Community Conversations: American Coup Screening and Panel Discussion
The Edward C. Smith Civic Center will hold space for reflection and dialogue on Thursday, November 13, as residents gather for Community Conversations: The American Coup Screening & Panel Discussion. The event, free and open to the public, pairs history with hometown connection — a night designed to both remember and build.
Hosted by Davidson Local in partnership with Working Films, PBS North Carolina, and a coalition of faith, civic, and cultural groups, the evening centers around the documentary American Coup: Wilmington 1898. The PBS film revisits the anniversary in history where a group overthrew Wilmington’s elected, multiracial government — a successful coup d’état in United States history. The massacre that followed reshaped politics, power, and race relations across North Carolina for generations. Hosted by:
Lexington (NC) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Grace Episcopal Church
Greater Lexington Area Ministers Association (GLAMA)
First Presbyterian Church Race Unification Committee
St. Stephen United Methodist Church
Davidson Local
JLD Community Solutions
Lexington Chapter NAACP
Lexington Community Ministers Conference
First Reformed United Church of Christ
Ebony Community Collective
Working Films
A Conversation Beyond the Screen
Following the screening, a panel of local speakers will take the stage alongside John Biewen, audio journalist and Director of Storytelling and Public Engagement at Duke University’s Kenan Institute for Ethics. The discussion will explore the ongoing relevance of Wilmington 1898 — how disinformation, silence, and loss of local voices can erode democracy even today.
The evening will also include an audience Q&A, inviting residents to share their own reflections, experiences, and questions. It’s not just a history lesson — it’s an invitation to civic participation and critical listening.
A Holiday Market with a Mission
Before the film begins and beyond, the Civic Center lobby will come alive with the Ebony Community Collective Holiday Market, featuring local small businesses and artisans. The market offers handcrafted goods and holiday gifts, with proceeds supporting ongoing “movement work” — efforts to build connection, and opportunity across Davidson County.
The idea is simple but powerful: while the film confronts painful truths of the past, the market celebrates the creativity and resilience of the present. Each purchase becomes a small investment in community progress.
Breaking Bread, Building Bridges
Guests can expect a signature Davidson Local touch — local pimento cheese, fresh bread, and a few snacks — the kind of comfort that encourages conversation. Volunteers and veterans will assist throughout the night, ensuring that the event remains welcoming and safe.
For many, the evening promises to be more than a film screening. It’s a gathering that honors truth, uplifts local voices, and reminds the community that the work of democracy begins right where we live.
Event Details
📍 Edward C. Smith Civic Center, Lexington, NC
📅 Thursday, November 13, 2025
🕕 Lobby & Holiday Market Open 5:30 p.m. | Community Conversation at 6:30 p.m.
🎟️ Free and open to the public
🛍️ Ebony Community Collective Holiday Market 5:30 to 8 pm— proceeds benefit small business engagement and local journalism initiatives.
Continuing the Conversation
The Community Conversations series is part of Davidson Local’s ongoing effort to foster civic engagement through storytelling and dialogue. Future gatherings, along with Community Conversations, will continue exploring how truth-telling and local voices shape the future of democracy in Davidson County.
