Columns and Editorials
Reflections on the Senator Jeanne H. Lucas Luncheon
By Jheri Hardaway
Staff Writer
The Glenwood Ballroom was filled with a sense of "collective courage" this past week as community leaders, activists, and citizens gathered for the NC Black Summit “Senator Jeanne H. Lucas Luncheon: Bridging the Past and Future.” Sponsored by the Collective Courage Fund, the event served as a powerful reminder of the deep-rooted history of North Carolina's advocacy and the vibrant future being forged by its next generation. The history markers honored included: Dr. Marvin Connelly, Dr. Frankie Denise Powell, Courtney Patterson, and Leonard Springs.
I had the pleasure of meeting several honorees on the first day of the conference. Courtney Patterson, Eastern Organizer for BluePrint NC, shared with us, “To be recognized by young people younger than my children is quite an honor indeed. These are the people who come into this work with passion, and they give me hope.”
Additionally, Mr. Leonard Springs shared inspiring insights with me between sessions. Mr. Spring is described as a true "CEO's CEO" and a monumental figure at the intersection of business and advocacy. Mr. Springs, whose career spanned decades in banking, notably leading supply diversity efforts after the First Union and Wachovia merger, delivered a moving acceptance speech that brought the audience back to his humble roots. Born at the end of a dirt road in Edgefield, South Carolina, Springs shared the wisdom of his grandmother, a domestic worker, who sent him a dollar bill each month for school. Mr. Springs’ journey came full circle as he announced that his foundation now provides scholarships to the very high school he was once barred from attending due to segregation. His story serves as a testament to the power of HBCUs (he is a proud graduate of Voorhees University) and the necessity of black leadership in finance. Most recently, he played a pivotal role in the 2025 acquisition of Holladay Bank, making it the only minority-owned bank in Utah.
Another major highlight was the strong voice of the future actress and influencer Lynae Vanee. Vanee brought an astute, millennial perspective to the podium as plenary speaker. Lynae Vanee, a poet, social media powerhouse, and NAACP Image Award winner, is also a Spelman alumna with a Master’s in African American Studies from Boston University. Lynae challenged the room to move beyond "normalcy" and embrace a "love ethic" in politics. Vanee addressed the current political climate with candor, noting that while economic and environmental challenges feel daunting for 90s babies and Gen Z, the community's purpose must be radical change rather than a return to a flawed past. Vanee suggested that politicians should focus on "canvassing for community needs, not just votes," meeting tangible needs like opening clinics and food banks before seeking office. Vanee didn't shy away from difficult topics, calling for the healing of "fissures" within the black community, including addressing toxic masculinity and protecting black women.
The luncheon was not just a look back; it was a strategic gathering for the 2026 midterms. Throughout the two-day conference, audience members and speakers alike emphasized several short-term and long-term goals:
Youth Turnout: Combatting disenfranchisement among college voters.
Coalition Building: Strengthening ties between Black and Brown voters to protect congressional districts.
Mental Regulation: Protecting the community’s "nervous system" against the stress of systemic injustice.
It was emphasized that the strength of this movement lies in the "merger" of generations, honoring the wisdom of the Leonard Springs while making room for the innovative, unfiltered voices of leaders like Lynae Vanee. We stand in solidarity with these "History Makers" as they continue to turn "what the devil meant for evil" into a collective good for North Carolina and beyond, while we also champion our youth and the leaders of tomorrow.
Amidst the 2026 breakout sessions focusing on the future of energy and technology, a powerful and deeply rooted conversation unfolded on the history and importance of “Black Cooperative Economics.” Emphasizing a mission to "acknowledge our ancestors and African origins of community," the session highlighted the critical role that mutual aid and solidarity continue to play in Black self-determination. Other breakout sessions on the “Powering Intelligence: The Promise and Price of AI” and “Every Child, Every County: The Leandro Debate” were informative conversations that left audiences with facts, data, and insight to move forward better and together.
The North Carolina Black Alliance did more than unite us; they reminded us of our impact and importance. NCBA encouraged us to think about our language and messaging, and above all, they gave us a safe space to unpack new and old systems of oppression as we prepare for a brighter and bolder future. Major thanks go out to Courtney Crowder, Executive Director, and Marcus Bass, Incoming Executive Director of The North Carolina Black Alliance. See you next year!
Guest Editorials
In North Carolina, Tax Relief Is Finally Catching Up to Work
By Kevin Daniels
In North Carolina, the economy runs on work ... long shifts, overtime hours, and industries that still depend on people showing up and putting in the time. More than 5 million North Carolinians are employed, and the state has an unemployment rate under 4 percent.
A significant part of that economy is built on production and physical labor. Manufacturing alone employs more than 467,000 workers statewide and contributes about 15 percent of North Carolina’s GDP, making it one of the largest sectors in the state. Tax policy is starting to reflect the reality of the employment landscape here.
In 2026, families across North Carolina are seeing larger refunds because taxes on work were reduced through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTC). By preventing nearly $2 trillion in tax increases nationally and eliminating taxes on eligible overtime and tips, the law aligns the tax code with how people actually earn a living.
Across North Carolina, the average taxpayer is seeing a tax savings of about $2,400this year. That represents broad-based relief reaching communities across the state.
That’s important in places like Gaston County — part of the Charlotte region — where median household income is about $65,000 and wages remain below the national average. In these communities, overtime is part of the paycheck, not just a bonus.
These tax refunds make a difference for a manufacturing worker staying late to finish a shift or a construction worker picking up weekend hours. Now, more of their hard-earned paycheck stays in their pockets.
For example, a married construction worker with one child could see a tax cut of $3,200.
The same is true for service workers across the state. While North Carolina’s economy is not driven by tourism alone, hundreds of thousands of workers in restaurants, retail, and small businesses rely on tips and supplemental income.
Families are also seeing the impact through the expanded Child Tax Credit, now set at $2,200 per child.
That’s important in a state where the average annual wage is just over$51,000, and many families are balancing rising costs for housing, transportation, and childcare.
On average, families are seeing significant gains, with those raising children receiving about $3,600 in tax relief this tax year. For married couples with two or more children, the tax relief could be about $6,600 this tax year.
The impact is especially important in rural and working-class areas, where incomes tend to be lower and economic volatility is higher.
In some parts of North Carolina, poverty rates still exceed 10 percent, and in more distressed counties, they can climb significantly higher.
In those communities, even modest increases in take-home pay can make a meaningful difference, whether it’s catching up on bills, paying down debt, or simply staying ahead.
The law also helps protect long-term stability. By expanding deductions for seniors, it ensures that more retirement income is protected in a state where the population is steadily aging. Seniors are seeing average tax cuts of more than $2,600 this year, helping preserve financial security especially for those on fixed incomes. By maintaining a higher estate tax threshold, it becomes easier for families to pass down land, small businesses, and farms without facing a forced sale.
Across North Carolina, the pattern is consistent. Workers are keeping more of what they earn. Families are seeing relief where it matters most. And communities—particularly right outside major metro centers—benefit from policies that allow more money to stay local.
Importantly, these changes are paired with fiscal discipline. Spending reductions and stronger oversight help ensure that tax relief is sustainable and that taxpayer dollars are not lost to waste or fraud.
Public opinion reflects this approach. November polling from the America First Policy Institute shows most Americans support reducing the financial burden on Americans, expanding the Child Tax Credit, and allowing workers to keep more of what they earn through tips, overtime, and retirement income.
This year, for many across the state, that principle is finally showing up where it counts. Not in promises, but in refunds.
Kevin Daniels is the Executive Director of the America First Policy Institute’s North Carolina Chapter and former Department Director for Governor Pat McCrory
Letter to the Editor
Vernon Jordan, Prominent Lawyer also Pioneer in Voter Rights, Dies
I salute and honor Vernon Jordan, a prominent lawyer who was also a pioneer in ensuring the 1965 Voters Rights legislation was fully realized in the South and sparked my political journey. As a young lawyer he served as the Director of the Voter Education Project (VEP) in Atlanta, Georgia during the years 1966-1970; sponsored voter education projects and encouraged Blacks to run for various offices through the South, including Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
In North Carolina, VEP-sponsored projects educated voters about their rights under the 1965 Voter Rights Act and encouraged Blacks to volunteer to run for various offices. In 1968, I ran for Congress and Dr. Reginald Hawkins ran for Governor. I knew it was unlikely that I would win; I lost royally. The primary goal, however, was to increase registration - which we did significantly.
Many earlier political successes in the South were supported and nurtured by Vernon Jordan of the Voter Education Project, for which we are grateful.
Eva Clayton
Former Congresswoman 1992-2003
Letter To The Editor
REVISIONIST BLACK HISTORY
The recent action taken by the Quaker Oats family of products to change the name of Aunt Jemima to the Pearl Milling Company (which in 1888 developed self-rising flour), was a supposed bid to redress complaints of racism from the perceived belittling name for their best pancake mix taking it away from its legacy of good home cooking. The face of Aunt Jemima was originally depicted by Nancy Green, a member of my grandfather’s Olivet Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. Green, a woman of class, was not a mammy per se but one born into slavery yet found to be a servant of G-d’s word. In a bid for cultural whatever, “nilism’ is a description for removing all vestige of truth in search of political correctness by which Black History has been distorted with facts thought a disgrace haphazardly removed rather than allow such to exist on its own truth. read more...
Letter To The Editor
PROTESTATION
I have a protestation that revels repulsion to think that our intelligence should be, is, insulted by the notion that the truth of systemic-racism, is not a beast, and a monster, is a bold faced lie. To go forth to say that this should not be taught because it will be an agent to instill a poor self image or promote the disease of poor self-esteem is preposterous
Firstly, born, reared, nurtured, supported, and revalidated that I came to this earth to live in the residence of this world as an equal to every other human being. I have the years of longevity to say that I’ve been fortunate enough to live those evidences in the County of Wake, in N.C. read more...