By: Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
On Friday, a press conference in Durham spotlighted the legacy of Durham’s Black Wall Street. U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee, State Rep. Zack Hawkins, and local Black small business owners came together to evaluate Vice President Kamala Harris’ proposals alongside Donald Trump’s agenda.
“Since taking office, Vice President Harris has overseen a small business boom that is uplifting communities across the country, including North Carolina,” Congresswoman Foushee said. “That includes a record 19 million new small business applications, the fastest creation of Black-owned small businesses in more than 30 years—and Latino business entrepreneurship growing at the fastest pace in more than a decade.”
Foushee also discussed the history of Black Wall Street and the ongoing progress in revitalizing it in the Durham community.
“It was a thriving community of Black small businesses, and its success made Durham one of the centers of the Black middle class. Much of this neighborhood was disrupted in the 1960s due to highway construction and underdevelopment. But because of concerted efforts to revitalize the area in recent years, Black Wall Street is finally coming back,” Congresswoman Foushee said.
Megan Cain, owner of The ZEN Succulent in Durham, joined other local entrepreneurs to celebrate the advantages of Vice President Harris’ new small business plan. Launching her business in 2012 with limited resources, Cain underscored the positive potential of Harris’ proposed $50,000 in credit and incentives for new businesses, particularly in underserved communities.
LaShonda Modest, owner of Melanated Wine—the first Black-owned winery in Durham, NC history—also spoke at the event about how Harris’ plans would have supported her when she founded her business.
“On the ballot this year, we have a champion for small businesses, who is making support for us a cornerstone of her campaign. With new announcements just this week, Vice President Harris has planned to expand tax relief for people when they are starting new businesses—that would’ve been life-changing when I started out,” Modest said.
Small business owner Matthew Scully – who is running for the District 4 seat on the Greenville City Council – praised Harris’ record of prioritizing working families, noting that her New Way Forward plan aims to ensure that small businesses, especially in rural and historically underserved areas, receive the support they need.
Vice President Harris has been actively engaging with North Carolinians; last week, on Power 98 radio, Harris discussed her background and how it shapes her policy plans, highlighting a significant expansion of tax relief for small businesses and aiming for 25 million new applications during her first term.
These events, along with others occurring this week, underscore a broader Democratic effort to show support for small businesses and to attract votes in the crucial battleground state of North Carolina. On Saturday, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison met with local faith leaders from Lumberton, Hoke, Scotland, and Robeson Counties to discuss how Harris’ vision for the future includes support for both urban and rural communities.
The Harris-Walz campaign is actively engaging voters in the state with their ‘Fighting for Reproductive Freedom’ bus tour this week, featuring scheduled stops in Asheville and Raleigh with Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and First Lady of Minnesota Gwen Walz. Kamala Harris plans to be in both Greensboro and Charlotte on Thursday.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump traveled to Charlotte on Friday to address policemen and secure the endorsement of the country’s largest law enforcement union. This visit followed news earlier that day of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name being removed from North Carolina ballots.
The Democrats’ multifaceted approach—emphasizing support for small businesses, engaging with rural communities, and addressing reproductive rights—reflects their strategic effort to build momentum and secure crucial support in North Carolina as the 2024 election approaches. Harris currently trails Trump by less than 1 percent in state presidential polling averages.
By: Jordan Meadows
Staff Writer
On Friday, a press conference in Durham spotlighted the legacy of Durham’s Black Wall Street. U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee, State Rep. Zack Hawkins, and local Black small business owners came together to evaluate Vice President Kamala Harris’ proposals alongside Donald Trump’s agenda.
“Since taking office, Vice President Harris has overseen a small business boom that is uplifting communities across the country, including North Carolina,” Congresswoman Foushee said. “That includes a record 19 million new small business applications, the fastest creation of Black-owned small businesses in more than 30 years—and Latino business entrepreneurship growing at the fastest pace in more than a decade.”
Foushee also discussed the history of Black Wall Street and the ongoing progress in revitalizing it in the Durham community.
“It was a thriving community of Black small businesses, and its success made Durham one of the centers of the Black middle class. Much of this neighborhood was disrupted in the 1960s due to highway construction and underdevelopment. But because of concerted efforts to revitalize the area in recent years, Black Wall Street is finally coming back,” Congresswoman Foushee said.
Megan Cain, owner of The ZEN Succulent in Durham, joined other local entrepreneurs to celebrate the advantages of Vice President Harris’ new small business plan. Launching her business in 2012 with limited resources, Cain underscored the positive potential of Harris’ proposed $50,000 in credit and incentives for new businesses, particularly in underserved communities.
LaShonda Modest, owner of Melanated Wine—the first Black-owned winery in Durham, NC history—also spoke at the event about how Harris’ plans would have supported her when she founded her business.
“On the ballot this year, we have a champion for small businesses, who is making support for us a cornerstone of her campaign. With new announcements just this week, Vice President Harris has planned to expand tax relief for people when they are starting new businesses—that would’ve been life-changing when I started out,” Modest said.
Small business owner Matthew Scully – who is running for the District 4 seat on the Greenville City Council – praised Harris’ record of prioritizing working families, noting that her New Way Forward plan aims to ensure that small businesses, especially in rural and historically underserved areas, receive the support they need.
Vice President Harris has been actively engaging with North Carolinians; last week, on Power 98 radio, Harris discussed her background and how it shapes her policy plans, highlighting a significant expansion of tax relief for small businesses and aiming for 25 million new applications during her first term.
These events, along with others occurring this week, underscore a broader Democratic effort to show support for small businesses and to attract votes in the crucial battleground state of North Carolina. On Saturday, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison met with local faith leaders from Lumberton, Hoke, Scotland, and Robeson Counties to discuss how Harris’ vision for the future includes support for both urban and rural communities.
The Harris-Walz campaign is actively engaging voters in the state with their ‘Fighting for Reproductive Freedom’ bus tour this week, featuring scheduled stops in Asheville and Raleigh with Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and First Lady of Minnesota Gwen Walz. Kamala Harris plans to be in both Greensboro and Charlotte on Thursday.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump traveled to Charlotte on Friday to address policemen and secure the endorsement of the country’s largest law enforcement union. This visit followed news earlier that day of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name being removed from North Carolina ballots.
The Democrats’ multifaceted approach—emphasizing support for small businesses, engaging with rural communities, and addressing reproductive rights—reflects their strategic effort to build momentum and secure crucial support in North Carolina as the 2024 election approaches. Harris currently trails Trump by less than 1 percent in state presidential polling averages.
