Honoring the Past, Building a Future
On a recent post about Rueben Blackwell and the condition of Happy Hill, a reader left a comment that spoke directly to what many in Rocky Mount have quietly hoped for: "We need City Management to assemble a group of smart, hard working, caring, professional staff members who will look at every neighborhood in the … Continue reading Rocky Mount,NC: A Neighborhood, A Task Force, A Future
October 7, 2025 - In this case, the most powerful statement a voter can make is not a vote at all. In response to a comment on Facebook about the shameful neglect of the Happy Hill neighborhood, I replied with a thought I now want to explore more fully. Councilman Reuben Blackwell is running unopposed … Continue reading Boycotting a ‘ballot line’ In Happy Hill: Councilman Rueben Blackwell
Thomas Street When I first discovered Happy Hill a few years ago, I felt something stir. Not just in the architecture, but in the rhythm of the place. Along Star, Harris, and Vyne Streets, the shotgun houses still stand. Some are tired, some are empty, but all of them speak to me. With each visit, … Continue reading A White Lady With Camera Again: Happy Hill Left To Sit In It’s Ashes
Star Street I don’t rattle easily. But last Thursday evening, after sharing a slice of pizza and plenty of laughs with Denise, the energetic Fun Director at Sky-Vue Skateland, I drove to the Happy Hill neighborhood in Rocky Mount. I had my phone camera in hand, planning to check on the state of things since … Continue reading A White Woman with a Camera: My Happy Hill Mission
Main Street Rocky Mount 