A group of Durham citizens forms the panel for the latest edition of WRAListens. A few of the panelists include: (front row, l to r) Dianne Pledger, Bill Kalkhof, Dr. Daphne Wiggins, (back row, l to r) Bob Ashby, Marcia Owen, & Alice Sharpe. |
WRAL-TV recently traveled to the Bull City for the latest installment of its WRAListens series. Station representatives used the American Tobacco Historic District in downtown Durham as the backdrop to talk to community leaders about issues important to them and their fellow residents in Durham County.
Retired WRAL-TV Anchor Charlie Gaddy hosted the discussion among the eight panelists. The group included
- Bob Ashley, Editor of The Herald-Sun;
- Alice Sharpe, with Alliance Architecture;
- Dr. Daphne Wiggins, Associate Pastor of Union Baptist Church;
- Dr. John Lucas, retired educator;
- Bill Kalkhof, President of Downtown Durham Inc.;
- Carver Camp Weaver, President of Square One Marketing;
- Marcia Owen, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator for the Religious Coalition for a Nonviolent Durham; and
- Dianne Pledger, President & CEO of St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation/Hayti Heritage Center.
Former WRAL Anchor Charlie Gaddy (left) gets prepared to host the show discussing details with WRAL-TV Director/Producer Clarence Williams. |
WRAListens to Durham County will air on WRAL-TV at 7pm on Saturday, Aug 5th.
The program will also run on MIX 101.5 on Sunday, Aug 6th . |
WRAL-TV & FOX 50 staffers talk with panelists before the taping, genuinely interested in their thoughts & opinions on downtown Durham & the surrounding county. |
The group talked about a variety of topics including education, the media’s portrayal of Durham, race, and the downtown’s revitalization. When the topic came around to the national media coverage of rape allegations against three Duke lacrosse players, the panelists were quick to discuss.
Marcia Owen chimed in saying that she was proud that after the rape allegations became public, people of faith came together and used the case to talk about race, class, domestic violence and other issues. She said she was impressed with the inclusion in the community.
To hear more of what these Durham residents had to say about their community, tune in to WRAListens to Durham County on Saturday, August 5th at 7pm on WRAL-TV. The half-hour program will also air on the radio on MIX 101.5 on Sunday, Aug 6th.
Thanks to FOX 50’s Chris Downey for these capcom photos.
