As we mourn the one-year anniversary of Raleigh’s mass shooting, we reflect with city and state leaders and first responders on what we did right and what we learned.
On the evening of Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin walked toward me, phone pressed to her ear, at a joint Midtown Raleigh Alliance/Raleigh MagazineCity Council Candidate Meet & Greet. She had the look of utter grief. As I approached to greet a visibly shaken Baldwin, I paused and searched her face, asking, “Are you OK?” … “No,” she immediately returned, her voice broken. “Ask Gina,” she added, and then leaned to RM Publisher Gina Stephens and whispered, “You can tell her,” and turned to immediately leave. … Stephens and I quietly finished the event in shock, sorrow and fear without alarming anyone as candidates eagerly greeted citizens of Raleigh—a city that would wake up the next day forever changed.
What unfolded from there was everyone’s worst nightmare—including the mayor’s, who had eerily uttered aloud earlier that day, “That’s my worst nightmare,” in reference to a mass shooting in another city. … “Five hours later, I was living that worst nightmare,” says Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin of the mass shooting that devastated Raleigh’s Hedingham.
Tragedies of domestic terrorism don’t come with a forecast—by design they are intended to shock and awe, leaving as much carnage as possible in their wake. But they do have measured responses—and a plan. On this otherwise perfect sunny, mild mid-October Raleigh evening, the perfect storm was brewing for a massacre of unfathomable scale. As the young assassin rampaged through the otherwise halcyon Hedingham neighborhood—tragically taking the lives of five Raleighites, injuring two others and destroying infinite families and loved ones—two key Raleigh public safety officials, the police chief and director of communications, were out of town. But in the face of our collective worst nightmare, our public safety dispatchers, first responders, leaders and health care workers have been commended for a flawless execution. “The coordinated and swift response among state and local law enforcement and elected officials was extraordinary,” says Gov. Roy Cooper. “North Carolina families deserve to know their safety is the top priority.”
It was just past 5pm on that fall Thursday eve as people began wrapping up their work day and driving the roads when calls began flooding the Wake County Emergency Communications Center.
5:09pm | First 911 call: Reporting multiple shots fired near Hedingham golf course. Police are dispatched as numerous calls begin to come in regarding shooting victims in the area.
5:12pm | 911: “My mom and I are at home and we heard some shots outside, and I looked out my window and the neighbor is on the ground I think. Sahalee Way in Hedingham.” Dispatcher asks if that is near Osprey Cove to confirm if this is the same report. “It’s a street or so up. There’s two people! Somebody’s laying by the bush and somebody’s laying on the porch. Oh, my God, it’s two people…”
5:12pm | 911: “Osprey Cove Drive! … Just came through with a shotgun and shot my buddy. Get here ASAP! … He went back to the Neuse River Trail! … It’s an officer. … He’s in a white car… in a cul-de-sac. … The shooter is in all camo and looks like he’s like 16. One officer was shot! An off-duty cop. He just walked right through and shot him. Active shooter! Active shooter! It looks like he’s bleeding from his chest…”
5:16pm | 911: “Osprey Cove Drive. White teenager out here with a shotgun and shot somebody. He ran back into the woods…”
5:19pm | Officers first arrive on the scene.
When the city manager called Baldwin on her way into the campaign event, “she said, ‘Mary-Ann, this is really serious. There’s been a mass shooting. This young man has escaped, but he’s holed up in an old barn. We have helicopters out; the State is involved.” … “I was shell shocked,” she recalls. “I remember thinking ‘They see me walking toward the campaign event. … I have to tell them I can’t stay’—but I didn’t feel comfortable saying why. I remember getting in my car and shaking like a leaf. I was having difficulty breathing and trying my best not to cry. It was one of the most painful moments ever.”
Meanwhile, ~1,700 miles away, Police Chief Estella Patterson was in Dallas for the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference. “I looked at my phone and saw we had an officer down and several people had been shot,” recalls Patterson. “I kept telling myself I had to get back to Raleigh—to my department and community—immediately.”
The governor received a similar phone ping from his chief of staff. “It was a harrowing moment and one I won’t forget,” he says—“we were immediately on the phone with law enforcement.”
5:21pm| 911: A Neuse River Greenway cyclist caller describes two injured women on the trail near Bay Harbor Drive.
5:49pm| Emergency radio alert put out that officers are searching for a “6-foot white male. 15 years old. Camo with long gun.”
5:55pm | RPDtweets they’re on the scene of an active shooting around Neuse River Greenway near Osprey Cove Drive and Bay Harbor Drive.
6:42pm | Officers locate the suspect in an area with two outbuildings (barn-like structures) near McConnell Oliver Drive. As they attempt to search the area, the suspect fires multiple shots from one of the buildings.
6:44pm | RPD Officer Casey Clark sustains gunshot wound to knee and falls to the ground. Multiple officers, including two officers with RPD, returned fire. Officers deployed cover fire, allowing Officer Clark to be pulled to safety for treatment for his injuries. ~23 rounds were fired by RPD officers in the direction of the outbuilding where the suspect fired upon officers.
6:49pm | RPD tweets an update: “Residents in the area of McConnell Oliver Drive, Tarheel Club Drive and Old Milburnie Road are being advised to remain indoors. Drivers are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.”
6:54pm | Gov. Cooper tweets he has spoken to Baldwin and “instructed state law enforcement to provide assistance responding to the active shooter in East Raleigh.”
With Patterson en route and the director of communications out of town, Public Information Officer Lt. Jason Borneo answered the call to step up and represent RPD. Borneo was in a meeting with the chief of staff when his phone lit up with texts and phone calls of the news. “It was difficult to believe this was happening in our community,” he recalls.
Beyond the social media storm and police scanner pickups on Reddit, broadcast media reported the confirmed details as they developed throughout the night, says ABC11/WTVD-TV VP of News Bervette Carree. “It was extremely important to be accurate with every detail, not just to be the first to report it.”
“I was on vacation and just landed back in town at RDU,” recalls Carree, who knew the neighborhood well and had a close family friend who had recently moved from Sahalee Way in Hedingham. “I jumped into journalist mode right away [and] headed straight to the newsroom. As the events unfolded and the facts emerged over the next six hours, I was numb.”
“Just to see the Sahalee Way street sign or flowers covering the neighborhood entrance was triggering because I’d spent so much time in that area. It was very surreal,” says ABC11/WTVD-TV VP of News Bervette Carree.
7:01pm | Scanner traffic reveals plan to use aerial drone to monitor the suspect in the barn.
7:17pm | 911: Dispatcher says, “They actually have a visual on this guy right now. They’re not looking for him now. They fully have eyes on him.”
7:18pm | According to scanner traffic, officers note suspect hasn’t moved and has a gun in his lap. They decide to move in with drone to advance within 15 feet.
7:22pm | Suspect is “slumped” but still moving. Drone crashes and officers discuss retrieving a bomb robot.
7:29pm | Police radio signals officers to take cover as suspect aims “to hold a shotgun up.”
7:33pm | Officers receive tip that suspect may have a hand grenade.
7:40pm | 16-year-old male found in Sahalee Way residence bathroom.
8:18pm | Per scanner traffic, suspect is contained, but officers won’t advance without more equipment.
“I was trying during those press conferences not to cry,” says Baldwin, “because I thought, ‘If you start, you’re just gonna lose it.’ … I was literally shaking and trying to maintain my composure. It was the hardest thing I’ve done in my life. But it had to be done. You’re called to lead.”
It’s a balancing act. You can’t look so stoic that you appear unaffected; nor can you appear so emotional people fear anyone’s ability to lead through a disaster. So, I asked Baldwin how you do both simultaneously, and she answered after a long pause: “I think I did it just by being me. But, man, it was really hard.”
9:07pm| Scanner traffic reveals suspect still able to move while officers try to retrieve his firearm.
9:11pm | Officers plan to keep a robot between the firearm and suspect while they employ another to retrieve the weapon, per scanner traffic.
9:24pm | Scanner traffic reports the “shotgun’s still on the ground. He’s trying to pull the trigger and nothing’s happening.”
9:32pm| Officers employ robot in efforts to pull suspect away from backpack.
9:34pm | Officers move toward the barn where suspect has been holed up.
9:36pm | Officers handcuff suspect, who has single gunshot wound and is wearing a handgun in his waistband. Officers locate shotgun and large hunting knife nearby.
9:37pm | RPD tweets “the suspect is now in custody.”
10:51pm | Press conference: Borneo confirms suspect is a “white male juvenile,” injured officer Clark has been released from WakeMed and Patterson is aboard a return flight to Raleigh.
As news of the carnage crept into the wee hours of the evening, every city resident was coping with the same shattered reality: Raleigh had joined the ranks of communities marred by gun violence—and we had lost our own in a senseless act of violence.
What We Learned
There is no amount of posturing or reflection or planning that can undo the events of that tragic evening—or bring back the five lives lost. Gov. Cooper acknowledges that while coordinated efforts were swift, it’s essential to review responses in any crisis. As we queried first responders and officials on what we learned from that night, communication was the common takeaway.
“The response seemed flawless,” says Baldwin. “But what we learned is we have to be prepared to communicate to the public what is happening.” Since that dark October night, Baldwin was invited to a January United States Conference of Mayors to speak on a panel addressing gun violence.
“Every one of you in this room needs to have a crisis communications plan in place, and you need to know who’s in charge,” she implored. “Make sure you are ready to address your residents and lead.” Since that harrowing day in Hedingham, Raleigh is in the process of formulating a crisis response communications strategy to guide us in the future.
It’s a lesson we learned again when an active shooter recently stormed UNC-Chapel Hill. Cooper points to that Aug. 28 shooting as another indication of how essential communication can be. “We know, in addition to the law enforcement response, communicating with the public and letting people know what is going on and where to go is critical. In the age of social media, having clear protocols for active shooter and emergency warnings is vital.”
Beyond safety briefings, “it’s important to note that deadly gun violence has become horrifically and sickeningly normalized in our state and country, with an average of five people a day in our state dying of gunshot wounds,” says Cooper. “The fact that someone who is well armed and protected would randomly shoot people makes things even more terrifying. We must address the scourge of gun violence by implementing commonsense gun reform and investing in mental health care for people who need support.”
The governor also points to a need for more commonsense civilian education. “It’s critical we do the basics like making sure people understand how to safely lock their firearms so their children and others can’t take and misuse them,” says Cooper.
Beyond improving our crisis action and prevention plans, “this is a time of reflection,” says Baldwin. “To pay homage and respect to the lives we lost. To revere the leaders and health care workers who bravely led us through.” And to acknowledge that we must always reflect and prepare so that, God forbid, we face another mass tragedy.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
“I was at home when I received the call from our on-call chaplain that there was a mass shooting. … After that, things felt like slow motion. I remember telling my family I was leaving for the hospital. On the road, it was dusk; the sky seemed gray and hazy. I called our program assistant to create a communication and response plan for our department. I remember feeling nervous on the highway because we didn’t know details about the shooter’s location. When I arrived at the hospital, I headed straight to the emergency department. As soon as I opened the doors, an RPD officer walked through with a family. He looked at me, at my badge, and said, ‘We need you. Come with me.’ We went to our ICU waiting room where a victim’s family member was sitting. Few facts were shared. Few words were spoken. I sat quietly next to the family member while the officer began talking to them. It was the beginning of a long, long night filled with emotions—sadness, shock, anger, fear and relief. I remember leaving the building emotionally numb from all I had experienced, and simultaneously knowing we had done good work for our community.” –WakeMed Spiritual Care Director Rev. Jeremy Gilmore, MDiv, MA
What We Did Right
“On a horrific, tragic night, we saw an immediate, overwhelming, highly coordinated, well-trained response by law enforcement to stop the shooter. That’s my expectation as Governor, and I appreciate the courage of law enforcement officers who work to keep our communities safe, particularly in dangerous moments.” –Gov. Cooper
“Despite the initial chaos, the response was extraordinary! The deaths ceased as soon as officers arrived in the vicinity. I know for a fact others could have been killed. Our presence on the scene made all the difference. I am extremely proud of every public safety officer who risked their own safety responding to the incident.” –Police Chief Patterson
“As we received information in real time, it was clear that our officers were heading into a dangerous situation. I was proud to see the response of our officers and the officers of partner agencies who responded to the incident. At the end of the day, we took a dangerous person into custody.” –Public Information Officer Lt. Borneo
Raleigh Healing Together
Friday, Oct. 13, 3:30pm, Raleigh Municipal Building: Quiet ceremony to create a space to honor the victims and survivors
Saturday, Oct. 14, 10am, Nash Square: Speakers honor front-line workers; community partners share resources on health, nutrition, mental health, gun violence prevention, and more.
Catching z’s is controversial—slothful or smart? Here, some sound slumber philosophies you don’t want to sleep on.
When asked the secret to his age-defying physique and envy-inducing contentment in a recent viral Men’s Health interview, 55-year-old Ant-Man superhero Paul Rudd named simply one thing: Sleep. (Yes, he’s really 55—score 1 for sleep.)
In Short Supply:
A new Apple Heart & Movement Study reveals a mere 31% participants get the rec 7 hours.
Sure, beauty rest seems like an obvious answer, even for heroes like Ant-Man, but advice on the “right” amount of slumber to be the most successful version of yourself varies—wildly (understatement). Get at least nine hours of sleep like Panther-cum-49er Christian McCaffrey to defy the depths and heights of human strength and possibility. Or rise by 3:45am to channel your inner genius like Apple CEO Tim Cook while the world sleeps to, well, rule the world?
While hour recs vary—the American Heart Association just released guidelines for seven to nine hours nightly for most adults, while The Sleep Foundation settles for “at least seven”—one thing experts do seem to agree on when it comes to rest is regularity. As just-released study in the Journal of the American Heart Association reveals, irregular sleep may damage your heart, NTM elevate risk of dementia, depression, high blood pressure and more. But when it comes to logging z’s and which side of the sun you rise on to be your best self, the jury is out. So we asked some local VIPs and MVPs how much sleep they get on average + their sleep philosophy.
“6, but I strive desperately for 8: Sleep seems to be the luxury I can’t afford.” —Estella Patterson, Former Raleigh Police Chief
“5–6 hours: I respect and appreciate sleeping and/or resting… but the truth is, I only sleep when absolutely necessary.” —Nick Neptune, entrepreneur and advocate
“6–7 hours and begin my sleep routine as early as 8:30pm to fall asleep by 11pm: Health is wealth, and a key to good health is adequate sleep.” —Terrence Holt, former football standout; co-founder, Holt Brothers Foundation
“8.25 hours: Sleep is crucial. I’m a committed sleeper. … I am fanatical, though, about getting my sleep on proper cycles, which, for me, are 45 minutes long. So I need my night’s rest to always be a multiple of 45 minutes.” —David Burris, executive producer (The Mole) + TV/film director and producer
“6 hours… 7 is a luxury; 5 or less means I won’t be at my best: I love sleep but I also love being present for my family and my restaurant team, which means my creative time is often very early or very late. My wife and I are often still working on our laptops in bed at 1am.” —Scott Crawford, restaurateur
“6–7 hours: Sleep? I need more of it, but it’s not happening anytime soon.” —Mary-Ann Baldwin, Former Mayor
“A good 6–8 hours—and if that doesn’t happen, I usually can make up the lack of sleep with a nap: The more I get the better.” —2022 RM Bartender of the Year Colby Kress
“7 hours: No less than 6 hours of sleep. Always have a day that you sleep in. Always have a night when you go to bed early.” —Jermaine Caldwell, local DJ
By The Editors Photography by Jennifer Robertson Women Shaping Raleigh in partnership with HMD Construction & Development
From left: Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson, The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Adrienne Cole, City Manager Marchell Adams-David, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, City Council At-Large Stormie Forte
It may surprise you that we live in a city—and in a moment—where the highest profile positions are held by women. True placemakers, trailblazers and changemakers, these women shape and lead our community while setting the tone and pace for all its denizens—including the women we celebrate on these pages. To honor that remarkable truth and triumph, meet our Women Shaping the Future of Raleigh—an elite cast of local ladies who are literally helping shape the future of our city. Think: architects, city planners, commercial Realtors, recruiters, developers and so on.
Inspired by the brilliance and determination of the women before them—from Ruth Bader Ginsburg to an orphan grandmother-turned-successful government spy—they were taught women could rise to be whatever they dreamed with hard work and grit.
Likewise inspired by the local business owners with whom they collaborate on the daily and united by their commitment “to creating a lasting and meaningful impact on [our] community through design, philanthropy and engagement,” as award winner and CEO and principal of HH Architecture Kristen M. Hess elucidates, these bold women also are determined to put power in the hands of women, building community and setting the stage for future female leaders. “My greatest hope is that Raleigh will have enough opportunity, culture, creativity and affordability that my daughter will one day choose to build a life here too,” says award winner and District B City Council Member Megan Patton. “Our city’s future is personal to me.”
That future is personal to all of these illustrious, optimistic and passionate women leaders. “Building our city’s future can feel overwhelming at times,” says award winner and Kane Realty Corporation Senior Development Manager Kallie Walker, “but if we, those who live here and are invested in the long-term vitality of our city, aren’t the ones planning for the future, then who will?”
From left: Christina Jones, Jane Harrison, Megan Patton, Mary Black
“I hope to make this a place my children won’t want to leave when they grow up”—so says Council Member Christina Jones, who won a heated race to unseat incumbent David Knight in District E. One of four freshman female council members poised to serve as changemakers for our fast-growing and rapidly rising city, Jones is joined by Mary Black, Megan Patton and Jane Harrison to comprise the youngest and most diverse council this city has ever seen. Intentional, analytical, determined and kind are just some of the standout attributes driving these fierce females in their dedication to public service as “tireless advocates for our neighbors—this generation and the next,” says Harrison. “It has always been important to me that those who say they represent us make sure to spend time learning about what matters to us,” adds Jones. “I want to be the kind of leader I wish I had—one who listens to understand instead of to just respond.”
Jane Harrison District D | Raleigh City Council Your MO: Be who you are. Love what and who is around you. Do what you can. Greatest hope for Raleigh: Sustainable and inclusive development Fun fact: I am an environmental economist with a PhD in Natural Resource Management; I also serve on the faculty of the College of Natural Resources and work for a NOAA program NC Sea Grant at NC State University. Worst advice: Stay neutral. Fave Raleigh bar: Neptune’s
Megan Patton District B | Raleigh City Council Your MO: Do the maximum and the least harm for the most people. Best advice: ‘We have to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles and work. Or waffles, friends, work. But work comes third.’ —Leslie Knope Fave Raleigh bar: Heyday Brewing—I love their Finger Guns IPA. Thing you’d tell your 20-year-old self now: Pace yourself—the world needs us working diligently to create the world we want to live in, and to do that, we have to avoid burnout.
Mary Black District A | Raleigh City Council Fun fact: As an environmental advocate, I worked to create alternative futures for the climate crisis through transformative solutions. Greatest hope for Raleigh: In 18 years, I’ve seen this city change in ways that are exciting—yet also unsustainable and unaffordable. Through trust, healing, resiliency, intersectionality, collective vision and engagement, we can ensure every resident can thrive.
Christina Jones District E | Raleigh City Council Your MO: Show up. Stand up. Speak up. Worst advice: This is how it’s always been done. Fave Raleigh restaurant/retail: Crabtree Valley Mall has my daughters’ favorite places to shop and eat! Thing you’d tell your 20-year-old self now: Don’t be afraid of your voice. Give it space and don’t worry about being wrong.
Mary Heath Chief Administrative Officer | McAdams For seven years, Heath has been helping transform the fabric of Raleigh with her team through the designs of prominent projects like Dix Park Gipson Play Plaza, North Hills, Bloc[83] and Downtown South, among many others. Not only are these beautifully designed spaces and avant-garde developments, but they foster an environment that allows people to be “authentic, creative and curious,” she says. The self-described succinct, fair and enthusiastic CAO also focuses on promoting diversity and equitability within the industry—and speaks up as a woman in the field who’s bringing unique perspectives to the table. “I hope Raleigh continues to further develop its brand through its people and sense of vibrancy,” she adds. “And I hope we stay curious to continue setting the stage for an even more diverse and thoughtful city.”
Best advice: Transparency in communication is key to building trust. Who you want to meet—dead or alive: Lucille Ball Love most about Raleigh: It feels alive with the perfect amount of energy, good food and good vibes. Fave Raleigh restaurant: Sitti
Kallie Walker Senior Development Manager | Kane Realty Corporation In her eight-year career at Kane Realty, Walker has overseen more than $1 billion in development projects across the city—from The Dillon in Downtown to the Peace Raleigh Apartments and Publix grocery store at Smoky Hollow to the North Hills Main District Expansion Project. In essence, Walker has literally helped shape the skyline of Raleigh tremendously. “These projects create the places where Raleigh residents will live, work, eat, shop and spend their free time,” says Walker, “and it is truly an honor to have even a small part in shaping our community.” And not only is she shaping the city itself, but also the city’s potential future leaders as a guardian ad litem for Wake County.
Your MO: If not us, who? If not here, where? Greatest hope for Raleigh: That it continues to grow smart & sustainably Best advice: Look at everything through a funnel—start with the big picture and funnel down to the details. Love most about Raleigh: It’s the perfect mixture of dense yet attainable, energetic yet unassuming.
Alaina Money-Garman Founder & CEO | Garman Homes Literally making Raleigh a place we love to call home is this leading homebuilding lady who’s putting a new spin on the term “homemaker.” Not only does Money-Garman build up her company’s presence, but she gives back to the community through Habitat for Humanity; the 2015 Miracle Home for Duke Children’s Hospital; Operation Coming Home, an org that helps gift homes to the widows and families of fallen soldiers; and the Farm at Penny Lane, a program that helps people with mental illness find affordable abodes. And, as a mom to five teenagers (whew!) and a wife to her “partner in business and life” Jim Garman, she’s a superhero in her own home too. And she’s poised to keep building Raleigh up—for all.
Your MO: ‘Once in a Lifetime’ by Talking Heads—the lyrics remind me to stay intentional with my thoughts and actions. Fave Raleigh spot:North HillsWhat you love most about Raleigh: I love it isn’t trying to be like any other city—it honors the old while also making space for the new.
Kristen M. Hess CEO and Principal | HH Architecture After nearly two decades at the helm of HH Architecture, this Indiana-born and NC-bred NCSU College of Design alum has quite literally shaped our built environment. “Committed to creating a lasting and meaningful impact on my community through design, philanthropy and engagement,” Hess has significantly sculpted our city—from her work on the Steve Troxler Agricultural Sciences Center to serving organizations and initiatives like Blue Ridge Corridor Alliance and the Wake County Schools Bond campaign. As a Marshall Memorial and Zhi-Xing Eisenhower Fellow, Hess has also introduced global business leaders to what makes Raleigh unique. And as a Gold Award Girl Scout and board member of the Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines, she remains passionate about paying it forward to future generations of women by “helping grow girls of courage, confidence and character.”
Best advice: Take a seat at the table, even when it feels like you don’t belong there. Biggest inspiration: My mentor, master architect Wayne Schmidt… when I was 3, he said I’d be an architect one day—and here I am! Thing you’d tell your 20-year-old self now: You don’t need to know all the answers!
Janet Cowell President & CEO | Dix Park Conservancy If you had to sum up Cowell in one word it would be “transformational.” The former NC treasurer, NC state senator and Raleigh city councilor—who has already made great strides for our city and state in those roles—is now leading one of the most transformational projects in Raleigh’s history, Dix Park. Not only will this project preserve the city’s past, but it will propel us into a future with myriad opportunities for residents and visitors alike. But Cowell humbly maintains it’s not a one-person job. “Creating the park demands a partnership-driven approach that taps the talent and creativity of our community,” she says. And Dix Park will certainly reflect that.
Greatest hope for Raleigh: Be known as a welcoming and caring city of shared prosperity Best advice: Always keep a chilled bottle of Champagne in the fridge. Who you want to meet—dead or alive: Dorothea Dix Hobbies: Lift weights at Olympus Athletic Club
Yolanda Winstead President & CEO | DHIC Inc. Fueled by a hope that Raleigh can become “a truly inclusive community where everyone can thrive regardless of socioeconomic status,” Winstead works to pour into and build up our city and its people by supplying both high-quality homes and uplifting opps. And with over 25 years of experience in the biz, she’s well-versed in an array of savvy skills—think affordable housing development, financing and related services. Her great advice to pass on to fellow females? “Don’t be afraid to take on a challenge,” she says, “because even if you fail, you’ll learn something about yourself in the process.”
Who you want to meet—dead or alive: Coretta Scott King Hobbies: Watching NCAA women’s basketball, strolling the Southern leg of the Neuse River Greenway Trail and reading Fave Raleigh restaurant: NC Seafood Restaurant at the State Farmers Market Thing you’d tell your 20-year-old self now: Always, always be unapologetically yourself.
Cindy Eckert CEO | Sprout Pharmaceuticals + The Pink Ceiling A “badass in a pink power suit,” Eckert spends her days leading the way for local women—from mentoring entrepreneurship undergrads at NC State to placing bets in favor of a female founder seeking venture funding. To boot, she’s made a name for herself on the national stage (hey, “Female Viagra”) and uses her clout to cultivate a thriving ecosystem right here in Raleigh for upcoming female entrepreneurs while “obliterating obstacles” that might get in their way via her baby, The Pink Ceiling—aka, the “Pinkubator”—that invests in and mentors women in business. May the bright pink spotlight forever shine on this womens’ health icon!
You in three words: Bold, passionate and pink Your MO: Putting power in the hands of women Who you want to meet—dead or alive: Warren Buffett Thing you’d tell your 20-year-old self now: Waiting for it to be perfect is only slowing you down. Go!
Photo by Sharon Suh
Meredith Kirkpatrick Partner & Architect | Maurer Architecture “Honor the past, celebrate the present, embrace the future”—an MO that this Raleigh native and NCSU alum lives out each day as she breathes new life into some of our city’s oldest buildings—at once maintaining their identity while reimagining them for our evolving needs. “It’s an exercise in understanding Raleigh’s past, present and future,” says the placemaker extraordinaire and partner at one of DTR’s most prominent architecture firms behind some of the city’s coolest and most significant spaces—from Trophy Brewing, Young Hearts Distilling and Raleigh Wine Shop to Dix Park. “I get a real kick out of imagining, for example, how my work on the 100-year-old buildings at Dix Park will evolve over the next 100 years,” she says.
Greatest hope for Raleigh: That the growth doesn’t outpace the charm of the city and the kindness of the people. Supporting diversity and bolstering local businesses is key. Who inspires you: I am inspired every day by the local business owners I work with. Raleigh wouldn’t be anything without their commitment to the community, to their crafts and to placemaking. Thing you’d tell your 20-year-old self now: Relax.
Teressa Merck Managing Director & Principal | IA Interior Architects When your grandmother rises from orphanage roots to CIA secret agent, you learn a thing or two about blazing trails. “She taught me I could do anything I put my mind to,” says Merck—“lead with confidence and seize the day!” So, employing that same hard work and grit, she has. Beyond building out via projects for clients like Trinity Partners and Wake Tech Community College, the passionate placemaker builds up the next generation by developing young leaders via myriad organizations such as the ACE Mentor Program of America—and peers via serving on the board of Triangle Commercial Real Estate for Women (TCREW) and CoreNet Global, among others. “Everything we build is a sandcastle on the grand scheme of eternity,” she says. “But the relationships we form and the time and energy we pour into others is our legacy.”
Who you want to meet—dead or alive: Mother Teresa, who changed the world through her charity Nugget of wisdom: You can do anything you put your mind to as long as you create your own definition of what ‘success’ means. Fave Raleigh bar:The Lounge at Longleaf Hotel—it is the most charming place to have a cocktail in town!
Ashley Campbell Chief Executive Officer | Legal Aid of North Carolina Campbell began her career at Legal Aid of North Carolina as a staff attorney in 2003—and has been an influential volunteer and legal services advocate ever since. Case in point: This year, she and her team are establishing the Legal Aid of North Carolina Innovation Lab, a dedicated hub for using technology and design to increase access to justice for as many people as possible. The double Tar Heel (’99 and ’03) is also committed to community service work—whether or not it fulfills her professional goals—and has served on many nonprofit boards that “were not directly linked to my private practice legal work, but gave me huge personal satisfaction,” she says.
Biggest influence: Charlotte legal legend Ted Fillette Your MO: Be open. Thing you’d tell your 20-year-old self now: You look ridiculous in those black combat boots. Fave Raleigh retail spot: Quail Ridge Books
Dr. Paulette R. Dillard President & CEO | Shaw University For Shaw U’s leading lady, Raleigh has a “special ‘vibe’ that invites engagement and makes you want to be a part of the city,” she says—a vibe she is very much a part of shaping. Beyond leading NC’s first HBCU—which contributes $88 million in economic benefit to the city—and being actively engaged in the Dix Park Conservancy, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, City Club Raleigh, Cooperating Raleigh Colleges and Carolina Small Business Development Fund, the self-described “tough and tender” NC native is also engaging in the process of creating The ShawU District. Read: propelling the campus as a DTR destination that will “serve as a model for envisioning the future of higher education, celebrating Black culture, promoting entrepreneurship, providing employment, and creating a vibrant mixed-use urban living community that will transform the lives of everyone who comes here,” she says.
Your MO: It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me, and I’m feeling good (lyrics from the Nina Simone hit plays in my head). Fave Raleigh restaurant: ORO Restaurant & Lounge (great food, friendly atmosphere, super bartender) Thing you’d tell your 20-year-old self now: Trust yourself—your voice matters.
Lindsay Wrege Co-Founder | 321 Coffee Hobbies: Walks, playing casual sports with friends and eating—ideally wherever Kevin Ruiz is the chef! Fave Raleigh retail spot: Edge of Urge Who you want to meet—dead or alive: Hilary Duff—I’m obsessed with Lizzie McGuire!
Photo by Mallory Bryan
Gabi Angelini Co-Founder | Gabi’s: Powered by Special Abilities Greatest hope for Raleigh: Get self-driving cars for people with special abilities and build Gabi’s Village (with a swimming pool and gaming area) where all our employees could live Best advice: Ask God for what you want and He will answer you with a miracle. Who you want to meet—dead or alive: Michael Jordan
These two 20-somethings are powered by java and joy—plus providing a whole latte love and employment ops to the special-needs community in Raleigh. Not to mention seeing and loving everyone for who they are, naturally. Serving coffee and kindness since their late teens, these do-gooder gals are channeling big dreams and big hearts toward the betterment of our city through each of their community-oriented coffee shops—both to national notice (Think: the Today show, The Kelly Clarkson Show…). And you can be sure to see both of these talented and inclusive ladies brewing up more business and good vibes for our city for years to come. “I want to see Raleigh as a hub for social business,” says Wrege. “This is already starting… and I hope it continues and becomes the norm.”
Maggie Kane Executive Director & Founder | A Place at the Table Self-described as “passionate and a lover of people”—and so humble that she tried to pass on this award!—Kane has lovingly combined a profitable business endeavor with an uplifting venture that empowers the homeless community… and offers a pretty delish meal to boot. Inspired over eight years ago to found APATT, this Raleigh-born and -raised hype queen is constantly lifting up our city to be a united, caring and diverse community one plate at a time. “I am just the lucky one to do this work,” she says. “We have the best women on staff, best volunteers and best diners that make APATT a beautiful place to work every single day.”
Your MO: An African proverb: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Who you want to meet—dead or alive: Quinta Brunson or Michelle Obama… anyone have a connection? Thing you’d tell your 20-year-old self now: Celebrate everything; spend time with your humans; hire people better than you; and jump out of that airplane!
Kimarie Ankenbrand Office Lead/Managing Director | JLL Ankenbrand’s mantra is “continuous improvement” (“Growth requires to always be thinking if there is a different or better approach to doing things,” she says)—and it shows. The Dallas-born powerhouse uprooted her family to move to the City of Oaks four years ago to take over leadership of JLL’s first NC office in Raleigh, and continues to constantly bring new ideas and perspectives from other cities to the area in hopes of increasing sustainable innovation and transformation within the community. One of the 2018 Real Estate Forum Women to Watch, Ankenbrand is also focused on building Raleigh out with transformative project Hub RTP, which will consist of office, retail, hotel and multifamily apartments.
Hobbies: Attending live sporting events with my husband and two boys (Go Canes, Wolfpack and Tar Heels!) You in three words: Loves a challenge Thing you’d tell your 20-year-old self now: Be curious and have a sense of urgency, but be patient while you learn along the way. Fave Raleigh restaurant: Crawford and Son
We won’t be voting for our city leaders in 2021. But much more is on the line…
ICYMI, We’re not voting for our city officials this October in Raleigh as we have been slated to do for nearly 50 years. This summer, Senate Bill 722 passed into law (sans signature by Gov. Cooper, which isn’t required for bills dealing with “local bills” that affect fewer than 15 counties), including an amendment postponing our municipal elections from October 2021 to November 2022—thereby giving Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin and Raleigh City Council members an additional year in office.
That bill, worked out in a controversial closed city council session, also moves all future Raleigh elections to even-numbered years going forward and eliminates runoff elections.
We’ve since heard it said over and over that this is all a stunt for Baldwin to give herself another year in office. Reality? Fake news. While accusations have flown regarding that hourlong-ish closed-door city council session and vote (voting 7–1 to ask lawmakers to postpone the election)—as well as the lack of public vote at subsequent open sessions before the bill was passed—city officials maintain that the move was necessary as a result of the U.S. Census Bureau’s announcement that its data wouldn’t be released until the end of September (read: necessary for up-to-date district lines). As a point of note, current 2019 drawn maps were based on census population data from 2010. It goes without saying that a mammoth amount of population growth has happened here since then.
As of press time, that very data was released “early” (Aug. 12), rendering every state in the country the info they needed to start redrawing their political maps based on the most current local population data—a process that promises to be more heated in our home state than others.
But this is bigger than district lines. Late last year, a 10-member Study Group was appointed to consider such questions as length of term (recommending transitioning to four-year terms for mayor and council members, instead of the current two), staggered terms, adjusted compensation, ways to increase voter participation and increasing the size of Raleigh City Council.
As a refresher for all of us, our current city electoral framework has operated as such since 1973—since which, quite obviously, Raleigh has exploded in growth. And “with this tremendous growth comes greater complexity that demands a level of persistent attention and strategic focus that is not achievable on two-year election cycles dominated by localized issues and relentless pressure to campaign and fundraise,” reads the group’s June interim report.
“By establishing four-year terms, city council will create space between elections, allowing it to better manage the complexities of governing Raleigh as it continues to grow and thrive.”
Clearly, a lot is on the line in Raleigh municipal elections over the next year—especially as Raleigh continues to boom. But—fun fact for those of us who may be new to Raleigh or simply could use a crash-course—the mayor does not sit atop Raleigh’s power structure as chief executive (president of the city if you will); the city manager does and that’s a position we don’t vote for at all.
It’s the city manager in Raleigh who is actually responsible for day-to-day city operations, planning, implementing and operating the city budget, and appointing many senior positions. The more you know…
So what’s next? As of press time, the Study Group has begun working on its final report, slated for a Sept. 7 release. So, stay tuned.
How Does Raleigh Stack Up?
We compared Raleigh’s power structure to other comparable cities. Looking at our home state, Charlotte operates similarly to Raleigh, with city manager as chief executive. Down in Austin—often dubbed our sister city—the same structure likewise exists, and citizens even voted in May to keep this council power structure rather than shifting to a “strong mayor” power structure, where the mayor is the city’s chief executive officer. Closer to home (in another city Raleigh is oft likened to), Nashville operates in a “strong mayor” power structure, where the mayor is the most popularly elected official and acts independently from the city council. The mayor can have the final decision on hiring prominent positions, such as the chief of police.
CITY COUNCIL—by the numbers: A look at Raleigh’s electoral framework.
If you ask Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, she’ll tell you, “We have a lot left to do.” She adds: “This council was elected to make change. And it takes more than two years to make change.” At the spring 2021 City Council Retreat, Baldwin laid out the five things our rapidly growing Cap City really needs to focus on for the next 20 years. Here’s her hot list in her own words and the questions Council must answer.
1. Dix Park
“How do we take this land we bought and turn it into that destination park we envisioned and hoped it would be five, 10, 15, 20 years from now?
2. PNC Arena
“What is its future? Where will the Hurricanes play? But it’s not just for the Hurricanes—PNC is also a space for NC State and Raleigh’s live music scene.”
3. Soccer Stadium
“I really see soccer as something that is inspirational and aspirational. We have the best women’s soccer team in the world right here—that’s something to celebrate. We also have the largest youth soccer program in the country, so this makes a lot of sense.
“Soccer is an international sport. When I went to the 919 to MLS at City Market, there were people there, from 8 months to 80 years old—every color, shape and size, speaking many languages. Soccer can bring people together. It’s about community-building. We can do this.
“If you’re talking about putting it in Downtown South, the big question is: How do we pay for it? But it could be that amphitheater like Red Hat that’s surrounded by amenities where people can walk or get on a BRT Line and be in the middle of downtown in five minutes. It gives options.”
4. Expansion of the Convention Center
“Red Hat was built to be a temporary structure. We’ve seen how it works. But as they say, we need heads in beds. Conventions do that. Now will conventions come back like they once were? We don’t know, but we have to think—again, 20 years out—what does that Convention Center look like, and how do we get that done?”
5. Civic Campus
(The new building that will house our employees). “Right now, we have employees strewn all over the city and in different places Downtown. So we’re spending money on leases—and people are not working together; there’s not as much efficiency. And, quite frankly, the Municipal Building is old, tired and dumpy. This is our growing capital city—one of the fastest growing cities in the country—and that’s how we’re running our government? So getting that Civic Campus complete—but more than that. We’re going to take some of the property around the block and start putting other uses there, which will help also build our tax base and add more uses around Nash Square. So that’s a big thing to think about. The other thing is: OK, if we are going to do this, how are we going to pay for it? So we need to convene a group of smart people who can figure this out [via a viability study].”
“There are things we still have left to do that are important to the future of our city. Government is a process—there’s a public engagement process that needs to take time. I believe we’re on the right track. We are providing leadership in areas where others have failed. We wanted to get not only the [Affordable] Housing Bond done—which we accomplished (thank you to the voters—72%)—but we want to get this Parks Bond done.”
