WS Chronicle

As the months start rolling by, you can get an idea of a year’s unofficial theme. Looking back at the local news of 2024, we could coin this as the “Year of Firsts and Celebration.” 

Here’s a look back at the news that shaped 2024: 

January, The Chronicle kicked off the year at its annual MLK Breakfast, with Mo Green as the keynote speaker.  We also saw the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department come under scrutiny for identity theft allegations involving officers and contract workers. 

February, Philo-Hill Magnet Academy was renamed Konnoak Middle School, and we experienced the 34th annual African American Read-In Chain. Kaleideum opened its new location in downtown Winston-Salem and the Happy Hill Neighborhood Association Art Anthology premiered an exhibit at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. The Chronicle showcased its fourth annual Black History Cypher.

March, the primary election took center stage as those vying for office seats threw their names in the ring. Rally Up Winston-Salem hosted its first domestic violence forum. The city was introduced to a new option for a sweet treat as Dream Kreams Artisanal Creamery opened its doors downtown.. 

April, the Hispanic League celebrated their 25th annual Spanish Nite Gala, and Goler Metropolitan commemorated a moment from 60 years ago when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. visited the church. 

May, Dionn Owen & Renaissance brought in the month by celebrating their anniversary with the “Rebirth Reunion Concert.” The local branch of the NAACP awarded five $1,000 scholarships to deserving students: Cameron Adams, Marcelo Blackwell, Caman Chaplin, Brandon Sutton, and Michael “MJ” Mullins Sr.  Reset and Heal held W-S’s first Black Mental Health Summit.  

June brought history to the fore as Winston-Salem State University appointed its first female chancellor, Bonita Brown. The National Black Theatre Festival changed its name to the International Black Theatre Festival and revealed a new logo and branding. Triad Cultural Arts touted the 25th Juneteenth Festival and the third annual Queen Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant.  

July comes in with a bang as Shontell Robinson becomes the new county manager, making history as the first African American and the first woman to hold the position. The “5” Royales are honored with a mural on Trade Street.   

August welcomed back the bi-annual International Black Theatre Festival with several highly acclaimed and award-winning performances. Robert Anthony Granato was sentenced to over a decade in prison for the murder of Julius “Juice” Sampson Jr. Also, the city mourned the loss of Taneisha Gist, a grassroots activist who rallied to lower the age for mammogram testing to promote the early detection of breast cancer.

September, The Chronicle turned 50 on Sept. 4!  MuseWS celebrated The Chronicle’s birthday with a display and discussion panel. The Liberian Organization of the Piedmont (LOP) held its inaugural International Liberation Gala titled “Champions of Freedom.”  The 32nd Fiesta Festival brought huge crowds to downtown.  

October saw the city entrenched in the political climate as those looking to be elected beefed up their campaigns before Election Day. Vice president hopeful Tim Waltz made a stop in Winston-Salem at Carver High School. 

November found many residents feeling disappointment as Trump was elected as president, but Winston-Salem voted in history when a majority Black- and women-led city council emerged. The Winston-Salem City Council voted to approve new guidelines for the Affordable Housing Development Program, while Councilmember Barbara Burke sued Councilmember Kevin Munday claiming defamation. The Winston-Salem Black Panther chapter celebrated its 55th anniversary.    

December, county commissioners approved $700,000 for Ashley Elementary, while the bus drivers’ strike affected over 100 bus routes. As WSFCS were preparing for Christmas break, a student was shot on the cam;us of Reynolds High School. At the time of this publication, the suspect is still at large. Union Station hosted a Black Santa photo event just in time for children to check to see if their names were on the Naughty or Nice list.  

Cheers to 2024! We look forward to another headline-worthy year in 2025.