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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C
THURSDAY, July 19, 2018
Volume 44, Number 46
Early voting OK’d
without WSSU
Photo by Todd Luck
Former State Rep. Larry Womble advocates for an early voting site at Winston
Salem State University.
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE
After several twists and
turns, the Forsyth County
Board of Elections (BOE)
approved a plan without
the Anderson Center at
Winston-Salem State
University, which angered
many attendees at its meet
ing on Tuesday.
Anderson had been an
early voting site from
2000-2012 until a
Republican-majority BOE
stopped using it.
Democrats on the now
evenly split board pro
posed using the site. That
was in doubt during last
week’s meeting after
WSSU told BOE staff it
wouldn’t be available due
to Homecoming activities
during the first week of
early voting. A new state
law requires all sites to be
open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
every weekday during the
entire early voting period.
Any site that can’t do this
can’t be used.
However, since then,
WSSU found a way to
reserve parking at the
Anderson Center for early
voting during that week
and said the BOE could
use it. Several people
appealed for the site,
including former Winston
Salem Alderman and State
Rep. Larry Womb}e, who
spoke from his wheelchair.
“It serves a purpose for
people like me in my con
dition,” said Womble.
“Also, it serves as a site for
those students over there,
also for the people in the
neighborhood that are
there.”
Students spoke as well.
Senior Jemma Johnson
said between her full-time
class load, band practice,
her two jobs and two
See Voting on A2
Suah African Dance Theater performs during the CurvyShe Fashion Show on Friday, July 13.
Weekend inspires women
to love their curves
BYTEVIN STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
For the past 10 years, city native Ahmad Johnson has
been inspiring women in the Triad to embrace their
i curves.
In 2008, Johnson held a fashion show designed to
empower plus-size women to love themselves and create
a venue where women in the area could explore new fash
ion possibilities. The first “Sista Big Bone” Fashion Show
evoked a modest crowd and featured some of Johnson’s
closest friends as models.
“When I held my first show, it was just a brainchild,
just a thought to see if it would catch on,” said Johnson.
“Once I did do it and once I got the response from the
women in the community, I just continued to do it.
"... I wanted the world to see that plus-size women
know how to dress and they can feel comfortable in their
skin.”
From humble beginnings as a one-day event at a local
high school, under the new moniker CurvyShe, Johnson’s
brainchild has grown into a three-day event, which
includes two fashion shows, a free workout session, moti
vational speakers and much more.
While the name has changed, Johnson said the goal
remains the same. He said, “CurvyShe Fit2BU is meant to
be all encompassing with being comfortable and loving
whereever your curves fall. Just being comfortable in
your skin and being aware of your health and being fit.
“... Everybody who is fit may not be small. If you are
See Curves on A2
Randy Eaddy
set to lead
Arts Council
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE _ __
Rick Moss, board chair of The Arts Council of
Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, has announced that
Randy Eaddy, corporate attorney and longtime arts
advocate, will serve as The Arts Council’s President and
CEO.
Eaddy will succeed Jim Sparrow, who held the posi
tion for five years before resigning effective July 31 to
become executive director of the Fort Wayne Ballet.
Moss described Eaddy, who is retiring from the
Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton law firm after almost
25 years as a partner there, as “someone who knows the
Arts Council well, who
knows the needs of
Winston-Salem and the
Forsyth County communi
ty, and has the ability to
keep the organization
moving forward seamless
ly”
Eaddy will assume his
duties at The Arts Council
on Aug. 1.
“This opportunity
came along at a good
place in my life,” said
Eaddy, who has served on
The Arts Council board
Eaddy for seven years and chaired
several committees. “I was transitioning out of law prac
tice and had not made further commitments. My expe
riences with The Arts Council have been among the most
rewarding I have had as a volunteer in the nonprofit
world. I enthusiastically accepted this chance to make a
significant contribution to this community.”
Moss reflected on Sparrow’s tenure as president and
CEO, saying, “Jim Sparrow never avoided the tough
issues. He has been forward-looking and has guided us
through challenging times, as the nature of united arts
funds here and across the nation has seen significant
changes. The needs of our arts community are ever
evolving, and Jim devoted his efforts to positioning The
Arts Council and greater arts community to remain
important, effective and relevant forces in this commu
See Arts on A2
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003*008**********FIRM CRLOT 0054A**C007
AD MIN STRATTON
FORSYTH CNTY PUB LIB
660 W 5TH ST
WINSTON SALEM. NC 27101-2705 60
‘Something that
they enjoy’
Accessible Festival celebrates the disability community
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE
The 14th annual Accessible Festival offered dancing,
food, fun and education for people with all kinds of dis
abilities on Friday, July 13, at the Winston-Salem
Fairgrounds Education Building.
There was a disco themed dance party, lip sync battle
and dance off with professional DJs Tim Johnson and
Chaka Smith of Tru Masters Inc. There was free food for
the roughly 750 attendees that organizers were expect
ing. The event is held by the Winston-Salem Transit
Sec Festival on A3
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