06/06/2026
Preserving Our Voices: An exhibit at Harper Library in Southport during the month of June.
Preserving Our Voices is a historical documentary project created by NC students. Using journalism techniques, students interviewed, filmed, and helped produce a documentarycentered on the experiences of African American elders in North Carolina during the segregation era.
Through candid interviews, elders share personal memories, challenges, triumphs, and reflections about growing up during segregation in North Carolina, particularly in New Hanover & Brunswick County and surrounding communities. Their stories provide an honest and emotional look into a significant period of history through the voices of those who lived it.
Historian Carmen Cauthen provides historical context throughout the project, highlighting important Black history events in North Carolina, especially in Brunswick County, North Carolina, helping students and viewers connect personal stories to larger historical events.
The exhibit also includes artistic historical expressions created by visual artist, Fayetha
Fullwood and digital artist, Eric Smith. Their work captures powerful visual interpretations of participant experiences, meaningful quotes from elders, and paintings representing segregated
schools in Brunswick County and other important moments in Black history. Sculpture work was completed by Earlene Cox.
Guests will also have the opportunity to chat with the Brunswick County artists, Fayetha and Earlene on June 18 from 10-12 noon at Harper Library and view paintings, digital artwork, and historical visual expressions honoring the voices and lived experiences of African American elders in North Carolina.
This project was funded in part by Brunswick Arts Council BAC Grassroots Grant FY25-26 in partnership with NC Arts Council and also presents American Voices in celebration of A250.
