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.