Chief Community Impact and Public Affairs Officer Creighton Blackwell, Chief Risk Officer Bryan Sherrick, board member Deron Rossi, Coastal Credit Union Foundation Executive Director Emily Nail, Product Development Specialist Brinkley Wooten, Senior Internal Auditor Nicole Murchison, Senior Web Developer Sarah dePalo and Senior Account Manager Chris Peterkin.

Author and critically acclaimed graphic designer Cheryl D. Miller featured Joel Peter Johnson, head of

graphic design at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, in her book “Where the Black Designers Are,” published in October. Named one of the best design books of 2024, it explores the history of anti-Blackness in the field of graphic design. Thanks to Miller’s connection, Johnson’s 40-year archive of work is now part of Stanford University Libraries’ Graphic Design History Collections Initiative.

The Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce honored Sherrod Banks, president and founder of The Banks Law Firm, as its Man of the Year. Chamber President and CEO CJ Broderick praised Banks for his contributions to legal work,

community development and social change. Banks’ law practice has played a critical role in creating and rehabilitating housing developments, mixeduse facilities and community spaces accessible across income levels. He also supports first-time homebuyers through The Banks Foundation and participates in multiple civic organizations.

Duke University’s Samuel DuBois Cook Society honored individuals for social activism and leadership at its annual awards dinner in February. Former Gov. Roy Cooper received the Distinguished Service Award, while Duke students Jasmin Riley and Eni Owoeye earned the undergraduate and graduate student awards, respectively; Duke Softball head coach Marissa Young received the Samuel DuBois Cook Society Staff Award; and history professor Thavolia Glymph earned the Raymond Gavins Distinguished Faculty Award.

PHOTO BY J CALDWELL

PHOTO BY ASHTON HAYES, COURTESY OF COASTAL CREDIT UNION

NAVIGATING A SHIFTING HOUSING MARKET

UNDERSTANDING CHANGING TRENDS AND BUYER ADAPTATIONS

BY ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA

Turns out, money can sometimes buy happiness – or, at least, give buyers more to work with in a fickle housing market.

Typical factors affecting local housing markets include fluctuating interest rates, changing tax valuations and available inventory at varying price points. Stable economic growth can boost consumer purchase power, while a shrinking economy can stall spending.

“To be honest, people at the upper end of the food chain are less affected by some of this stuff,” said Alison Domnas, co-founder and broker at Inhabit

Real Estate. She said each segment of the market has its own trends. Homes listed at higher price points, typically $1 million or more, remain in a robust market segment, while the middle range between $600,000 and $850,000 has more selective buyers, Domnas said. The most competitive segment is the $350,000 to $450,000 range, she added. Lower-priced homes below $250,000 are nearly nonexistent in Durham, so Domnas tends to refer those buyers to Graham or Mebane for potential options.

“Now buyers are being more judicious,” Domnas said. “I think the market got out of control [during the COVID-19 pandemic], and now there’s a little more balance.”

The latest trends in Durham’s market may resemble other cities across the country, but the Bull City has qualities that make it more resilient than other metro areas nationwide.

ADJUSTING TO A NEW NORMAL

Inhabit co-founder Adrian Brown advises buyers to modify their expectations for what they can afford given that interest rates are currently in the midto upper 6% range, which have held close to the national average, according to Claire Gallaudet, an analyst at Tomo Mortgage. “Tomo Mortgage’s interest rate forecast in North Carolina projects rates to hold flat at 6.875% through the end of the year,” she said. “If you’re looking for a home in Durham and have good credit and sufficient income (a FICO credit score between 720 and 740), you should target an interest rate of 6.725% or

lower to ensure you’re getting a competitive mortgage rate.”

Today’s rates have more than doubled compared to the pre-pandemic period. And the sustained low inventory of homes in the $350,000 to $450,000 price range nudged Durham city and county leaders to approve updates to the Simplifying Codes for Affordable Development, or SCAD, over the past two years to create more opportunities for infill housing and small-scale commercial development.

“Buyers are just having to adjust their wish list in order to meet their budget given the rates,” Brown said. “What I’m seeing, especially in new construction, is building

5 TOP

1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5

1,200-square-foot houses on a smaller lot footprint. In some cases, you can split a lot and put two small houses on it, whereas before this zoning change you couldn’t do that. So that’s put more inventory into the market for folks who are in that sub$400,000 price point to get a 2- or 3-bedroom house.”

MULTIGENERATIONAL & LOCATION TRENDS

Brown said more buyers are interested in homes that can accommodate multiple

generations, and those who can afford a higher price point are exploring homes with a guest house or an apartment.

“It’s a great option for people who want to age in place, or at some point, maybe have a tenant in there or even a health care practitioner who can reside on the property,” he said.

Location remains a priority for homebuyers. Retirees in particular desire access to a community close to the city center and other amenities, like medical facilities.

$800K

DURABLE MARKET

“The Triangle historically has been a safe place to be, no matter the economy,” Durham Regional Association of Realtors President Bert Woodall said.

“Even back when the housing market turned so bad in 2008, we had struggle and pain, but it was nowhere near like most of the rest of the country, because the protection of the universities allows us employment and opportunity here.”

Still, Woodall said sales volume at his agency is down this year compared to last year. West & Woodall Real Estate closed on 290 houses in February 2024 but only closed 252 this year in the same month. “There are two things going on,” Woodall said, “not as many people are moving, and houses are staying on the market longer. So, inventory is actually growing higher than last year; it’s up 29%, and the days on the market are up 77%.”

But people continue to need housing. Rental rates have fallen in the past year, Woodall said of the national trend. “In some ways, people may head toward renting because they think it will be safer, but you don’t build equity,” he said. Gallaudet said that, “with fewer homes on the market and a nationwide housing shortage, prices have surged, especially in high-growth areas like Durham. Population growth, university expansion and economic development have further intensified demand, pushing prices even higher.”

“That’s the weird part of this –we haven’t seen any price decline in homes, even though things have tightened up in the market,” Woodall said. “I think, nationally, you’ll see some markets that have flattened out, but we haven’t seen a slowdown in that. But we may, if we take a real big hit with the federal funding cuts.”

UNSEEN ECONOMIC FORCES

The trouble with not knowing the future is that it’s unpredictable. The housing market can reflect that

Median closing price, up from $512,000 over the past four years – a 56.3% increase*

incertitude as major decisions at the federal level begin to impact the area.

“We’ve had buyers pull out of deals because they work in [Research Triangle Park] and they’re fearful of their job being eliminated by the federal government,” Woodall said.

“I think that’s our next wave of issues. We’ve always been protected by the strength of the universities and the strength of RTP, but a lot of that strength is based on federal dollars coming in for research projects.”

The dismantling of USAID and suspension of federal funding for some research programs in the region could have ripple effects in Durham, according to Woodall. The region, which includes RTP, is home to around 4,000 tech and 600 life science companies, with more than 300 company headquarters in RTP alone, and employees in this area may be impacted by these changes.

Two major Durham-based

organizations have already been negatively impacted by funding cuts. RTI International, a Durham-based nonprofit global research institute, announced temporary staff layoffs due to the ongoing pause on U.S. foreign assistance. Similarly, FHI 360, another nonprofit health and research organization with headquarters in Durham, has furloughed 36% of its U.S. staff due to cuts in federal funding. These uncertainties have affected the homebuilding industry, too. A recent article by KPMG Economics stated: “Builders are concerned about shortages ahead of new tariffs and immigration restrictions. Labor hoarding is already occurring; layoffs in the sector were down 15% in December compared to a year ago, while job openings were down 50%. Projects are being put on hold.

“The construction sector is heavily reliant on immigrant workers, while the rising cost of inputs adds insult to injury;

Market Statistics

costs are already 40% higher than pre-pandemic.”

Woodall said the trade tariffs that went into effect in March may increase construction costs because components like Sheetrock and lumber are primarily imported from Canada.

“Something as simple as having a trade war with Canada could cause new construction costs to go up as buyers have only gotten used to the new higher interest rates,” Woodall said. “Everybody who pays attention probably knows this, but everybody who locked into the low interest rates after COVID when rates dropped to 2% and 3% is stuck in that house. Unless they have to move for a job reason or it’s just flat out too small, something’s really got to force them out. Our market consists of people moving here from all over the country for jobs, and a certain sector moved across town to a school district or to get a bigger house or to a neighborhood with sidewalks, and that movement has stopped in the past few years because people got those interest rates. We’re, in my opinion, overreacting to what the market needed post-COVID.”

Gallaudet confirms Woodall’s perception: “Following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, home sales have declined as rising interest rates have discouraged homeowners who locked in lower rates during the pandemic from selling, reducing inventory,” she said.

PARTING ADVICE

Although Durham’s current real estate market faces challenges, its historical stability within the Triangle and the ongoing demand for housing amid limited inventory suggest continued growth. Woodall advised potential buyers and sellers to stay informed, monitor market trends and seek guidance from real estate professionals to navigate the changing landscape successfully.

Raheem Cousin & Jessica Daye

BY ADDIE ROWELLS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTIAN WILSON, PEOPRODUCTIONS.COM

Wedding Date June 22, 2024

Occupations Raheem is a barber and recently ventured into public and motivational speaking under the name Raheem Cousin Speaks. Jessica is a sixth-grade social studies teacher and cheerleading coach at Rogers-Herr Middle School. She also owns Majesstic Weddings and Events and Ignited Vibes Candle Co Crossed Paths Raheem and Jessica both grew up in North Carolina – Raheem in Warrenton and Jessica, a Hillside High School alum, in the Bull City. Raheem’s journey led him to Durham to attend North Carolina Central University, but fate – or rather, Instagram –brought him to Jessica. Years later, a single photo of Raheem sporting a fresh haircut caught Jessica’s eye. She couldn’t resist striking up a conversation, and that’s where their story began.

The Proposal Raheem popped the question at Jessica’s 35th birthday party, which she planned herself at the Durham Alumnae Delta Sigma Theta Sorority House. Raheem offered his input as Jessica finalized the guest list, suggesting many of their friends and family. Jessica admired Raheem’s thoughtfulness in wanting to invite so many loved ones, unaware that he was secretly planning something even bigger. Raheem invited Jessica on stage at the party and revealed a love letter written on an acrylic board. The note ended with the big question, accompanied by a box for her to check “yes” or “no.” Of course, she checked “yes” before Raheem got down on one knee and officially asked her to marry him.

Favorite Moments Raheem says tears filled his eyes as he watched his bride-to-be walk down the aisle in her dress from Anjolique Bridal and Formal in Cornelius. Jessica cherished hearing Raheem’s vows, which he had eagerly talked about in the weeks leading up to the ceremony. The couple also treasured the heartfelt vows they wrote to their daughters.

The Big Day Jessica and Raheem tied the knot on June 22, 2024, at Chandelier Wedding Event Venue in Cary, preceded by a rehearsal dinner the night before at It’s a Southern Thing in downtown Durham. Guests dressed to the nines in all-black attire for the “elegant boho” event, which featured stunning florals by Jane Utley, better known as The Wedding Woman. The couple made their big day uniquely their own, exchanging heartfelt personal vows during the ceremony and delighting guests with a custom crossword puzzle and live caricature art by Cartoon Jordan during cocktail hour while live saxophonist Devin Rauson and keyboardist Joel Holloway set the mood. DJ Kutta kept the beats going on the dance floor during the reception, and guests partied well into the night.

Do you live in Durham or are from here and want your wedding or engagement featured in our magazine? Scan this code to send us your info.

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The Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top-rated destinations. It’s an interactive science center, a nature park with animals, and 84 acres of openended experiences. We’ve got bears, dinosaurs, train rides, treehouses, NASA artifacts, and butterflies from around the world. See you soon!

433 W. Murray Ave, Durham, NC 27704 lifeandscience.org 919-220-5429

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