Category: Place

A Safe Haven In The Queen City

A bulletin board shares affirming messages at Time Out Youth’s space in Charlotte. (Travis Dove for The Assembly)

Sisters Tonda and Terry Taylor each found their way to LGBTQ+ advocacy, leaving a legacy that extends across the state.

Can Charlotte Re-Sort Itself?

Charlotte’s Unified Development Ordinance has been a major point of contention. (Travis Dove for The Assembly)

One year ago, the city passed a landmark zoning reform aimed at reversing a century of segregation. The battle still rages.

Press On

The dormant offices of The Wilmington Journal, one of the state's oldest Black newspapers, are nestled in a century-old building in a quiet residential neighborhood on 7th Street. (Photo by Johanna F. Still)

One of the state’s oldest Black newspapers is clinging to life in Wilmington, but some are optimistic for its revival.

The Land War in Brunswick

The town of Leland, one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing municipalities, has used annexation as a tool to help propel its growth. But this summer, the legislature took away its annexation power. (Photo by Johanna F. Still)

How an annexation-hungry town in the state’s fastest-growing county drew the ire of its most powerful lawmaker.

The Ambiguous Artisan

September 9th - Milton, NC: A plaque dedicated to Thomas Day stands outside of his old home and tavern in Milton, North Carolina. (Cornell Watson for The Assembly)

Thomas Day was a free man of color who owned slaves. He also might have been an abolitionist.

Why Some Stay

A Lumberton resident surveys the rising water on Sept. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Climate change is making life along the Lumber River more uncertain. But for many people, moving isn’t a meaningful option.

The Last Days of Papertown

Photos by Mike Belleme for The Assembly.

For 115 years, the paper mill was central to Canton’s identity – for better or worse. Now the town must figure out what comes next.