ReCity Chronicles: The Podcast

"Reuniting Descendants" with Ricky Hart & Beverly Evans on Stagville Descendants Council

What does it mean to reclaim your family's history and honor the resilience of those who came before? In this episode of ReCity Chronicles, host KJ Hill sits down with Mr. Ricky Hart, Chairman of Stagville Descendants Council, and Ms. Beverly Evans, Special Events Coordinator, to learn about the work of Stagville Descendants Council—an organization dedicated to reconnecting descendants from North Carolina's largest plantation and uncovering stories buried in history. Mr. Hart shares his journey as a fifth-generation descendant of Stagville Plantation—a 47-square-mile estate that enslaved between 900 and 1,900 people. Since 1997, he has been leading the mission to reunite descendants and document their stories. Ms. Evans, a third-generation descendant, shares her own discovery—learning about her family's connection to Stagville after 39 years away, when her mother sent her on a mission to find where her ancestors came from. Together, they discuss The history of Stagville Plantation and the 98+ surnames of enslaved people connected to it Being "history detectives"—the rigorous work of uncovering records, documents, and family connections The craftsmanship and resilience reflected in the buildings created by enslaved people at Stagville Eight subcommittees working to preserve history, restore a cemetery with hundreds of graves and counting, and share stories Why Durham is a special place that gives people a chance, regardless of where they're from The upcoming SDC podcast, "The Trees Speak"—a metaphor for how families, like trees, grow through generations and carry memories Get Involved / Learn More Visit Stagville Descendants Council: sdchq.org [http://sdchq.org] Interested in learning more about ReCity Network? Visit: recitynetwork.org [http://recitynetwork.org]

"A More Equitable Durham" with Skip Gibbs on Brightwood Agriculture Group

What does it look like to build food sovereignty, sustainable community, and economic independence from the ground up? In this episode of ReCity Chronicles, host KJ Hill sits down with Skip Gibbs, founder of Brightwood Agriculture Group, to talk about how farming, homesteading, and intentional community can transform Durham. Skip shares his journey from artist and entrepreneur to community builder—how a chance conversation led him to sell everything, move to the woods, and dedicate himself to creating something bigger. Over three years, he transformed a five-acre parcel in East Durham into a thriving homestead and launched initiatives like [re]DINE and now [re]NOURISH, a meal prep service that gives back to community fridges. Together, we talk about: The power of growing up in community and how that shaped Skip's vision for urban agriculture From tattooing and restaurants to building an agri-hood with affordable housing and wraparound services Dignity as a practice: treating everyone with respect regardless of economic status [re]NOURISH: A meal prep model that serves subscribers while feeding community fridges Why Durham is uniquely positioned to build shared economic models and set a new standard for business The opportunity for Black and Brown folks and white allies to build legacy together Get Involved / Learn More: Visit Brightwood Agriculture Group: bagncompany.org [http://bagncompany.org] [re]NOURISH Meals: renourishmeal.com [http://renourishmeal.com] Interested in learning more about ReCity Network? Visit: recitynetwork.org [http://recitynetwork.org]

Inside ReCity: A Bonus Episode on Coworking, Events, & Community with Bobby & Bradley

In this bonus episode of ReCity Chronicles, Bradley Setter, Producer of ReCity Chronicles and Head of Creative Strategy at George Moves You, sits down with Bobby Duke, ReCity Network’s Community Manager, for a quick walk-through of what it’s actually like inside the space—from your first tour to finding the right membership fit. You’ll hear about ReCity’s flexible coworking options, conference rooms, dedicated desks, cubicles, private offices, training labs, and the 3,300 sq ft event space—and why the most irreplaceable part of ReCity isn’t the building, it’s the community. Explore ReCity Events: https://recitynetwork.org/events [https://recitynetwork.org/events] Memberships: https://recitynetwork.org/memberships [https://recitynetwork.org/memberships] Donate / Support the mission: https://recitynetwork.org/relaunch [https://recitynetwork.org/relaunch]

“Meet You Where You Are” with Cashmere Bentley on StepUp Durham

What does it look like to rebuild your life when you’ve lost work, lost stability, and need someone in your corner? In this episode of ReCity Chronicles, host KJ Hill sits down with Cashmere Bentley, Interim Executive Director of StepUp Durham—one of ReCity Network’s longest-tenured partners—to talk about how StepUp helps people move toward employment, confidence, and long-term stability. Cashmere shares her journey of coming to StepUp during COVID after losing her job, then growing from participant to apprentice, success coach, program leader, and now executive leadership. Along the way, she explains what makes StepUp different: practical job-readiness support paired with real relationship, warmth, and belief. Together, we talk about: * Step 1 pathways: Walk-In Wednesday intake and the four-day Jobs Week workshop * Resume support and mock interviews that help participants feel prepared and confident * Weekly one-on-one coaching and resource connections through a success coach caseload * Step 2 program for employed participants: “What’s next?” Life skills like budgeting, wellness, and entrepreneurship * The power of community, cohort learning, and a space where people feel safe and seen * Ways to get involved as a volunteer: resumes, mock interviews, meals, and co-partners Get Involved / Learn More: Visit StepUp Durham: https://www.stepupdurham.org/ [https://www.stepupdurham.org/] Interested in learning more about ReCity Network? Visit: https://www.recitynetwork.org/ [https://www.recitynetwork.org/]

“Welcome Home” with Restorative Transitions

What does it look like to come home—and actually have the support to stay home? In this episode of ReCity Chronicles, host KJ Hill sits down with the Restorative Transitions team—Sarah Landis, Bobby Harrington, Clint Barrett, and Geno Eaves—to talk about reentry, belonging, and the practical steps that help justice-involved individuals rebuild their lives in community. Restorative Transitions empowers participants through holistic case management, meeting people where they are and helping them set their own short- and long-term goals. From stable housing to IDs, healthcare, job readiness, budgeting, transportation, and mentorship, RT provides wraparound support—along with something just as essential: a culture of welcome with no strings attached. Together, we talk about: * Why belonging is often the turning point in reentry * What “welcome home” looks like in real life * How RT supports participants beyond housing through layered, practical case management * The role volunteers play (meals, rides, work days, mentoring, and more) * RT’s impact—including a 98% graduate success rate and 42 graduates living in the community Get Involved / Learn More: Visit Restorative Transitions: restorativetransitions.org [http://restorativetransitions.org] Interested in learning more about ReCity Network? Visit: https://www.recitynetwork.org [https://www.recitynetwork.org/]