Durham Council Adopts Cultural Road Map, Honors Roots

The Durham City Council unanimously adopts the Durham Cultural Road Map after an evening of public comments linking Indigenous and Tuscarora history, Black Wall Street narratives, and arts education to the city’s identity. Speakers press the council to boost support for local cultural workers and students while using song, storytelling, and a healing dance to frame the city’s future. 11mins

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Original Meeting

Thursday, September 17th, 2026
5294.149
Durham City Council September 17, 2026
Full Meeting on YouTube
Video Notes

Welcome to the City Council Meeting for September 17, 2026.

Agenda: https://www.durhamnc.gov/AgendaCenter/City-Council-4

How to participate: https://www.durhamnc.gov/1345

Contact the City Council: https://www.durhamnc.gov/1323

NOTE: Comments left on this livestream will not be read or entered into the meeting record.

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In This Video
  • Mayor Pro Tem Caballero explained how the consent agenda worked, and the council then adopted it unanimously following a motion and vote.
  • Dwayne Brayboy, speaking on behalf of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina, requested that the City Council recognize Tuscarora history in Durham and consider establishing a Tuscarora historical marker as part of the Durham Cultural Roadmap.
  • Pablo Friedmann urged the Council to prioritize support for local artists while also emphasizing the importance of a well-publicized, carefully considered appointment to the Durham Housing Authority.
  • An art educator and local artist, speaking on behalf of the Durham Arts Council, emphasized the importance of students learning about artists in their own community and hoped the Council would adopt the proposal with resources for an office to manage it.
  • Scott Frawley, speaking as a resident and member of the Durham Cultural Advisory Board, urged the Council to adopt the Durham Cultural Road Map to dramatically increase arts and cultural funding, critiqued corporate-driven development plans, and called for a more community-led, socially and ecologically just vision for Durham.
  • Alexandra Valladares, speaking as a longtime community organizer, connected the Cultural Road Map to honoring erased histories by affirming Tuscarora and other Indigenous roots in Durham as a place of sharing, community, and innovation.
  • Aya Shabu, an artist and owner of Whistle Stop Tours, used a poetic historical narrative about Black Wall Street, mutual aid, and self-defined identity to illustrate how arts and storytelling had made Durham a destination.
  • John Wesley, speaking on behalf of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina, offered support for the Durham Cultural Road Map, honored lives lost through a brief song performance, and expressed gratitude to the Council and creator in their own language.
  • A local teaching artist and parent described a program that taught young students about North Carolina’s Native tribes and the link between Indigenous sovereignty and Black liberation, emphasizing support for cultural artists while wearing a healing jingle dress to lift the Council’s spirits.
  • Mayor Pro Tem Caballero called for and recorded a unanimous Council vote to adopt the Durham Cultural Road Map, thanked the evening’s speakers, and adjourned the meeting.
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