Black History Month
Honoring Black History Month Through Community and Conversation
The team at Southeast Raleigh Promise spent time during Black History Month out in the community celebrating culture, history, and the leaders who are helping to define the future of Southeast Raleigh.
Here’s a peek at where – and how – we celebrated the rich history of our community – right here at home:
The Wright Notes on Culture, Conversation and Commerce
From February 23–25, The Wright Village and owner Mel Wright hosted a three-day Black History Month event at The Wright Note Café focused on reflection, connection, and investing in Black-owned businesses. There was a community film screening, a panel discussion, and a Black Love Vendor Market highlighting local entrepreneurs.
Southeast Raleigh Promise CEO Yvette Holmes participated as a panelist in Built With Us: Black Business, Still Here, a conversation designed to uplift Black entrepreneurs and explore what support and growth can look like in 2026 and beyond.
Moderated by Devin Brown, the discussion centered on lived experience, sustainability, ownership, and what it takes for Black businesses to not only survive but thrive. Holmes also highlighted the work Southeast Raleigh Promise leads through its Rock Quarry Road Corridor Small Business Alliance, which connects small businesses with resources and opportunities to grow.
Holmes joined fellow panelists Ticca Harris (The Raw Edition Candle Company), Vonzel Sawyer (Vonzel Sawyer Associates), and Hanif Omar (The Omar Group). About 25 people attended the forward-focused discussion.
Wearing the Story to Honor Black History Together
Meanwhile, Southeast Raleigh Promise’s Legacy Resident Ambassadors celebrated Black History Month during their monthly meeting at the Ralph Campbell Community Center. Representing Apollo Heights, Stratford Park, Battery Heights, and Long Acres, residents wore HBCU gear and heritage-inspired attire while learning about North Carolina Congressman George Henry White and exploring Ligon High School yearbooks from the early 1960s. They also played trivia highlighting notable Ligon graduates.
Special guests included Raleigh City Council District C representative Corey Branch, Wake County Commissioner Tara Waters, and officers from the Raleigh Police Department, who joined the ambassadors for the gathering. During the meeting, Cynthia Jones Lyons, a Battery Heights resident, pointed to a photo in one of the yearbooks and said, “That’s me right there.”
The Legacy Resident Ambassadors continue to help inform and guide Southeast Raleigh Promise’s work across the Rock Quarry Road corridor while celebrating their shared history and legacy.
Honoring Southeast Raleigh’s Living Legends
The celebration also included Southeast Raleigh’s local history-makers. Our team stopped in at the John P. “Top” Greene African American Cultural Center to join the community for an inspiring celebration of Southeast Raleigh’s living legends, leaders whose impact continues to shape our community and beyond. The event created a space to honor individuals whose work in art, education, faith, military service, and advocacy has uplifted generations.
During a panel discussion, we heard these trailblazers’ first-hand reflections on how their roots paved paths along their journey that empowered them to create opportunities that otherwise did not always exist. Their stories highlighted the importance of legacy, love, and sacrifice, and offered wisdom and encouragement to carry their work forward.
More than a moment of recognition, the event was a reminder of the importance of celebrating community leaders while they are here to receive their flowers. It was a powerful reflection of Southeast Raleigh’s strength—past, present, and future—and the people who continue to move it forward every day.
Students Use Creativity and Self-Expression to Bring Black History to Life
At Southeast Raleigh Elementary School, we joined students, teachers, and administrators for a vibrant, daylong celebration of Black History Month that blended learning, creativity, and joy. The event featured hands-on STEM activities alongside a lively variety show that brought the school community together through song, dance, and theater.
Students took centerstage with confidence and pride, showcasing performances with both talent and storytelling. A standout of the celebration was a student fashion showcase honoring influential figures in Black history. From athletes and astronauts to singers and scientists, students represented icons who have shaped culture, innovation, and progress across generations and throughout history.
Reinforcing the school’s commitment to uplifting student voice and achievement, students were joined on stage by school leaders, including Assistant Principals Crystal Brown, who guides PreK–2nd Grade, and Tisa Miller, who oversees 3rd–5th Grade. The celebration was a powerful reflection of how history, education, and creativity come together and create a space for students to see themselves in the legacy they learn about and carry forward.
