Good News Friday: The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is getting a makeover

This week we’re talking about star basketball players and groundbreaking NC artists. Plus a new look for one of NC’s most recognizable landmarks.

Happy Friday everyone! Welcome back to Good News Friday, where we wrap up some of the best good news of the week in NC. 

It’s awards season and that’s no different for the people of North Carolina. This week we’re talking about star basketball players, exceptional artists, new schools, and a national landmark makeover.

Let’s dive in.

Triangle Artist Wins the 2024 Coretta Scott King Award 

 

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A post shared by Dare Coulter | sculptor artist muralist illustrator (@darecoulter)

Dare Coulter, an artist from Raleigh, is the 2024 winner of the Coretta Scott King Award. The prestigious award recognizes African-American authors and illustrators for their “outstanding books for young adults and children,” and at 30 years old, Coulter is one of its youngest recipients.

Coulter received the award on Jan. 22 for her illustrations in Kwame Alexander’s “An American Story,” a children’s book about the history of slavery in the U.S., and the resilience of African-American communities. The children’s book was also listed on The New York Times’ “Best Children’s Books of 2023”. 

Culinary Arts Institute to Open in Spring Lake

Shekita Taylor-Evans, a serial entrepreneur, is opening the world’s third African-American, female-owned culinary institute next month! 

Evans founded the S&D Family Kitchen and Catering in 2020, opened KitaDees Soulfood Lounge in 2022, and brings KD Culinary Arts Institute to Spring Lake on Feb. 5.

She is the Head Chef and Master Bartender at KitaDees, and is paving the way for women and minorities in the culinary and mixology industry.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is Getting a Makeover

 

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A post shared by Cape Hatteras Nat’l Seashore.. (@capehatterasnps)

The beloved Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is gearing up for a $19.2 million face-lift. 

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Restoration Project will renovate the interior and exterior of NC’s most high-profile lighthouse, which receives more than 500,000 visitors a year. The lighthouse is more than 150 years old and has been a National Historic Landmark since 1998.

In addition to repairing the architectural components of the lighthouse, the project will include a fresh coat of paint. 

2 NC Basketball Players Join the McDonald’s All-American Game 

Two NC basketball players, Sarah Strong (forward) and Zamareya Jones (point guard), have been chosen to play in the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game for girls in April.

Strong, from Fuquay-Varina, is the nation’s top-ranked recruit, and Jones, from Bethel, is the country’s No.17 prospect. Together, they’ll represent North Carolina at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX.