Duplin County Community Circles: Striving to Thrive in the Midst of a Pandemic

Community partnerships with academic institutions can often be one-sided in favor of the institution. Data mining for the purposes of funding, publications and other benefits have historically been the driving force for these partnerships. Community residents are often left with feelings of mistrust, resentment and distaste for academia.The Community Circles Project in Duplin County began as a series of conversations in which the authentic voices of community residents were respected, leading to open dialogue and a nurtured relationship. Project participants were viewed by the project team and viewed themselves as much more than data. This presentation will showcase how power sharing is mutually beneficial for the community and its academic partner, as shown through a conversation with Ms. Earlean Rivers from Warsaw, N.C.