April 2024

Dear Friend,

This month, the NC General Assembly will return to Raleigh for its legislative short session, and North Carolina is at an inflection point. The coming months will undoubtedly shape the systems and institutions valuable to our state—for better or worse. North Carolina’s public schools face a constitutional crisis, working people need critical lifesaving protections on the job, and the state’s tax structure could cause long-term harm to our economic resilience, to name a few issues at the forefront of our priorities.  

I hope you’ll join us this month as we collaborate with our partners on important initiatives. On April 28, we will observe Workers’ Memorial Day, where we honor those who have lost their lives on the job. April 30 is Second Chance Lobby Day, where we’ll advocate for fairness for our neighbors impacted by the criminal legal system.  

And, amidst the challenging work ahead, it’s more important than ever to pause and celebrate those in our community who exemplify the NC Justice Center’s mission. We hope you’ll join us in June to honor Chief Justice Henry and Shirley Frye for their tireless and lifelong commitment to social and racial justice and again in September as we honor our 2024 Defenders of Justice award recipients. (Read on to learn about sponsorship opportunities.) 

Thank you for joining us to celebrate, advocate, and make lasting change for all people in North Carolina.

With gratitude,  

Reggie Shuford, Executive Director

April is Second Chance Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the collateral consequences of a criminal record and advancing efforts that promote fairness and access to opportunity for people who have been directly impacted by the criminal legal system. 

This year, during North Carolina’s 2024 legislative session, the Fair Chance Criminal Justice team will be actively advocating for four Second Chance bills. These bills address crucial issues like debt-based driver’s license suspensions, the unregulated use of mugshots, and the automatic expungement of certain criminal charges. Your support is instrumental in our efforts to advance these important initiatives. We invite you to join us at 11 AM on April 30, 2024, at the NC General Assembly (NCGA) to advocate for these bills during Second Chance Lobby Day. 

Join the NC Justice Center and our partners on Sunday, April 28, at 3PM at the Bicentennial Plaza in Raleigh for a solemn memorial service and press conference in honor of Workers’ Memorial Day. On Workers’ Memorial Day, we acknowledge the harsh reality that Black and Latino workers endure alarmingly high job fatality rates and are consistently exposed to hazardous working conditions. Too often, they toil in industries where danger lurks around every corner, and their voices are silenced by fear of exploitation and retaliation from employers. 

As we remember those who have tragically lost their lives on the job and those battling chronic illnesses due to workplace exposures, we recommit to our fight for justice and safety. It's imperative that we demand stronger anti-retaliation measures, particularly for marginalized workers who bear the brunt of unsafe conditions and employer abuse. Let's unite to protect our rights and advocate for safe, equitable workplaces. This is not just a call to action—it's a pledge to stand shoulder to shoulder, amplifying the voices of those who need it most. 

The North Carolina Justice Center staff have been hard at work preparing for this year’s legislative session. We are pleased to present our 2024 legislative agenda, Moving North Carolina Forward: 2024 People-First Policy Agenda. In this agenda, we lay out our upcoming priorities and spotlight the opportunities the 2024 legislative session presents for the NCGA to reconsider our state’s budget and tax plan and take important actions to ensure all North Carolinians have an opportunity to share in prosperity.   

This agenda reflects policy choices that will expand access to robust public educational opportunities, meaningful work opportunities, and critical safety net supports to insulate households and local economies against a potential downturn. Our recommendations seek to strengthen consumer protections, safeguard the dignity of all North Carolinians, and ensure stability for the years ahead. 

Download a PDF of the 2024 legislative agenda and view a recording of our community briefing discussing the upcoming session below. 

Join us in celebrating Chief Justice Henry Frye and Shirley Frye as they receive the Lifetime Champion of Justice Award from the NC Justice Center. The Fryes have spent their lives working tirelessly to create a better North Carolina where all people have access to resources, fair treatment, opportunity, and prosperity. They are courageous champions of the marginalized and have broken down countless barriers in their efforts. They exemplify the mission of the NC Justice Center as they create a legacy grounded in the principles of fairness and dignity. Your sponsorship of the awards ceremony on June 18, 2024, at The Magnolia House in Greensboro will help us honor Chief Justice Henry Frye and Shirley Frye’s remarkable contributions to justice and equality. You will not want to miss this wonderful occasion! 

The NC Justice Center invites you to join us on Sunday, September 22, from 5 to 8 PM at the Washington Duke Inn in Durham for our annual Defenders of Justice Awards Gala. Every year we come together to celebrate the inspirational work of outstanding leaders in our community who are fighting for justice, equity, and opportunity for all North Carolinians.  
The honorees exemplify the NC Justice Center's mission—they are working to eliminate poverty in North Carolina and ensure the creation of an economy that works for everyone. They are at the frontlines of advancing progressive and inclusive policies in our state. Stay tuned for the list of honorees forthcoming in the next few weeks and please join us in celebrating their achievements by becoming a sponsor today! 

The NC Justice Center’s Education & Law team recently analyzed a report from the Fordham Institute, a pro-charter think tank, that inadvertently makes the case that North Carolina should stop approving new charter schools. The report, “Do Authorizer Evaluations Predict the Success of New Charter Schools?” looked at the performance of North Carolina charter school authorizations to determine whether ratings and votes from the Charter School Advisory Board are predictive of charter school academic performance. Ultimately, the evidence presented suggests that North Carolina's charter school experiment has failed, and lawmakers should heed this data and halt further charter authorizations. 

The North Carolina Justice Center
224 S. Dawson Street  | Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
919-856-2570 | contact@ncjustice.org

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