A quiet revolution is taking shape on the fields of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, where competitive soccer programs are drawing new attention as the world cup season unfolds. The recent HBCU Football Classic kicked off in Durham, showcasing talent that reflects the broader push to grow the sport at Black colleges across the country.
A New Cricket Frontier in the Triangle
Cricket is rapidly gaining popularity across the United States, and a small town in North Carolina is being highlighted as a potential future hub. Morrisville, North Carolina, sits at the center of this surge, with local clubs and youth programs expanding the sport’s footprint in the region.
While sports diversify, the music scene continues to surprise. Tank and the Bangas, the genre‑blending ensemble that first captured listeners on NPR’s Tiny Desk in 2017, have since added a Grammy to their résumé and released The Last Balloon this spring. Their evolution from a college‑town act to a Grammy‑winning group was underscored by a live set at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro on June 20, a performance that drew a crowd eager to hear the new material.
The band’s recent interview with Leoneda Inge, co‑host of WUNC’s "Due South," offered a glimpse into the creative process behind The Last Balloon and the group’s reflections on their journey since the Tiny Desk appearance. The conversation, recorded for NPR’s cultural desk, also touched on the role of institutions like the National Association of Black Journalists in amplifying diverse voices across sports and the arts.