NC poet’s new poetry collection feels like an inheritance.
New books arrive all the time—but few feel like an inheritance. Enter The Book of Alice, in which NC poet Diamond Forde transforms her grandmother’s legacy into a formally inventive poetry collection rooted in lineage, faith and perseverance.
Through poems shaped by the structure and language of the King James Bible, the recently released relic traces the life of Alice—a Black woman born in the Jim Crow South.
For Forde, that structure is deeply personal: Her grandmother’s Bible is one of the only inheritances she has to remember her by—and she still holds it close. Writing within that framework became a way to stay connected. “I am trying to enter into the only poetry that my grandmother knew and understood and loved.”
The collection also reexamines familiar biblical stories through overlooked perspectives. “I’m playing with the same stories many of us who have grown up with church-related experiences know, but trying to look at them in a new way to try to excavate the women that I think have been lost in the process of canonization,” Forde explains.
Beyond its biblical backbone, The Book of Alice also draws from everyday archives—recipes, census records and footnotes—to build a fuller picture of Black life. “Recipes are a fantastic way of looking into someone’s history, both personal and familial,” says the award-winning author. “I think recipes are a beautiful testament to life.”
Though rooted in her own family, the collection has resonated far beyond it, with readers finding pieces of themselves in the book, says Forde.
At just 96 pages, The Book of Alice is intentionally approachable, even for readers who may feel intimidated by poetry. “Poetry can ask you to take a leap with me,” emphasizes Forde. “Sometimes that leap will feel daunting if you don’t feel like you’re on solid ground.” She hopes the book offers that footing—giving readers a sense of trust and a meaningful peek into the past.
Black history has never been black-and-white. Now, Raleigh’s annual Living in Color exhibit shines a light on more than 100 Black artists, on display at the Dix Park Chapel all month long. Curated by the Raleigh Film and Art Festival and presented in partnership with Dix Park, the Black History Month showcase is a visual snapshot of the Southern Black experience—spanning every medium, style and stage of the artistic journey. Don’t miss the Feb. 8 opening reception, a colorful celebration feat. live music, spoken word and a theatrical dance performance. Feb. 1–28, dixpark.org
Living in Color Opening Reception 2025 | Photo by Robbie Bailey
NC author Kianna Alexander reveals the untold story of former slave Josephine Leary in her just-released book.
It’s a story that touches on bondage, emancipation, aspirations, marriage, real estate, motherhood, adversity and, most importantly, perseverance. A story that author Kianna Alexander says should be told not only outside the walls of small-town Edenton, North Carolina, but written into history books alongside the narratives of Madam C.J. Walker and Mary McLeod Bethune. And… a story that just dropped in bookstores Feb. 22—meaning readers (that means you, Raleighites) can now immerse themselves in its pages.
Carolina Built recounts the life of Josephine Leary, a woman who was born into slavery, gained freedom at age 9 and, despite lacking a formal education, started a real estate empire in Edenton (developing what would today be a $10 million real estate portfolio).
“I think it’s important to highlight the way women in general—but especially Black women—have done so much in terms of either unheralded or unpaid labor that other people benefit from even generations later,” says Alexander. “And this sort of struck me as a story that highlighted that to the nth degree.”
A native North Carolinian, history buff and multipublished novelist, Alexander says Leary’s story had not always been on her radar. In fact, it sort of fell into her lap in 2019 via Twitter, when she saw a tweet from a literary agent asking for someone to write Leary’s story. Alexander volunteered, recalling how, in that moment, she felt it was her duty to tell the story, especially since Leary has no living relatives.
Before sitting down to write, Alexander conducted research for about a year. She spent hours poring over documents Leary’s grandson had donated to Rubenstein Library at Duke University and visiting Edenton, where she—in a way—walked in Leary’s footsteps, visiting things like her building and some of her properties, as well as her family’s homes and barbershop.
“As a writer, that’s what I like to do whenever it’s possible—to see things, to engage my five senses in person so I can really get a feel for the story I’m trying to tell,” says Alexander, who first thought about becoming a writer in high school when her then-drama teacher read a play she wrote and said, “You are a writer.”
And like all great writers, she had a method for turning someone else’s story into a novel. “It was gathering it all, bringing it home—the copies, the images, the notes—compiling it, building sort of a timeline of her life, narrowing it down to the 20 years that I was going to write about, and then putting all the pieces in order,” she says.
Piece by piece (actually, index card by index card), Alexander wove together the moments of Leary’s life. “It’s a mirror, and it’s a window looking into her life,” she says, noting that many of the obstacles Leary had to overcome are still relevant today.
“I hope it’s going to touch people the way it touched me just to find out everything she went through and everything she accomplished,” says Alexander. “I was really just impressed and amazed with everything she was able to do. She was really a remarkable person.” Book and audio version available online, as well as at Target, Walmart and Barnes & Noble; authorkiannaalexander.com
Go on a pantless run (really), drink a bottle of vino for National Drink Wine Day, channel your inner Shaun White, and more via these fun-filled events around Raleigh.
2/17 Drake Night on the Rooftop
Party like it’s 2010 with Drake-inspired cocktails and photo ops to celebrate Drizzy, while DJ KJB keeps the dance floor hot all night long. tinroofraleigh.com
2/17 NC State vs. Wake Women’s
Wake is gonna need a wake after the Wolfpack women kill ’em at Reynolds. gopack.com
2/18 National Drink Wine Day @ Transfer Co.
Get on Cloud Wine and celebrate National Drink Wine Day at Transfer Co. Food Hall with half-price on select wine-derful bottles.transfercofoodhall.com
2/18–19 Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto
They told him he could use any weapon he wanted—so he chose cannons. Take in Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with Chee-Yun on violin alongside the Douglas Boyd-conducted North Carolina Symphony—with Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 to boot.ncsymphony.org
2/18–20 Michael Colyar
“It’s 2 o’clock. Do you know where your testicles are?” The House Party III comedian (also famed for his roles on Black-ish and The Princess & The Frog, among a slew of others) is bringing his unique and hilarious brand of comedy to Goodnights.goodnightscomedy.com
2/19 Bazaar for Black History Month
Celebrate Black History Month at Transfer Co. Food Hall—while treating yourself to some retail therapy!—through an afternoon of Black-owned businesses and local vendors in the ballroom. transfercofoodhall.com
2/19 Cupid’s Undie Run
No pants, no problem. The nation’s largest pantless party and mile-ish run for charity is back in Raleigh! Brave the cold and pound the pavement to help raise awareness of neurofibromatosis (NF)—a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body—and fundraise for NF research through the Children’s Tumor Foundation. my.cupids.org
2/19 Flannels & Frost
Tired of being cooped up because of the cold weather? Head to Moore Square for s’mores, crafts, curling, inflatable axe throwing and snowboarding, and moore. Maybe you can even live out those olympic dreams (wink, wink). downtownraleigh.org
2/19 Great Backyard Bird Count
No angry birds here. Birders of all ages can enjoy birder workshops, a birding hike with Park Ranger Amber Williams, crafts, a touch table, hot chocolate, s’mores and fam-friendly games at this free im-peck-able event. capefearbg.org
2/19 Live From the Studio: Ivana Beck
Channel your inner artist while getting schooled on the art of sculptural work through this virtual live studio visit with artist Ivana Milojevic Beck. ncartmuseum.org
2/19 TriangleRAD’s OutRun the Winter
Think a little less Ford vs. Ferrari and a little more burned paint, cracked dashes and mismatched body panels. Maybe even some sweet popup headlights (hey, Popup Zone). Rock your parachute pants or baggy flannels and bring ’80s/’90s swag for “Rad cred” in this totally rad ’80s and ’90s car show. @triangle_rad
2/19 Umphrey’s McGee
“It’s not us”… “it’s you.” Get ready Ralegih—the “zonkey” jam band is set to return to rock out the Ritz. ritzraleigh.com
2/19–20 Monster Jam
Fancy mayhem? You’re in luck. Backflipping, two-wheeling, high-flying 12,000-pound four-wheel racing machines take over PNC arena for two days of can’t-miss fam-friendly fun that promises to crushyour weekend. monsterjam.com
2/20 Harlem Quartet
Pluck this—the head-turning NY-based Harlem Quarter (billed as “one of the greatest string quartets”) performs in Raleigh as part of the NCMA’s Sights and Sounds Concert Series. ncartmuseum.org
2/23 Maud 2.23
If you see something, say something. Pound the pavement with Raleigh Brewing Run Club for change via this run by Together We Stand NC. Started in June 2020 in response to Ahmaud Arbery’s case, the org works to “build awareness to the daily plight of people of color… and remind people of all races what can happen in America on any given day,” says founder Tyrone Irby, who created this Maud 2.23 run in partnership with 22 NC breweries and running clubs. See you there. strongerandfasterdurham.com
2/23 NC State vs. Boston College
Fly home, Eagles. We’ll keep this W in Raleigh. gopack.com
From exhibits celebrating Black History Month to theatre performances to the annual Krispy Kreme Challenge, there’s lots of fun events going on in Raleigh this week.
Through 5/1 Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge, 1718
Arrrgh! Channel your inner Jack Sparrow, and get your pirate on with this deep-dive into the legend of Blackbeard and the Golden Age of Piracy, on view now at the North Carolina Museum of History. ncmuseumofhistory.org
Culture vultures are gonna want to make their way to Meredith Art Galleries’ newest exhibit, I Carry Them On My Back, Of Course!—presented by The Black on Black Project and funded in part by the Kenan Fund, and featuring artist Alexandria Clay’s body of work, which, “through a series of multimedia collages that construct ideal worlds, followed by an expanding practice in portraiture, aims to bring a specific, emotional trial to light, and to make known the invisible efforts that sustain her community.” gallery.meredith.edu
Feb., ongoing Free Workouts for American Heart Month
Join the City of Raleigh in celebration of American Heart Month with various Heart Health Month activities, including water exercise and park workouts. raleighnc.gov
Feb., ongoing Raleigh Comedy Bus Tour
Didja know that after Sir Walter died, his wife kept his head in a red velvet bag for almost 30 years? … All aboard this private on-demand comedy bus tour (so a feeltrip, if you will)—making fun of Raleigh’s history one joke at a time. BYOB (and wine). tobaccoroadtours.com
2/3 Doggy Date Night
Treat your fur baby to date night at Transfer Co. Food Hall for treats (Captain Cookies is offering pumpkin-peanut butter dog treats and Mama Crow’s will have a dog-friendly menu (!))—plus toys from local pet supply vendors. transfercofoodhall.com
2/3 NC State vs. Florida State
It’s the ladies lighting up Tobacco Road, y’all. Catch the Wolfpack women as they notch another W over the Noles.gopack.com
2/3–5 Esther Povitsky
“Hot for her name,” the self-deprecating deadpan funnywoman (aka “Little Esther”) brings her distinctly modern storytelling on the trials of being a 30-something in today’s world to Goodnights. goodnightscomedy.com
2/3 & 5, weekly Music Bingo
All the Bingo ladies (and gents) get your fix at Lonerider Brewing Company’s Wake Forest “hideout” Thursday (7–9pm) and Saturdays (9–11pm) for the February return of this tuneful weekly iteration of music bingo with music (obv), prizes and drink specials—and bragging rights, obv. loneriderbeer.com
2/3–5 Triangle Wine & Food Experience
You’re the wine that I want. Sip back, relax and get uncorked at this annual TWFE premier wine and food event to benefit the Frankie Lemmon School & Developmental Center. Pouring one on for charity? Twist our arms… trianglewinefood.org
2/3–20 Romeo & Juliet
If you’re wondering wherefore art thou Romeo, find him with his beloved Juliet in this highly acclaimed Carolina Ballet rendition of the Shakespeare epic tragedy of doomed young lovers—think dramatic sword fights, breathtaking dance, stunning costumes and lush scenery—led by artistic director Robert Weiss and set to Prokofiev’s magnificent score. carolinaballet.com
2/4 Afrolatinidad: The History of Salsa From Africa to the World
Celebrate Black History Month with The Diamante Arts & Cultural Center by learning about the importance of music and dance. diamanteartsculturalcenter.org
2/4 First Friday: The Black & White Affair (@ the sheraton hotel raleigh)
It’s finally Friday! Immerse yourself in art and music in downtown Raleigh to unwind from your long week. downtownraleigh.org
2/4–5, weekly (Friday/Saturday) Raleigh Pub Crawl/Haunted Adventure Tour
Can’t decide where to get weekend drinks? No problem! The Tobacco Road Tours’ Raleigh Pub Crawl and Haunted Adventure will have you drinking the best beer while exploring the haunted side of Raleigh. visitraleigh.com
2/4–5 Margaret Cho
Cho brings her raunchy (and riotous) brand of comedy to four must-see shows at Raleigh Improv. improv.com
2/4–20 Greater Tuna
“One of the best times you can have sitting down!” Tuna, Texas, population 2 is comprised completely by the zany duo that is Ira David Wood IV and David Henderson in this Theatre in the Park tour-de-farce of two actors, 20 characters and infinite laughs. theatreinthepark.com
2/5 Gardening in the South
Get your green thumbs ready for spring via this lecture at JC Raulston Arboretum—sponsored by Leaf & Limb—in which Leanne Kenealy Atkins and horticulturist and NC State professor/director of the horticultural substrates laboratory Brian Jackson Ph.D. discusses potting media options for successful container gardens. leaflimb.com
2/5 Krispy Kreme Challenge
Will run for doughnuts! 2,400 calories, 12 doughnuts, 5 miles, 1 hour. ’Tis the story of this 18th annual Raleigh running tradition from NCSU’s Memorial Belltower through historic DTR to Krispy Kreme (where runners pause to down a dozen doughnuts) and back—this year taking place virtually. Nearly 5,500 people plodded the pavement in 2020 for pillowy perfect treats and bragging rights of their physical and gastric prowess, simultaneously adding to the now cumulative total donation to UNC Children’s Hospital of a whopping $1.6 million. See, doughnuts are good for you. Can you stomach it? krispykremechallenge.com
Jump into “a world where many worlds fit” as Las Cafeteras remixes Afro-Mexican beats, Son Jarocho rhythms and hip-hop to create a magnetic sound and undeniable energy via NC State LIVE’s popular spring program, open to the public. live.arts.ncsu.edu/spring-2022
2/5 Lunar New Year Celebration & Market
Happy New Year (take two)! Triangle Pop-Up is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration and market this Saturday at Big Boss Brewing featuring two AAPI-owned food trucks and a group of AAPI stand-up comedians on the main stage. trianglepopup.com
2/5 NC State vs. Notre Dame
Look for the Wolfpack to beat the luck outta the Irish. gopack.com
2/5 Lyrical Variations
Shift happens. Take one half-step at a time over to the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle’s UpClose Chamber Music Series event of the season, Lyrical Variations, featuring the acclaimed Verona Quartet and special guest cellist Caroline Stinson at Durham Arts Council’s PSI Theatre, featuring Bartok’s String Quartet No. 3 and Schubert’s Cello Quintet in C Major. thecot.org
2/6 Kay Yow Celebration Run/Walk
“When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.” Propel yourself in the fight against all cancers affecting women as you lace up for this annual run/walk.kayyow.com
2/6 Valentine’s Drag Brunch
Mimosas, brunch and drag queens! Head over to Heyday Brewing for its debut Valentine’s Drag Brunch. Yasss, queen! carolinadragbrunch.simpletix.com
2/7 Play4Kay Game
In this seventh annual #Play4Kay game, the Wolfpack women’ll take the sting outta the GA Tech Yellow Jackets while they honor Kay Yow and help punch cancer in the mouth. gopack.com
2/9 NC State vs. Wake Forest
Go Deacs… back to Winston with a loss that is. gopack.com
