In this Chapel Hill Insider Issue…

⛅Chapel Hill Local Weather- High 80^o and Scattered Thunderstorms on Friday. Saturday- 71^o and Partly Cloudy. Mother’s Day- 75^o and Beautiful!

📰Running For An Angel: A Mother’s Love and a Daughter’s Legacy Drive Community Change

📰CDC Reports: North Carolina Faces Crisis in Black Maternal Mortality Rates

📰Debate Surges Over New Scheduling Model in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City High Schools

🗓️Upcoming Events 

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CORRECTION: In a previous issue, we implied that Crook’s Corner was available for dining on Mother’s Day. It is currently closed indefinitely. We apologize for this error and hope you will take advantage of the many local eateries honoring moms and graduates this weekend in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Pittsboro, Durham, and surrounding areas.

Running For An Angel: A Mother’s Love and a Daughter’s Legacy Drive Community Change

This Mother's Day weekend, we spotlight Patricia Richardson, a woman whose life story encapsulates the essence of resilience, nurturing, and relentless positivity in the face of life’s challenges. Check out our full feature on Richardson, the energetic executive director of Monet Richardson Community Foundation, the record-breaking results from the foundation’s 2024 Running With the Angels 5K, and her inspiring journey to turn grief into a lasting legacy of love, educational equity, and positive change.

CDC Reports: North Carolina Faces Crisis in Black Maternal Mortality Rates

In Chatham County, North Carolina, an alarming rate of Black maternal mortality underscores a grave national issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hundreds of American women tragically die each year during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth, with Black women facing a disproportionately higher risk. They are three times more likely to suffer fatal complications related to pregnancy than their white counterparts, a disparity highlighted by the CDC and further evidenced by the March of Dimes' findings.

Karinda Roebuck, the executive director of Community Organizing for Racial Equity, expressed deep concern over these statistics, emphasizing the shame of such outcomes in one of the world's most affluent nations. "It's really embarrassing," Roebuck remarked, pointing out that Black maternal mortality rates are particularly severe in the southern United States.

In North Carolina, the Department of Health and Human Services reported a significant number of infant deaths in 2022, with Black newborns accounting for nearly half. Roebuck identified structural racism as a primary driver of these maternal and infant mortalities, noting systemic issues in how Black women's health decisions are respected and trusted.

The problem extends beyond individual healthcare encounters. Casey Hilliard, the project manager for Equity for Moms and Babies Realized Across Chatham (EMBRACe), argues that addressing maternal health requires a broad social approach, including better access to doulas, concordant care, and general health services. Both Roebuck and Hilliard advocate for community-driven solutions, stressing the importance of trusting Black women to know and decide what's best for their families and communities.

The CDC's 2020 data reveals that the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women was markedly higher than that for their white and Hispanic counterparts, further demonstrating the urgent need for targeted interventions and support.

Debate Surges Over New Scheduling Model in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City High Schools

The proposal by Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools to introduce a 4X4 block scheduling model in the 2025-26 school year has faced substantial opposition from the community. The model, which reduces the number of daily classes to four 90-minute sessions, aims to enhance the depth of learning and decrease student stress. However, concerns have been raised by parents, students, and educators about its fit for a diverse student body, especially those in extracurriculars or with special needs, fearing it may disrupt continuous skill development. Additionally, parents are worried about the potential decline in academic performance and the increased stress and attention issues due to longer class periods.

In light of these concerns, community suggestions include piloting the schedule with volunteers, deploying the same A-B scheduling used during the COVID shutdown, or delaying the decision for a more in-depth evaluation.

The debate continues. The Board of Education Work Session meeting that presented on this topic is available for review online. You can access the Board of Education the next regular session meeting is May 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. You can also review the petition from the parents and the student-initiated petition with over 600 signatures online at Change.org.

Center Theater Company in Carrboro

Fridays on the Front Porch

Experience the charm of Chapel Hill each Friday at the Carolina Inn’s “Fridays on the Front Porch” event. Located at 211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill, the event is sure to be a great way to enjoy the season. Running every Friday from April 19 through October 25, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, this local favorite is the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Although the first event on April 19th has been canceled due to anticipated bad weather, the series promises plenty of excitement with live music, handcrafted cocktails, North Carolina beers, and a diverse selection of food from local food trucks. The event caters to all age groups, making it an ideal outing for everyone looking to unwind in a festive atmosphere. Click here to see the lineup. (Linked has been updated) This Friday, May 10th, listen to the Lee Gildersleeve & The Bad Dogs and enjoy How Bout Burger and Poblanos Tacos food trucks!

Cat’s Cradle