Community Events Sparks Needed Discussion About Unity and Information
Thank you for showing up and for the thoughtful dialogue at the Edward C. Smith Civic Center on Thursday, Nov. 13th. The doors opened at 5:00 p.m., and you filled the room with the kind of energy that reminds us why this community should be an action verb!
Guests enjoyed hearty appetizers and browsed the Ebony Collective Holiday Market before we settled in for the screening of PBS Documentary American Coup: Wilmington 1898 at 5:30 p.m. The panel at 6:30 p.m. brought thoughtful voices together to reflect on how the events of 1898 still echo today — and you leaned in with the kind of curiosity and courage that keeps local storytelling alive.
After a challenging film, we were grateful to lift up our artisans and small businesses whose work adds culture and color to Davidson County. Supporting them isn’t just a nice gesture — it’s how we acknowledge painful parts of the past while investing in our future.
{Panelist from Left to Right: Dr. Arnetta Beverly, Mayor Jason Hayes, Rev. Alan Suber, Antionette Kerr and John Biewen/Photo: Thomas Martin/Davidson Local}
John Biewen is a longtime audio journalist, documentary maker, and educator. He is the producer and host of the award-winning podcast, “Scene on Radio.” He encouraged the audience not to avoid painful parts of history.
The gathering celebrated the launch of Puente Solutions. Together, we created a bilingual platform connecting sellers and bargain hunters across the county — strengthening community ties and sharing cultural stories at the same time.
A night like this doesn’t happen without a strong backbone, and ours came from an informal committee that quietly made everything run smoothly: Gail Rogers, Dr. Arnetta Beverly, Bill Keesler, Thomas Martin, Antionette Kerr, Alan Suber, Walt Rouse, Raymond Laws, and Cheryl Lide and Reverend Lester Smith.
Presented 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• Matthews Realty and Development
Holiday Market Vendors Included
Motherland Inspirations
Patsy Matthews
African inspired and symbolic jewelry and accessories.
instagram@mlandinsp
Efrain Gerardo
Anvil Leatherworks
Handcrafted leather goods
Puente Solutions LLC
Carolina Community College Apparel
Car'Ma Essentials
Carolyn Curry
Handcrafted, organic skincare items such as body butter, fragranced body oils, beard balm, beard oil and car diffusers. carmaessentials.com
instagram@carma_essentials essentialsbc1@gmail.com
Kenrick Jobe Designs
Kenrick Jobe
Visual artist.Creates digital and traditional art.
instagram@kenrickjobe
The committee also extended a heartfelt thank-you to Rabble and Rise Baked Goods, Kelly Carrick, Calvin Carrick, the Davidson County Historical Museum, Lexington Mayor Jason Hayes, the staff of the Edward C. Smith Civic Center, Conrad and Hinkle, Christos of South Main Street, John Biewen of Duke University, Working Films, NC Local, Southern Lunch, and Food Lion.
We were also grateful for the presence and support of the sisters of the Lexington Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and the Eta Beta Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi — both brought a spirit of service and solidarity that carried the evening.
Whether you joined us in person or cheered us on from home, thank you for standing with Fast, Free, and Hyperlocal news. Your shares, your stories, and your steady support help us keep telling the stories that bring this community together.
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