Character Study: Mama Cookie, Champion for Labor Rights
Durham organizer Bertha Bradley, better known as Mama Cookie, has been front-and-center in the fight for better working conditions across the South.
Character Studies: Champ, the Durham Bulls’ Bat Dog
Despite all the game day distractions, the highly trained Durham Bulls bat fetcher never fails to delight fans and demonstrate that he is indeed a very good boy.
Character Studies: Gene Dillard’s House of Mirrors
The former repairman never expected his home to turn into a Durham destination—but after years of him sculpting it into a glittering mosaic sculpture, the house has become just that.
Character Studies: Arturo Sanchez, the Trivia Host Who Wants to Make Your Team Argue
Arturo Sanchez is a fixture at several spots in downtown Durham. But he’s best known for hosting trivia at Bull McCabe’s, where he aims to make sure players have fun, think hard, and occasionally haggle over the right answers.
Character Studies: Carlos Lemus Sr., Raleigh’s Cake Jefe
Carlos Lemus Sr. got his start as a cake decorator at the Cheesecake Factory in the 1980s. Now, he’s Raleigh’s #CakeJefe.
Character Studies: Raleigh Emcee Kayla Knott, “the MILF with the Mic”
Knott goes by the name Holly Pocket for her work as a drag, burlesque, and cabaret emcee—a name inspired by the pastel Polly Pocket dolls.
Character Studies: Eross Guadalupe, An Ambassador for Cycling
A decade ago, Eross Guadalupe had never owned a bike. Now he’s a fixture in Durham’s cycling community, known for leading some of the Bull City’s most popular rides—and helping others get started on two wheels.
More Character Studies Coverage
Character Studies: Dexter Phuong, the Only Diva in Durham
Dexter Phuong left corporate life to become Durham’s self-proclaimed Carrie Bradshaw. The content creator’s videos about being the only fashionable person around have struck a chord with anyone who’s ever felt out of place.
