In October of 1997, The Herald-Sun featured a series of articles over six days called “New Faces, new voices” or “Nuevas caras, nuevas voces.” This series, written by Miriam Stawowy, was one of the first major introductions of Durham’s “new Hispanic neighbors” to the rest of the community. Stawowy examined topics such as crime against the Latinx population, the importance of ESL classes, businesses and organizations, and the demographic changes in Durham Public Schools.

“It was clear that something important was happening in Durham. There was no question at all that we had an obligation to try and serve these readers the best we could. And acknowledging being a little surprise that the situation was right under our noses and up until that point we didn’t really know it. I think maybe we’d all seen and heard Latinos but I think that the series quantified it.”

Bill Stagg, Former Editor of The Herald-Sun

The series was so well received that is was published on The Herald Sun‘s website a few months after its initial debut. By March of 1998 two other Spanish language newspapers, La Conexión in Raleigh and La Voz de Carolina in Asheville, had asked to re-print “Nueva caras, nuevas voces” for their own readers. The series had a lasting impact across the state of North Carolina and brought attention to Durham’s growing Latinx community; it also paved the way for other forms of Latinx media in Durham in the coming years.

Check out the companion blog for our Nuevo Espíritu de Durham: New Spirit of Durham exhibit to learn more!