Gardening
A Recollection of Miss Willie Mae Patterson, 1926-2017 I received the news that Miss Willie Mae Patterson had passed while on a train home from New York. Oh noooo, I said loudly enough to disturb the passenger to my left. … Continued
A Parable of Power Washing
By Leah Balkoski From the top of the ladder, all I could think was, This is not going to end well. How did I get here? Better yet, how do I get down? I had not woken up that Friday … Continued
A Hollywood Ending
By Andrea Wuerth, Reposted from May 18, 2017 When Donny “Hollywood” Riggsbee tells his story about growing up in Chapel Hill in the years leading up to and following segregation and the civil rights movement, his story takes some unexpected … Continued
Remembering Segregation
By Andrea Wuerth, Reposted from April 30, 2017 I’ve often walked from Franklin Street to Rosemary Street, down Roberson or Church or Graham Street and never realized I was crossing a former color line. There are no obvious markers, just … Continued
Miss Pat’s Town
By Andrea Wuerth, Reposted from April 28, 2017 I have lived here all my life. My daughter grew up here. We went to school here. She went to UNC-Chapel Hill. … This is MY town! – Ms. Pat Jackson, April … Continued
The Power of a Story
By Andrea Wuerth, Reposted from March 18, 2017 For anyone who doubts the impact one person’s story can have, for anyone who thinks history is only about the past, I say, you should have been at Lakewood Middle in Durham … Continued
The Power of a Story, Part II “Mama Kat” By Andrea Wuerth, Reposted from April 10, 2017 The best way to sense the power of a story is to hear the reactions of those who have the privilege of hearing … Continued
Our Beloved Namesake, Mrs. Marian Jackson
It is with sorrow that we share that our beloved namesake and inspiration, Mrs. Marian Jackson, passed away Saturday, March 4 at the age of 92. A beautiful Homegoing Celebration was held for her this last Saturday at St. Joseph … Continued
Happy Holidays from the Jackson Center
Last Thursday, Northside neighbors and friends of the Jackson Center crowded into our house on Rosemary St. for an evening full of music, laughter, and community at our annual holiday party. So many people came to the party, we almost … Continued
Beloved Community: Celebrating a year of the Northside Neighborhood Initiative
After joining the Jackson Center, I have learned more and more about the beloved community that is Northside. I have met and learned so much from the neighbors around me who have called Chapel Hill home for the better part … Continued
Know your Neighbor
What does it mean to “get to know your neighbor”? It is such a common phrase that is thrown around all the time. “Be a good neighbor”. “Get to know your neighbor”. I have come to realize that sometimes the … Continued
Good Neighbor Initiative: Building the Chapel Hill Community
My last week at the Jackson Center was somewhat of a whirlwind of constant meetings and emailing, but I was so happy to see all of our hard work come together on September 13th at the Good Neighbor Block Party … Continued
Like lavender and eucalyptus
Cliff-side switchbacks descending into what seems a deepening fog. Hundreds of great northern seals layered beach-lazy on the shoreline. A small sign hung high above the road—“Yridises”—and I make a fast right, kicking up a dust cloud that only gathers … Continued
The Greatest Gifts
Pictured above is Zach Kopkin (far left) along with many of our Northside neighbors. Zach’s Americorps VISTA position at the Jackson Center ended this past Friday. Below, he reflects on his time in Northside as part of our Organizing and … Continued
We were thrilled to add five new members to our team as the inaugural group of Summer Fellows! They have already done great work within the Center and Northside, and even though the summer is winding down, they’re still going … Continued