Our Stories
At Beacon Media, we focus on telling the stories that truly matter to our communities. Beacon Media is built around the people who are preserving and strengthening democracy in North Carolina communities. From healthcare and education to housing and justice, our stories are crafted to inform, inspire, and spark meaningful change. It is these community leaders and trusted messengers who will shift our collective narrative and show us what is possible — and then they are the ones who will make it a reality. We share their words and voices far and wide. That’s why all of our commentary is free to republish. We encourage you to use and share our work to help amplify the voices and issues that need attention across our state.
Read The Latest Stories
Reclaiming Masculinity and the WH UFC Fight w/ Martin Henson
BMEN founder Martin Henson joins Preston and Dalton for restorative justice, anime redemption arcs, and Black men's mental health. They also discuss the White House UFC event, Michelle Obama's mistreatment, Juneteenth's politicization, and a sports roundup covering...
Billy Ball: How Jesse Jackson was vilified — and ultimately redeemed
The white South made a villain of a native son, but the region never had a better champion for it on the big stage than the Rev. Jesse Jackson. By Billy Ball The Living South Photo by Fine Photographics on Unsplash In 1984, the Rev. Jesse Jackson lost...
DYELH Podcast: Episode 1 (Pt #2) Gwen Frisbie-Fulton: Taking Back Storytelling
Friend of the show, Gwen Frisbie-Fulton continues the conversation about her work, AI, organizing, and much more in this part two of our episode one. Preston and Dalton stick around after and re-cap and touch on their first jobs. Special thanks for this episode goes...
Opinion: Why we are asking ‘Do You Even Live Here?’
Two mayors from Western North Carolina are launching a new podcast, in partnership with Beacon Media, to answer a big question about the future of North Carolina. Preston Blakely (left) & Dalton George (right) By Preston Blakely and Dalton George Beacon Media Last...
Episode 1 – Gwen Frisbie-Fulton: Taking Back Storytelling (Pt #1)
Welcome to our first episode, everyone! Friend of the show, Gwen Frisbie-Fulton joins us for a conversation about her work, AI, organizing, and much more. Gwen is a writer and organizer dedicated to amplifying the voices of working-class people in rural communities...
Opinion: A child of immigrants, no longer alone in fear
Growing up as the daughter of undocumented immigrants, the author knew fear and uncertainty. Now, amid a federal crackdown aimed at Latino immigrants, she felt that again — until she saw her community respond. A protest in Wilson, N.C. Photo courtesy of Andressia...
Opinion: Small particles, big impacts for our air
The editor of N.C. Health News tracks the repeal of an environmental regulation by the EPA and explains how changes to seemingly small regulations have big health impacts. By Rose Hoban N.C. Health News Breathe in. And out. Do it a few more times. Then think...
Martin Henson: Resisting ICE is not just about immigration
From the death of a woman in Minnesota to federal immigration raids in North Carolina, resistance is an awful reminder of a society once governed by slavery. Image created by AI. By Martin Henson Beacon Media I can imagine the scene: Locked shoulder to shoulder,...
Shannon Moretz: Why my rural community needs a new community news site
Many rural counties across North Carolina have suffered a loss in the quantity and quality of community news. In Caswell County, Shannon Moretz is working to change that.