WEB EXCLUSIVE Having struggled with food insecurity himself, Marcus Harris—a bestselling poet, author, playwright, filmmaker, volunteer, philanthropist, activist and founder of The Marcus Harris Foundation—knew that something had to be done to help the more than 35 million people struggling with food insecurity throughout the country, a number that only amplified when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
One day last year, Harris had read about a free grocery story that country music singer Brad Paisley and his wife had started in Nashville, Tennessee. People who are struggling financially can shop at the store for free for up to a year while they get help to get back on track. Harris loved the idea and immediately set out to recreate something similar here in Raleigh.
After meeting with his board, Harris decided to slowly work his way up to the grocery store model by first doing a free food distribution service in Southeast Raleigh—which he dubbed Neighborfood Express—that would provide him with crucial experience and connections, and help those who had the most need first. “We went through a lot of research to find out where there weren’t free food distribution hubs and we kept being pointed to Southeast Raleigh, where they have a lot of food insecure people,” Harris says. The six low-income neighborhoods he’s focusing on in Southeast Raleigh are considered food deserts, meaning they reside a significant distance from the nearest supermarket or grocery store.
Each week, Harris sources 5 to 10 pounds of fresh produce from local farmers, 20 to 25 pounds of healthy groceries (including meats, fruits and non-perishable items), and 100 to 200 pounds of surplus food through a partnership with Olive Garden, as well as essential supplies like baby wipes and creams, for him and a group of volunteers to drop off to Southeast Raleigh families in need.
Since starting Neighborfood Express in November 2020—just before Thanksgiving—Harris has distributed over 2,500 meals, 11,148 pounds of free food and 1,005 kids’ books through a partnership with Wake Up and Read.
Harris’ first-year goal for Neighborfood Express is to distribute at least 50,000 pounds of free healthy groceries, as well as essential supplies, eliminating hunger for nearly 5,000 Southeast Raleigh residents. Additionally, he’s already started developing plans for the free grocery store, which he hopes to open by 2024 or 2025.
“Ever since launching our efforts in November, we’ve made tremendous progress in accomplishing our goal of ending hunger for thousands of food insecure kids and families,” Harris says.
Support Harris in helping to eliminate hunger in the lives of thousands of kids and families by donating by making a donation. Any amount helps!
WEB EXCLUSIVE How’s this for a night in? The United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, the Durham Arts Council, the Orange County Arts Commission, and the Chatham Arts Council have joined together to host Big Night In for the Arts, an extravagant virtual fundraiser benefiting the arts communities of the Triangle.
The event will feature live-streamed performances from local and national talent, including famed ACM and CMT Award-winning country music singer and Garner native Scotty McCreery; Raleigh native and Tony-nominated actress/singer/dancer Ariana DeBose; folk music duo Mandolin Orange; nationally acclaimed actor and playwright Mike Wiley; and Branford Marsalis, a three-time Grammy Award-winner and internationally renowned saxophonist based in Durham.
“The arts have been incredibly important in my life and for my whole musical family,” said Marsalis in an Instagram post by The United Arts Council. “Here in Durham and the Triangle, the arts are the heartbeat of our community and bring life and expression to everything we do.”
Chatham County artist Marcelle Harwell Pachnowski will also create a live mixed media piece inspired by Big Night In performances—Pachnowski is known for her spontaneous, colorful paintings that result from visualizations of color and rhythmic patterns while listening to music.
In addition to the talent, Big Night In will address the impact of COVID-19 on the arts, and highlight the missions of the afore mentioned organizations that lead and support local arts infrastructure. Live donations from the event will go towards arts programming, initiatives for equity in the arts and artist/arts organizations’ relief to ensure that local artists can continue to thrive after the pandemic.
Tune in to the event on Thursday, March 11 at 7 p.m. on WRAL TV and show your love for local arts by making a donation and/or sharing posts to your social media platforms with the hashtag #BigNightIn. It’s sure to be a night to remember.
WEB EXCLUSIVE Ntozake Shange, an American playwright and poet who unfortunately passed away in 2018, once said, “Where there is a woman, there is magic.” Our great city wouldn’t be the remarkable place it is today without the contributions of so many extraordinary women throughout various sectors of the economy.
With that said, in honor of Women’s History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on exceptional Raleigh females over a plethora of industries each week. These fearless females are leading the way in their industries, making a difference in their communities and serving as an inspiration to others who aspire to do the same.
This week, we’re highlighting some of the resilient females in Raleigh’s hospitality industry who have continued to prove that women can really do it all—while keeping local residents and visitors alike delightfully satiated.
Ashley Christensen
A James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and philanthropist, it’s no doubt that Christensen is the pride and joy of Raleigh’s food and beverage industry. Not only do her restaurants continually make the list of Raleighites’ favorites (we’ll never get enough of her famous mac and cheese at Poole’s Diner), but she is humble in her success and continues to give back to the community with various fundraising events and charities.
Cheetie Kumar
A rockstar chef (literally—she’s a musician too), Kumar has also been nominated for several James Beard awards throughout the years and has been lauded by several noteworthy publications for her always-changing, ever-exciting Indian, Pan-Asian and Southern fusion menu at Garland. Also worth mentioning is the incredible COVID-safe, covered and heated patio her and her team created that makes dining outdoors—even in the dead of winter—feel like a festive getaway.
The role of president and CEO of the NC Restaurant and Lodging Association (or NCRLA, as it’s most commonly referred to)—which represents 20,000 businesses throughout the state—is a hefty one in normal times, none the less during a global pandemic, but Minges has upheld the role with grace and determination. She’s played a part in NCRLA grants, events, strategies for hospitality businesses to reopen (including Count on Me NC), the recently announced Blueprint for Revival of the NC Hospitality Industry, and more initiatives that are helping restaurants, hotels and bars across the state stay in business during the COVID crisis.
The founder and executive director of A Place At The Table, Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can cafe, Maggie Kane has been serving meals to community members in need since 2018. Before that, she worked for a nonprofit with people experiencing homelessness. When the pandemic hit, Kane and the APATT team served an average of 250 free meals a day; though she had to close the cafe temporarily last fall in order to adjust operations, APATT continues to be a source of sustenance for those in need of a meal—and for anyone looking for a delicious breakfast and/or lunch option Downtown.
Waas, a native of South India and the owner of Indian-inspired cafe Cheeni, is redefining what healthy food means to Raleighites. Instead of just serving foods that rely on fat-free and low calorie ingredients, she integrates whole grains and superfoods like einkorn, one of the oldest wheats in the world, among other traditional Indian ingredients in each of her housemade breakfast and lunch dishes. Despite the pandemic, Waas just opened Cheeni’s second location at the Alexander Family YMCA on Hillsborough Street and has gained quite the following for her incredible cookies through Sugar and Spice Kitchen.
When the COVID shutdown hit, Jones, the owner and CEO of natural skincare company Jonesies LLC, pivoted—like many—to a concept that many people (us included!) could get behind: coffee. Black·ology Coffee Company launched in July 2020 with a mission to “cultivate a love of Black coffee by way of the community, the development of relationships and the tool of education,” reads her website. Black·ology coffee is currently sold online and at NoRa Cafe in Raleigh, but Jones hopes to one day open her own brick-and-mortar coffee shop in a local Black community.
For over four years now, Carroll’s Kitchen has been creating healthy employment for women overcoming crisis and teaching culinary skills, individual skills and social stability through its grab-and-go teaching kitchen. So far, co-founders Ismail and Jim Freeze have helped over 26 women (and counting!) get back on their feet through Carroll’s Kitchen’s Restorative Employment Model. The cafe’s delicious breakfast and lunch items—think toasts, kolaches (sweet and savory pastries), sandwiches, salads and more—make supporting Ismail and Freeze’s mission easy.
Kristie Nystedt
Photo courtesy of raleighbrewing.com
Beer isn’t just for the boys. Raleigh Brewing Company‘s president Nystedt is the first woman to own a craft brewery in the state of North Carolina, paving the way for future female brewers and brewery owners in the state. Since opening in 2013, Raleigh Brewing Company has expanded to two locations in RDU Airport, and recently opened a new taproom at the Arboretum in Cary. Hell yes, ma’am indeed.
Morin’s artisanal cotton candy company Wonderpuff has gained a cult following since it launched in 2017—and it’s no wonder given the brand’s fun marketing, Morin’s colorful attitude, and the multitude of delicious flavors the vegan, organic and gluten-free cotton candy comes in. You can’t help but smile when visiting Wonderpuff’s Instagram page, or sinking your teeth into a tub of orange cardamom, campfire s’more, black velvet cake or raspberry mojito-inspired cotton candy. As of now, Wonderpuff can only be purchased online, but—sweet news—it’s opening a brick-and-mortar location soon at Boxyard RTP.
The genius behind Person Street’s popular watering hole, William & Company (or Willco, as the regulars call it), Ballance has managed to create and maintain a friendly neighborhood hangout spot that all Raleighites can enjoy. The drinks are unique, delicious and fairly priced; the staff is welcoming and knows all the regulars’ names; and the atmosphere is intimate and cozy—the perfect spot to grab a drink before dinner at a nearby resto or tuck in for a nightcap.
Raleigh’s go-to salsa guru? That would be Mama’s Salsa’s Harris. The stay-at-home mom of three started the business by taking orders from local family and friends, then selling at pop-up markets throughout the Triangle; now, Harris’s products are also sold at local shops such as Rebus Works, Elk Local Foods and Raleigh Cheesy, and have been featured in collaborations with 12 Paws Ice Cream, The Spiedie Turtle, ZenFish Poké Bar and others. “Women were created to do hard things, and do them well,” Harris said in a recent Instagram post. “We can handle the pressure, the sleepless nights, the grind, the tears and the uncertainty. We are resilient. We are capable. We are worth it.” Amen!
WEB EXCLUSIVE Mummies have arrived at the North Carolina Museum of Art! March 6 through July 11, eight gilded mummies will be on display as part of the NCMA’s Golden Mummies of Egypt exhibit. Brought over from the Manchester Museum in England, this is the first time the exhibit has been hosted by an American art museum—before the exhibit was only displayed at science museums.
Each of the eight mummies were excavated from Hawara, Egypt, just south of Cairo. Patrons will be able to wander freely throughout the exhibit (masked up, of course!) and learn about seven key themes: life in a multicultural society, ideas about the afterlife, becoming a god, the art of identity, meeting the gods, preserving the body and the mummies’ modern discovery.
“Golden Mummies of Egypt represents a crossroads of cultures, where elaborate, deliberate preparations for the afterlife were informed by multiple time periods and geographies,” said Museum Director Valerie Hillings. “Using art and science together, we’re able to explore concepts around humanity, divinity, and ideals of eternal beauty.”
Besides mummies, the exhibition features over 100 artifacts, including jewelry, figurines, ceramics, papyri, hieroglyphs and more, all from multicultural Roman Egypt, where Egyptian, Roman, and Greek communities and cultural influences were blended.
Additionally, interactive stations allow visitors to write their own names in hieroglyphics and “unwrap” three of the mummies to see what lies inside their elaborate cases, thanks to data gathered through digital radiography paired with multidirectional CT scanning.
WEB EXCLUSIVE Spring is in the air—as is hope. Thousands of people are getting the COVID-19 vaccination every day; a multitude of events have already been scheduled for later this year in Raleigh (Brewgaloo! Veg Fest! The State Fair!); and Gov. Roy Cooper has begun easing restrictions (hope to never see you again, stay-at-home order). It almost feels as though things are starting to—dare we say it—get back to normal? After a year that seems like just a blip on the radar, people are ready to get out of their homes and do something—anything—that’s not watching Netflix or baking banana bread. The following destinations are safe, affordable and full of fun activities that will give you something to look forward to this season.
Asheville, NC
Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours
Asheville offers the perfect blend of city life and outdoor recreation—a perfect weekend getaway for anyone who wants to escape from reality but still has a number of fun things to do (plus, it’s less than a four-hour drive from Raleigh). Intersperse hiking and sightseeing with break at one of Asheville’s many award-winning breweries for a beer or two, followed by a decadent meal (the hip mountain town also boasts a ton of great restaurants from which to choose). Plan out your full mountain getaway with our guide to some of Asheville’s best eats, drinks, stays and activities.
Charleston, SC
Charleston, South Carolina, USA skyline over the Ashley River.
South Carolina is in pretty much the same boat as North Carolina. SC’s governor eased restrictions this week, including lifting the alcohol ban after 11pm, a rule that was set in place in July. Masks are still required, however, so remember to bring yours! Just a four-hour drive from Raleigh, Charleston boasts mild temps in a coastal location with a plethora of activities—especially as the weather starts to warm up (we’ve been dreaming of a nice tan). Nationally recognized restaurants and bars, unique historical attractions, and one-of-a-kind shops make the small city an even bigger draw—not to mention the delightful boutique hotels. Book a room at The Spectator Hotel, French Quarter Inn or HarbourView Inn for a relaxing stay that you most definitely deserve.
Fort Worth, Texas
Photo courtesy of Visit Fort Worth
Never been to Texas? Well, why not go now? It already feels like spring in Fort Worth, with average temps around 60 to 70 degrees (yes, please!), making for the perfect weather to explore the fun-filled locale. Visit the Stockyards National Historic District for a taste of the Wild West; get some grub in Near Southside; tour a museum in the Cultural District; and/or paddle down the river along Panther Island. With so much to see and do (and for a less-than-$300 plane ticket), you might never return.
Catskills, NY
Photo courtesy of visitthecatskills.com
Upstate New York is lauded as a beautiful area for outdoor lovers—the Catskills are just one of the many amazing attractions. Not hard to imagine why… a deep breath of fresh mountain air let’s all your troubles just melt away—and the breathtaking views don’t hurt either. Go now to take advantage of ski season before it ends, or wait until the weather warms up a bit more to enjoy a hike or bike ride through the many trails offered in the area. The closest airport to the Catskills is Albany, an average $250 flight from RDU and about a 40-mile drive from the mountains. Rent a car to make traveling around to various activities a breeze!
St. Petersburg, Florida
Photo courtesy of VisitStPeteClearwater.com
An often overlooked Florida destination, St. Petersburg (St. Pete for short) is a beautiful city between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. It holds the title of “most consecutive days with sunshine,” something we Raleighites can all get behind after weeks of straight rain and gloom. Along with stunning beaches, St. Pete boasts great shopping, restaurants, bars, art galleries and cultural attractions in its downtown area, plus in-person events!. Just remember to mask up and stay socially distanced from others. Flights from Raleigh to St. Pete are as low as $180—sweet sunshine, here we come!
Nassau, Bahamas
Photo courtesy of nassauparadiseisland.com
Did you know you can get a flight to the Bahamas for under $400 from RDU? (Don’t all book your plane tickets at once!) A (safe) getaway to a tropical paradise seems like a dream come true right now. Soak up the sun on Nassau’s miles of beaches; enjoy a spa day, yoga class or round of golf; and treat yourself to elaborate meals and all the frozen drinks you can get your hands on (cheers!). Keep in mind that the Bahamas requires everyone traveling into the country to obtain a negative COVID-19 test no more than five days prior to the date of arrival.
