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🏡 New Black history exhibit
The Magic of the Fourth Ward is a permanent exhibit to share and honor the memories of the Fourth Ward. | Photo provided by City of Raleigh
The Magic of the Fourth Ward is now open at Betty Ray McCain Art Gallery and tells the story of this predominantly Black neighborhood before urban renewal impacts in the 1970s.
The Fourth Ward — now south of downtown — was established by newly freed people after the Civil War, and the exhibit chronicles the historic neighborhood with photos, artifacts, records, and resident stories, many of which were collected by NC State graduate students as part of the Fourth Ward Oral History Project.
“The Fourth Ward is finally being formally recognized as one of the largest Black neighborhoods,” said community activist and Fourth Ward historian Octavia Rainey in a press release. “This achievement honors the history of our neighborhood and legacy of the three Black churches that were removed during urban renewal.”
You can visit the permanent exhibit on the first Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and during all public performances at the Martin Marietta Center.
Longleaf Swine is expanding its footprint with a new location in downtown Carrboro at Luna Rotisserie & Taproom, which closes next month. The new location will feature an expanded vegan menu. Plus, a second Raleigh location is coming later this year to the former Sawmill Tap Room on Lead Mine Road. (Axios Raleigh)
Civic
Have you voted yet? Early voting is now open for the 2026 primaries, and your vote helps decide the candidates for the general election later this year. Find your early polling site + sample ballot to know before you go.
Number
2.3 billion. That’s how many pounds of waste Wake County residents produce each year. While the average American produces 4.9 pounds of waste per day, Wake produces 5.3 per person. Learn more about Wake County’s waste worries. (INDY Week)
Try This
Celebrate Holi this Sunday, March 1 at Horseshoe RTP’s Holi Mela and Market at Cheeni. Expect street food, henna, holi colors, an open-air market, and a special lunch from Cheeni and Viceroy.
Older Adults
Registration is now open for three City of Raleigh Active Adult trips, and you can join other locals to the Billy Graham Library, Cedar Creek Gallery, and Sanford to see “Bright Star.” Learn more — tickets start at $20 for Raleigh residents.
Sports
After the Carolina Mudcats moved from Five County Stadium to Wilson, fans immediately asked for a new minor league baseball team. Meet the Zebulon Devil Dogs, named after Devil Dog Dungarees that have been produced in Zebulon for decades. Opening Day is May 22, and tickets go on sale in April.
Read
BizBrief is here — your weekly go-to for short, business-minded recaps: relevant news, podcasts, networking events, thought leadership, commercial listings, jobs, promotions, and more. If you missed the first issue, get caught up now.
Real Estate
Development update: These two new upscale apartment communities just opened a half-mile apart and are positively packed with amenities — like pilates reformers, a rooftop coworking lounge, saltwater lap pool, and so, so much more. See the shiny new spaces.*
If you’re reaching for fewer sodas or cocktails, Bruusta gives you a fizzy option on tap in your fridge: fresh, low-sugar kombucha, brewed at home with almost no effort. Join the flexible Brew Plan and get 50% off to start your wellness-minded beverage journey.*
Category
Tech giant coming to central NC
This tech giant is coming to central NC with a large data center. | Photo by Coolcaesar via Wikimedia Commons
Microsoft revealed its plans for a 1,350 acre parcel in Person County — approx. an hour from Raleigh — after purchasing Person County Mega Park for ~$27 million in 2024. The parcel will become a data center, and permitting will begin later this year.
Data centers like the one Microsoft is planning help power artificial intelligence and cloud computing. According to The News & Observer, Microsoft promised residents that the data center won’t increase energy costs or reduce the water supply, a major concern for other data center neighbors across the country.
“We are excited to learn more about their plans for data center development in our county,” Person County board chair Kyle Puryear wrote to The News & Observer. “And are confident that their presence will drive economic growth and enhance community well-being through strategic investment, job creation, and responsible stewardship of resources.”
The Buy
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I swear I’m always spotting new-to-me historical markers across town. My most recent spotting was one for senator Willis Smith on Glenwood Avenue, whose home was 100 yards away from the marker, and his grave can be found at Oakwood Cemetery. I’d love to highlight some cool ones across town — send me some interesting history you’d like to learn more about.
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