RALEIGH, N.C. — Black maternal health is more than a statistic — it’s a call to action for mothers, daughters and communities fighting to be seen, heard and cared for. With potential government shutdowns threatening critical programs, the conversation around Black maternal health has never been more urgent.

North Carolina state Sen. Natalie Murdock, who represents Durham and Chatham counties and has championed maternal health legislation since entering the General Assembly, emphasized a stark reality: even in areas with world-class hospitals, access remains a defining barrier.

“We have access to Duke Hospital, Rex, UNC, WakeMed — some of the best health care providers in the world,” Murdock said. “But if you cannot get access to them, that is an issue we’re seeing with communities of color, especially Black women.”

Progress through policy

North Carolina made significant strides through Medicaid expansion, extending postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months — a critical window for addressing complications and ongoing health needs. The change followed advocacy from leaders like Murdock, who shared data showing the life-saving benefits of extended care.

She also cited the “Save More Ta-Ta’s” legislation, filed by the state Senate minority leader Sydney Batch and breast cancer survivor. The bill addresses a gap affecting women of color with dense breast tissue, who often need additional screenings not covered by insurance. Early detection remains key, yet cost barriers continue to block access.

Beyond genetics: systemic inequities

Karida Giddings, access to health care coordinator for North Carolina Black Alliance, offered perspective on the systemic causes of health disparities.

“We’re looking beyond just the genetics,” Giddings said. “We’re looking at the systems built around us that are really creating the root causes of the disparities we see.”

Those systems include limited access to healthy foods, a shortage of culturally competent providers, and health professionals who fail to listen to Black women’s concerns — leaving many communities to fall through the cracks. Data shows that in some states, Black women die at rates three to four times higher than white women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Community-based solutions

Both Murdock and Giddings underscored the critical role of community-based organizations in closing care gaps. Groups such as MAAME and Equity Before Birth have stepped in to provide doula support, blood pressure monitoring and postpartum follow-up care.

These organizations saw increased funding following the social justice reckoning after George Floyd’s death, and North Carolina funded two such groups with state dollars for the first time. Yet, that progress remains fragile.

The federal threat

With Medicaid rollbacks and government shutdown threats on the horizon, uncertainty looms. The anti-diversity, equity and inclusion backlash has already resulted in multimillion-dollar research grants being withdrawn, including one from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Murdock warned that without reliable data, it becomes difficult to justify grant applications or target interventions effectively. Meanwhile, rural hospital closures add another layer of risk. The potential loss of Siler City Hospital, for instance, could turn a 15-minute drive to deliver a baby into an hour-long journey — a potentially deadly delay.

Resilience and resistance

Despite the challenges, both Murdock and Giddings expressed confidence in the resilience of Black communities.

“Black people as a whole will do what we have to do to survive,” Murdock said.

Giddings added:

“When you asked me what it looks like, it looks like Black women doing what they’ve always done — leading, organizing and building bridges, standing in the gaps in ways that our system has yet to really do.”

The bottom line

The state’s maternal health crisis serves as a stress test for the systems communities have built to protect themselves. While the political climate presents challenges, advocates, legislators and grassroots leaders continue to lay a foundation for progress.

“We are resilient people,” Murdock said. “When we weather this political storm of violence that is self-inflicted, I do think we’ll come out better on the other side.”

Black maternal health is not just a health issue — it’s a justice issue, a community issue, and a reflection of our values as a society.

If someone had told you that a 900-page political playbook could be halfway implemented in just eight months, would you believe it? While much of the world has been distracted by chaos and headlines, Project 2025 has quietly become the real playbook shaping our government and our future.

On this Advance Notice episode, we sat down with Dawn Blagrove, executive director of Emancipate North Carolina, to break down what’s happening, what it means for our communities, and what we can do about it.

A rapid implementation

Less than a year into the Trump administration’s second term, roughly 50% of Project 2025 has already been implemented or is on its way. Even for those who predicted an aggressive agenda, the speed and scope have taken many by surprise.

Dawn Blagrove notes that this may be the biggest strategic miscalculation in modern Democratic politics — failing to take Project 2025 and Trump’s determination seriously enough. The consequences of that miscalculation, she warns, could reverberate for generations.

Direct impacts on communities

So far, the impacts are hitting Black, brown, and working-class communities the hardest:

• Education – The elimination of the Department of Education and defunding of public schools.
• Safety Nets – Severe cuts to programs like SNAP and housing vouchers.
• Policing – Deployment of the military into predominantly Black cities under the guise of fighting crime.

Blagrove emphasizes that this is more than just policy shifts — it’s a direct assault on vulnerable communities, desensitizing the public to militarized cities and widening systemic inequities.

A return to community roots

In response, she calls for a return to community-based solutions:

• Local fundraising for schools and children’s needs.
• Collective efforts to provide food, books and shelter where the government withdraws support.
• A renewed focus on self-reliance and mutual aid, echoing strategies Black communities used before desegregation.

What’s at stake for North Carolina

Looking ahead, Blagrove warns of a complete loss of democracy in the state if Project 2025 continues unchecked:

• Defunding of public schools and whitewashing of curricula.
• Suppression of Black leadership and representation.
• A rollback to policies reminiscent of Jim Crow.

She also highlights how North Carolina has become a testing ground for GOP policies, from book bans to school vouchers, often mirroring federal-level strategies.

The call to action

Blagrove’s message is clear: vote — at every level. Local, municipal, judicial, statewide and federal elections all matter. With gerrymandered districts limiting representation in the General Assembly, statewide elections—such as the 2026 NC Supreme Court race — are critical opportunities for change.

For more information about municipal elections, visit SafeVoterNC.org.

As Blagrove reminds us, “Every time the ballot box is open, you should be casting a vote.”

RALEIGH, N.C. — Over the past several weeks, we’ve witnessed elected officials who supported what was the One Big Beautiful Bill Act frame it as once-in-a-lifetime legislation that makes a bold step toward our future. But for our Black communities and most vulnerable populations, this feels like a huge step back from our hard-fought progress. The new legislation perpetuates outdated systems of oppression, displacement and exclusion, all under the guise of economic control.

To be clear, the Big “Beautiful” Bill — it’s law now, but the conflicting nomenclature provides a useful reminder — is not a benefit to North Carolina’s communities. The legislation, including language such as “investment” and “access,” is a facade to draw attention away from its true intent. For example, the approach to development laid out in the document provides a green light for increased instances of gentrification, particularly here in Raleigh, as well as other urban areas across the state. Raleigh’s southeast region, especially, is fertile ground for the rapid construction of multi-story homes next to small, historic homes that have been in the community for almost a century. The new builds are valued at over half a million dollars, compared to the older homes listing at around $100,000. The new federal legislation worsens gentrification in North Carolina and will push out more longtime residents, especially seniors and low-income families.

As for the health care aspect of the Big “Beautiful” Bill, the legislation will unravel the progress North Carolina has made to expand health care access and defend against food insecurity. Programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid are critical to the well-being of Black, Brown and rural communities. North Carolina alone has an estimated 3 million people who rely on Medicaid coverage, with the 2023 expansion adding an additional 600,000. It creates access to affordable care and realistic copays. The reductions in the SNAP program will exacerbate hunger and food access in North Carolina — a state, mind you, that prides itself on being a leader in agriculture yet cannot provide safe and healthy food for all of its communities. It leaves North Carolina families with the burden of navigating higher food costs and reduces access to healthy foods. The legislation will also close even more of the state’s rural hospitals at a time when we’ve already seen consistent divestment in our rural health facilities over the last 10 to 20 years. Twelve rural hospitals have closed in the last two decades in this state, and the Big “Beautiful” Bill adds the risk of five more closing their doors. The lack of care, coupled with the ongoing environmental injustice and climate impacts our state faces on a frequent basis, is a recipe for disaster.

Then there’s public education. The Big “Beautiful” Bill originally included funding freezes that directly impacted Title IV afterschool programming and Title III English-learner programming. In North Carolina, we have 99 afterschool and summer-learning programs. Since the end of July, as a result of the efforts of North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, $36 million of that has been secured for release within the state. As we celebrate this victory, we must remember that $130 million is still in limbo, which is critical funding for additional workforce, English-learner programs, professional-development initiatives for educators and the reduction of crowded class sizes. Our state’s public education has been repeatedly underfunded every biennial, with Leandro funding still unreleased 31 years later. Additional cuts to our public education will create more strain on educators and students, reducing the quality of education in the state even more.

What we cannot ignore is the fact that the same persons who authored and supported the Big “Beautiful” Bill are the same persons who also fought fervently against equitable voting rights, reproductive justice and funding for public education. The new legislation is their Trojan horse — packaging corporate giveaways, displacement and lack of care as “progress” while hoping we aren’t paying attention. Our communities have seen enough of the impacts of harmful legislation and deserve policy that protects them and their well-being. As we continue to march toward that end, one thing we can name now is the Big “Beautiful” Bill has nothing to do with the progress of our communities.

As the North Carolina legislative session rolls on, veto override votes have taken center stage, and Advance Carolina is here to keep OUR community informed on what’s happening and why it matters.

This week, a slate of controversial bills was overridden by the General Assembly, despite Governor Josh Stein’s vetoes. Among them were:

• House Bill 549 – Clarify Powers of the State Auditor
• House Bill 318 – Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act
• Senate Bill 266 – The Power Reduction Act
• House Bill 805 – Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Minors and Women

These bills, many with misleading titles, have raised concern among our network and advocacy partners. While they may sound reasonable on the surface, a closer look reveals harmful consequences, especially for marginalized communities. We strongly encourage readers to review the full bill texts and explore our partner resources to understand the deeper implications.

It is also important to note that three Democratic lawmakers crossed party lines to help pass these veto overrides:

• Rep. Carla Cunningham (Mecklenburg County)
• Rep. Nasif Majeed (Mecklenburg County)
• Rep. Shelley Willingham (Edgecombe, Martin, and Bertie Counties)

Their votes were instrumental in helping these measures become law.

Still Holding: DEI, Public Safety, and Border Bills

Fortunately, several bills that Advance Carolina and the NC Black and Brown Policy Network have been tracking since the beginning of the session have not yet been overridden. Governor Stein’s vetoes on these remain intact:

• Senate Bill 50 – Freedom to Carry Act
• Senate Bill 227 – Ban on DEI in public K–12 education
• Senate Bill 558 – Ban on DEI in higher education
• House Bill 171 – Ban on DEI in state agencies
• SB 153 – NC Border Protection Act

These bills are still under consideration and may return when the legislature reconvenes, potentially in August. Advance Carolina remains committed to opposing these bills and will continue to provide updates as developments unfold.

Fortunately, Governor Josh Stein vetoed these dangerous bills. But that’s not the end—we must act now to sustain those vetoes and prevent these harmful policies from becoming law.

The Bills We’re Watching

Anti-DEI Legislation

• HB 171 – Prohibits DEI in state agencies
• SB 227 – Eliminates DEI in public K–12 education
• SB 558 – Eliminates DEI in higher education

These bills undermine inclusive workplaces and educational spaces, harming students, workers, and future generations across North Carolina.

Anti-Immigrant Legislation

• SB 153 – NC Border Protection Act
• HB 318 – Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act

These bills mandate cooperation with ICE and add unnecessary verification measures. The result? Increased fear in immigrant communities and more families torn apart.

Environmental Rollback

• SB 266 – The Power Reduction Act

Don’t let the name fool you. This bill weakens NC’s carbon reduction goals, raises utility costs for families, and worsens air quality by expanding fossil fuel reliance.

Each of these bills would have a negative impact on our workforce, public health, civil rights, and the economy. They are part of a broader effort to roll back progress under the guise of “efficiency” or “protection.” These are not just policy shifts—they are power grabs.

But we still have the power to act by making our voices heard and standing together to sustain these vetoes. You can start by joining us in person at the Sustain the Veto Rally on Monday, July 21, at 5 PM at Freedom Park in Raleigh, NC. You can also contact your legislators directly. Finally, don’t underestimate the power of your voice online. Share, like, and repost this message using #SustainTheVeto to help spread awareness. Every action counts.

Last week marked a major milestone at the N.C. General Assembly—Crossover Day, the legislative deadline by which most bills must pass from one chamber to the other to remain viable this session.

We’ve been tracking key bills throughout the session. Here are just a few you should know about:

• Attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: House Bill 171 bans state agencies, schools, and local governments from implementing or funding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs. It threatens to pull public funding from institutions that continue this critical work.
• Criminalizing Voter Registration: House Bill 127 would make it a crime for organizations to engage in community-based voter registration if even small errors occur. While exempt from the crossover deadline, this bill remains a top concern.
• Undermining the Separation of Powers: Senate Bill 58 strips the N.C. Attorney General of the power to challenge presidential executive orders. This would severely limit the state’s ability to act as a check on federal overreach.
• Book banning: House Bill 636 would require public schools to adopt strict criteria for what books are allowed in school libraries and allow any county resident, not just parents, to challenge materials they consider “unwholesome.” The bill goes even further by allowing these individuals to sue schools that don’t comply. In effect, this legislation paves the way for widespread book bans under the guise of community standards.

TAKE ACTION

This is a critical moment to stay informed and get involved. Contact your legislator today to share your concerns about these harmful bills and urge them to stand up for our communities.

House Bill 171 is a blatantly unconstitutional piece of legislation that undermines the principles of justice, fairness, and opportunity that our laws are meant to uphold. This bill directly conflicts with existing protections designed to ensure that all individuals—regardless of identity or background—have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

Why Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Matters

DEI programs and policies are not just ethical imperatives—they are legal necessities. These initiatives cover a wide range of fundamental protections, including:

• Safeguarding individuals from workplace harassment
• Ensuring pay equity and transparency
• Providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities
• Guaranteeing job security for new parents

When individual needs are met in a fair and just manner, employees thrive, workplaces are more productive, and society as a whole benefits. Yet, HB 171 seeks to dismantle these critical protections under the false pretense of prioritizing ‘merit’ over ‘equity.’

The False Dichotomy Between Merit and Equity

One of the most misleading narratives promoted by supporters of HB 171 is the idea that DEI and merit-based systems are inherently at odds. In reality, they are deeply interconnected. A so-called ‘pure meritocracy,’ as defined by this bill’s sponsors, would do nothing more than maintain the existing status quo, where structural inequalities persist and those who have historically held power continue to benefit the most.

Consider this: White households hold approximately 80% of the wealth in the United States. Without equitable opportunities, a meritocratic system only reinforces these disparities rather than addressing them. True meritocracy cannot exist without ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to compete.

A Call to Action

Advance Carolina and the North Carolina Black and Brown Policy Network strongly oppose HB 171, as it is fundamentally at odds with our core values. We refuse to stand by while policies are introduced that stifle diversity, limit opportunity, and prevent qualified individuals from contributing their skills and perspectives to our communities.

We urge all concerned citizens to speak out against this dangerous bill and contact their representatives. The future of a fair and just society depends on our collective commitment to equity, inclusion and opportunity for all.

In recent weeks, state and federal policymakers have introduced legislation that could have far-reaching consequences for democracy, voting rights and legal oversight in North Carolina. Among the most concerning bills are SB 58 and HB 72, which seek to restrict the Attorney General’s authority, and the federal SAVE Act, which would impose strict voter registration requirements. 

SB 58 and HB 72: Restricting the Attorney General’s Authority

SB 58 and HB 72, titled the AG Restrict Challenge to Presidential Executive Orders Bill. This bill expands the legal proceedings in which the Attorney General is barred from participating under GS 114-2.8, including challenges that would invalidate an executive order issued by the President of the United States. Additionally, it broadens the scope of restrictions beyond foreign litigation, limiting state legal actions against federal policies.

This legislation appears to be a knee-jerk reaction to a multi-state lawsuit that North Carolina, along with 22 other states, has joined to challenge the current administration’s executive orders. These orders address critical issues such as birthright citizenship, funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and federal funding freezes for states. SB 58 and HB 72 undermine North Carolina’s ability to advocate for its residents by stripping the Attorney General’s ability to contest such federal actions. Both bills are currently under review in their respective rules committees.

The SAVE Act: A Modern-Day Poll Tax

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act at the federal level introduces stringent new voter registration requirements. The SAVE Act would require voters to present a birth certificate or U.S. passport to prove their citizenship when registering (or re-registering) to vote in federal elections. While the bill technically applies only to federal elections, it would allow North Carolina lawmakers to enact a similar law for state elections. 

This legislation is particularly concerning because it imposes financial barriers that disproportionately impact Black voters and other voters of color. For many individuals, obtaining the required documents presents a significant cost burden—new passports cost $165, and ordering a birth certificate can cost up to $60. Additionally, the SAVE Act will upend voter registration drives and prevent voter registration online or by mail, as individuals must show proof of citizenship documentation in person. This change would create an unnecessary administrative burden for already underfunded and overwhelmed election officials.

How You Can Take Action

While these legislative developments are alarming, there are immediate steps you can take to fight back:

• Oppose SB 58 and HB 72: Call State Senator Settle and House Representative Kidwell and demand that they allow the Attorney General to do the job they were elected to do rather than unjustly stripping power from state offices.
• Fight the SAVE Act: Contact members of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation and urge them to vote NO on the SAVE Act. Our partners at Democracy NC have made it easy to take action with just a few clicks. Find the link to the call-to-action in the description.
• Stay informed: As these bills progress, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Bluesky for the latest updates on policy developments.

Resources

• SB 58/HB 72: Read more here
• SAVE Act Action Alert: Take action here

Jovita Lee, Ed.D. is the policy director for Advance Carolina and convener of the North Carolina Black and Brown Policy Network. Her advocacy and policy work focuses on equity for Black and Brown communities, operating on both state and national levels.

Black voters across the state sent a clear message that they would not tolerate politics of division and policies that undermine our families, our freedoms and our futures. Despite the disappointing loss in the presidential race, Black voters showed up and chose community over chaos, leading to Black state legislative candidates winning historic representation, breaking the GOP supermajority and restoring veto power for Governor-elect Josh Stein. And for the first time, North Carolina has a Black state superintendent of public instruction. 

Building on our successful regional organizing efforts, Advance Carolina expanded infrastructure investments across urban and rural communities. Since June 2024, our teams prioritized direct voter contacts in 21 counties, including Wake, Mecklenburg, Guilford, Pasquotank and Cumberland. Heading into Election Day, the organization had knocked on 271,491 doors throughout North Carolina, ranking sixth among all organizations doing voter outreach. Working alongside other progressive organizations, Advance Carolina independently reached over 4.7 million voters, demonstrating both efficiency and effectiveness. The expanded community presence and other diverse activations offered education about changes to the election process.​

“The results of the 2024 elections are reminders that Black voters should never be taken for granted because their political participation continues to be the resounding voice of reason in our country,” said Marcus Bass, executive director of Advance Carolina. “We know that defending our freedoms and moving policies closer to the people requires blocking divisive rhetoric and extremist policies and the candidates who push them. 

“It would be irresponsible not to mention the enduring underinvestment in the sustained organizing and mobilization of Black voters, a core base constituency for transformative candidates and policies cannot be overcome in one cycle. We expand our coalition by organizing everywhere and investing in potential voters dismissed as being apathetic or disengaged. 

“Elections are an inflection point, not the end. This election also serves as a reminder that data points without context cannot replace the deep knowledge and lessons of our communities. We will continue to work with our partners across the state and maintain the sustained engagement necessary to bring impactful policies closer to the people.”

This week, our state’s legislature came back into session to fast-track HB 10 and expand the bill beyond its original intent. When filed, HB 10 was an egregious attempt to target immigrant families and communities by forcing local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration policies. Instead of ensuring that immigrant families are safe and protected, HB 10 would increase the financial burden on our municipal governments and endanger immigrants by making them live in a constant state of fear for their families and livelihood, bringing harm to all our communities.

In the newly released version of HB 10, our elected officials added some critical budget allocations but funneled millions of dollars from public schools to private school vouchers. Some components of this bill that should concern every North Carolinian:

• Funneling Local Public School Funding to Unaccountable Private Schools: In its expanded form, HB 10 doubles down on the irresponsible funding scheme that siphons money from local public schools to fund private school tuition vouchers, with no accountability or reporting requirements for the private schools receiving funds. Meanwhile, our state is still failing to fund public schools at a level that would support our children’s educational success and give educators the raises and resources they deserve.
• Hiding Negotiations and Blocking the Public Process: House and Senate leaders hid negotiations behind closed doors, allowing special interests and the wealthy elite to drive policy in the bill and eliminating North Carolina taxpayers’ chance to make their voice heard. Additionally, as a conference report, HB 10 can no longer be amended. There is no path to change the bill’s language, even if legislators agree that changes are necessary. 
• Harmful Revenue Decisions: Our state’s legislators have not fully allocated the resources we have available to support the well-being of our communities. The adjustments presented in HB 10 leave over $100 million that could be utilized to improve our local public schools, address our state’s housing crisis, support the needs of communities impacted by environmental injustice and health inequities, and many other priorities that North Carolinians have highlighted repeatedly. 

This bill has already passed the Senate with a vote of 27-17 and will go to the House chamber this week. 

We must stand against this harmful legislation and reject the extremist future its authors are designing for our state: a future where working families no longer have free access to local public schools and where immigrant families live in fear of being targeted by law enforcement. We urge you to take action now by contacting your House Representatives and urging them to vote NO on HB 10 later this week.