February 6, 2026, was more than a date on the calendar. It marked a renewed appreciation for the community I’ve served—both professionally and through volunteer work—for nearly two decades. Earlier that day, I saw news coverage about a now-deleted Truth Social post in which Donald Trump used a racist depiction to degrade the Obamas, portraying them as apes. The imagery left me unsettled. In response, I drove along Murchison Road, one of Fayetteville’s historic Black corridors, and stopped at Crown Fried Chicken, a Black-owned staple on Murchison Rd.
The moment I walked in, I felt the shift. The cashier, a woman in her 70s, greeted me with a warmth that felt ancestral. She identified me through doll-like names such as “Sweetheart” and “Baby,” that carried comfort and familiarity, and asked how my day was going. Instantly, I felt happy to be around my people. Those endearments didn’t just welcome me into a business but also welcomed me into a space of belonging.
As I waited for my order, I overheard her and another elder discussing current events, specifically news about a text-message scam alerts targeting people’s benefits, and the goodness of God. Listening to them made my soul smile which transcend into a warm smile and time castle me into a nostalgia moment of the front porch-sitting days in Wagram, North Carolina, my mother’s hometown in rural Scotland County. where I would sit and listen to my grandmother and her friends and aunt talk about everyday conversations about life, family stories, to name a news.
The writer’s Two-Six Day in its entirety – Crown Fried Chicken, Murchison Road, J. Cole’s album release, and Two-Six Celebration; Courtesy of The Fayetteville Observer, Wheree, and The Fall-Off
The elderly woman even pulled me into their discussion, which interrupted my thoughts, saying quote: “How old are you, sugar?” she asked, making sure I had heard about the scams circulating on the news and joining in on their conversations. With a laugh, she said she was “28 years backward,” then asked, “Did you catch that?” She was humorous, yet sharp enough to recognize a scam targeting elders from a mile away.
When I picked up my order, she told me, “If I don’t see you again, I hope to see you in heaven — ’cause that’s where I’m going to be.” That small exchange wrapped nostalgia, protection, Black culture, and love into one simple moment. As I left, I drove a little slower down Murchison Road. I wasn’t just passing storefronts I was absorbing black culture.
Later that afternoon, I stopped to photograph the brick mural of J. Cole, whose long-anticipated album The Fall Off had just dropped that day. I also snap pictures of the album Billboard which were scattered across the city. The Fall-Off album included several highlighting songs that reference Fayetteville, “Two-Six,” “Bombs in the Ville,” “The Villest,” and “And the Whole World Is the Ville.” The photographic moment staring at greatness face to face, and what you can become being from the Two-Six.
By nighttime, downtown Fayetteville was alive. I went to capture content for social media, but what I experienced was far greater than content. Listening parties at The Sip Room, Airborne Cigar Emporium, 104.5 FM Radio Station, and Gaston Brewing, alongside an art viewing at Gallery 13, filled the city. Even a screening of the “Two-Six Cypher” at the Omni Theater before the album release, spotlighted independent Fayetteville artists, was going on. Each event reflected what Two-Six truly represents – community pride, creativity, and collective identity.
Art murals of Fayetteville and Cole’s billboard display, located on Robeson Street; Photo Credit: Tracey Morrison/The Exclusive Press
At Game Day, another downtown spot hosting a listening party, I ran into my Raeford familiar faces and joined in for a game of cornhole. A friend of mines who met me there, made sure I was good on food while placing her order at Gaston Brewing. To me it was a small but powerful gesture that reflected the spirit of looking out for one another. More familiar faces joined in on the fun as I laughed, reminisced about spotlighted moments about the Ville, and even tried to decode the riddle-like lyrics in Cole’s songs.
Then, unexpectedly, word spread that Cole was at The Sip Room. Within moments, the energy shifted. People gathered, not in chaos, but in excitement – hoping in for a photo, a handshake, simple glimpse, or to engage in some form of interaction with the 41-year-old. Seeing a hometown hero show up to celebrate with his city felt symbolic, embodying the true meaning of Two-Six.
Two-Six Listening Party at Game Day, a fan rocking his #15 high school jersey, and J. Cole’s surprise visit at The Sip Room and meeting with fans outside; Photo Credit: The Exclusive Press
Two-Six ended on a high note, simply by reconnecting with my roots. February 6, 2026, also stood out as a day grounded in art, culture, and authentic connection. It reaffirmed that Fayetteville’s strength lies not only in its talent, but in its character. Even amid divisive headlines, there is something astonishing about shared spaces, elders passing down wisdom, artists honoring where they come from, and friends looking out for one another. The day became a reminder to cherish community and to celebrate what makes it distinct. J. Cole’s unexpected visit to the city added a special touch, closing out Two-Six on an even more meaningful note.
Two-Six stands as a testament to something enduring: when we gather, when we remember who we are, and when we stand firmly behind one another, our light shines brighter than anything meant to dim it. Even for J. Cole, the living embodiment of the Two-Six, the moment reflected resilience and reconnection. After facing criticism for stepping away from the highly publicized rap feud involving Kendrick Lamar and Drake, he returned to what has always grounded him, his community. His album release became more than a musical milestone — it served as a reaffirmation of identity after stepping away from a divisive rap battle and facing scrutiny, while tapping into his roots with his new album and hometown loyalty.
At its core, Two-Six is about reconnecting to the heart of the community and recognizing that strength is amplified when it is shared. Sometimes that means stepping away from divisiveness, as I did from the negative news cycle, and as Cole did from the rap battle – to refuel at the roots. Returning to that foundation brings the love of the community full circle.
