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North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus
Chairman’s Report
January 2013 — April 2014
DRAFT
Chairman’s Comments
T his report is being compiled to let you know what we have done as a Caucus during my time as Chair of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. This term has been an unusual term as
the 2013 Session was a landmark year for hot-button legislation that captured the attention not only of the state, but the entire nation as well. Rarely has a General Assembly shifted so dramatically from the bipartisan-supported center to the extreme right of the new majority in power.
As you will see in this report, the Caucus has done a lot in this short time and we look to do more to keep our con-stituents educated and connected.
Those things or activities we may not be able to capture in a photograph or video.
We have branded the Caucus with:
A dedicated Caucus logo
Caucus colors of black and gold
Procured a Caucus table cloth and retractable banner
Created an NCLBC directory to hand out at Caucus events and across the state
In addition:
Paid for Redistricting Court Case
Updated our existing by-laws
Updated the NCLBC web site
Created a Facebook and social media presence
Created an NCLBC YouTube TV where all of the press conferences are uploaded
Purchased a Caucus camera/video and tablet, to cap-ture the history of the Caucus
2013 Opening Reception
Valentine’s and Holiday Reception Appreciation for
Legislative Assistants
The NCLBC celebrated their Legislative Assistants at Valentine’s Day with floral arrangements and a reception. A Christmas holiday reception for the LA’s and members. Each LA was given a gift card as an appreciation for their patience and hard work.
Each year the NCLBC opens the new session with and opening recep-tion for the new members. This session the Caucus had a record num-ber of freshman members of 8 and a total caucus membership of 33.
2013 NCLBC Community Partner and Youth Day
The NCLBC Community Partner and Youth Day was well received.
More than 400 youth and 45 adults participated. During the half day
session at the North Carolina General Assembly, youth and adults were
given a tour of the General Assembly, an update of what is happening in
during the long session, and participate in a mock session.
Participated in HkonJ
Wainwright Prayer Breakfast and Clergy Meeting
The William L. Wainwright Prayer Breakfast and Clergy Day at the Gen-
eral Assembly honored the service of the Honorable William Wainwright. With
more than 200 guests in attendance, members and guests celebrated the life and
legacy of our late friend . The Breakfast followed with a clergy meeting at the
General Assembly.
Clergy Day was a great opportunity for clergy to meet legislators that
serve them and their congregation. In addition, clergy would gain additional
details about legislation to disseminate to their respective congregations. ty to
ask questions and gain additional information to disseminate to your respective
congregations.
Foundation Banquet Panel Discussion
Theme: The Church’s Role in Helping Shape Public Policy
A Clergy meeting was hosted as a session during the NCLBC Foundation Weekend. Guest
panelist included Dr. William Turner, Pastor of Mount Level Missionary Baptist Church
and Professor of the Practice of Homiletics Duke Divinity School; Rev. Dr. John Mendez,
Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist and Psychotherapist with MindSight Consultation and Coun-
seling Services; and Rev. B.T. Cornelius, Pastor of Bryant Chapel AME Zion Church, The
North Carolina Conference, New Bern District.
Closing Session Caucus Dinner for Members and Staff
The Caucus sponsored an end of session dinner for members and staff at Fitzgerald’s
Seafood Restaurant. This was a time for members to relax, and fellowship after a
long and eventful legislative session.
Condolences from the Caucus
Rep. Alma Adam’s Brother
Rep. Elmer Floyd’s Mother
Rep. Jean Farmer Butterfield’s Father & Mother
Sen. Earline Parmon’s, Husband
Rep. Edward Hanes’, Father
Rep. George Graham’s Father
Get Well Sentiments
Barbara Pierce – Rep. Garland Pierce
HBCU Day at the General Assembly
Press Conferences
Once a shining example of the progressive direction of the South, the Republicans in North Carolina have done everything in their power to revert to the darker days in our history. A common and hypocritical theme that defined the 2013 session: no govern-ment for those who need it, and too much government for those who don’t. How else do you explain cutting unemployment benefits, yet mandating that our children be taught that abortions lead to premature births? Or rejecting federally funded Medicaid that would not cost the state a dime, yet requiring every voter to have a photo ID?
This session brought us many press conferences and meetings. These press confer-ences let our constituents know, that in spite of what was happening and the mean-spirited laws that were being passed, we were still here fighting for them and their fami-lies. Fighting for those who do not have a voice and the least among us.
Town Hall Meetings
What’s Up: Taking Back Our State
Elizabeth City
Raleigh
Triad Area
Hamlet
Lumberton
Durham
Wilmington
Charlotte (2)
Rocky Mount
Wagram
New Bern
Fayetteville
Bus Trip to Capitol Hill
The NCLBC traveled to Washington, DC to lobby for the Amended Voting Rights Act of 2014. The visit to Washington included members and former members like The Honorable Linda Coleman. Members of the NCLBC met with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman G.K. Butterfield, Senator Kay Hagen, Congressman Howard Coble and Richard Burr.
This was a great meeting! Met new folks and networking is so
critical to all of our success.
-Winnie W. Morgan
Early Childhood Faith Initiative Coordinator
Durham's Partnership for Children & End Poverty Durham
Poverty and Economic Development Town Hall Meetings
2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the War on Poverty. The poverty gap
continues to widen and we thought this would be a good time to refocus our attention on
the thousands of North Carolinians who are the working poor,” said Representative Gar-
land Pierce, Chairman. The caucus launch a series of Town Hall meetings with several
community partners to advance the message of the poverty gap and educate them on why
it is getting wider and what we can do collectively to close that gap.