What a city says about itself says a lot about itself.

When social media marketing can paint whatever picture they want, are they who they say they are or are they just playing to the crowd? 

Anyone can post a story about MLK Day, Pride Week, Cinco de Mayo, or Veteran’s Day. List a few events, some pretty pictures, check the box and move on until next year.

Durham says hold on, we can and will do a lot better than that! Discover Durham exists to promote Durham and is funded by a city hospitality tax. Culture and diversity are who they are, not a once a year campaign. Their website prominently features lots of stories AND a list of every Black-, women-, Hispanic & Latino-, LGBT-, and veteran-owned business they know of in the entire city, open for business every day all year!

This isn’t normal, but wouldn’t you like it to be? If you know of any other city that does this, tell us and we’ll spread the word. In the meantime, shout out to Margaret Pentrack, Sr. Director of Marketing, Brittany Jones, Kristin Bedinger and the rest of the team for setting the bar high and leading this charge!

Next time you’re in Durham, consider exploring their local businesses. See what you can’t find in any other city. Experience what you can’t feel anywhere else. Then choose to spend your money where it can stay in the local community, grow deeper roots, celebrate their diversity, and keep their