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Raleigh Photos From The Past Weekend Events

Civic Engagement, Culture, and Community Highlights Across Raleigh

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

This weekend in Raleigh showcased the city’s vibrant mix of civic engagement, arts, and community celebration. From political dialogue at Shaw University to Black History Month festivities at Chavis Park and a creative photography showcase downtown, residents showed up, stayed engaged, and celebrated Raleigh culture — even when unexpected challenges like power outages arose.

Here’s a recap of some of the most notable moments captured around the city this weekend.

Friday: Residential Urbanity Photography Showcase

Kicking off the weekend, the Residential Urbanity: A Modern Showcase of Triangle Skate Photographers event highlighted local creative talent and Raleigh’s growing arts scene.

Hosted as part of First Friday programming, the showcase featured:

Contemporary skate photography Local artist perspectives Community networking around art and culture

The exhibit reflected Raleigh’s evolving creative landscape and the importance of supporting regional artists and storytellers.

Saturday: Raleigh Non-Partisan Candidates Forum at Shaw University

Community members gathered at Shaw University for the Raleigh Non-Partisan Candidates Forum on February 7, 2026, where local voters had the opportunity to hear directly from candidates about key issues impacting Raleigh’s future.

The forum encouraged respectful discussion around:

Local economic development Infrastructure and housing priorities Public safety and transportation Community engagement and civic participation

Events like this highlight how important direct dialogue is between residents and local leadership as Raleigh continues to grow.

👉 Read more about the forum

Saturday: Celebrate Black History Month at Chavis Park

Despite a temporary power outage, the Black History Month celebration at John Chavis Memorial Park continued — demonstrating the resilience and community spirit that Raleigh is known for.

The event featured:

Cultural activities and community engagement Family-friendly programming Celebrations honoring Black history, heritage, and contributions

Attendees embraced the experience regardless of the unexpected circumstances, reinforcing how meaningful these community gatherings are.

Sunday: Living Legends: C.A.R.V.E. into Black Raleigh — Event Recap

The Living Legends: C.A.R.V.E. into Black Raleigh event brought together community members, leaders, and supporters for an inspiring evening dedicated to honoring individuals actively uplifting the Black community in Raleigh. The powerful panel discussion, Living Legends of Raleigh, featured Dr. Paul Baker, Dr. James T. Roberson Jr., Frances Lonnette Williams, Rozalyn Blair-Sanders, SGT Patricia Harris, and SFC Elree Smith—each recognized for their lasting contributions to education, faith, military service, arts, and community development. Through candid conversation and storytelling, attendees gained insight into their journeys, the challenges they overcame, and the impact they continue to make across the Triangle.

Hosted by entertainer and radio personality Les Long, the evening blended reflection, celebration, and culture with live music from the Phenix Fire Jazz Band adding energy and soul to the gathering. Themes like Roots & Rise, Breaking Barriers, Building the Future, and Legacy & Love resonated deeply with attendees, reinforcing the importance of honoring leaders while they are still shaping the community. Events like this continue to highlight Raleigh’s rich Black history, cultural resilience, and the ongoing work of those building stronger futures for the next generation.

Raleigh Community Snapshot

This weekend’s events reflect what makes Raleigh unique:

✔ Strong civic engagement

✔ Vibrant arts and culture scene

✔ Community resilience

✔ Celebration of diverse voices and histories

Whether through political forums, cultural celebrations, or creative exhibitions, Raleigh continues to show why community participation remains central to the city’s identity.

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Local event coverage Civic engagement updates Arts and culture highlights Weekend event guides Community photo recaps

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DoRaleigh Feb 8

Raleigh Non-Partisan Candidates Forum Recap: Community Dialogue at Shaw University

Estimated Read Time: 3–4 minutes

Raleigh Residents Engage Candidates at Civic Forum

Community members gathered at Shaw University on February 7, 2026 for PowerUp NC’s the Raleigh Non-Partisan Candidates’ Forum, an event designed to connect voters directly with mayoral, at-large, and district candidates ahead of upcoming local elections. The forum provided an open setting for questions, discussion, and civic engagement focused on Raleigh’s future.

Free admission and a welcoming environment helped encourage broad participation from residents interested in learning more about city leadership priorities and policy discussions.

Key Highlights From the Forum

Direct Candidate Engagement

Attendees had opportunities to hear candidate perspectives firsthand and ask questions about pressing local issues affecting Raleigh neighborhoods, business growth, infrastructure, and community development. The forum emphasized respectful dialogue and informed decision-making.

Structured Candidate Sessions

The event featured dedicated sessions for different races:

Mayoral & At-Large Candidates: Morning session District Representative Candidates: Afternoon session

This structure allowed focused discussion around specific leadership roles and policy priorities.

Civic Education & Community Connection

Events like this help residents better understand how local government decisions impact everyday life — from housing and transportation to economic development and public safety.

Why Civic Forums Matter in Raleigh

Local candidate forums continue to play an important role in strengthening civic participation across the Triangle. They help:

Encourage informed voting decisions Increase transparency around policy priorities Promote community dialogue Build stronger connections between residents and city leadership

As Raleigh continues to grow, opportunities for direct engagement with elected officials remain essential for shaping inclusive, responsive local governance.

DoRaleigh Community Perspective

At DoRaleigh, we believe civic awareness is just as important as arts, culture, and entertainment coverage. Forums like this highlight the value of staying informed, participating in local conversations, and supporting community dialogue that shapes Raleigh’s future.

Expect continued coverage of:

Local elections and candidate forums City council and committee updates Community engagement opportunities Triangle civic events and public meetings.

Stay Connected With Raleigh Civic Events

Follow DoRaleigh for ongoing coverage of local government updates, election information, and community events across Raleigh and the Triangle region.

Post your community News, Events, and you can request placing a Paid ad on our Submissions Page.

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DoRaleigh Feb 6

Raleigh Non-Partisan Candidates Forum Feb. 7th at Shaw University

Engage with local candidates, ask questions, and learn about Raleigh’s future

Community members across Raleigh will have the chance to hear directly from local candidates at the upcoming City of Raleigh Non-Partisan Candidates’ Forum this Saturday, February 7, 2026. The event provides an open space for residents to learn about important issues impacting the city and participate in respectful civic dialogue.

Whether you’re preparing to vote, interested in local leadership, or simply want to stay informed, this forum offers a valuable opportunity to connect with candidates and better understand their perspectives.

Event Details

📅 Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026

📍 Location: Shaw University (full address shared after registration)

💲 Cost: Free admission – lunch provided

Candidate Sessions

Mayoral & At-Large Candidates:

🕥 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

District Representative Candidates:

🕐 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Why This Forum Matters

Local elections shape decisions about housing, transportation, economic development, public safety, and community resources. Events like this help residents:

Hear directly from candidates Ask meaningful questions Stay informed about local issues Participate in constructive civic dialogue Make informed choices about Raleigh’s future

For residents engaged in Raleigh’s community development, neighborhood advocacy, or business ecosystem, attending forums like this is a powerful way to stay connected to city leadership conversations.

Registration Information

Advance registration is required to receive the full event location details.

👉 Register here

Stay Connected with Raleigh Civic Events

DoRaleigh.com continues to highlight opportunities for residents to engage with local government, community initiatives, and city development conversations. Stay tuned for more civic event coverage, election updates, and community guides across the Triangle.

Post your community News, Events, and you can request placing a Paid ad on our Submissions Page.

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