By Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
A series of events across Raleigh this month has brought together Black leaders, organizers, and community members to focus on advocacy, youth development, and long-term political engagement.
On Tuesday, the organization Black Voters Matter hosted a day of advocacy at the North Carolina General Assembly, centered on the leadership and voices of Black men. Organizers described the gathering as both a policy-driven effort and a space for connection, reflection, and strategy-building.
“This is a space for Black men to come together, build community, and advocate on critical issues impacting us—gun violence, economic opportunity, housing and voting rights,” organizers said.
Participants engaged directly with lawmakers while taking part in discussions focused on mental health, community healing, and policy priorities.
The day of action reflects a broader effort by Black Voters Matter and the North Carolina Black Alliance to build sustained political power through year-round organizing rather than limiting engagement to election cycles.
Advocacy efforts have focused on a range of issues affecting Black communities across the state, including expanding health equity, protecting voting rights, increasing access to economic opportunities, addressing housing affordability, and combating gun violence.
Through initiatives like statewide bus tours and community events, they aim to reach rural and historically underrepresented communities. Their “We Won’t Black Down” campaign, for example, has brought voter registration drives and town halls to smaller towns often overlooked in traditional political outreach.
In addition to legislative advocacy, organizers are also investing heavily in youth engagement. Efforts include outreach at historically Black colleges and universities, as well as large-scale voter mobilization events designed to energize younger generations.
“We need to start reimagining what this country and its governing documents look like,” April England-Albright, Chief of Staff and Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter, said. “We know that there are aggressive efforts to redefine this nation into a nation that existed in 1776. We’re creating a program to help Black imagination to think about what America is beyond the 14th Amendment and to make sure our protections aren’t linked to the benevolence of others.”
The advocacy day follows another major community event earlier in the month: The 2026 Dayla, hosted by 100 Black Men of Triangle East, held last Saturday at Hibiscus Event Venue—inviting community leaders to invest in the future of Black youth across Wake and Durham counties.
“Our Dayla is more than a celebration,” said CJ Guion, president of 100 Black Men of Triangle East. “It is an opportunity for the community to come together in support of the young people and families we serve. Fundraising events like this allow us to continue offering impactful programming free of charge to mentees while expanding our reach and deepening our impact.”
Funds raised support mentoring initiatives, educational programs, and community-based services provided at no cost to participants. Leaders say these programs are critical to addressing opportunity gaps and creating long-term pathways for success among Black youth.
The North Carolina Black Alliance held a mobilization call with faith leaders and members of historically Black fraternities and sororities on Tuesday evening focused on election protection and get-out-the-vote strategies for 2026. The call aimed to unify efforts across organizations and develop a coordinated voter mobilization strategy in advance of upcoming elections.
Together, these events reflect a broader, interconnected strategy: investing in youth, strengthening community networks, and translating that foundation into sustained political engagement and policy advocacy in North Carolina.
