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The Chronicle
Volume43,Number35 WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.? THURSDAY, May 5, 2016
NBTF is local concern in HB 2 boycott
Attracting businesses,
tourism and events also
in jeopardy
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE
With many boycotting North Carolina
because of HB 2, events that draw visitors
from out of state, like next year's National
Black Theatre Festival, may be affected.
Other cities have felt the effects in high
profile ways, like cancellations at the High
Point Furniture Market and Bruce
Springsteen canceling his concert in
Greensboro in protest of the law, which
opponents say is discriminatory.
Locally, the National Black Theatre
Festival would be the biggest out-of-state
draw in the city, as attendees from all over
the nation and the world come to see its
plays. The 2015 festival saw a 10 percent
growth in ticket sales with nearly 70,000
attendees. Visit Winston-Salem estimated
its economic impafct in tourism at $7.5 mil
lion. The N.C. Black Repertory Company,
which produces the festival, estimates its
impact at $11 million, calculating in things
like ticket sales and production.
Black Repertory Company Interim
Executive Director Nigel Alston said with
the festival more than a year out, there has
n't been contact with potential theatre
companies or patrons yet.
"We've talked it about it," said Alston
about HB 2. "We're aware of what the con
cerns are. We're not sure what, if any,
impact'there will be."
Visit Winston-Salem President Richard
Geiger said there is concern over if the
See Boycott on A9
Mayor Joines
11
Alston
f Photo by Tevin Stinsc
After serving Ram Nation for more than 20 years Dr. Sylvia Flack announced her retirement earlier last
month. Flack currently serves as executive director of the WSSU Center of Excellence for the Elimination
of Health Disparities.
BY TEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
When Dr. Sylvia Flack agreed to
return to her alma mater, Winston
Salem State University, in 1989 as
dean of health sciences, she had only
planned to stay one year. Earlier this
month, more than 25 years later,
Flack officially announced her retire
ment from WSSU.
According to Flack, she was per
suaded by former Chancellor Dr.
Cleon Thompson and others during a
visit to the campus. Flack said at that
time she also had an offer in West
Virginia as CEO of a community col
lege.
Flack noted she was leaning
toward taking the position in W.Va.,
but it was her son who helped her
make the decision to choose WSSU.
"My son said'Let's go to
Winston-Salem,' and I've been here
ever since," she said.
As the founding dean of the
School of Health Sciences, Flack
helped revitalize WSSU's nursing
program which was headed toward
closure when she arrived. When she
took over the position, UNC Board of
"My son said
Let's go to
Winston-Salem,'
and I've been here
ever since."
-Dr. Sylvia Flack
Governors and N.C. legislators had
already agreed that the nursing pro
gram should close.
Not only did she end talks of clo
sure, Rack's efforts as dean from
1989 to 2005 helped progress the
nursing program to become one of the
best in the nation based on excellence
in education, research, and public
service.
Flack said she couldn't have done
it without the students, faculty and
other staff members she worked with
during her time at WSSU. She also
served as special assistant to the
chancellor.
"Some of the most brilliant, cre
ative people are right here at
Winston-Salem State," said Flack.
"The people I have worked with here
arc just amazing."
Throughout her illustrious career,
Flack has served on many commit
tees, state and national boards and
commissions in healthcare, public
education, higher education and civic
organizations. She also consults
nationally with colleges and universi
ties on educational programs and has
served as a SACES visitor and a sci
entific reviewer for the United States
Department of Education.
In 2006 Flack's lifelong interest in
helping to eliminate inequality in
health care for minorities led her to
See Flack on A9
Documentary
sheds light on
Kalvin Smith's
conviction
BY TEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
.Last week dozens of residents filed into the
Hanesbrand Theatre in the heart of downtown to get the
first glimpse at a documentary that sheds light on Kalvin
Michael Smith, a black man who was wrongfully convict
?WtMfi * brutal assault in 1997.
Bad tied "Ordinary Injustice," the film documents the
mishandling of Smith's case, who is serving a 29-year sen
Photo by 1>vl? Stituon
Last week residents got a chance to see "Ordinary
Injustice," a documentary that sheds light on Kalvin
Michael Smith, a man serving a 29-year sentence
for a crime he did not commit.
tence for the brutal assault of Jill Marker at the Silk Plant
Forest store in December of 1977 that left her with brain
damage. Even though Smith was reportedly nowhere near
See Documentary on A9
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