Raleigh Photos From The Past Weekend Events

Photos and highlights from Raleigh’s key weekend events including the Candidates Forum at Shaw University, Black History Month celebration at Chavis Park, and Residential Urbanity art showcase.

Civic Engagement, Culture, and Community Highlights Across Raleigh

Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

This weekend in Raleigh showcased the city’s vibrant mix of civic engagement, arts, and community celebration. From political dialogue at Shaw University to Black History Month festivities at Chavis Park and a creative photography showcase downtown, residents showed up, stayed engaged, and celebrated Raleigh culture — even when unexpected challenges like power outages arose.

Here’s a recap of some of the most notable moments captured around the city this weekend.

Friday: Residential Urbanity Photography Showcase

Kicking off the weekend, the Residential Urbanity: A Modern Showcase of Triangle Skate Photographers event highlighted local creative talent and Raleigh’s growing arts scene.

Hosted as part of First Friday programming, the showcase featured:

Contemporary skate photography Local artist perspectives Community networking around art and culture

The exhibit reflected Raleigh’s evolving creative landscape and the importance of supporting regional artists and storytellers.

Saturday: Raleigh Non-Partisan Candidates Forum at Shaw University

Community members gathered at Shaw University for the Raleigh Non-Partisan Candidates Forum on February 7, 2026, where local voters had the opportunity to hear directly from candidates about key issues impacting Raleigh’s future.

The forum encouraged respectful discussion around:

Local economic development Infrastructure and housing priorities Public safety and transportation Community engagement and civic participation

Events like this highlight how important direct dialogue is between residents and local leadership as Raleigh continues to grow.

👉 Read more about the forum

Saturday: Celebrate Black History Month at Chavis Park

Despite a temporary power outage, the Black History Month celebration at John Chavis Memorial Park continued — demonstrating the resilience and community spirit that Raleigh is known for.

The event featured:

Cultural activities and community engagement Family-friendly programming Celebrations honoring Black history, heritage, and contributions

Attendees embraced the experience regardless of the unexpected circumstances, reinforcing how meaningful these community gatherings are.

Sunday: Living Legends: C.A.R.V.E. into Black Raleigh — Event Recap

The Living Legends: C.A.R.V.E. into Black Raleigh event brought together community members, leaders, and supporters for an inspiring evening dedicated to honoring individuals actively uplifting the Black community in Raleigh. The powerful panel discussion, Living Legends of Raleigh, featured Dr. Paul Baker, Dr. James T. Roberson Jr., Frances Lonnette Williams, Rozalyn Blair-Sanders, SGT Patricia Harris, and SFC Elree Smith—each recognized for their lasting contributions to education, faith, military service, arts, and community development. Through candid conversation and storytelling, attendees gained insight into their journeys, the challenges they overcame, and the impact they continue to make across the Triangle.

Hosted by entertainer and radio personality Les Long, the evening blended reflection, celebration, and culture with live music from the Phenix Fire Jazz Band adding energy and soul to the gathering. Themes like Roots & Rise, Breaking Barriers, Building the Future, and Legacy & Love resonated deeply with attendees, reinforcing the importance of honoring leaders while they are still shaping the community. Events like this continue to highlight Raleigh’s rich Black history, cultural resilience, and the ongoing work of those building stronger futures for the next generation.

Raleigh Community Snapshot

This weekend’s events reflect what makes Raleigh unique:

✔ Strong civic engagement

✔ Vibrant arts and culture scene

✔ Community resilience

✔ Celebration of diverse voices and histories

Whether through political forums, cultural celebrations, or creative exhibitions, Raleigh continues to show why community participation remains central to the city’s identity.

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