Austin Costner, Cleveland County organizer, stands in front of a storage unit filled with donated supplies during a countywide distribution that delivered more than 4,500 items.

In Cleveland County, Advance Carolina’s Southwest team is staying connected to the community through service, local engagement and intentional outreach to young people.

On March 9, Austin Costner, Cleveland County organizer, led a countywide school supply distribution, delivering more than 4,500 donated items to over 32 locations. The effort reached every public school in Cleveland County, as well as district programs, after-school sites such as the Boys & Girls Club, and local colleges and universities.

A volunteer delivery team that included Advance Carolina staff and regional partners supported the distribution, reflecting a coordinated approach to meeting community needs.

“This work is about more than supplies. It’s about making sure students have what they need to succeed,” said Austin Costner, Cleveland County organizer. “Access to basic resources is a critical part of economic empowerment.”

Local partners and members of NAACP Branch 5379-B gather at a Cleveland County Board of Education meeting to honor the Shelby 4, who broke racial barriers in 1963.

Honoring local history and advancing community recognition

Following the distribution, local partners gathered at a Cleveland County Board of Education meeting alongside members of NAACP Branch 5379-B, where the board voted unanimously to honor the Shelby 4 — four students who, in 1963, broke racial barriers by attending an all-white school.

The resolution recognizes Rayfield Cabaniss, Mary Elizabeth Borders, Severne Logan Budd and Cynthia Lowe for their courage and lasting impact. Community members also recognized Budd, the only living member of the group.

After more than six decades, the effort will result in the placement of a memorial within Shelby High School, marking a significant milestone in preserving local history and honoring those who paved the way.

Cleveland County students visit the Advance Carolina table at the C.O.R.E. HBCU College and Career Fair.

Engaging the next generation

The following week, on March 10-11, the Cleveland County organizing team participated in the C.O.R.E HBCU College and Career Fair, connecting directly with students about opportunities for civic engagement and leadership.

During the two-day event, nearly 60 students signed up to volunteer or receive organizational updates. The team also established connections with advisors from North Carolina A&T State University, UNC Charlotte and Cleveland Community College, opening the door for future partnerships and campus-based engagement.

Across each of these efforts, Advance Carolina’s Southwest regional team in Cleveland County continues to demonstrate a community-centered approach rooted in service, partnership and long-term impact.

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Last night’s primary election in North Carolina was a clear reminder that community engagement and grassroots organizing continue to shape the direction of our state. It also underscored the undeniable power of a unified Black community, which continues to play a decisive role in shaping elections and advancing leadership that reflects the priorities of OUR communities. No one should take the Black vote for granted, especially incumbents who think their misdeeds in Raleigh can be hidden from their district.

Advance Carolina congratulates the candidates we endorsed who secured victories in their primary races: Roy Cooper (U.S. Senate), Valerie Foushee (U.S. House N.C. District 4), Alma Adams(U.S. House N.C. District 12), Raymond Smith (U.S. House N.C. District 3), Rev. Dr. Rodney Sadler (N.C. House District 106), Rodney Pierce (N.C. House District 27) and Satana Deberry (District Attorney – Durham).

The race in the 4th Congressional District drew national attention and significant spending. Outside groups spent over $4 million on advertising and messaging — making it one of the most expensive primaries in North Carolina history. Any investments made in our elections should be grounded in community and sustained efforts that inform, engage, and empower voters in every election cycle. Election outcomes should be shaped by the voices and priorities of local communities.

Grassroots organizing across North Carolina

Over the past several weeks, our team has been on the ground across the state — connecting with OUR communities, listening to what matters most and helping voters make a plan to participate in the primary election.

Together we:

• Knocked 76,362 doors across 23 counties
• Made 267,052 voter contacts through traditional phone banking and our Emerging Voter Program

​These conversations are about more than a single election. They are about building long-term civic participation, strengthening community voice and preparing for the critical election ahead.

Over the past year, we also led an accountability campaign across our digital platforms, including district accountability town halls and coordinated advocacy at the North Carolina General Assembly through our policy network, generating over 11,600 views.

As we look toward the general election this November, Advance Carolina will continue investing in the relationships and organizing that bring us closer to the people.

The targeted arrests of Black journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort by the Department of Justice represent yet another escalation in the current administration’s attack on our rights and freedoms. There is a reason that freedom of the press, along with the freedom of speech, is a part of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

A free press has always been necessary to hold unchecked power accountable. Lemon and Fort were covering a community-led protest at a Minnesota church in response to the government’s disruptive operation in the Twin Cities.

The Black press has a long and storied history in this country. From Ida B. Wells and Marvel Cooke to Wilmington’s Daily Record, the Black press has been essential to OUR fight for fundamental human rights and freedoms. They have told the stories that power would rather bury. They have held the line when institutions failed us.

The arrests of journalists. Federal raids on our communities. Threats and violence against citizens documenting government abuses. These are not isolated incidents–they are coordinated efforts to isolate us and cut us off from our ability to organize, to witness, and to demand change.

If they go after Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, the rest of us are in the crosshairs. It’s also no coincidence that these arrests come as a new drop of Epstein files was released.

This Sunday also marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month — a century of commemorating Black resistance, resilience, and the ongoing struggle for freedom. It also marks the anniversary of the Greensboro sit-ins, a defining moment when ordinary people took extraordinary risks to confront injustice.

Commemorating this history amid the current attacks presents a clear charge for Black communities and those who claim to stand with us.

Moments like this require more than outrage. It requires individuals committed to justice and to OUR communities. But more than that, it requires a broader ecosystem — organizations, networks, and movements that collectively build to raise the alarm, protect one another, and provide for OUR people when the government fails us.

Advance Carolina stands with Black journalists. We stand with those who document the truth. And we will continue building the political and economic power OUR communities need to resist what’s coming.

Advance Carolina organizers Faith Howell-Bey (right) and Alicia Roberts share a laugh during a meeting with coworkers and partners at John Chavis Memorial Park on Jan. 15, 2026. Howell-Bey is Advance Carolina’s new Triangle regional coordinator.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Roughly a month out from the state’s March 3 primary election finds Faith Howell-Bey stepping into one of Advance Carolina’s pivotal roles as the organization’s regional coordinator for areas in and around Raleigh and Durham.

“Faith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role,” said Jovita Lee, Ed.D., Advance Carolina’s policy director. “We are excited to see her growth as she steps into this new position and look forward to the vision and priorities she will advance.”

Howell-Bey, 28, already was rooted in the Triangle area, cultivating Black political power as Advance Carolina’s Johnston County organizer. In that space, she’s led with her ears and followed with plenty of heart. Like that time, for example, when what was supposed to be a one-off women’s brunch turned into a series of gatherings to meet ladies where they were, building a bridge to the ballot box. The brunches offered a place to platform issues that Howell-Bey would connect to voting. She’s broadening that approach for similar impact in Wake and Durham counties, guiding other organizers in the work.

“I plan to bring a unifying, people-centered vision that sees the Triangle not as separate counties but as an interconnected region with shared power and shared responsibility,” Howell-Bey said. “My work in Johnston County grounded me in the importance of deep listening, trust building and sustained engagement. As Triangle regional coordinator, I will lead with a clear understanding of what local organizers need to thrive and be effective.”

In December, The Johnston County Citizens Association recognized Howell-Bey for her public service, which included her get-out-the-vote (GOTV) initiatives.

“She was recognized by her peers as the community trailblazer in Johnston County, a testament to the dedication and skill set she brings to community organizing and GOTV engagement,” Lee said. “Having her leadership as we head into a critical election cycle will ensure that we are rightly positioned in the Triangle region to serve our community well and support them in casting their ballot freely and fairly.”

Among Advance Carolina’s goals is making sure people on the fence about voting in the midterm elections understand the power of their civic engagement.

North Carolina is among the states emerging from the wave of redistricting — redrawn voter maps — that flooded the country in 2025. State legislators gerrymandered the 1st Congressional District of North Carolina. For years, voters in that district sent a Democrat to Washington, D.C. The redraw makes it more favorable for Republican candidates.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU of North Carolina, the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, the Hogan Lovells law firm, as well as individual plaintiffs sued lawmakers on grounds that the redrawn maps shifted thousands of Black voters out of their communities and made it nearly impossible to elect their candidates of choice. This past November, a three-judge panel ruling out of federal court in Winston-Salem said the maps are fine. While residents in Wake, Durham and Johnston counties are not directly impacted by that particular redraw, the verdict could discourage their participation in the political process, according to NAACP North Carolina State Conference President Deborah Dicks Maxwell.

“Gerrymandered maps that dilute Black political influence undermine the very foundation of our democracy,” Maxwell said.

It’s where Howell-Bey shows up with her creative approaches to offset apathy. 

“My goal is to foster deeper alignment within and across communities, elevate local leadership and advance long-term collective impact that builds and sustains Black political and economic power,” she said.

As 2026 gets underway, North Carolina lawmakers have returned to session without a finalized state budget. North Carolina is currently the last state in the country operating without one.

The ongoing delay has created uncertainty across multiple systems, including education, health care and higher education, with impacts already being felt by workers and families statewide.

What the budget delay means for North Carolinians

Without a state budget in place, funding decisions remain stalled, affecting essential services and public employees.

Educators remain in limbo regarding pay increases that were proposed in both the House and Senate versions of last year’s budget. With no final agreement, raises have not been implemented, prompting growing concern about retention as some educators consider leaving the profession due to financial instability.

Major health care projects are also at a standstill. Plans for a new children’s hospital have not moved forward despite an ongoing provider shortage in North Carolina and across the country. Delays in capital funding limit the state’s ability to expand access to care.

Institutions within the UNC System are operating under outdated funding levels that do not reflect current enrollment growth. The mismatch between student population increases and available funding has delayed staff raises and expansion projects needed to support students.

The lack of a state budget, combined with federal Medicaid cuts, has raised additional concerns about the stability of North Carolina’s health care coverage system. Together, these factors increase the risk of coverage gaps and reduced access to services.

Budget action unlikely before spring

While calls for a finalized budget persist, lawmakers are not expected to resume negotiations until April. That timeline leaves many North Carolinians facing continued uncertainty for at least another quarter.

Primary elections offer opportunity for voter engagement

In the meantime, North Carolinians have an opportunity to participate in the state’s upcoming primary elections.

Primary Election Day is March 3, with early voting beginning Feb. 12. Voters are encouraged to check their registration status, confirm polling locations and make a plan to vote.

Election information and voting resources are available at SafeVoterNC.org.

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.

Editor’s Note (Dec. 18): We are resurfacing this article as Congress faces another pivotal moment on healthcare affordability. On Dec. 17, a bipartisan group of House members took the rare step of challenging their own leadership by supporting a procedural move that would force a vote on extending enhanced health insurance subsidies first expanded during the pandemic. These subsidies help keep monthly premiums affordable for millions of people who rely on coverage through the Affordable Care Act.

This development comes as House leadership advanced legislation that leaves those subsidies untouched — despite warnings that their expiration at the end of the year could result in sharp premium increases. As lawmakers prepare to return in January, the future of affordable healthcare remains uncertain, and the consequences will be felt most by working families already struggling with rising costs.

Recently, lawmakers reached a tentative agreement, a 328-page document that temporarily extends funding into the new year. This deal will replenish SNAP benefits and ensure back pay for federal employees. But it’s far from a full solution.

The most critical unresolved issue remains healthcare affordability. As part of this temporary agreement, Congress has made a “handshake promise” to revisit the extension of healthcare subsidies in December, a major sticking point for Democrats who have pushed to prevent devastating premium hikes.

Without these subsidies, the consequences are staggering. A family of four currently paying around $500 to $600 per month for healthcare could see that cost soar to over $2,100 a month in 2026. These skyrocketing premiums stem from a decade of cuts to the healthcare system — cuts driven mainly by the Republican majority in Congress.

Today’s vote in the U.S. House of Representatives could reopen the government and bring temporary relief to millions, but the fight for healthcare justice is far from over.

That’s why we’re urging you to contact your House representative and tell them to hold the line for affordable healthcare. Your voice can help ensure that working families don’t shoulder the burden of political gridlock.

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.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Try as some might to confine Black history to a month, there’s just too much to limit it to 28 days a year. 

Faith Howell-Bey discovered similarly with Women’s History Month. 

“When I first created Queens Table Brunch, it was envisioned as a one-time Women’s History Month event highlighting the work and legacy of Shaundrelle Watson. She’s the founder of The Brown & Black Cultural Exchange, a mentorship program in Selma, North Carolina, serving young Black and Brown girls in Johnston County,” Howell-Bey said. 

Queens Table Brunch morphed into its own thing, a series dedicated to curating space where Black women can lean into their crowns. The way the gathering developed provides a patch in the quilt telling the story about why The Johnston County Citizens Association in early December recognized Howell-Bey for her public service. 

“There are leaders who work hard, and then there are leaders who shift the very direction of community,” said Lamair Bryan, the Triangle area regional coordinator for Advance Carolina. “Faith is the kind of leader whose impact you don’t just see, you feel.”

Restoring Black women

The Rev. Yolanda Murphy pastors Smithfield’s St. Mark AME Church, which hosted a Queens Table Brunch in May. Her book, “Still Standing: Dealing with Grief, Loss  & Sickness,” aligns with the personal restoration Howell-Bey cultivates during the brunches. 

“Our culture has a problem with [people] keeping things to themselves,” Murphy said. “It’s those testimonies that help others to deal with certain situations.”

Brunch attendees like newly elected Anchor Lodge town council member Franky Echols said Howell-Bey has created a safe space to give and receive encouragement, and the professional networking is right on time. 

Anchor Lodge is in Johnston County. Black people have not had the smoothest of roads in Johnston County, according to the history books. But Howell-Bey’s initiatives there, which include rallying voters to show up and cast ballots, have gotten traction.

“Johnston County is different because she has walked its streets, listened to its people and poured her spirit into their future,” Bryan said. “She sees a barrier and finds a path. She sees a problem and builds a solution. She sees her community struggling, and she shows up again and again, with creativity, resilience and that unmistakable fire that Black women carry when they know their work is transforming lives.”

‘Deep listening’

In other words, Howell-Bey understands her assignment — because she listens to the people.

“Based on the feedback I received from participants, I felt called to transform what began as a one-off gathering into something recurring,” Howell-Bey said. “I asked Black women how they experienced the space and what they needed, and, overwhelmingly, they shared a desire for a space like this to convene regularly.”

Howell-Bey — her background is in African American and diaspora studies, as well as psychology — said her work in Johnston County is rooted in centering the lived realities Black people face and how those experiences show up in their bodies and with each other.

“In my view, there are neighborhoods, there are communities, and then there are villages,” said Howell-Bey, 28. “Neighborhoods are defined by proximity, communities by connection and villages by shared responsibility and collective care. I am truly in the business of developing villages; environments that sustain themselves, empower and uplift one another and are grounded in the principles of Kwanzaa — unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. As I move forward with expanding Queens Table Brunch, I am excited to incorporate community days of action with each cohort.”

She understands the assignment.

“What moves me most about Faith is that when challenges show up, she doesn’t back away, she leans in,” Bryan said. “If we want a healthier democracy, if we want real change, we need young leaders like her.”

It’s just listening — seeing a need and meeting it, Howell-Bey explained.

“To see the fruits of my labor so quickly, and to continue building momentum, is a true testament to what happens when you lead with empathy, curiosity, deep listening and a commitment to building alongside the people this work is ultimately for,” she said.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

Sunday voting has long served as a vital access point for Black voters in North Carolina, especially through “Souls to the Polls” traditions led by our churches, communities and civic organizations. For many working families, Sunday provides the only real opportunity to cast a ballot without sacrificing wages or family responsibilities. Stripping away this option disproportionately impacts Black voters and reflects the same discriminatory pattern that the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recognized in 2016. In North Carolina State Conference of NAACP v. McCrory, the court found that state officials had intentionally eliminated Sunday voting because it was used disproportionately by Black voters, calling this evidence “as close to a smoking gun as we are likely to see” of racial discrimination in voting restrictions.

The decision gives county boards the option, but in many rural counties, Sunday voting is the largest challenge that often gets elevated to the state board. We must also remind voters of the monster voter ID law, where these very restrictions were first introduced and ultimately defeated in court. This new board may need an orientation to these challenges if its goal is to continue undermining the will of voters.

CJ Brinson, faith organizer for Advance Carolina, stated:

“It pains me to see yet another lever used to deny justice to those whom Howard Thurman describes as ‘having their backs against the wall.’ When we consider the long history of denying  Black people the most basic rights – liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness — the elimination of Sunday voting shows that leaders in North Carolina are still not interested in liberation or repair.
 
If society were truly serious about democracy, there would actually be no barrier to any person who wants to cast a ballot. Even as I grieve this decision, I hold fast to the vision of a  Beloved Community where we will all be free”.

While we acknowledge the NCBOE’s decision not to comply with the Trump administration’s request for North Carolina voter data — which could have further politicized our elections — this step cannot overshadow the damage caused by rolling back Sunday voting access.

Our democracy should be about removing barriers, not creating new ones. Every eligible voter deserves fair and equitable access to the ballot box. Early voting days have already been reduced, and eliminating Sunday voting compounds the harm by leaving fewer opportunities for voters to cast their ballots.

Now is not the time to remain silent. We call on local county boards of elections to preserve Sunday early voting in their election plans and on all North Carolinians to join us in demanding that voting remain accessible to every community.