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Easter’s Best

Easter’s Best

JULI LEONARD / PHOTOGRAPHER

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Juli Leonard has been a photojournalist for over 20 years. She enjoys working on long-term projects and getting to know people. Leonard lives in Raleigh with her daughter, partner, two rescue dogs and three Guinea pigs. “Each time I walk into the WRAL Azalea Gardens, they amaze me. They are tucked away like a treasure on the way into downtown. This was my first time to photograph the gardens and — as is always the case with an assignment — visiting as a photographer allowed me to take in the details with more careful consideration and awe.”

ILINA EWEN / WRITER

Ilina Ewen considers herself an “accidental activist” who advocates for issues like reducing childhood hunger, eliminating child abuse, supporting public education and increasing representation of women in the workplace. She uses her voice as a public speaker and writer who talks about advocacy, family engagement and social justice. “Interviewing Brittany intersected many touchpoints for me. She is a powerhouse in her field, a champion for social good and a fellow mom to boys. I approached this story through the lens my career gives me, of a woman who works for a commercial general contractor. Brittany’s skills and outlook serve as a lesson and inspiration to me personally and professionally.”

SAMANTHA EVERETTE / PHOTOGRAPHER

Samantha Everette is a portrait photographer and Durham native. She graduated summa cum laude from North Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial design. Everette spent a decade in New York as a footwear designer and has since returned home to explore her passion for photography. For this issue, she photographed artist Ed Baxter and the Dreamville music festival. “What an amazing experience — I was so excited about Dreamville that I could barely sleep that weekend.”

DAVID MENCONI / WRITER

Longtime music writer David Menconi first interviewed the Durhamborn rapper G. Yamazawa in 2017, when his song “North Cack” was blowing up. “You’ve got to love any song that hypes Carolina barbecue,” says Menconi. His next book, Oh, Didn’t They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music, will be published by University of North Carolina Press in the fall of 2023.

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