On Thursday, I had the privilege of presenting at career day at Rogers-Herr Middle School. I talked about my experiences as a journalist and the motivation for creating Southpoint Access to serve neighbors in South Durham.

Also in this episode, I talk about afterschool program costs and the grim budget process ahead for Durham Public Schools.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31.

About a month into his new job as executive director of Maureen Joy Charter School in Durham, Dr. Kelvin Bullock takes a few minutes to discuss his role, his experiences in Durham Public Schools, and a possible future where traditional public schools and charters like Maureen Joy can coexist and thrive.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31.

Durham’s latest controversy started with something that sounds small: first names versus titles in a formal meet-and-confer meeting between DPS Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lewis and Durham Association of Educators president Mika Twietmeyer. But the reaction was anything but small.

In this episode of Southpoint Access Office Hours, I walk through what was said on the record and why many community leaders saw the exchange as part of a larger pattern of disrespect toward Black leadership. I also address a seeming inconsistency — that Dr. Lewis used Twietmeyer’s first name first — and explore what consistency and professionalism can look like in high-stakes public settings.

The takeaway: in a district where history, power, and race shape how moments land, clear, mutual norms around respect matter — especially when the work is about schools.

Plus:

• Afterschool program costs go up June 1.
• Early voting ends this weekend!
• Let's support local news!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Southpoint Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is sharing revenue with Rogers-Herr Middle School Music Boosters until March 31.