tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61551331758314797402024-03-17T23:01:40.555-04:00Rev-elutionCarl W. Kenney II is an award winning columnist and novelist. He is committed to engaging readers into a meaningful discussion related to matters that impact faith and society. He grapples with pondering the impact faith has on public space while seeking to understand how public space both hinders and enhances the walk of faith.REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.comBlogger657125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-21250324947929462682023-11-16T13:00:00.008-05:002023-11-16T21:20:23.434-05:00Howerton's strong leadership deserves another term as chairwoman<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTGROHSSPFMbC4w0v9iQgYUzmoYjQ4bSpjygczDWIXYtva21Cu1PArlH9izZWUfHf8mh1XyDYVzTaAcfRzlHeXCpnToCPpc3InrcKrGmjRWYYsCZocp-b4pRRKNIRgP31yjaTK5VcdoYxeIkFyVcyRL_q9A9z4U-m-Yef2sO-9maC5LusfvixHOtkKX-p/s960/COmmission%20members.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTGROHSSPFMbC4w0v9iQgYUzmoYjQ4bSpjygczDWIXYtva21Cu1PArlH9izZWUfHf8mh1XyDYVzTaAcfRzlHeXCpnToCPpc3InrcKrGmjRWYYsCZocp-b4pRRKNIRgP31yjaTK5VcdoYxeIkFyVcyRL_q9A9z4U-m-Yef2sO-9maC5LusfvixHOtkKX-p/s320/COmmission%20members.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strike>(</strike>Members of the Durham Board of County Commissioners: Brenda Howerton, Nida Alam, Nimasheena Burns, Heidi Carter and Wendy Jacobs)</div><p></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">COMMENTARY -</b> Members of the Durham Board of County Commissioners
will soon vote on their board chair. It’s hard to imagine not extending the
services of Brenda Howerton.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The best way to describe Howerton’s work is heroic.
Howerton, along with former chair Wendy Jacobs, resuscitated the life back into
county government after the exit of former County Manager Wendell Davis. Together,
they teamed up to rekindle confidence when the brutal back and forth reminded
residents of stories involving the Hatfield and McCoy feud near the Kentucky
side of Tug Fork.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many residents forget the massive tug in the soul of local
harmony after Davis accused a member of the board of acts and statements viewed
as racist. Residents may remember the disgusting conduct that pitted members of
the board against many Black citizens weary of the motives leading to the
decision to end a Black man’s career in county government.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">People reasoned Davis had to go for not being progressive
enough for Durham. A member of the board of education derided his upscale attire.
A member of the city council blasted that Black man for spewing a racist trope
to degrade Davis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Howerton stood alone in support of former County Attorney
Lowell Siler’s recommendation to employ the services of The Robert Bobb Group,
a minority-owned national consulting firm, to help Durham County wiggle out of
the mess created by members of the board. Nimasheenda Burns, the other Black
woman on the board, sided with those critics and her colleagues on the
commission incensed by Bobbs time as an appointed Emergency Financial Manager of
the Detroit Public Schools between 2009-2011.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Siler seemed humiliated during the virtual meeting questioning
both his leadership and judgement. That moment ended Siler’s public service as
county attorney after a stroke. Siler died on Sept. 8.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The board never received the type of consulting recommended
by Siler, The International City/County Management Association and the
independent investigator hired by the county to consider the actions of both Davis
and a member of the board.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Durham County endured the impact of Covid-19. The board
faced challenges after members of the Durham County employees racial equity
core committee made demands of the board following the end of Davis’s contract.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Members of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)
cohort outlined a strategy that includes: (1) board members attending racial
equity training, (2) improved interpersonal relationships on the board, (3)
request that the board “employ racial equity tools to its future decision
making processes and future moves to add a racial equity directive as a high
level, guiding principle to each of County Government’s five strategic plan
goal areas, in order to avoid disparate impacts among not only its managers,
but its employees and citizens”, and (4) request that the board engage in an
open town hall to address inequity and race relations in Durham and in Durham County
Government.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Durham had to replace its county manager during a time of
extreme hostility. Members of the board faced the lingering effects related to
the loss of their competent and popular county attorney. The board faced
challenges from a community divided on the budget for public education. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Howerton provided strong and consistent leadership. Jacobs
relinquished her role as board chair to support Howerton in ways that model
unity. Both deserve recognition for shifting the culture within both county
government and in Durham County.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We’ve come a long way since the last election. As residents
consider the slate of candidates who will file for office over the next 30
days, keep your eyes on who the commissioner selects as the chair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I seriously recommend staying on track. The Durham
locomotive is headed in the right direction thanks to Howerton and Jacobs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">All in favor say Aye</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-60123101401117464032023-09-20T21:33:00.009-04:002023-09-22T10:13:22.140-04:00No evidence Durham Councilwoman Monique Holsey-Hyman extorted developer for campaign contribution<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8ow3JqD35SupUK6jejZC_uvgADyarItVduXmIoSz9ziTPK7U38nxDqNaImXMt5nWMUQio2HMh4xM8NLGsuwONEhO10s_QYCGcNOH-mjZpi4X4EbjVGmxlV3dgLaTFxBbT5zg-cuQ03a34LcvV0D__aFRAefCfs8ZDTI8KsZCv-KCcrl0lCvB1bb01PEh/s2048/Monique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8ow3JqD35SupUK6jejZC_uvgADyarItVduXmIoSz9ziTPK7U38nxDqNaImXMt5nWMUQio2HMh4xM8NLGsuwONEhO10s_QYCGcNOH-mjZpi4X4EbjVGmxlV3dgLaTFxBbT5zg-cuQ03a34LcvV0D__aFRAefCfs8ZDTI8KsZCv-KCcrl0lCvB1bb01PEh/s320/Monique.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">Durham,
NC - The fight to prove her innocence comes with thoughts of things taken away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">“I don’t
think you understand what it is to get to a point to want to help people for
someone to try to take it away in the matter of a minute,” said Durham City
Councilwoman Monique Holsey-Hyman during a press conference announcing the end
of a probe by the State Bureau of Investigation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">“I was
the last person asked what I wanted to do. I was never asked did I do it, did I
not do it,” said Holsey-Hyman. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">On
Tuesday, Durham District Attorney Satana Deberry released a statement clearing
Holsey-Hyman of soliciting a bride from Jarrod Edens, a local developer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">The
SBI conducted interviews with Mayor Elaine O’Neal, members of the city council
and staff. Holsey-Hyman cooperated with the SBI after providing documentation
proving her innocence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">“Jarrod
Edens, on the other hand, avoided every attempt SA (special agent) Deming made
to interview him,” said Deberry in her statement. “Edens did not answer calls nor
return messages left by SA Deming."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">According
to Deming, Edens, who triggered the controversy with a complaint to Sara Young,
director of the Durham city-county planning department, lost interest in the
investigation after four city council members – Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony
Middleton, Javier Cabellero, Jillian Johnson and Leonardo Williams, voted to
approve his 192 unit development.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">“Nobody
ever asked me anything. I knew I didn’t do anything, and I wanted the truth to
come out, but I did not want my life to literally be turned upside down,” said Holsey-Hyman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">The
same four council members who approved Edens’ project voted to send the
developers complaint to the SBI.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">“There
was a majority vote. The investigation was not at my instigation. The censure
was nothing I was going to find on board,” said O’Neal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“In talking about what we were going to do, I did
not say what my position was. I did not think it belonged to me. I did let them
know I was not in favor of going to the SBI.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">O’Neal said she recommended hiring an outside attorney to investigate the charges made against
Holsey-Hyman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">“As a
lawyer, you know, based on the information I had, the alleged facts that I was
given, it was pretty much conversations. There were no forensics, there were no
reports that were new,” said O’Neal. “It was basically he says, she says and
basically phone records. That’s not an extensive investigation in my opinion. A
competent attorney could have handled that.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">O’Neal
said Holsey-Hyman and Freeman, who is running for mayor
against Williams, “have been accused of things that are false, untrue and outward
lies.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">She
addressed the incident recorded by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaEnNXtxoYk&t=43s"><span style="color: red;"><b>WRAL-TV at the end of the March 23 city council work session</b></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">“Let
me first say I was never assaulted. Anyone who spreads that is telling a lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was never assaulted,” O’Neal said. “What I
did see when I rounded was the hands of councilman Williams on councilwoman Freeman
who was then saying get your hands off of me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">O’Neal’s
version of what happened counters reporting by former IndyWeek reporter Thomsai
McDonald.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">“</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;">While in the adjoining
room, Freeman threw down the items she was carrying, including a bottle of
water, and “went after,” or tried to physically attack Middleton, according to
the eyewitness source who asked to remain anonymous,” McDonald reports.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;">“Instead of landing
punches on Middleton, Freeman ended up punching council member Leonardo
Williams twice in the face. The eyewitness source says Freeman also struck
mayor Elaine O’Neal once in the face when the former judge tried to intervene.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;">Antonio R Wood, Sr.,
pastor of Evans Solid Rock Church for All People in Wake Forest, NC, witnessed the
exchange. He says Freeman, Williams, Middleton and O’Neal are the only other people
to witness the exchange. The WRAL-TV video shows Wood standing in the doorway during
the confrontation between Middleton and Freeman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;">“Another woman was
about to go back there before the mayor told her to leave,” said Wood. “No punches
were thrown. Only person with hands on was Leonardo Williams on Freeman. He
claimed she hit him. She didn’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;">O’Neal said
Holsey-Hyman and Freeman endure being tested by fire.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">“On
that particular day, councilwoman Freeman, it was the last straw. It was as my
sister said, the last button on Abraham’s jacket,” said O’Neal. She couldn’t
take it anymore.”</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;">Williams released a
statement defending his actions after O’Neal gave her version of what happened
that night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;">“I intervened to stop a
physical altercation,” said Williams. “In the process, I put myself in harms
way and while unintentional, I was hit, and put my hands up to block further
hits.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;">There are two versions
of what happened between Freeman and Middleton. There’s the version reported in
the IndyWeek with an anonymous witness. That version requires accepting the source
being Middleton or Williams.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;">The alternative narrative
demands believing Freeman, O’Neal and Wood, the pastor who stood at the door.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;">The outcome of the
upcoming municipal election may be won based on who voters believe isn’t
telling the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">“It’s
gonna be up to the court of public opinion to figure out who’s telling the
truth and who’s not,” said O’Neal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
don’t have any dogs in this race anymore. I’m not running for office, but I
stand to tell you to pay close attention. Believe people when they show you who
they really are.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><br />REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-16312414778397588062023-08-01T11:33:00.003-04:002023-08-01T11:33:26.356-04:00An election is coming, an election is coming: Get ready, get set, vote<p><b><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJLY5Z7bMnVkLWTUbj5zdfU-91AgyWUSbMcY-T76RZGhOyoux511X8OUUeRgElSPBlQH6tIFu_Atf2gIujFeLD3maoFctV9psrqXlRPRy-i1-sUdGE1aVln1T6SmFvSjgOF79tNLocfJ2WY3fsUfUwfaRF5j0BCvXJzVITR8oy4Bo-rGMG3ov2ObpjMDc/s293/Cool%20city.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="293" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJLY5Z7bMnVkLWTUbj5zdfU-91AgyWUSbMcY-T76RZGhOyoux511X8OUUeRgElSPBlQH6tIFu_Atf2gIujFeLD3maoFctV9psrqXlRPRy-i1-sUdGE1aVln1T6SmFvSjgOF79tNLocfJ2WY3fsUfUwfaRF5j0BCvXJzVITR8oy4Bo-rGMG3ov2ObpjMDc/s1600/Cool%20city.jpg" width="293" /></a></b></div><b><br />COMMENTARY – </b><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">The Durham Municipal
Election is rapidly approaching with 12 people vying for three city council
seats and eight people hoping to become mayor.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Early voting for the municipal primary begins on Sept 21
and ends on Oct 7. The Oct. 10 primary will narrow the field of candidates for
city council to six and mayor to two for the Nov 7 general election. Early
voting for the general election begins Oct 19 and ends Nov 4.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Durham voters have a lot to consider before casting votes.
These candidates for both city council and mayor are a mixture of present council
members, former council members, candidates who tried before and lost and
people unknown to most residents. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">What is the average voter to do beyond gauging who to
select based on campaign signs or the endorsement of their favorite political
action committee? Most voters are detached from the working of city government
beyond the fight recorded by WRAL-TV after a council meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">How do you pick from a group you barely know? Who do you
trust when what matters most is discussed less than the personal battles
defining the work of the city council?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Durham City Council elections take place every two years
with the mayor on the ballot every election. At-large council seats are on the
ballot this year. Terms for ward seats expire in 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In 2021, voters overwhelming supported Elaine O’Neal to
become Durham’s first Black woman to serve as mayor. Her win responded to a
call to defund the police. Rev. Mark-Anthony Middleton and DeDreana Freeman
were re-elected riding the coattail of O’Neal, a former district and superior
court judge. Leonardo Williams, owner with his wife of Zweli, a Zimbabwean cuisine
restaurant, defeated A.J. Williams, a 34-year-old community activist, by 300
votes. A.J. Williams lost despite loads of funding and the backing of Durham
Beyond Police and Durham for All, grassroots coalitions effective in mobilizing
a diverse community of younger residents.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The 2019 election centered Mayor Steve Schewel campaign for
affordable housing against Farad Ali, a former member of the city council and CEO
of The Institute for Minority Economic Development. Ali advocated for shared economic
prosperity. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Jillian Johnson, Charlie Reece and Javiera Caballero, who
replaced Schewel after he became mayor in 2017, joined forces to form the Bull
City Together Platform as incumbents on the council. Ali endured criticism for
his business connections while Johnson, Reece and Caballero were celebrated for
promoting a progressive agenda.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">History informs the context for the upcoming municipal
election. If affordable housing and police funding are the narrative for the
previous elections, what’s on the ballot this year?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Civility Matters<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The shout heard around the Triangle measures the communal
rage felt by many Durham voters. In March, allegations of malfeasance against
Councilwoman Monique Holsey-Hyman during a work session carried over to Freeman
accusing Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middle of bullying Black women and allegedly
accidently striking Councilman Leonardo Williams in the face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">A lack of civility among members on the council impacted O’Neal’s
decision not to pursue a second term as mayor. Bickering during council meetings
lends credence to no current council member (Williams and Freeman are both campaigning
to become mayor) having the ability to effectively facilitate council meetings.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Durham voters should consider the impact of a culture of
incivility in voting for mayor. Who among the candidates processes the demeanor
essential in managing a crowd of people with opposing perspectives?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">It Takes Four Votes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Bearing in mind all the bad related to establishing a
coalition like the 2017 Bull City Together Platform, the name of the game is
winning four seats on the council. In Durham, the mayor is the symbolic head of
the city and a member of the city council but has no executive authority. The
city manager oversees the day-to-day operations and implements the policies and
manages the budget approved by the council.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">When casting your votes, consider how the positions and
perspectives of each person align with the rest of the team. The work of the
council is not the life of lone rangers. Ideally, they should build together in
ways which reflect the general consensus of local residents. They represent voters,
not their own views related to what it means to hold a position of power.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Each vote is an affirmation of a collective mission
statement. It isn’t a popularity contest. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each vote signifies how we, as a community, understand
and support how infrastructural changes advance or impede the work of our city.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Growth or Slow it Down<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Voters should ponder the consequences of growth. Are we
building for the people who are coming, or is growth benefiting the people who
are already here?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Are we positioning growth in celebration of what Durham has
always been – an incredible city with a rich legacy of inclusive prosperity? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">We are one of the homes of Black Wall Street - where dreams
come true transcendent of race, gender, gender identity, place of origin,
religion or past mistakes. Are we building for a future imbedded in the life,
culture and witness of what brought us to Durham – what keeps us in Durham? Or,
are members of the city council favoring zoning changes and other policies to entice
and satisfy the desires of the people who aren’t here?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Before you vote, decide. What is your vision for Durham?
Are you willing to accept more growth? If so, at what expense? Who wins when we
keep building? Who loses when the growth results in an invasion of richer,
white people with limited knowledge of why many people celebrate “Dirty Durham”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">They are welcome to come, but not at the risk of losing our
happy home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Shared Prosperity <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Again, considering where we’ve been helps frame where we’re
going. Voters rejected Farad Ali in 2017 due to his business connections. The
claim that Ali and Joshua Gunn, a former Durham Chamber of Commerce executive
and hip-hop recording artist who lost in a bid for city council in 2017, were
too business centered missed the mark in fully understanding and affirming the
goals of Black and Brown economic mobility and inclusion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">It is problematic to measure Black capitalism using the same
constructs as white centered, institutionalized capitalism. Black capitalism is
rooted from a place of survival for both individuals and a community massively
impacted by the weaponizing of white centered capitalism.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">They are not the same thing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Ali called for the implementation and execution of
strategies aimed at facilitating shared prosperity. If voters embrace continued
growth coupled with ongoing gentrification, the widening of white versus Black
and Brown economic disparity and shifting demographics reflective of more white
and fewer Black and Brown residents, are we becoming a community different than
what we’ve come to celebrate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Voters should consider policies which protect our desired
image. What is our community brand? How do votes by members of the city council
assure the sharing of prosperity? Should we care?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">A few things to consider as you prepare for the upcoming primary
and subsequent general election.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Next up, a summary of the people running for mayor and city
council.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.liveabout.com/mayor-career-information-1669473" target="_blank"><span style="background: #F9F9F9; color: blue; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
</span></a></span><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #020100; font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-68347488227477338802023-07-21T12:35:00.001-04:002023-07-21T12:37:22.154-04:00Patrick Hannah decides to place family needs above becoming Durham's next mayor<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfiZOy3_x0ATRpf8fW72AupJunJARXqOdo0vKl83ozTgD2ijp9gFkwzxngCgVeH_NB_9O02GaFgYMcHjLaWnPaQBGON1sO7CSReO-ogPTp8PJIxq8OALFglf_ih9A0Y4dtIl29I-q53wSCj_iTnXwOY_065JIVg3aLgxlFZyfWAbBEaLGFp8kBY0fW5Xs/s2676/Patrick%20Hannah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2676" data-original-width="1784" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfiZOy3_x0ATRpf8fW72AupJunJARXqOdo0vKl83ozTgD2ijp9gFkwzxngCgVeH_NB_9O02GaFgYMcHjLaWnPaQBGON1sO7CSReO-ogPTp8PJIxq8OALFglf_ih9A0Y4dtIl29I-q53wSCj_iTnXwOY_065JIVg3aLgxlFZyfWAbBEaLGFp8kBY0fW5Xs/w133-h200/Patrick%20Hannah.jpg" width="133" /></a></i></div><i><br />Statement from Patrick Hannah</i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Dear
Family, Friends & Durham Community,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I hope
this note finds you well. Thank you for your kind words, encouragement and
support over the past 2 weeks. It is with mixed emotions that I write to inform
you that I will not be running for Mayor of Durham at this time. While I am
deeply committed to serving our community and have a strong desire to
contribute to its growth and prosperity, I must prioritize my family
responsibilities at this juncture.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Over
the years, I have been fortunate to have had numerous opportunities to serve
our city, state and nation in various capacities. From my time working at The
White House - <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Office
of Legal Counsel during the Lewinsky Trial to my role as Chairman of the
Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority during a global pandemic. I have been tested
and gained invaluable experience in navigating complex policy, legal and
administrative matters. These experiences have shaped my understanding of the
challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for our city.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">As
Vice President of the Durham NAACP and a Board Member for the Durham's
Partnership for Children, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of
community engagement and collaboration in advancing social justice and ensuring
the well-being of our youngest citizens. These roles have reinforced my
commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable Durham for all.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">During
my tenure as a law clerk in the North Carolina Senate - Office of the President
Pre-Tem, and as a corporate attorney for a Fortune 70 company, I have gained a
deep understanding of the legislative process and the intricacies of corporate
governance. These experiences have provided me with a unique perspective on the
intersection of public policy and private sector interests, which I believe is
crucial for effective leadership in today's world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Additionally,
as a Community Organizer for Voices for Working Families, I dedicated my
efforts to creating job opportunities for our community. I firmly believe that
a thriving economy is essential for the well-being of our residents, and I have
worked diligently to advocate for policies that promote sustainable growth and
uplift those who have been marginalized.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Despite
my passion for public service and the desire to contribute to the betterment of
Durham, my family priorities require my undivided attention. As a dedicated
spouse and parent to two children, one with special needs, I must place my
family's needs at the forefront for the time being.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Please
know that this decision has not been made lightly. It is driven by a deep sense
of responsibility and love for my family. However, I remain committed to
serving our community in whatever capacity I can, and I will continue to
advocate for the issues that matter most to Durham citizens.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I am
grateful for the support and encouragement I have received throughout my
journey, and I am certain that Durham will continue to thrive under the
leadership of dedicated individuals who share a vision for a stronger, more vibrant
community. I have no doubt that our city will continue to progress and prosper,
and I look forward to playing a role in that future when the time is right.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Thank
you for your understanding, and I remain committed to working alongside you to
create positive change in Durham.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-88952477459687757942023-07-20T15:40:00.001-04:002023-07-20T15:40:04.293-04:00Durham Councilman Leonardo Williams Declares Candidacy for Mayor<p><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAQz2dwXc8cYsv_7qHOIqU36NySvsifUMIj24jTmVKoeJVpz3hwFjNbRxPl0WjK02yP2onkyVtD1tsTpcoZIyw5OStDYVTzociHwVTw5gsYW0nsD7s-RKx2By7lVDt6hvzJCGDSPh7PAyPMErsOL_ecMuot3-aHS1uFQExY4U6DU15f20y6ByEGZuWZnR/s180/Leo%20Williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="141" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAQz2dwXc8cYsv_7qHOIqU36NySvsifUMIj24jTmVKoeJVpz3hwFjNbRxPl0WjK02yP2onkyVtD1tsTpcoZIyw5OStDYVTzociHwVTw5gsYW0nsD7s-RKx2By7lVDt6hvzJCGDSPh7PAyPMErsOL_ecMuot3-aHS1uFQExY4U6DU15f20y6ByEGZuWZnR/s1600/Leo%20Williams.jpg" width="141" /></a></div><br />The
campaign will kick off at the Black Wall Street historic marker on Parrish St.
in Downtown Durham on Friday, July 21st at 12 pm<i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">. </span></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From Leonardo Wiliams campaign staff</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">DURHAM,
NC -- is set to enter a transformative new era as Leonardo Williams, a small
business owner, City Councilmember, and former Educator of the Year has
officially announced his decision to run for Mayor.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
announcement of Councilman Williams’ candidacy has already gained significant
momentum, with an outpouring of support from community leaders and residents.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m
proud to announce that I am filing to run to be the next Mayor of Durham. Over
the last several weeks, I have received many messages of encouragement. I thank
you all for your support already.” Councilman Williams said. “I love Durham.
This city has given me and my family so much. This campaign isn’t about me.
It’s about what’s best for our city now and creating a legacy for the future. I
understand there have been moments of uncertainty in our City Council, but
behind the smoke screen, we have been able to achieve tremendous feats. We’ve
made great progress in my time on the Council, and I<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">am
proud to be consequential in that work. However, Durham’s next transformation
is just beginning. As a city, we do face serious challenges, yet our
opportunities are far greater. We need thoughtful solutions and actionable
outcomes to tackle our challenges and seize our opportunities. I’m prepared to
be your mayor, Durham. I’m running because I believe that together we can
create the future that Durham deserves.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">About
Councilman Leonardo Williams</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Born
in Hobgood, NC, Leo first came to Durham as a student at NC Central University
where he met his now wife, Zweli. At NCCU, Leo was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha,
the oldest intercollegiate, historically African American fraternity.
Additionally, Leo was actively involved in student government and a member of
the renowned NCCU marching band while he pursued a degree in Music
Education. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After
graduating, Leo became a public-school teacher in Durham where he led band
programs, was honored as one of the youngest Teacher of the Year, and mentored
dozens of aspiring young musicians. One of his formative experiences as a
teacher was in his first year when he asked a class of 42 students how many had
visited another state. Only three had. Leo saw an opportunity and a need. He
organized a fundraising drive that raised enough money to take 32 students on a
field trip to New York City. This </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">experience
solidified Leo’s belief that there is no better investment than giving young
people opportunities to grow and expand their horizons. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
2008, he joined the board of the NC Foundation for Public School Children,
where he was quickly asked to serve as executive director. In his capacity as
executive director, he vastly expanded the budget, scope, and impact of the
largest foundation supporting public school students in the state. In his
capacity as executive director, Leo saw the challenges public school students
face and worked with national, state, and local partners to provide the best
possible education to all North Carolina public school students. Leo and
Zweli embarked on a new challenge in 2018, opening the first Zweli’s restaurant
location. Not only did Zweli’s succeed and then survive COVID-19, but they also
now own three locations in Durham, one in Zimbabwe, and they employ more than
sixty staff. Leo and Zweli are committed to not only paying a living wage but paying
their team to a level that will allow them to thrive. Each full-time job they
have created pays a minimum of $20 an hour, and they exclusively hire local
artists to decorate their restaurants.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Leo
knows the challenges that come with creating and running a business. When he
decided to pursue a seat on the Durham City Council in 2021, there were no
small business owners, a perspective that was sorely missed. Running as a true
outsider, Leo ran a clean campaign focused on investing in Durham’s youth, ending
gun violence, creating more economic opportunities, and increasing equity
throughout the city. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since
being elected to the Council, among his accomplishments, Leo has focused on a citywide
apprenticeship program to enhance workforce development and address the 27,000
job vacancies in Durham, helping to bridge people to better wages and housing.
He has led the Taskforce on Black Men and Boys to establish concrete recommendations
on addressing gun violence. He has also passed a historic budget without
raising taxes and supporting our first responders. His vision for the future of<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Durham
is shaped by (1) diverse housing options that allow for stable, safe, and
affordable homes, (2) robust economic development initiatives, (3) an
infrastructure that will support multimodal transit options and expanded
connectivity, and (4) an environment that is built and sustained by us all. Leo
and Zweli live in Ward 3 with their son, Izaiah, and their pup, Dovi!</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>For
updates about Leonardo Williams’ campaign and to join the mailing list please
visit<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.leofordurham.com
or follow him on: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Facebook:
LeoForDurham<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Twitter:
LeoForDurham<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Instagram:
LeoForDurham<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 427.5pt;"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-24925926209028258922023-07-19T10:33:00.006-04:002023-07-19T10:36:36.258-04:00Durham City Councilwoman DeDreana Freeman files for mayor with a goal of moving past "the drama"<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLfCnzL0zok_sgiGvvZl9U0jGHYF6qpmYu3L-8F7-7fLGE7tJhSBX9w07kRGe5MqkX86u-lDRgTJJ6ssXxEY-Bf_1FEGR66YFFFY66MT4MYXrb-0BTn4AGusDmsKWxS0uEmbdU7UTV59Y0nlI_Y-CciGQxDkFNAROGouRRkBeRgmI0T-M0FEjb6HbTmoP/s6003/Freeman%20Picture.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4716" data-original-width="6003" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLfCnzL0zok_sgiGvvZl9U0jGHYF6qpmYu3L-8F7-7fLGE7tJhSBX9w07kRGe5MqkX86u-lDRgTJJ6ssXxEY-Bf_1FEGR66YFFFY66MT4MYXrb-0BTn4AGusDmsKWxS0uEmbdU7UTV59Y0nlI_Y-CciGQxDkFNAROGouRRkBeRgmI0T-M0FEjb6HbTmoP/w200-h157/Freeman%20Picture.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">DURHAM,
NC, July 19, 2023 - Durham City Council representative of Ward 1, DeDreana
Freeman, steps forward to announce candidacy for Mayor of Durham on July 18,
2023.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I am proudly running to represent the people of Durham, a city I’ve
grown to love and my family calls home,” said Freeman.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“As
Durham’s mayor, I would engage in more dialogue and guide efforts towards
‘working families’ and populations of youth and seniors who don’t get a fair
shake. I hope that the people will continue to have faith this coming November.
Their support of me as mayor would be tremendous in fueling efforts that have
just begun.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">DeDreana
Freeman is a non-profit leader with over 20 years of experience in North
Carolina and presently serves as the Director of Partnership Development for
CornerSquare Community Capital, a subsidiary of the North Carolina Rural
Center. Freeman leads outreach and engagement efforts in 17 states, including
Washington, DC in support of Community Development Financial Institutions
(CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) to increase community
investments through small businesses and entrepreneurs. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since joining
CornerSquare in 2022, DeDreana has successfully built a network of strategic
partners, fostering trust and collaboration with key stakeholders. Prior to
that, she served as the Special Assistant to the President of Durham Children's
Initiative, for which she has spearheaded plans to support families and their
children from birth to college and/or career.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">"During
her six and a half years on the city council, Freeman has been a formidable
advocate for the residents of Durham. She consistently works to address social,
economic, and environmental justice issues that often plague marginalized
communities," states a press release to Rev-elution. "With proven leadership and dedication to creating a more equitable
and inclusive Durham, DeDreana Freeman is the ideal candidate to lead the city
forward."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Freeman
enters the race after enduring public tension with some of her peers on the
city council.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It
would be so simple to just fade into the background; however, I am committed to
the work ahead and had to move past all the drama to be the person my mother,
daughter and sons need me to be,” said Freeman. “My family loves Durham and
serving means doing what’s in the best interest of Durham at all times.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For
details or additional information regarding her campaign, visit
dedreanafreeman.com.</span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-43593973529911723502023-07-17T15:05:00.003-04:002023-07-17T15:14:06.820-04:00Patrick Hannah, Former Chairman of Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, Explores Mayoral Run for Durham, Prioritizing Infrastructure, Economic Development, and Community Well-being<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZKYI7lc_o9YTHl6NfqNotwelprtrIRrNIPgfUB_S7SAWXbhzD4lbcG0PzBT1GDFk4iJpYlpQX83BstiyP2KPEI22ktw9v8MqhlCqX9_akpRBzQrRhTcBQk-xfYF58To0XEZclQQR_nhEY5D-uTxIlIsmgGb187QvikoIEGRRvEf7oYBzV--q4u9SkG0e/s2676/IMG_5707.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2676" data-original-width="1784" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZKYI7lc_o9YTHl6NfqNotwelprtrIRrNIPgfUB_S7SAWXbhzD4lbcG0PzBT1GDFk4iJpYlpQX83BstiyP2KPEI22ktw9v8MqhlCqX9_akpRBzQrRhTcBQk-xfYF58To0XEZclQQR_nhEY5D-uTxIlIsmgGb187QvikoIEGRRvEf7oYBzV--q4u9SkG0e/w133-h200/IMG_5707.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">DURHAM,
NC, July 17, 2023 – Patrick Hannah, known for his extensive experience in
infrastructure development and economic growth as the immediate past chairman
of Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, has announced his consideration of a
mayoral run for Durham. With a strong track record in job creation and
dedication to addressing critical issues such as crime and housing, Hannah
brings a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to driving positive change in the
community.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">Hannah's
experience as chairman of Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority has been
characterized by his unwavering focus on infrastructure development, ensuring
that the region's connectivity and transportation networks are optimized for
economic growth. Spearheading numerous projects, Hannah has consistently aimed
to create job opportunities, foster economic prosperity, and enhance the
quality of life for residents.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">Recognizing
the importance of economic development, Hannah has actively sought partnerships
with local businesses and organizations to attract investments, boost job
creation, and cultivate a thriving economy. His efforts have resulted in
substantial growth and prosperity for the region, making him a respected figure
in the business community.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">However,
Hannah's vision for Durham extends beyond infrastructure and economic
development. With his background as a former law clerk in the White House, he
possesses a unique understanding of the complexities surrounding crime and
housing issues. He recognizes that these challenges require a comprehensive
approach, combining effective law enforcement strategies with initiatives aimed
at affordable housing and community support.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">If
elected as mayor of Durham, Hannah intends to utilize his expertise and
experience to tackle these issues head-on. He envisions a safer and more
inclusive city, where residents can feel secure in their homes and communities.
By fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies, community
organizations, and local government, Hannah aims to implement innovative
solutions that address the root causes of crime and housing instability.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">As
Hannah embarks on his mayoral exploration, he pledges to engage with the
community to better understand the specific needs and concerns of Durham's
diverse population. Listening to the voices of residents, business owners, and
community leaders will be at the heart of his campaign, ensuring that his
policies and initiatives are informed by the people he aims to serve.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Patrick
Hannah's potential mayoral candidacy is fueled by his unwavering commitment to
creating a prosperous and harmonious Durham. With his impressive background in
infrastructure development, economic growth, and legal expertise, he is poised
to be a transformative leader who can bring about meaningful change.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-13245412953700067472023-07-05T10:14:00.005-04:002023-07-05T10:35:07.006-04:00Ken Spaulding decides not to run for Mayor of Durham, NC<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">In a statement released to Rev-elution earlier today,
Ken Spaulding says the joys of retirement aren’t worth giving up becoming mayor
of Durham, NC.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“After receiving encouragement to run for Mayor, for
which I am very appreciative, I have given a run for Mayor serious
consideration, as requested,” said the former Democratic Party candidate for
governor. “After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to continue to remain
retired and continue to serve our community in other ways.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Spaulding considered running for mayor after witnessing
“infighting and tomfoolishness, at the City Council level,” he said in a previous
statement to Rev-elution.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In today’s statement, Spaulding commended Mayor Elaine
O’Neal.<br />
<br />
“Mayor Elaine O’Neal has served our city with great dedication, hard work and
compassion. I’m hopeful that any future Mayor of Durham will share her same
attributes,” said Spaulding.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">State Senator Mike Woodard is among a list of people
considering the seat left vacant after O'Neal announced not running for a second term.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“I’m set to retire from Duke on September 1, and I’m
looking to give 100 percent,” said Woodard. “I love what I’m doing, but I love
Durham.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Larry Hall, former secretary of the NC Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs and member of the NC House of Representatives, is
considering filing to run later this week.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“If we have good candidates running for Mayor who are ‘not
current’ sitting members of the current Council, and if they will give these
aforementioned stated policies their earnest and sincere consideration, then I
will happily not run for Mayor,” Spaulding said in his previous statement. “I
know it’s not politically correct to say, but quite frankly, I am enjoying my
retirement and I would prefer to remain happily retired."<o:p></o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-17747451257560930262023-06-29T13:55:00.003-04:002023-06-29T13:57:15.431-04:00Breaking News: Ken Spaulding announces run for Durham Mayor<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfrLOPK5FCKTOPT63WPCTj-Gz7UDlEvUOux32hrFXrv77O6hU1k93Mj3EyhyXVv4NIvuSI46u59gV4qyrkVZ3DIBf8ndUf3hbo6P4O73v0GGcaTfIAHkHWmpEhsWTRQJ-lqII7krZPse4qmEFGB0eUDI7k9Hh_daVTmuygwKRMRhJ02jAblt7_0W2yAON/s820/Spaulding.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="820" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfrLOPK5FCKTOPT63WPCTj-Gz7UDlEvUOux32hrFXrv77O6hU1k93Mj3EyhyXVv4NIvuSI46u59gV4qyrkVZ3DIBf8ndUf3hbo6P4O73v0GGcaTfIAHkHWmpEhsWTRQJ-lqII7krZPse4qmEFGB0eUDI7k9Hh_daVTmuygwKRMRhJ02jAblt7_0W2yAON/s320/Spaulding.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">A week after Elaine O’Neal announced not running for a
second term as Durham Mayor, Ken Spaulding is the first to officially declare for
the seat.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Spaulding ran for the Democratic nomination in the 2016
North Carolina gubernatorial election, losing to Roy Cooper. In 1984, he challenged
incumbent Tim Valentine for the North Carolina 2</span><sup style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">nd</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> congressional
district. He lost, receiving 47.88 percent of votes compared to Valentine’s
52.12 percent. Spaulding served in the North Carolina House of Representatives
from 1978 to 1984.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Former Governor Mike Easley appointed Spaulding to
serve on the North Carolina Board of Transportation where he represented Wake,
Durham, Person, Granville, Vance, Warren and Frankin Counties.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Spaulding recently retired after more than 40 years of
practicing law in North Carolina. He’s a graduate of Howard University and the
University of North Carolina School of Law.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Spaulding provided a statement to Rev-elution<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> ---------------</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Durham and its image are at a crossroads. The
infighting and tomfoolishness, at the City Council level, are ruining the City
of Durham’s first-class status.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
A great example is the recent budget battle. The City Council in 2021 voted
itself a 40% salary increase effective last year. Yet this year, when police
officers, firefighters and first responders sought reasonable and fair salary
increases, the Council refused their effort and approved very modest raises
compared to the Council’s own previous 40% salary increase. Some of the same
Council members who had voted to approve their own large salary increases,
voted against the requested raises for the “protectors of our lives and safety”<br />
<br />
In regard to our law enforcement officers, Police Chief after Police Chief have
asked for increased compensation to attract new officers and retain current
officers. Budgets after budgets have not reflected the true needs of the
Durham City Police Department.<br />
No police officer in Durham should be paid less than $60,000 per year. At
a starting salary of $60,000 per year, the increased pay for the remaining
officers should follow a well thought out plan with increases that recognize
tenure and rank.<br />
<br />
Firefighters and first responders should have their pay schedules totally
re-evaluated for significant and substantial salary increases based on the
perilous gravity of their work.<br />
<br />
Along with tackling crime and safety with police salary increases, among other
innovative actions, recreation centers throughout Durham should be constructed
or renovated so that our young people can have a structured place to compete,
disagree and settle their differences or aggression through vigilant
supervision and mentorship in a safe city structure and not in the streets.
These centers should be open and fully staffed from daybreak past midnight as
was done in larger cities in the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s when crime became
overwhelming and these actions helped to lower the crime rate.<br />
<br />
The City Manager needs to hear out “all” Council members regarding effectuating
these policies without an increase in taxes. That is the City Manager’s job. If
a tax increase is absolutely required, then a series of options should be laid
out by the City Manager for the public’s input and the Council’s review.
However, accompanying the options, a parallel analysis should also show where
the City Manager has laid out all unnecessary expenditure along with waste and
inefficiencies that will be cut from the budget. Yet, we should recognize that
the first tendency for some is to cry “tax increase” without using their best
efforts with the same creativity that the Council used in raising their own
salaries by $10,000 per year effective last year.<br />
<br />
All city employees are essential workers for the residents of Durham. All city
employees deserve a substantial pay increase based on the extremely high
inflation brought about as a result of the crippling pandemic. Public sector
raises should keep up with the 8% to 10% inflation rate increase and be given
the same consideration as given in the private sector.<br />
<br />
For these reasons and more, I have given serious consideration to running for
Mayor, win or lose. However, “if” we have good candidates running for Mayor who
are “not current” sitting members of the current Council, and if they will give
these aforementioned stated policies their earnest and sincere consideration,
then I will happily not run for Mayor. I know it’s not politically correct to
say, but quite frankly, I am enjoying my retirement and I would prefer to
remain happily retired.<br />
<br />
It is necessary that things change in Durham for the better. It’s time for a
change at our City Council.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-16467132661381387412023-06-16T10:09:00.008-04:002023-06-16T11:04:14.566-04:00The Streets at Southpoint expansion proposal is an example of shared economic prosperity<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; text-transform: uppercase;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeLasniRQPxgBAsbRo5D00JoLLhykJbr8YirbCmTQbXGWiuvJ66nbGaK2FoLjPpqXIZYIkSIUE_nFKMirwmKMyV7qs0G9cJz_MA7jT9sBrKHaHzzkD2JFJkKGewGz7xhE_3-mBbjIvzwppdR5aVQzNKdpf0Sl0lzTcrSAoMQogj8qjG8-O3LUD-dFAA/s520/Streets%20at%20Southpoint%20expansion.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="520" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTeLasniRQPxgBAsbRo5D00JoLLhykJbr8YirbCmTQbXGWiuvJ66nbGaK2FoLjPpqXIZYIkSIUE_nFKMirwmKMyV7qs0G9cJz_MA7jT9sBrKHaHzzkD2JFJkKGewGz7xhE_3-mBbjIvzwppdR5aVQzNKdpf0Sl0lzTcrSAoMQogj8qjG8-O3LUD-dFAA/s320/Streets%20at%20Southpoint%20expansion.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br />COMMENTARY–</b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Brookfield Properties proposal to expand The Streets of Southpoint shifts
the conversation related to economic development in a city overwhelmed by
constant building.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This proposal is different. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Brookfield Properties
commitment to a goal of 40 percent minority involvement in the construction and
the creation of a program to employ formally incarcerated individuals shifts public
discourse back to the critical moment before affordable housing became the
primary issue on the community agenda.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The proposal calls for a hotel with up to 200 rooms,
a new apartment building with nearly 1,400 units and 300,000 square feet of
office space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Critics of the expansion address the need for
affordable housing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“The benefits are pretty clear in a lot of ways,”
Nate Baker, a member of the Durham Planning Commission and candidate for city
council, said after the commission voted against the rezoning plan. "We're taking a traditional mall and we're adding density and we're adding uses."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Members of the commission were inspired by the
proposal to add transit and walking options.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Hopefully, you create a community where people don’t
need a car,” Austin Amandolia, a member of the commission told CBS-17 reporter
Ben Bokum. “This is the type of development that us on the Planning Commission have
often been calling for more of: mixed-used, walkable, dense communities instead
of suburban sprawl.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The debate now before the Durham City Council involves
the tension between offering affordable housing and pressing a vision for
shared economic prosperity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Farad Ali, president and chief executive officer at Asocair,
spoke like a prophet during his campaign to become Durham’s mayor in 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Durham is in a place where it’s pivoting and great
things are happening,” Ali said in his concession speech. “A sense of
prosperity is what we’re talking about sharing because there is prosperity. So,
as we start talking about what’s going to go in Durham for the future, it’s
important we understand how we maximize Durham’s assets. One is taking this economic
development model that’s been working and saying, how do we also make more
people involved so we can build community while we do economic development.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">An expanding affordable housing need overshadowed Ali’s
“One Durham” platform. Steve Schewel defeated Ali with a platform to address affordable
housing. Schewel proposed increased pressure on developers and a $95 million
affordable housing bond.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Voters overwhelming voted in support of the housing
bond. The goal to repair the aftermath of rapid gentrification failed
miserably. Developers continue to cram buildings into spaces with limited
conversation regarding shared prosperity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The result is demeaning. Black and Brown people
suffer consequences resulting from the failed promise of affordable housing.
Black and Brown people rarely reap the benefits of a thriving economy fueled by
commercial development.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Brookfield Properties proposal is different. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Sure,
there’s $14 million in tax revenue making The Streets at Southpoint the largest
property and sale tax generator in Durham County. There’s no questioning the long-term
impact on Durham’s economy, but there’s more to this project.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This is how Durham should always conduct business.
This is the Bull City, home of Black Wall Street and the Hayti Business
District. Durham is the home of Black folk who rise to the top after years of
brutal resistance. Yes, we tout the influence and power of Black elected
officials. Yes, Durham is a safe place for anyone enamored with authentic
diversity and inclusion. In Durham, we own all of that. Durham is the template
for walking that walk and talking that talk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It's what makes this conversation the unveiling of a
sad reality. In Durham, we fail to honor our rich legacy in sharing economic
prosperity. Black and Brown people aren’t reaping the gains of this booming economy.
Our city council supports rezoning efforts without pressing the most critical
question – how does this support Black and Brown people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This is how we engage in local reparation efforts.
How many minority businesses will benefit. Show me the numbers. Come back with real
evidence proving you respect and honor the history and legacy of the Bull City.
You can’t step in these streets without clearly understanding our pride.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Brookfield Properties proposal is different.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I only hope it becomes standard practice versus an
exception to the way we handle city business.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-62803947980903486542023-06-14T11:33:00.003-04:002023-06-14T11:39:01.260-04:00Mark Taylor Designz Presents the Red and Black on the Green Fashion Show to Benefit SuitedNSuccess <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0in 0in 0in 26.3pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Nym4oFskIJvDXDqdbNiq85aZ2QWbyDPk5B-tru0InZHFEPwBSlRgwzEmKmaZUWi0nToIQj9CmJOou4cm2rqjowy7YplzIht8GE18AMOZKTkLr_QHXPBP5hyWKlHyeJw24OrcA4ZsGZ2KXj32n7bw-SjzVKLJao6Tuncq1_lelk5yotIlRSEQe9B6-g/s681/Mark%20Taylor.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Nym4oFskIJvDXDqdbNiq85aZ2QWbyDPk5B-tru0InZHFEPwBSlRgwzEmKmaZUWi0nToIQj9CmJOou4cm2rqjowy7YplzIht8GE18AMOZKTkLr_QHXPBP5hyWKlHyeJw24OrcA4ZsGZ2KXj32n7bw-SjzVKLJao6Tuncq1_lelk5yotIlRSEQe9B6-g/s320/Mark%20Taylor.jpg" width="247" /></a></b></div><p></p></blockquote><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 26.3pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 26.3pt 0in 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .2pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 28.7pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 28.7pt 0.2pt -0.25pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">by Sharon Mullens</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .2pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 28.7pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 28.7pt 0.2pt -0.25pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The ChocolateWriter</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .2pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 28.7pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 28.7pt 0.2pt -0.25pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .2pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 28.7pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 28.7pt 0.2pt -0.25pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">n conjunction with the Juneteenth
holiday, Mark Taylor Designz will present the Red and Black on the Green
Fashion Show at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham on Saturday, June 17,
2023, featuring the region’s top models, fashion designers, and entertainment.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 28.7pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Red and Black on the Green Fashion
Show will feature emerging black designers and entrepreneurs as a highlight for
the federally recognized Juneteenth holiday.
The program will feature performances by nationally known artists,
including North Carolina’s Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green and hosted by ABC11
Eyewitness News Meteorologist Kweilyn Murphy.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 28.7pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This inaugural fashion extravaganza and
showcase will begin with a Meet and Greet the Designers and networking
reception at 6pm. The show begins at 7pm. Ticket prices range from $50 to $60
and offer a VIP package. A portion of ticket sales will go to a Triangle-based
organization, SuitedNSuccess, founded by Mark Taylor in 2014 to empower
disadvantaged men seeking employment by providing professional attire. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 23.3pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">According to a
Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/see-how-your-region-stacks-up-against-the-best-labor-markets-in-the-u-s-baa065d0?mod=article_relatedinline"><span style="color: #1c8b9d;">study</span></a><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/see-how-your-region-stacks-up-against-the-best-labor-markets-in-the-u-s-baa065d0?mod=article_relatedinline"><span style="color: #1c8b9d;"> </span></a><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/see-how-your-region-stacks-up-against-the-best-labor-markets-in-the-u-s-baa065d0?mod=article_relatedinline"><span style="color: #1c8b9d;">of</span></a><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/see-how-your-region-stacks-up-against-the-best-labor-markets-in-the-u-s-baa065d0?mod=article_relatedinline"><span style="color: #1c8b9d;"> </span></a><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/see-how-your-region-stacks-up-against-the-best-labor-markets-in-the-u-s-baa065d0?mod=article_relatedinline"><span style="color: #1c8b9d;">“small</span></a><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/see-how-your-region-stacks-up-against-the-best-labor-markets-in-the-u-s-baa065d0?mod=article_relatedinline"><span style="color: #1c8b9d;"> </span></a><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/see-how-your-region-stacks-up-against-the-best-labor-markets-in-the-u-s-baa065d0?mod=article_relatedinline"><span style="color: #1c8b9d;">metro”</span></a><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/see-how-your-region-stacks-up-against-the-best-labor-markets-in-the-u-s-baa065d0?mod=article_relatedinline"><span style="color: #121531; text-decoration-line: none;"> </span></a></span><span style="color: #121531; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">areas
across the U.S., the Bull City (Durham) placed 35th for jobs and North
Carolina’s capital city (Raleigh) as 5<sup>th</sup> for jobs among larger
metros, meaning opportunities exist for all members of the workforce, and our
most vulnerable residents need to be prepared to compete. Providers of free,
quality interview attire are essential. For years prior, s</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">uch an
organization existed for women, but not for men. SuitedNSuccess sought to fill
that void. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 28.7pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">When you look good, you feel good, and
that’s key to confidence,” says founder Mark Taylor, whose passion for helping
people led him to establish SuitedNSuccess and subsequently a clothing design
business. The organization is completely volunteer-led, and collaborates with
workforce agencies and recovery organizations, such as SouthLight Healthcare,
Inc. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 28.7pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need
was even more evident. Men were seeking employment but lacked proper interview
attire. It was a great benefit to have access to the SuitedNSuccess suit
closet” says Lavongue “Bongo” Manley, a program development specialist at
SouthLight’s Durham location, where the suit closet is housed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 28.7pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This first annual fashion show is a
special cultural event that will inspire philanthropy while helping emerging
artists uplift their brands. A portion of the proceeds will help create a new
suit closet in Raleigh and establish a new scholarship to be awarded to an HBCU
fashion merchandising student in 2024. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: -.25pt; margin-right: 28.7pt; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Learn more about the mission at </span><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">www.suitednsuccess.org </span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">or follow on Facebook. Learn more about
the show and get tickets at <a href="https://redandblackonthegreen.eventbrite.com/"><span style="color: blue;">https://redandblackonthegreen.eventbrite.com</span></a><a href="https://redandblackonthegreen.eventbrite.com/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;">.</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 29.15pt; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">###
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;">Mark Taylor Designz is a fashion and
lifestyle brand based in the Triangle region of North Carolina, providing
aspiring models and designers with the opportunities to bring their talents
directly into the spotlight. Follow the designer on Instagram
@marktaylordesignz.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">SuitedNSuccess.org is a charitable
initiative that partners with social service agencies and nonprofit
organizations in the Triangle to provide professional attire, career education
information and workshops, resources, and support to disadvantaged men in
transition. More information can be found at suitednsuccess.org.</span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 96%;">Founded in 1970, SouthLight Healthcare is one of
the area’s largest nonprofit providers of substance use treatment and mental
health services. SouthLight partners with individuals and communities to
provide innovative treatment solutions delivered with compassion and dignity.
With outpatient and community-based programs, SouthLight provides prevention,
education, and treatment services in the Triangle and beyond. Call 919-787-6131
for help or more information or visit<a href="http://www.southlight.org/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;"> </span></a><a href="http://www.southlight.org/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;">www.southlight.org</span></a></span>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 29.15pt; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 29.15pt 0in 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-42801209605277873772023-05-01T22:36:00.004-04:002023-05-02T15:24:18.611-04:00Members of the Durham Board of County Commissioners settle lawsuit filed by former Durham County Manager Wendell Davis<p><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">COMMENTARY - </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Members of the
Durham Board of County Commissioners vote to settle a false
termination lawsuit filed by former Durham County Manager Wendell Davis.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Commissioners Brenda
Howerton, Nimasheenda Burns and Wendy Jacobs agree to settle while Heidi Carter
opposed not taking the case to trial. Commissioner Nida Allam failed to vote
due to her absence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">On May 13, 2021,
commissioners passed the motion to let Davis’s contract expire in a 3-2 vote.
The vote followed a dysfunctional relationship between Davis and white members
of the board.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Davis wrote a
letter alleging a “pattern of racist behavior” against Commissioner Heidi
Carter in February 2020. The complaint claimed incidents of racism and microaggressions
toward him and other Black Durham County employees.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">“You work for the
board. When we tell you to do something, you better grin and bear it,” Davis
claims Carter once told him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Carter accused Davis
of fabricating his claim of racism to influence the outcome of the election.
Proponents of increased spending for public education rallied in support of not
extending Davis’s contract, while supporters of Davis called for equity and
inclusion training to improve race relations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">The vote to settle
ends what could have cost the county more in legal fees with a strong
possibility of losing the case. It’s not an admission of wrongdoing. It puts an
end to a chaotic period in recent Durham history.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Members of the board
fought. Brenda Howerton replaced Wendy Jacobs as chair of the board. The
leadership change helped heal wounds caused by the decision not to extend the
managers contract. It is a crucial step among other courage steps by members of
the board.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">The board announced
the appointment of Dr. Kimberly J. Sowell as the new County Manager on February
28, 2022. A year later, her faith in the best of Durham helps us forget the
worst of Durham. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">In settling this
lawsuit, the commissioners help us move forward with a will to transcend the
mistakes and misperceptions before and after Davis’s last day as county
manager.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lawsuits are given
to prove right and wrong. When it comes to matters related to race, it’s impossible
to resolve why Black men and women are treated with disdain. Some Black people
believe white members of the board of commissioner allowed their bias to impact
a crucial decision. Some white people believe Davis deserved to be replaced for
reasons beyond the color of his skin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Letting it go is
the beginning of healing. Forfeiting the desire to be proven right makes it
possible for people to hear and nurture the hearts of people on the other side
of an assumed legitimate opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">The commissioners
voted to end the madness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s not call it
a mistake.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s call it a
lesson learned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let’s learn from
that lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-25912890464700458752023-04-27T17:04:00.005-04:002023-04-27T17:37:46.646-04:00Writing the story when the story is about you<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Beginning in June, I will assume the responsibility of rebooting Durham Voice, a community newspaper founded by Jock Lauterer after the murder of Eve Carson, a student at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Prior to ending circulation, Durham Voice focused on stories in North East Central Durham (NECD) with student journalist from UNC-CH, North Carolina Central University and Durham Technical Community College. The focus of work will expand beyond NECD to include all of Durham with student reporters from local colleges and universities. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>This column is inspired by the work of student journalist at the University of Missouri and the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC-CH.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>-------</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Commentary - </b>It’s the moment
that changes the way I teach. My students seemed overburdened by the news
happening outside the building. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Students couldn’t
avoid the mass of news reporters on campus to tell the stories of disillusioned
Black students. They were calling for the resignation or termination of University
of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jonathan Butler, a
graduate student at the University of Missouri - Columbia, launched a hunger
strike to bring attention to racism on the state’s flagship campus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">“Mr. Wolfe had
ample opportunity to create policies and reforms that could shift the culture
of Mizzou in a positive direction but in each scenario, he failed to do so,”
Butler said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Payton Head, the
student body president, shared a personal experience with bigotry and anti-gay
sentiments on campus on his Facebook page. He claims unidentified people riding
in the back of a pickup truck hurled racial slurs at him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">“For those of you
who wonder why I’m always talking about the importance of inclusion and respect,
it’s because I’ve experienced moments like this multiple times at THIS
university, making me not feel included here," Head posted on September 12,
2015.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">My students seemed
wearied by the national attention after the football team announced they would
not practice or play until Wolfe resigned. The decision would cost the
university a $1 million fine if they forfeited their upcoming game against
Brigham Young University. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">“How do you write
the story when you’re the story,” I asked my students. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">I waited for an
answer from one of the 19 students. My one Black student seemed overwhelmed by
activities on campus. The look on her face clarified what I felt. She needed
more than a class on journalism writing could offer. I didn’t want her to
answer. I cherished an opportunity for white students to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">“I don’t want to
be here,” a white woman said. “I want to join the protest.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">‘I can’t write
this story without bias,” another student said. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">The nods spoke to
a common view that extended beyond the call of Concerned Student 1950 – the group
of Black students seeking the president’s resignation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">I felt something brewing
in my belly. After teaching lessons involving finding the story within the
story, my students were learning lessons not taught in textbooks. After sharing
my personal grappling in writing columns aimed at offering a perspective beyond
the views of white men in newsrooms, my students felt the tension.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">There’s more to
the story than they considered prior to enrolling to learn the craft of
journalism.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">I taught them to
consider the pain in the story. We discussed finding tension in the story
within the story – the unknown truth hidden by an inability to see and feel others
carrying what words often miss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">We talked about
overcoming privilege. I shared the limits of my Christian, heterosexual, male
privilege. I shared how being Black impacts how I view the story. We discussed
how personal experience is a tool when used to advance the story beyond what
each of us take for granted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">Journalists are
challenged to bring their humanity to the story. This is the gift of storytelling.
It’s what separates humans from the stale presentation of artificial
intelligence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">“You are standing
in the middle of history,” I told my students. “This moment is a gift to each
of you. How will you write this story? Who are the people who need to be heard?
What’s missing in how we inform the world regarding the unfolding of this historical
moment?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">I shared my
experience growing up in Columbia, MO - being the first local Black person to
graduate from the school of journalism. I talked about my encounters with race
on a campus with an overwhelming white population. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">I told my students
to leave to join the protest. I challenged them to take time to heal. While
pondering what it all means, I told them to find the story within the story,
and to begin by accepting this story is about each of them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">They left to write
that story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;">I left inspired to
help students find stories beyond what they couldn’t see.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-2924229093487275342023-04-19T14:23:00.001-04:002023-04-19T14:28:31.872-04:00SCAD: another mistake like a walk down memory lane<p><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 18.6667px; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Support the Rev-elution: Cash App, $CMizzou, Venmo, @Carl-Kenney-1.</i></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">COMMENTARY
– </span></b><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;">Supporters of Simplifying for Affordable Development (SCAD) argue
it’s an effective tool in reducing housing costs in Durham.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt;">My
response, I’m reminded of promises made when 95% of Black Durham residents
approved the Urban Renewal bond that dismantled the Hayti District.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's
a familiar tactic used to entice folks willing to bite the apple when hope for
the future is tainted by obstacles no one can control. Last I checked, the lure
of the forbidden fruit is what Christians and Jews believe led to humanity
falling out of God’s favor.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Members
of the Durham City Council need to be careful about biting too soon. History
teaches many lessons. Durham’s Hayti’s tragic removal is an example of what happens
when a few well-intentioned people pitch a promise that requires loads of trust in people positioned to make money.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
not saying these developers are gold diggers, but I don’t see them hanging with
the broke ----. You know the song.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’m
weary of long proposals crafted by developers to radically change how Durham
envisions long term development. Durham, like many communities across the nation,
is swamped with gentrification - making it impossible for many
residents to afford housing. The SCAD proposal offers no protections in
securing real affordable housing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
will the growing number of residents, with limited public affordable housing
options, maneuver through the web of planned development if SCAD is approved?
Where will residents of Liberty Street Apartments and McDougald Terrace rent
now that one is already demolished and the other is slated to be razed within
the next two years?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where
is the imagination for housing for the people living in Durham, versus planned
housing for people moving to one of the fastest growing communities in America?
SCAD isn’t a proposal to repair what aisles Durham the most. It’s a plan to
make it easier for developers to maximize profit as land options dwindle.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
answer, according to SCAD proponents, is to build closer, higher and with no
parking requirements. That’s not an answer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a prescription for increased
gentrification, poverty and the widening of economic disparities.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Welcome
to the vision for Durham. The future home of economically privileged white
people and the former home of the Black Wall Street.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
did Progressives become Republicans?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Proponents
of SCAD are schooled in a version of supply and demand economic theory taken
directly from pages of the Republican Party play book. It’s a theory that roots
for varied forms of deregulation with an assumption that the people who make
more money will trickle the profits down to the people in need of help.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
promise – if we make it easier for them to make heaps of money after making it
easier for them to make profit, everyone wins. Housing prices drop. Why?
Because the decrease in cost automatically dribbles down.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sorry
to say it, and excuse my language, but I’ve been taught not to trust the white
man with my future interest. By white man, in this context, I mean the people
with the power to manipulate systems due to their greed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
Durham, we’ve been shielded from corporate interest due to the power and
influence of progressives elected to guard our communal identity. That has
changed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
did the progressives elected to serve on our city council take on the persona of
republicans? How, why and when were Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Anthony Middleton,
Jillian Johnson, Javiera Caballero and Leonardo Williams enticed into biting
the rhetoric of Republican Party economic ideology?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do
we want to become Washington DC?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
SCAD proposal is simple. Their plan to simplify codes for affordable
development (not affordable housing) will reduce housing costs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
does it work?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
works by making Durham a microcosm of Washington D.C.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imagine
a city with limited parking and increased density. Imagine houses packed close.
They are much taller than before. There are more people living in areas with
limited greenery. The plan is to make Durham a place where owning a car is a luxury.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There’s
a problem with the vision. Durham lacks an infrastructure to protect bikers.
Durham public transportation lags far behind cities with the type of high
density envisioned in the SCAD proposal.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Durham City Council is trending in the direction of moving Durham toward
becoming a city like Washington DC. Note the massive increase in parking costs.
The city council disincentivizes cars without a solid plan to advance both
local and regional public transportation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Are
we ready to become Washington DC?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stop
pimping my religion</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Attachment
H in the 86-page SCAD proposal mentions congregations who participated in a
charrette to discuss the potential benefits to faith-based institutions. St.
Stephens Episcopal Church, Bethany United Methodist Church, Grey Stone Church,
Holy Cross Catholic Church and Duke Chapel participated in the charrette held
on December 3, 2022.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Participation
is not the same as an endorsement. During a presentation before members of the
Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, supporters of the SCAD
proposal hinted that churches did more than participate in a conversation. They
suggested these congregation supported changes to codes in hopes of providing
mission-based housing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Having
a conversation is not an endorsement. Bob Chapman, a Durham developer who assisted
in writing the SCAD proposal, is accused of overstating Habitat for Humanity of
Durham’s co-sponsorship of SCAD. <a href="Records Reveal Durham Builder Used Habitat For Humanity as a Trojan Horse in SCAD Proposal - INDY Week">According to reports in INDY Week,</a> <span style="background: white; color: #111111;">SCAD enacted an unauthorized agreement
through a third party.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The same third party has been speaking and
negotiating on the behalf of Habitat for Humanity of Durham with members of
City Council and others,” INDY Week reported in a letter received from members
of the Durham Habitat board.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chapman,
and other proponents of SCAD, may be guilty of overstating support of faith-based
institutions. This play signifying backing of the good folks at Durham Habitat
and local congregations is an unearned endorsement of a plan with significant
moral and ethical concerns.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You
must do more than infer an endorsement. You must earn that support.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Please,
stop pimping my religion.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fool
me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SCAD
is potentially the worse thing to happen to Black people living in Durham since
the freeway shattered the dreams of Black residents and businesses in the Hayti
district. Black voters supported that mistake. This time it’s in the hands of a
Black majority on the city council and one Brown representative.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
they pass SCAD, shame on them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-21491540769295536692023-03-29T14:18:00.008-04:002023-03-29T15:30:40.975-04:00Provident1898 and the Durham History Museum to discuss Black Capitalism: Lessons from Soul City<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0leoVb2n9lbfAsq8uPu3iM_feZHhYzWBQI7Lz3vV9l-sS0RljA0du_QyGtGL3qV6n8jPV72BNx5vz7jqGKWroxIIBib98w79aScMKlDfAUY_NJcdv-XdnLUGVtyMy_ldTQWuBwhsnG5RRwE1gBSN3FVPRZgKKdcLGsu9aBv-MEYqAuPAnRk_q-VNbfA/s1600/Soul%20City.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0leoVb2n9lbfAsq8uPu3iM_feZHhYzWBQI7Lz3vV9l-sS0RljA0du_QyGtGL3qV6n8jPV72BNx5vz7jqGKWroxIIBib98w79aScMKlDfAUY_NJcdv-XdnLUGVtyMy_ldTQWuBwhsnG5RRwE1gBSN3FVPRZgKKdcLGsu9aBv-MEYqAuPAnRk_q-VNbfA/s320/Soul%20City.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14pt;">Lew Meyers
remembers the days when Floyd McKissick, Sr. carried a vision for a city built and occupied
by Black people.</span><p></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 14.0pt;">In 1969, McKissick
proposed Soul City, a community in Warren County, NC, to invest in Black
businesses focusing on the development of Black economic power. Meyers served as
the Executive Director of Soul City.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 14.0pt;">Meyers joins
Floyd McKissick, Jr and Dr. Charmaine McKissick-Melton, children of the
legendary civil rights leader and director of the Congress of Racial Equality
(CORE) to discuss the impact of Floyd Sr’s unfilled dream at<i> Black Capitalism:
Lessons from Soul City</i> on March 30 at Provident1898. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dr. Nishani
Frazier, associate professor of history and American studies at the University of
Kansas, will join Meyers and the children of McKissick’s legacy. Floyd Jr follows
in the footsteps of his father as a former North Carolina State Senator and
Charmaine is a former associate professor at North Carolina Central University.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 14.0pt;">McKissick
envisioned three villages housing 18,000 people with jobs in industry, retail, residential
housing and services. Soul City promised a place to work, go to school, shop,
receive health care and worship on Sunday morning. A place for Black people to
prosper in a community removed from limits imposed by institutionalized racism.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 14.0pt;">The vision preceded
the collective pleas of the Black Power Movement. It emerged before Black Power
became a slogan and “Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” became the anthem of
resistance for Black people. Soul City received a grant of $14 million in 1972 from HUD.
North Carolina added $8 million in resources before Senator Jesse Helms
attacked McKissick vision of Black capitalism.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 14.0pt;">Meyers, also
McKissick’s son-in-law, will join in a family conversation regarding what
happened to the once bold vision of Black capitalism. The decline of Soul City
in 1975 is the result of several factors – a dwindling national economy,
negative press coverage aligning Soul City to the separatist rhetoric of the
Nation of Islam and the criticism of Helms and other politicians.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 14.0pt;">What happened
to the vision in support of Black capitalism?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 14.0pt;">The dream
for local Black economic development began in 1898 when John Merrick, the son
of a slave, joined with investors to form the North Carolina Mutual and
Provident Association. The business of the company increased from less than one thousand
dollars in 1899 to a quarter of a million in 1910. The discussion on Black
Capitalism: Lessons from Soul City is held in the building symbolic of the
potential of McKissick’s dream.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 14.0pt;">As Carl
Webb, one of the owners of Provident1898, walks through the space he helped
create to manifest the ongoing dream of Black capitalism in Durham, questions linger.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
happened to Soul City?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 14.0pt;">Why is it so
hard for Black people to build beyond the vast disappointment of the promise of
McKissick’s vision?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 14.0pt;">Can we
resurrect Soul City?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Please use this link to
register: <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-capitalism-lessons-from-soul-city-tickets-593220166487?aff%3Debdssbdestsearch&source=gmail&ust=1680199302243000&usg=AOvVaw0R59GkrhlhmnEO-o3wtRa2" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-capitalism-lessons-from-soul-city-tickets-593220166487?aff=ebdssbdestsearch" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">https://www.eventbrite.</span><span class="il"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration-line: none;">com</span></span><span style="color: #1155cc;">/e/<wbr style="font-family: Montserrat, "Avenir Next", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.65; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr>black-capitalism-lessons-from-<wbr style="font-family: Montserrat, "Avenir Next", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.65; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr>soul-city-tickets-<wbr style="font-family: Montserrat, "Avenir Next", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.65; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr>593220166487?aff=<wbr style="font-family: Montserrat, "Avenir Next", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.65; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></wbr>ebdssbdestsearch</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b></p>
<p> </p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-31222166952265634182023-03-27T10:34:00.003-04:002023-03-27T10:35:26.311-04:00City Council member DeDreanna Freeman says she will always fight a bully<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"><i>Support local, Black-owned, Black-focused, independent journalism with a contribution at: Cash App -$CMizzou, or Venmo - @Carl-Kenney-1</i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Durham City Council member
DeDreanna Freeman says her profanity-filled outburst after a recent city
council meeting is her response to the actions of a bully.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=(221)+On+cam%3a+Profanity-laced+outburst+follows+criminal+allegations+at+Durham+city+council+meeting+-+YouTube&docid=13865051431494&mid=BAB74978FAEF9C82381DBAB74978FAEF9C82381D&view=detail&FORM=VIRE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">A reporter with WRAL recorded on camera</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> an argument between Mayor Pro-Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton and
Freeman after members of the city council discussed censuring Monique
Holsey-Hyman for two alleged inappropriate actions.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Get off of me, get off of
me. This is how you treat Black women,” Freeman yells in an argument revealing deep
hostility between the council members.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Because I made her.
Because I made her,” Middleton responds.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“She can think for her
fucking self, just like every single woman here” Freeman fights back in an
exchange that has people wondering about what else happens behind closed doors.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“There will never be a time
when I watch a person attempt to take a woman down and not say something,” Freeman
said in an interview after the altercation. “If there was an investigation to
prove a censure, I would be the first in front of the line, but when you accuse
a person with no evidence, I will always defend a person.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Holsey-Hyman is accused of
offering support to a developer in exchange for a campaign donation. In a statement
prepared before the reading of the resolution to censure Hosley-Hyman, Mayor
Elaine O’Neal said the alleged action will be referred to state law enforcement
and could lead to criminal consequences.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Councilwoman Jillian
Johnson wrote and introduced a resolution to censure Holsey-Hyman for allegedly
engaging a city staffer to work on her campaign. Middleton, Johnson, Leonardo
Williams and Javier Caballero support the resolution.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">O’Neal does not support
the resolution.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Last night, I did receive
a draft of a resolution from a council person that had my name down as a
signee. From my understanding, a resolution had never been signed and I ask
that my name be removed from that resolution,” said O’Neal. “I also admonish
anyone who uses my signature in a manner that I didn’t give you permission for
to know you do not have permission to do that.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blurred lines and potential
conflicts of interests<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Holsey-Hyman often sides
with O’Neal and Freeman against development proposals that require the approval
of the city council. Freeman says the move to censure Holsey-Hyman is Middleton’s
payback for refusing to follow his leadership.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“There’s something to be
said about a group of people who call for social justice while refusing to
protect the rights of a Black woman,” said Freeman. “They’re not looking for an
actual investigation. They got what they wanted. They have four votes and
pushed right through it.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Freeman says a real
investigation may require consideration of potential misconduct of every city
council member.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“If they want an
investigation. Investigate everything,” said Freeman. “I’m Ok with you
censuring me. I’m gonna stand right here and support this Black woman.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Middleton is rumored to be
dating Karmisha Wallace, chief of staff in the city manager’s office. The allegation
raises latent conflict of interest issues with profound implications related to
the management of the city.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">It matters that Johnson, a Black woman, wrote and
read the proposed resolution to censure Holsey-Hyman. Freeman’s profanity-laced
attack, combined with Middleton’s response, places Black women in the center of
a conversation involving what it means to protect the hearts of Black women.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Is this a story about accountability or is this a
story involving who manages power on the city council?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">While at it, ask yourself, what does it mean to make
a Black woman?</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-73419412878947820852023-03-14T13:52:00.000-04:002023-03-14T13:52:36.486-04:00Black Men Matter: Durham Public School Board to select a new member<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>Support local, Black owned, Black focused, independent journalism with a contribution at: Cash App ($CMizzou) or Venmo (@Carl-Kenney-1)</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Commentary- </b>It matters when a
Black man is in the room.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Black men matter.
Black men matter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Black men are
dying. Black men are caught within a vicious cycle that is complicated to
understand. It matters when Black men show up because problems related to Black
men are too vast for most people to fully understand.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It is why I weep
whenever I consider the current state of the Durham Public School Board of
Education. There is no Black man on the board. Not one. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Can I repeat,
Black men matter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Members of the
current board vote on Thursday, March 15 to replace Matt Sears, a white man, after he
resigned on Jan. 31 to join the Durham Public School Foundation. Sears accepted
the job after voters elected him to another term in May, giving the board the
power to select his successor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The process smells
like week old fish – funky. The developments leading up to Sears exit from the
board reveals activity tainted by politics, conflicting interests and questionable
ethics. I’m not saying it’s wrong, but it stinks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Xavier Cason left
the school board to become the new Director of Community Schools and School
Transformation. Sears is Director of Partnership, another position created and
filled by a school board member. Not illegal, but it is funky.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Four candidates have
emerged to fill the vacant seat. Apryle Lawson Daye, a real estate agent and
paralegal, Jessica Friedlander, a mentor at Duke TeachHouse, Jessica
Carda-Auten, a public health researcher at UNC and Kevin Primus, a local business owner, teacher
and coach.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Primus is a Black
man. His background and experience protrude above the rest. He has education credentials.
He has experience. He is a parent of Durham Public School students. He has dedicated
time in service to the Durham community.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Did I mention he’s
a Black man?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Some members of
the board may say it doesn’t matter. They may push for a less qualified
candidate with a pitch promoting the narrative of a better fit. They may talk
about board chemistry. They may suggest there’s more to the selection than what
can be seen on paper and what is heard during the interviews. They may tell us
to trust their judgement more than our gut feelings. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">There is a deeply
inherent problem when a Black man isn’t chosen because of the assumptions of
the powerful people in the room. There is a message which transcends the story
line of group cohesion. It involves what we instruct Black boys about what it
takes to sit at the table. It involves the integrity of a process aimed at
selecting the best qualified person for any position.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The actions of
board members matter as much as the curriculum taught in classrooms. Integrity
matters. It matters when Black men are chosen because they deserve to sit in
the room. It also matters when they aren’t selected because of politics more
committed to controlling the room.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It matters when
Black boys see a Black man on the school board. It matters when Black men are
represented to undo stereotypes about Black men. Beyond teaching the way, we
need systems committed to equity, inclusion and accountability.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Professor Kenney,
I’m so glad to have you teaching this class,” a Black male student at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill said
after class. “You are my first Black male teacher. Ever.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The truth startled
me. I considered my own story. My first class with a Black man teaching didn’t happen
until my sophomore year in college. The absence of Black men impacts the
identity of Black boys. It matters when Black men show up in rooms to display unlimited
possibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Black men are not
looking for special treatment. We are not looking to be selected because we are
Black men. We simply do not want to be dismissed when we are the most qualified
in the room. We do not want to hear excuses for not being chosen. We desire
being chosen because it is the right thing to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Black men work
hard to be seen and heard. In a school system with enormous problems related to
reaching and nurturing Black boys, we refuse to accept a narrative that excludes
the significance of our presence.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kevin Primus is a
Black man. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yes, that Black
man matters.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And, yes, he is
the most qualified person in the room.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.9px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-68370269246703337012023-03-07T11:10:00.000-05:002023-03-07T11:10:45.195-05:00Chris Rock and the slap that triggers rage<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Rev-elution returns after a hiatus to discuss the Chris Rock Netflix comedy special. Support local, Black owned, Black focused, independent journalism with a contribution to at: Cash App ($CMizzou) or Venmo (@Carl-Kenney-1)</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>-------------</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">So, can I offer a confession? Thanks. Take a seat and
rest your mind.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">"Selective Outrage", the Chris Rock Netflix comedy special, triggered me. It
opened old wounds that I’ve spent years and too much money in therapy to
overcome. Watching Rock on that stage reminds me of how difficult it can be to
deal with trauma when doing so demands onloading personal feelings in public
view.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am sad that “we,” the consumers of art, require this
type of display. I lament anyone forced to address their rage due to an
unspoken obligation to feed the curiosity of folks consumed with rumors and
stuff that ain’t none of our business.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I recognize that look on Rock’s face. I understand
wanting to be left alone to heal from the shame of being slapped for doing your
job. I recognize that strut aimed at keeping pace with a heart beating too fast
after a year of hearing your name tendered for twitter feed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is safe to say it comes with the paycheck. Reports
claim Netflix contract pays Rock $40 million to expose all that pain. Let the
one among us willing to say no to all that cash to cast the first stone. Is the
payday enough to resolve the agony of the slap? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who wants to turn the other cheek?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, it comes with the job. Yes, people get paid to
share their rage. Yes, it is what the public desires. Sadly, folks crave
watching others bleed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I understand the fascination. I watched it. Since
watching it, I have read what people have to say. “It isn’t funny.” “Rock is
disrespecting women.” “He needs therapy.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Duh! All of that may be true, but help me understand.
How do you get to the other side of pain when everyone demands hearing you help
them take a trip into your personal business?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My direct response, after reading the slew of comments
on social media, regards it ain’t none of our business. True; however, this is
what happens when our business gets interrupted with a slap changing our Oscar
night celebration. We witnessed it. We heard it in real time – the Prince
slapped Rock proving he “Hates Chris.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We, the viewers of this mess, believe we deserve an
explanation. It happened to Will and Jada, their children, Venus, Serena, and
Rock. It happened to Questlove, the winners, nominees and the people who
produced the show. Yup, it happened to you and me – all of us were harmed by what
happened a year ago this week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All of that is true, but no one, and I mean no one, experiences
the rage related to that night more than Chris Rock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, after that long introduction to place my feelings
within context, let’s talk about my trigger. Yeah, the one that felt like gunfire
on my face after being slapped by the leaders of a congregation. That hurts.
Like Rock, I continue to hear Gospel tunes ringing in my head.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is not the first time I have been slapped. Brock
slapped me when I was 14. He was six years older. He broke his hand after
bruising my face. I have endured being slapped over a dispute regarding a
girlfriend. Love triangles are painful for a variety of reasons. Ouch. Been
there. Done that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Being slapped is common. What hurts more is being
slapped for doing your job. What hurts more is being slapped in public
view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What hurts even more than that is being
slapped in public view while having to take the punch because doing otherwise
only makes matters worse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let me make it clear for the people who don’t
understand Black folks religion. I got slapped by the church, in public, for
doing my job. I got slapped for following my call – like telling a joke – and watched
people share opinions related to the validity of the slap.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The church slapped me for expounding a theology of
inclusion. They slapped me due to a divorce and unfounded rumors regarding
things that ain’t none of their business. They slapped me for promoting and
protecting the ordination of women in ministry. They slapped me for writing columns
rooted in the message of Jesus and extending the work of the Church to include
the needs of the least among these.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m triggered after hearing faith leaders scream, “keep
our church name out of your mouth,” followed with a slap of rejection. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Watching Chris Rock on that stage triggers so many
emotions. Like, my screaming, “I am not a victim”. Like, the desire to share
what no one has the right to hear. Like, the movement of a wounded man who
seeks to use comedy to inspire and heal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And how can they tell jokes when there’s so much rage?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And how can they preach when the slap of rejection
still hurts decades after shame consumes every step they take?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Triggering is a mothersucker.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Inhale, exhale, release.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I repeat, I am not a victim!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-42642030976381969432023-01-23T12:54:00.001-05:002023-01-23T13:47:22.288-05:00The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People faces legacy with new possibilities<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Support local, Black owned, Black focused, independent journalism with a contribution to the Rev-elution at: Cash App, $CMizzou, or Venmo, @Carl-Kenney-1</i></span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt;"><i>----------------</i></span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt;">Walter Jackson says the future of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People
(DCABP) is in the hands of a group of capable young people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Those
young leaders join seasoned organizers to form a team prepared to continue the
legacy of North Carolina’s oldest Black led group engaged in the empowerment of
Black people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
installation of new officers and committee chairs takes place during the DCABP
annual meeting <b>on Sunday January 29 at St. Joseph A.M.E. Church, 2521
Fayetteville Street beginning at 3:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Formed
in 1935 by C.C. Spaulding, president of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance
Company, James E. Shepard, founder of what became North Carolina Central
University, Rencher N. Harris, W.D. Hill, R. L. McDougald, J. T. Taylor and
Louis Austin, publisher of The Carolina Times, the group of men referred to as
“a committee of influential Negroes” formed a powerful coalition that distinguishes Durham from other communities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
1936, while Black men were being lynched across the nation for simply being
Black, 78 percent of Black people registered to vote in Durham, NC. The DCABP
facilitated Black political and economic activism that helped build one of the
nation’s leading Black Wall Streets.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Today,
the label of being “a committee of influential Negroes”, points to divides
within the Black community – the haves versus people without, young versus
older and heterosexual versus alternative sexual and gender identities. There's also an influx of new people unfamiliar with the DCABP and its rich history.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
decades, discussions involve whether the credibility and sway
of the DCABP has declined due to dwindling membership, a lack of collaboration
with other groups and rumors of persistent infighting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jackson
obtained a bachelor’s degree from UNC’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media
after he graduated from Durham’s Hillside High School. He’s a Vietnam War veteran
and former reporter for the Durham Morning Herald and the Charlotte Observer. He
founded Ideas Coffee House after retiring from Standard Oil.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Rev-elution engaged in a Q&A format interview with Jackson to consider his
vision for the DCABP. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rev-elution: Some argue the influence of the DCABP has
waned over the past two decades due to changing demographics combined with the
increased influence of Durham’s People Alliance. Is this a fair assessment?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There
is an old saying that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. There
are probably many ways of looking at and trying to assess the influence of the
Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, but one of the most common
ways of looking at its influence is just looking at the people who are serving
in significant elected and appointed positions in our city and county.
Few cities in America can compare with Durham in having the quantity and
quality of officials who represent us well that we have in Durham, and I don't
think the situation has ever been better in that regard. Can The Durham
Committee claim all of the credit for that? No, certainly not.
Would we have the same results without the presence and influence of The Durham
Committee? My answer to that would also be no, certainly not. So, I
would say any reports of the waning of The Durham Committee on the Affairs of
Black People are greatly exaggerated. Going into our 88th year, we still
have a lot of work to do. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rev-elution: What is
your vision for improving the DCABP’s position as a powerful voice in support
of Durham’s Black citizens? How does this influence show up beyond
elections? </span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt;">That is a great follow up to my previous
response. Even though people's thoughts about The Committee do often
revolve around election results, there is so much more, and we intend to
continue to work to make our voice and presence felt and heard in many ways,
including continuing to stake out positions on major issues and make our
support of or opposition to various policy matters well known to public
officials, and work to hold them accountable to the electorate. We want
to make sure that we are making a difference in the lives of residents in very
meaningful ways, including housing, education, economic development, health and
public safety and other ways that affect people's daily lives. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rev-elution: Is the DCABP engaged in
establishing a position that affirms LGBTQIA residents? If so, how is that
position communicated and how will it be used to promote an inclusive mission?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although I think we are and want to be an
opinion leader in our community, the DCABP also largely reflects the priorities
and will of our community. We have certainly supported a number of
candidates who are themselves LGBTQIA and/or are closely aligned with the
values and priorities of such residents, I have no knowledge that we have ever
engaged in establishing a position on this, among all the other challenges that
we are facing as a community. The fact that we have not obviously does
not mean that we will not, but with all the other great challenges facing our
community I would be somewhat surprised to see this matter percolate to the top
in the short-term future.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rev-elution: The DCABP was founded and supported by
powerful Black business owners. As the influence of independent Black business
owners’ fades, so has the influence of the DCABP. What adjustments do you
envision to offset expanding concerns rooted in economic disparity
(gentrification, affordable housing and a wealth gap)?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First, I am going to repeat that I challenge
any assertion that the influence of the DCABP has faded. And even though
I might somewhat know the answer to this question I'm going to come back with a
retort than might resonate in the African American community:
"Says who?" We absolutely do have great concerns about economic
disparity in Durham, however. That concern is obviously part of a
national and international problem of economic disparity, but we will certainly
be most focused on Durham and what can be done here. As opposed to the
idea of me and our new leadership team trying to come forth with our own
answers to complex questions like these we are looking at engaging the vast
pools of talent and expertise we have available to us within the Durham
Committee and partner with other organizations and educational institutions to
work on devising strategies that will work best for Durham. The problem
is deeply rooted in our national and even international history, and it is not
something that will be solved quickly and easily, and is probably going to be
with us on some level for even decades and centuries to come. That might
sound pessimistic to some, but to me it reflects the reality of a situation
that none of us created.</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Rev-elution: What actions will DCABP take to expand and support diversity in
membership? Specifically, youth, people living in public housing, people with
disabilities and people of color who don’t identify as Black American?<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have many challenges before us, and
diversity issues of the type that you mentioned are certainly part of the
package of those issues. The world has changed and continues to change,
and that applies to the Durham Committee as well. The Durham Committee of
today is not the Durham Committee of yesterday, and almost certainly will
continue to change. Some might see those changes as happening too fast,
and others might see them as happening too slowly, but we are certainly
changing and adjusting. We have seen an uptick in membership in just the
last few weeks, and I predict that that membership increase is going to
continue and accelerate. More younger people are coming into the
organization, and some of them are taking on key leadership roles. We
have not had an opportunity to collectively address many of these issues, but
watch what we do much more than what we say we are going to do. The proof
of the pudding is in the eating.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-------------</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt;"><i>DCABP officers for 2023: Shea Ramirez, serving as
Second Vice Chair, Thelma Glenn White as Third Vice Chair, and Dr. Tara Fikes
will begin a new term as Executive Secretary. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt;"><i>DCABP committee chairs for 2023: Angelique Stallings will
continue to serve chair of the Civic Committee, and Rosa Anderson will continue
to serve as Civic Committee Vice Chair. Attorney Cassandra Stokes will be
serving as new chair of the Political Committee, and Jadda Richardson serving
as Vice Chair. Dr. Wanda Boone will continue to serve as chair of the
Health Committee, and Attorney Stephen Valentine will be the new chair of the
organization’s Legal Redress Committee.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #26282a; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-67259080882224240292022-11-11T12:33:00.007-05:002022-11-11T14:34:23.879-05:002022 Carolina Youth Mentoring Symposium explores the "courage to thrive"<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.75pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ks7Xmkmtf-E" width="320" youtube-src-id="Ks7Xmkmtf-E"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Atrayus O. Goode, president & CEO of Youth Mentoring
Collaborative (YMC) grew up in a household plagued by drug abuse. His background
shapes his understanding of how Black and Brown students navigate traumatic experiences
while attempting to get an education.</span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; letter-spacing: -0.75pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Meeting my first mentor through the 100 Black Men of
America afforded me the social and emotional support I needed to chart a
different course, ultimately becoming the first in my family to attend college," Goode said. “That experience launched me into a lifetime journey of exploring
how relationships, especially in a mentoring context, can bring fulfillment
through noticing, caring effectively, and moving to action for yourself and
those you love.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Youth development experts from across the country gather on
Saturday, November 12 at Friday Center, 100 Friday Center Drive, Chapel Hill,
NC for the annual <b>Carolinas <span color="windowtext"><a href="https://youthmentoringcollaborative.org/2022-carolinas-youth-mentoring-symposium/">Youth Mentoring Symposium</a></span></b>
to discuss ways to expand mentoring programs that promote health and well-being
of families most impacted by systems of oppression. The YMC office is located at Provident1898, a Black-centric coworking community located in the historic NC Mutual tower. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Goode says mentoring has the potential to disrupt patterns
of disparity, while also perpetuating structural oppression through how programs
view marginalized groups as targets of grant proposals instead of human beings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Instead of acknowledging how communities have been
systematically stripped of power, many nonprofits—especially those focusing on
mentoring and youth development—treat recipients of their services as needing
to be saved from poor life choices,” Goode said. “For people on the receiving
end, these invalidating environments create feelings of internalized
inferiority that lower expectations, harm self-esteem, and ultimately impact
their well-being.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This year’s symposium features topics that elevate the power
of identity-affirming mentoring relationships. Goode says YMC is exploring
Healing-Centered Mentoring, an approach that examines the youth experience
through varied perspectives to identify ways mentoring can promote mental
wellness, while reducing structural barriers to mental health services.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">Goode said Covid-19 exacerbated the mounting youth mental health crisis as school systems across the country continue to be overwhelmed with students experiencing elevated levels of stress and anxiety.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“But while the pandemic was hard on everyone, pre-pandemic realities for black and brown students disproportionately worsened pre-existing mental health conditions, hitting them and their families harder,” Goode said.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Participants at the symposium will be educated on several
topics including advocacy, youth power and critical mentoring.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Symposium attendees will have the chance to
network and learn from each other, with the goal of taking knowledge back
to their organizations. A new feature for this year's event is our
youth track,” Kanalyn Jackson, vice president of training and organization
at YMC said. “This track will have session topics around building
relationships, entrepreneurship, working music industry, and the
opportunity to connect and have fun.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Malenia Swinton, vice president of community engagement at YMC,
said mentoring programs across the country, and specifically in North Carolina
have experienced significant mentor and mentee attrition. Not being able to
meet in person for mentoring session, funding and sustainability and mentor
morale are contributing factors that negatively impact programs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“However, we've seen mentoring programs rise to
the challenge and fill gaps in services in their communities,” Swinton
said. “Communities are reprioritizing young people and their mental health,
pouring more resources into mentoring programs and other initiatives that
support the health and well-being of youth.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Swinton believes the symposium will serve as a catalyst for
attendees to become more invested in the mentoring movement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; font-size: medium; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“By bringing
together some of the brightest and most forward-thinking leaders from
government, education, business, and beyond: we hope the Symposium plants the
seed for even more meaningful and impactful mentoring relationships,” Swinton
said. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">Hannah McKinney, manager of communications & storytelling at YMC, said the story of mentoring is about radically changing the lives of youth and their families.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">“Unfortunately, one in three young people grows up without a person or people that they can rely on. In this story, the problem is that historically disadvantaged and underserved youth lack reliable, supportive adult relationships,” McKinney said. “The solution is goal-based mentoring relationships with adults who can support their development. Who wouldn’t be swayed by a story like that?”</span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="letter-spacing: -0.75pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-90857602770015606562022-07-01T17:43:00.003-04:002022-07-01T18:06:11.101-04:00Herschel Walker and other Black men "pickin' and grinnin" like Amos and Andy<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohuW4ZGm0ZtpRRCC0GCyuEIxXnLTD6y0Bc9L39XSsfsMvSfE0pfwA6Xuj8Y7e_RXK2S-uwscdDCPF-FTabH0yZzwAFbZO5ngdCY4OfCRG3BQcc8o8pGFSYp3ZHFEfBcKAZz9iSSC8Ho-PpJjUSi0WKvIdSqmr_W3xvrSakBiacb5mkkl3VSFujSA9-Q/s337/Amos%20and%20Andy.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="337" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohuW4ZGm0ZtpRRCC0GCyuEIxXnLTD6y0Bc9L39XSsfsMvSfE0pfwA6Xuj8Y7e_RXK2S-uwscdDCPF-FTabH0yZzwAFbZO5ngdCY4OfCRG3BQcc8o8pGFSYp3ZHFEfBcKAZz9iSSC8Ho-PpJjUSi0WKvIdSqmr_W3xvrSakBiacb5mkkl3VSFujSA9-Q/s320/Amos%20and%20Andy.webp" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt; text-transform: uppercase;">commentary - </span></b><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">I consider it an honor being
a public intellectual within the tradition of Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois,
E. Franklin Frazier, James Baldwin, Frantz Fanon, St. Clair Drake, Cornel West
and Ta-Nehisi Coates. Make no mistake, I’m not as prolific in my work. I do claim
responsibility connected to a rich tradition – Black men who read, process and
write about the impact of race on the lives of Black men and women.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">I could name a legion
of Black women. Zora Neale Hurston, Anna Julia Cooper, Audre Lorde, bell hooks,
Ida B. Wells, Maria W. Stewart, Francess Ellen Watkins Harper – who shape how I
view the intersected nature of race, class and gender as they apply to groups
and individuals in systems of discrimination. They help me in considering how
my being a heterosexual, Christian, man provides a level of power beyond the
limits of being a Black man.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">I revere the work of
Black women, but this is about my bond with Black male writers, past and
present.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Why does it matter?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">A few names come to
mind. Herschel Walker, Republican candidate to represent Georgia as a U.S.
Senator. North Carolina Lt. Gov Mark Roberts and Jahnmaund Lane, who
unsuccessfully, as a Black Republican, took a shot to become mayor of Durham.
Insert Negro please.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">The three Black men
listed have things in common. Yes, being Black is on that list. Yes, being a
man is on that list. Yes, being a Republican forces rapid headshaking followed
by an onslaught of name calling akin to “Uncle Tom”, “Sellout” along with being
a disgrace to grandma and “them” for forgetting where you come from. It’s on
that list.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Lane took center stage
among other Black men representing alt-right, conspiracy minded Republicans, after
seeking membership on Durham’s Human Relations Commission. Durham’s
progressives followed with public scorn bearing witness to being way past being
sick and tired. Lane’s public reputation took a hit after White Progressive
Twitter (something like Black Twitter without real street cred) reminded people
of what happened before and after soldiers enlisted in Donald Trump’s army and showed
up at the U.S. Capitol to allegedly lynch Vice President Mike Pence for failing
to abide by Emperor… I mean former President… Trump’s, command.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Pictures of Lane postured
in front of a Trump flag circulated on social media after his wish to serve on
the Human Relations Commission became public. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">There is all of that –
the foolishness of a Black man - given all grandma, granddaddy and Black folks
history books (because Black history doesn’t show up in many of the other
books) tells us about enduring hardship through many dangers, toils and snares.
Nope, I’m not talking about singing “Amazing Grace”. For context and meaning,
sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as reference to Black folks been through more
than a trip to the stereotypical escape at the corner liquor store.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Thus, my fascination
with Black scholars and their work. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Real talk involving
work that escapes the regurgitation of words aimed at whitesplaining the Black
experience of racism in America. Real work beyond pickin’ and grinnin’ like “Amos
and Andy” as a subplot in an ongoing drama created to degrade Black people.
Real talk to counter the pigeonhole of Black folks being greedy, dishonest and
schemers in a world created to instill white wealth and comfort. Do I need to
say it, again? Negro, please.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">My gurus of Black
intellectual thought continue to battle the futility of overzealous Black capitulation.
They consistently subdue the temptation to embrace the lure of demeaning
rhetoric that abates the effects of the history and continuing quandary of
white folks pitching a narrative that it’s only in our imagination. How many
times must I say Negro, please?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">The Black gurus of
Black conscious thinking challenge the simpleminded ways of some white people. Why
Herschel over Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock. Put some respect on that name – Warnock
with an earned Ph.D. – versus a barely literate Black man? He play feetball.
Insert proper spelling for the folks who don’t know the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">The Georgia senate race
pits one Black man against another. What type of Black man are white folks
interested in supporting after an educated Negro became President of the
freaking United States? Can we insert fool me once, shame on you. Fool me
twice, shame on me? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Is this the payback for
smart Black folks making white folks feel stupid? Help me understand how that’s
not true after Mark Roberts got enough votes to become North Carolina’s Lt. Gov.
Google him to confront his homophobic, sexists, “Leave it to Beaver” back in
the old days thinking political ideology. Somebody please find his people! One
more time for the folks not keeping pace. Negro, please.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Are these Black men the
anti-Obama? Even more, is there an attack on smart Black men?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">These “Amos and Andy”, behind-the-times
thinking Negros find themselves on center stage singing and dancing like minstrel
show performer wearing black face makeup.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Stated before picking
up another book with more than 500 pages to help me explain why all of it is a
damn shame.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">------------------</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;">Given the work of Black
intellectuals is under attack, please contribute to the work of Rev-elution at:
Cash App, $CMizzou, or Venmo, @Carl-Kenney-1.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-30405128813540865432022-06-28T16:55:00.006-04:002022-06-29T07:30:13.176-04:00Historic Hayti redeveloment cost more than 40-acres and a mule<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWCdEUr1RKDSh23XdRaie_3g2KrzA9JjPCA2dhf3KJR5iXsKc1Bs-F43-vUj_sNP1qNvIPgGyGzIFY7Ob0r2SAH2wVwIA62645xLudb6-upUlIfGKqU9Xd2jS2VSWwBpOOzdW1KfelXLCT3p7UbnhLXUVkMV4oU79I-nOPLdPSmHeOcI98zrZgQnZ_g/s936/Biltmore_Regal_Donut_1940s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="936" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWCdEUr1RKDSh23XdRaie_3g2KrzA9JjPCA2dhf3KJR5iXsKc1Bs-F43-vUj_sNP1qNvIPgGyGzIFY7Ob0r2SAH2wVwIA62645xLudb6-upUlIfGKqU9Xd2jS2VSWwBpOOzdW1KfelXLCT3p7UbnhLXUVkMV4oU79I-nOPLdPSmHeOcI98zrZgQnZ_g/s320/Biltmore_Regal_Donut_1940s.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Biltmore Hotel and the Regal movie theater on Pettigrew Street in 1947</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">What’s the cost to rebuild Durham’s Historic Hayti community
after the freeway bulldozed the once vibrant Black community?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s more than 40-acres and a mule.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Hayti expands beyond the 19-acres proposed for
redevelopment by the Durham Housing Authority (DHA) at Fayette Place. It spreads down Pettigrew Street connecting to Roxboro Rd. It covers
space now occupied by Ponysaurus Brewing and the Durham Police
Department headquarters. It extends to property on Dillard Street, the home of The Fruit,
an art space and creative playground. It includes Hi-Wire
Brewing, Durham Bottling Company, Smashing Boxes and remodeled office space on
Ramsuer Street.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Development in Historic Hayti began shortly after downtown
redevelopment advanced to alter the face of Durham. The site of lavish
apartments, and fine dining eateries, wait for transplants lured by the city’s new
reputation. The expansion continues beyond the downtown corridor as developers seize
hold of rich opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">What about old Hayti?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1982, the editor of the Carolina Times warned of the
consequence of impending growth. The paper accused city planners of having
their sight on the old Hayti district connecting to downtown Durham. Much of
that land remains waiting for future development. Parts already redeveloped add
to tension related to what could have been and what should become of the
former Black housing and business district.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“This is a battle of
power and money. The stakes are high. To city planners, the area compliments
plan to rebuild downtown. In their judgment, the old Hayti is fertile ground
for planning houses to give the revitalized downtown people a 24-hour life,” The Carolina Times said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Bull House Apartments
occupy space near where the Regal, a 500-seat movie theater built and operated
by George Logan in 1927, and the Biltmore Hotel, built in 1923 by Dr. Clyde
Donnell stood as monuments of Black pride across from Union Station on
Pettigrew Street.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Pettigrew Street
section of Hayti connected with Durham’s downtown, within walking distance of
the famed Black Wall Street on Parish Street. To fully understand the life and
culture of Durham’s Black community prior to the flattening of Hayti, it’s
critical to envision the impact of property beyond the area now designated for
Hayti development.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">West Parrish Street,
along with portions of Hayti on the North side of the Durham Freeway, formed a
hub of Black-owned businesses that flourished beginning in early 1900s.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“To-day there is a
singular group in Durham where a black man may get up in the morning from a
mattress made by black men, in a house which a black man built out of lumber
which black men cut and planned; he may put on a suit which he brought at a colored
haberdashery and socks knit at a colored mill; he may cook victuals from a
colored grocery on a stove which black men fashioned; he may earn his living working
for colored men; be sick in a colored hospital, and buried from a colored
church; and the Negro insurance society will pay his widow enough to keep his
children in a colored school,” W.E.B. Du Bois writes in his 1912 essay “The
Upbuilding of Black Durham”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Hayti encompasses more than the space between Durham Freeway
and a few blocks past North Carolina Central University. The sadness regarding efforts
to resurrect a once thriving Black community regards the limited scope attached
to a once thriving Black community.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Hayti includes the
Heritage Square retail center, land close to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Scientific Properties, a company owned by Andrew Rothschild, brought Heritage
Square in 2007 for $4 million. In 2019, two LLCs, 401 E. Lakewood LLC and 606
Fayetteville LLC, fronted by investors from Austin, Texas, purchased the
property for $12.5 million.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Food World Market and Subway
occupy space on the 9.58-acre property. The new owners wait as the value
continues to increase on land with flexible zoning that allows for retail,
multifamily, office and mixed-use development up to 150 feet high.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Before relocating to New
York after a failed attempt to purchase the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance
building, Rothchild proposed a mixed-use development promoting a walkable
live-work community. Opposition from Larry Hester and delays by the City
Planning Commission ended a promising plan. It didn’t help that Rothchild is
white.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Corinne Mabry, a member
of the planning commission, told a reporter with the News & Observer she “was
not going to sell her people down the river,” a recap of Durham’s epic
destruction of the Hayti district.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The rebuilding of Hayti
involves the allocation of more than 40-acres and a mule. Recovery involves more than acreage
currently identifies as the former Hayti district. Hayti redevelopment comprises
Pettigrew Street, Heritage Square, parts of downtown Durham and land extending
past Main Street. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The damage triggered by
a freeway aimed at developing the Research Triangle Park came with the annihilation
of more than the 19-acres were the former Fayette Place stood. Conversations
involving Hayti should extend beyond the goals of DHA.
These conversations should involve the gains made by white led businesses on land in the historic Hayti district. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">It's time to address
the full magnitude of Hayti’s destruction. It’s time to ponder how city leaders
participated in the corrosion of Black prosperity beyond a few blocks named as
a redevelopment district. Hayti reborn involves the rebuilding of Black affluence
inclusive of Durham’s downtown district.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The price for
redevelopment cost more than 40-acres and a mule. Add the cost of interest and the
loss of land beyond the reimaged plan of city leaders after the freeway
destroyed Black dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-13442311569535106162022-06-24T16:06:00.000-04:002022-06-24T16:06:12.380-04:00Durham City Council member rescinded vote of "Stop the Steal" particpant raises questions regarding assumptions of democracy and inclusion<p><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt; text-transform: uppercase;">commentary – </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal
says Durham residents elected her to serve all people. Not a few based on their
political positions. Not the people she agrees with, but all people.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Local critics challenge
O’Neal’s willingness to bring all residents to the table after her vote to add
Jahnmaud Lane, a robust supporter of former President Donald Trump, to become a
member of Durham’s Human Rights Commission. O’Neal joined DeDreana Freeman and
city council newcomer Monique Holsey-Hyman in support of adding Lane to the
17-member commission.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Controversy erupted when
Councilwoman Jillian Johnson posted comments on social media regarding Lane’s
attendance at Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Holsey-Hyman responded
by rescinding her support for Lane.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“His values and
approach to conflict-solving conflicts with my own,” Holsey-Hyman said. “I
absolutely want Durham residents to know that I am willing to welcome all
different perspectives and diverse opinions, and I believe they all work for a
better good.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">O’Neal says time spent
listening to and getting to know Lane impacts how she views his right to participate
in local government. Lane campaigned against O’Neal as a candidate to become
Durham’s Mayor in last year’s municipal elections.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“He’s not as bad as
people think,” O’Neal said. “Black men often get labeled for being loud with
unpopular opinions. It’s important to get to know a person beyond what they
believe.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">There’s a critical
difference between Holsey-Hyman’s decision to rescind her vote and O’Neal’s
statement regarding inclusion. O’Neal’s approach moves beyond the politics of a
decision after considerable outrage. For many, it’s hard to accept O’Neal
approach given the aftermath of what happened at the Capitol on January 6.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Not everyone who was
at the Capitol participated in what happened,” O’Neal said. “We have to be
careful with assuming guilt because a person is in the crowd. How many people
have been in places where things popped off outside of their control?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Listening to O’Neal’s
position reminds me of her years of service as a judge. She provides
perspective regarding authentic inclusion. It’s important to consider all sides
of the case prior to making a ruling. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I don’t agree with his
views. I don’t have to agree,” O’Neal said. “It’s called the Human Rights Commission.
It matters that we hear from all humans, not just a few.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">O’Neal discussed the images
from January 6 and their impact on her decision. She said not everyone at the
Capitol is guilty of insurrection. Lane says he walked away from the rally
after people stormed the Capitol. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Lane undoubtedly supports
the belief that Trump lost the election due to voter fraud. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s among the myriad of Trump enthusiasts
comparing the January 6 rally with protest following the death of George Floyd.
Lane has outlandish political views derided by most Durham residents. He’s a
Black Republican advocating the rights and power of white, heterosexual
Christians. He promotes an agenda with a pride contrary to everything reflective
of the typical position of the Black community.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Lane embodies the
social and political ideology that most Durham residents despise. We’re quick
to discount his massively insulting perspective. It’s easy to censure his voice.
We chide him for his outlandish views in this season of extreme polarization. We
make him the personification of Trump’s hostile takeover. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">We can do that. We have
the right to denounce the opinions of all people who follow Trump’s evil
empire. We can label them, censure them and pronounce them guilty until proven
innocent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">There is a more
relevant question. Is this democracy?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Lane is among the group
who travelled to the Capitol to “Stop the Steal”. He came to participate in
democracy. What happened next may not have been what he planned. If so, there
are courts to determine the consequences of guilt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">There’s a picture of
Lane standing in front of the Capitol on January 6. What does the picture say
about that day? Is Lane guilty of insurrection or is he simply guilty of being
at the wrong place at the wrong time?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Lane is guilty of
holding views contrary to most Durham residents. Most of us don’t agree with
his assumptions regarding government. Most of us pray for people like Lane to
go away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Then, we’re reminded of
democracy. The best of our decisions happens due to the debate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">I don’t have to agree
with you. I don’t have to like what you say. There’s a part of me that prays for
you to go away; however, this is a democracy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">I may not like it, but it
helps if I take time to listen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Don’t blame me. Blame
the conventions of American democracy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-88983957735375780552022-06-23T12:37:00.002-04:002022-10-04T20:47:06.975-04:00The Carolina Times reports the story of Hayti's vanished dreams<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The history of Durham’s
Hayti community and the impact of urban renewal screams on the pages of The
Carolina Times.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">When presented with the
proposal to build a freeway through the heart of Durham’s Hayti community,
Black leaders promoted an opportunity to advance economic development.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Not only are we in
favor of the urban renewal part of the measure, but we are in favor of the bond
issue in its entirety,” Louis Alston, publisher and editor of The Carolina
Times, wrote on Sept. 22, 1962. “To be against it would place us in the
position of limiting progress which is entirely out of line with the role this
newspaper has endeavored to play during its approximately 40 years of
experience.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Alston conveys concern
regarding white voters’ opposition to Durham urban renewal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“If the bond issue is
passed in its entirety, it will have to be passed by a solid Negro vote plus
that of the few progressive and fair-minded white voters who are noble enough
to rise above the level of prejudice and narrowness in supporting it,” Alston
writes. “Frankly, we see no need of Negroes kidding themselves about the
inevitable position the race holds in Durham.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In the Sept. 15, 1962,
issue of The Carolina Times, Alston warned Black voters of the possible defeat
of the Urban Renewal Bond.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“As badly as the urban
renewal project is needed for the future development of Durham as a whole, the
mere fact that the anticipated improvements will be devoted for the most part
to a Negro section is a kiss of death,” Alston writes. “The mass of white voters
of this city will not respond favorably to any movement that means the betterment
of the Negro’s lot. This has been proved again and again and there is no
prospect that the condition will take a turn for the better on October 6 or
soon thereafter.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Ninety percent of Durham’s
Black residents voted in support of the bond that displaced 600 Black residents
and106 Black-owned businesses. Voters believed urban renewal would trigger massive
economic progress in a community suffering due to a decline in population.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The time has come when
progressive white and Negro citizens here must rise above the program of race
hatred, prejudice, bigotry, envy and jealousy that is now being advanced by
Durham’s usual busy bodies when measures of progress are proposed,” Alston
writes in his Sept. 22 editorial. “They must stand together, or Durham is
certain to continue the state of stagnation and small pace progress it has
experienced during the past 25 years which has seen it drop from the state’s
fourth city in size to the fifth in position.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Support for the urban
renewal project dwindled after members of the White Rock Baptist Church scrambled
to find a new location for their church edifice after the ravaging of their
historical edifice. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“With many of Durham’s
leading business and professional men and women, occupying positions on its roster
of officers, the members of White Rock awakened one morning to find themselves
out of doors, so far as having a place of their own in which to worship,” The
Carolina Times reports on May 23, 1970. “Thus, they were forced to resort to the
use of facilities at North Carolina Central University and a sister church, during
the interim of the raising of their old House of Worship and the erection of a
new edifice at another location.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Carolina Times challenged
the members of St. Joseph AME Church to consider legal action in preparation
for their forced relocation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Because of the
critical situation experienced by White Rock, we feel it our bounden duty to
sound a note of warning to the minister, officers and members of St. Joseph’s to
get about their Father’s business, at once, and set their House of Worship in
order, to determine whether surrounding circumstances of the present structure
will eventually demand that they seek an outright new location as well as the
erection of a new church edifice or be allowed to remain at its present site,” The
Carolina Times states on May 23, 1970. “In the case of St. Joseph’s which has on
its membership roll nine or more lawyers, as well as a member of the Urban
Renewal, we would recommend that every legal angle be explored to determine
whether the church has any chance of holding the Urban Renewal organization to
its original proposal, which would have provided the church with sufficient
area for parking at the present location, or whatever growth or development it
may desire in the future.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The May 23, 1970,
article in The Carolina Times serves as a reminder of both the power and
limitations of two of Durham’s most influential institutions – St. Jospeh AME
Church and White Rock Baptist Church. The strain of urban renewal impacts the entirety
of Durham’s Black community. The challenge to the members of St. Joseph “to get
about their Father’s business” recognizes the massive power within the
congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Urban renewal transcendent
the burden among poor Black residents devoid of the resources to battle the
consequence of displacement. The demolition of White Rock’s historical edifice
radically shifted the conversation. The Carolina Times, the leadership of the
Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People and Black residents recognized
the smell in the air. They inhaled the aroma of a decaying community. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Black community
felt the pain of being hoodwinked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Vivian Edmonds assumed
control of The Carolina Times after her father, Louis Alston, died in 1971. The
tone in editorials shifted from approval to extreme disdain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“If ever an injustice
and dastardly scheme was perpetrated on black folk in Durham, it seems to have
been the so-called Urban Renewal Program,” The Carolina Times reports in the
June 18, 1977, edition. “Outside of a few affluent families who seem to remain
non-committal, the rest of the black folk who have been and are being affected,
have renamed the fiasco “Black Removal” and tell some wicked stories of
treatment.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Stories of unfair treatment
and dismal payments pack the pages of the Black-owned newspaper. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Edmonds offers The Carolina Times as an
example of negligence in relocating businesses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“Ours happens to be one
of the last of three businesses left to be ‘relocated’, out of approximately
106 that made up the once flourishing Hayti section of Durham, which were
affected by the so-called ‘urban renewal’ programs,” the June 18, 1977, editorial
claims. “If our experience is typical, then God forbid what has happened to
others.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Carolina Times called
for the launching of an investigation into the entire urban renewal program.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“If it is found that
people have been cheated – no matter how far back in this program -they ought
to be paid,” the editorial states. “If black folks have been sold down the
river by their own, then they, and the world, ought to know it. If they have
not, then such an investigation would put a stop to the heinous stories that
abound.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">On Sept. 11, 1982, 20
years after the start of Durham’s Urban Renewal project, The Carolina Times
reported negotiations between Durham city planners and eight Black business
owners seeking relocation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Paul Norby, former
director of Durham’s planning department, contracted with the Durham Black Business and Professional Chain to plan how to fit these
businesses into a Hayti redevelopment proposal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Ervin Allen, Jr.,
executive director of the Black Business and Professional Chain, related
disappointment with city officials because the eight businesses weren’t
involved in the contract planning process. Allen said the process lacked foresight
making it impossible to fulfill the terms of the contract within six months “because
it would take that long to get the businesses into discussions.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“The businesses refused
to let the Chain see their financial books,” The Carolina Times reports. “These
same businesses had consistently refused to let city planners see their books
as a requirement for relocation.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The businesses are: The
Carolina Times, Imperial Barber Shop, Dreamland Shoe Shine, Thorpe’s Barber Shop,
Green Candle Restaurant, E.N. Toole Electrical Contractors, Service Printing
Company and Midway Sport Shop.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">On Dec. 5, 1981, The
Carolina Times reports five businesses remain housed in a temporary facility
known as “Tin City”, built in 1969 with a goal of lasting 18 months while
preparing to relocate displaced businesses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“To resolve this last
barrier to the redevelopment of NCR-54, the city has taken two important steps.
First, it has rewritten the Urban Renewal plan for the area in such a way that
renewal of the area no longer will have to be restored comparable to its early
composition or even to provide needed services for the community,” The Carolina
Times reports. “Secondly, the city’s plan calls for a $40,000 contract with the
Durham Business and Professional Chain to ‘assist’ the relocatees to move into
the commercial development east of Fayetteville Street. It appears that the
city is willing to ‘assist’ with construction of a building, only if it is located
in this area.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The eight businesses
involved questioned the Black Business and Professional Chain awareness of the original
urban renewal concept and believed that plan to be completely compromised by
the city’s revised plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This plan offered very
little time for community input and the plan was not publicized at all,” The
Carolina Times reports. “A full discussion of its implications would have been
almost impossible.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Hayti Development Corporation
(HDC) was formed based on the suggestion of the Economic Development
Sub-Committee of the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People. HDC
proposed a plan making Hayti an extension of downtown.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The plan proposed
converting the old Service Printing Company building into a museum, bookstore,
restaurant and office space surrounded by a park. HDC proposed a hotel-restaurant
complex, a large grocery store, a variety store, specialty store, barber/beauty
shops, pharmacy, hardware store and a retail clothing store south of the
expressway. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After reviewing HDC’s
proposal, city planners proposed hiring a consultant to consider the
recommendations. Nat White, Jr., executive director of HDC, expressed concern that
city planners asked the wrong questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“We’re looking at
implementation,” White said in the Sept. 18, 1982, edition of the Carolina
Times. “The study should say how a particular development can be made to work rather
than simply saying it won’t work.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The Carolina Times accused
city planners of having their sight on 54 acres of prized land in the Hayti
district with easy access to the Research Triangle Park.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“This is a battle of
power and money. The stakes are high. To city planners, the area compliments
plan to rebuild downtown. In their judgment, the old Hayti is fertile ground
for planning houses to give the revitalized downtown people a 24-hour life.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Aftermath of faded
dreams<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">A decade after the
formation of Hayti Development Corporation, White endured a scandal forcing him
out as Executive Director, ending the dreams of Black leaders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">On January 14, 1979,
the building that Housed The Carolina Times burned to the ground. Not much
survived the fire. The entire back stock of papers vanished in the flames along
with all those dreams. Authorities suspect arson, a sad ending to a long legacy
of reporting in Durham’s Hayti community.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Edmonds didn’t stop working.
A new issue showed up on the Thursday after the fire. Hayti residents didn’t
give up. They keep working to rebuild and rekindle the community’s hopes and
dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Henry McKoy, a faculty
member and director of entrepreneurship at North Carolina Central University,
leads the charge in renewing those dreams. He calls it a rebirth – like the
words of the prophet, Maya Angelou – “you may trod me in the very dirt. But
still, like dust. I’ll rise.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What does renewal look
like for Black people? Is it the gift of new public housing? No.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">It’s the gift of being
heard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">“All of this is to say
that city council and city planners have always been reluctant to let blacks
have a say in how their former black community should be rebuilt,” The Carolina
Times reports on Sept. 18, 1982.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Listen to the prophets
speak.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">-------------------</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Share, respond, and please, support Rev-elution in my effort to expand this work. I continue to build on this dream with extreme limited resources. That's another story. For now, Cash App me personally at: Cash App -$CMizzou, or Venmo - @Carl-Kenney-1</i>.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155133175831479740.post-84397503986834176462022-06-14T21:02:00.007-04:002022-06-14T22:10:00.572-04:00Proposed Durham Housing Authority Project raises concerns involving broken promises.<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt;">When Durham Housing Authority
(DHA) board members were tasked with replenishing housing after the demolition
of Fayette Place, a collision between a painful history and affordable housing
goals converged during a public hearing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The tension of more than 50
years of neglect became the central topic of a Durham City Council Public
hearing to discuss plans to develop the 19 acres in the heart of the Historic Durham
Hayti neighborhood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The DHA board selected Durham Community Partners – a venture team of F7 International Development,
Greystone Affordable Development, Moseley Arcitects, BL Wall Consulting and Gibane Development – to build 774 housing
units where Fayette Place was demolished in 2009.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">“Displacement of the people is
a crime of which the city of Durham will repeat if this process to reward this
developer the contract doesn’t stop now,” Angel Dozier, curator of Be Connected
Durham, said. “After 60 years of the unaddressed harm done to this community,
by a highway having been built straight through the downtown of the Hayti
community of East Pettigrew St, a contract offered with no connection to the
history of this community, or the lived experiences of the people, will only
cause further harm with worse consequences we have yet to see.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Protest erupted after DHA
board members rejected North Carolina Central University Professor Henry McKoy’s
proposal. Members of the community submitted a petition asking DHA to rescind
the approved plans in favor of Hayti Reborn’s hub for Black businesses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">“We’ve done thousands of
surveys and hours of community conversations,” McKoy said. “What came out of
that conversation is people want more than to be housed. What came out of those
conversations is people want opportunities for upward mobility. What they
wanted most of all are opportunities for kids to have a future. A future that
provides for economic prosperity.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">McKoy said his criticism of
the $470 million approved development plan shouldn’t be construed as him being
a sore loser. Of the proposals graded on a 100-point scale, McKoy’s received 52
points, the lowest among the ten submitted to the board.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The DHA developed Fayette
Place in 1967 as “replacement housing” after Durham Freeway 147 displaced residents
of Hayti. DHA sold the property to Campus Apartments, a Philadelphia based acquisition,
development, and management company, in 2007 for $4 million after DHA needed
money to pay back Housing Urban Development (HUD) for improper use of funds. Campus
Apartments planned to convert Fayette Place into housing for North Carolina
Central University students.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">After receiving numerous
complaints from residents due to the vacant property, former Mayor Bill Bell
pressured Campus Properties to demolish the buildings in 2009. Due to a series
of crimes at Campus Crossing, a Campus Properties development housing NCCU students,
the developer backed out and sold the property back to DHA in 2017 for the same
amount sold in 2007.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The site became the focus of
conversations involving affordable housing during the 2019 city council
election. A $95 million affordable housing bond was placed on the same ballot.
Members of Durham Congregation, Associations, and Neighborhoods (CAN), an
Industrial Area Foundation faith and community-based organization, pressured Anthony
Scott, chief executive officer of DHA, and candidates for elected office to
commit on a timeline for construction on the Fayette Place site.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">An Overdue Conversation<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">“Seems like in the late 60’s
or 70’s the City of Durham along with the Department of Transportation drove a
knife through the chest of Hayti and Hayti has been bleeding ever since,” Dewey
Williams, a 15-year Durham resident, said during the public hearing. “What I
see in Hayti tells me the city does not care about Hayti. If you would compare
the community around Duke with the community around central (NCCU) you would
see a great difference.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Stories about good old days in
historic Hayti are the common theme of the night. The 19 acres of vacant land conjures
thoughts of what used to be and what can be with the proper vision.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">What took so long?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The site wasn’t elevated in
conversations regarding Black business revival before being sold to Campus Properties
in 2007. No one raised the topic before Bill Bell forced the demolition of buildings
in 2009. After sitting for more than 10 years, members of CAN, the Durham
Committee on the Affairs of Black People and concerned residents failed to
mention the possibility for Black business renewal during the movement to endorse
affordable housing on the site.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Affordable Housing led the
list of vital concerns among Durham voters. Black economic development failed to
generate interest among voters during Farad Ali’s campaign for Mayor against
Steve Schewel in 2019. Ali, president and chief executive officer at Asociar, campaigned
on a platform to enrich Black equity and inclusion in business.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The Historic Fayetteville Street
Master Plan<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Denise and Larry Hester lead
conversations regarding economic development concerns in the Historical Hayti district.
The Hester’s own Phoenix Square Shopping Center and developed the failed
Rolling Hills project before the city took over to rebuild a gentrified
nightmare.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The Hester’s opposed Southside development where houses sale for more than $500,000. The couple warned
the Duke University backed project would lead to higher taxes for Black
residents, forced displacement and gentrification. Their outrage followed
efforts to classify the area blighted – the first step in decreasing the value
of the housing market. Self-Help Credit Union backed labeling the area blighted
in a plan to use Southside and Rolling Hills as a template for a white takeover
of Black spaces.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The Hesters envisioned the
coming of out-of-town developers altering the landscape of Historic Hayti. Members
of the city council rejected their request for $25-50 million for a streetscape
project on Fayetteville Street. The council blamed the Hesters for the failed second
Rolling Hills project. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">“I believe that in the past,
past decisions made about Rolling Hills were made by well-meaning people – but the
fact of the matter is, it’s a failed project,” Elaine Armstrong, a former
Rolling Hills homeowner said during a December 2007 city council meeting. “And
I think that now, after about four years, people who live there have reason to
believe there’s some new hope with the discussions about the new development.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">During that 2007 city council
meeting, the council approved $6 million to buy up Rollings Hills and
properties in St. Teresa’s and the Southside neighborhood. The city budgeted
$3.7 million for property acquisition and $1.2 million for relocation cost.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The Rolling Hills project
mirrors the proposed project across the street at Fayette Place. The Hesters
continue mobilizing business owners and residents in the Fayetteville Street Corridor.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="untitled (phoenixfestdurham.com)">Check out the Fayetteville Street Corridor Report</a><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Where is NCCU<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Absent from Monday’s meeting are
sanctioned representatives from NCCU. It’s critical to imagine the Hayti
district between Pettigrew Street and Hillside High School. This area includes
significant pillars of Historical Hayti – St. Joseph AME Church, White Rock
Baptist Church, Hillside High School and NCCU.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Foreseeing a project aimed at
recapturing the once vital Black district involves more than the Fayette Place
site. Building on the dream of a revitalized Hayti is best served in partnership
with NCCU. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Time to Breathe<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Aidil Ortiz, a principal at
Aildisms, a consultancy focused on supporting government departments,
non-profits and communities, encouraged people in the crowd to breathe – much needed
after a long night of considering the sway of a tainted history. The breaths began
a new process. More than healing – a chance to envision new possibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">“We have to find a way to get
to the yes,” Mayor Elaine O’Neal said after recounting her own memories of
walking down Fayetteville St. during the heydays of Hayti.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Those streets paved with Black
business. A place nurturing the dreams of Black children. A home enriched in the
pride of Black hued brothers and sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">DHA offers a proposal for a
small area in historic Hayti. Henry McKoy provides a vision for more than
public housing. Others arrived with the burden of their memories – stories of
displaced families and businesses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">The story is left to be told.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">Next step, the emergence of an
empowering Black agenda.<o:p></o:p></span></p>REV-elutionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08726120253716456109noreply@blogger.com0