June 2024

Dear Friend, 

This month, as we observed Juneteenth, celebrated Pride, and marked the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer, democracy has been on my mind. 

We often hear that for our democracy to work, we must participate in it. Democracy is not a spectator sport. After all, a free and just society relies on a transparent and an equitable political process with elected leaders who represent the interests of their constituents. As lawmakers continue the short session at the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA), the importance of participating in our democracy has never felt more urgent.  

I continue to be amazed by, and grateful for, the tenacity of our staff, who are facing tremendous obstacles right now and continue to show up and fight alongside our partners for the people in our state.  

Staff are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure lawmakers center the interests of low-income and Black and Brown people in proposed bills, spending countless hours lobbying at the NCGA. With so much at stake for all North Carolinians, they are fighting tooth and nail to hold lawmakers accountable—working to prevent the rollback of the Second Chance Act, organizing advocacy days to support fully funded public schools, and providing expert analysis on opaque policy proposals.  

I’m grateful for them, and I’m grateful for each of you. Thank you for participating in our democracy and walking alongside us. Together, we can make opportunity and prosperity for all a reality. 

In solidarity,  

Reggie Shuford, Executive Director 

On June 13, 2024, advocates and allies nationwide observed LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day. LGBTQIA+ full-time workers earn approximately 90 cents for every dollar earned by the average U.S. worker, with LGBTQIA+ women earning just 79 cents. Economic inequality intersects with various forms of discrimination, leading to higher rates of poverty and food insecurity among LGBTQIA+ people. Advocacy is critical in the face of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation; now is the time to support critical legislative measures such as the Equality Act and the LGBTQIA Data Inclusion Act to advance equality and justice for LGBTQIA+ individuals. This Pride Month, the NC Justice Center joins the call for solidarity and action to create a future with equal pay and justice for all. 

The NC Justice Center is proud to announce the next round of this year’s Defenders of Justice Awardees. Previously announced awardees are Professor Gene Nichol (UNC School of Law) and Emma Kinyanjui (Disability Rights NC).

Philip Cooper is being honored with the Grassroots Empowerment Award. Philip is a Western North Carolina native, an accomplished reentry expert, criminal justice reform advocate, and statewide change agent. 

Yevonne Brannon is being honored with the Policy Research and Advocacy Award. Yevonne is the Director of the Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services at NC State University and a tireless advocate who has spent her career organizing the community to support public schools, children, and those who work in public schools. 

Ricky Hurtado is being honored with the Grassroots Empowerment Award. Ricky is the son of working-class immigrants and a product of Lee County Public Schools. Throughout his career, Ricky has focused on fostering engaged citizens in North Carolina and creating effective public policy to build strong, vibrant communities, primarily through public education. 

School may be out for the summer, but the NC Justice Center’s Education & Law team is still hard at work advocating for students all over North Carolina. On May 30, Senior Policy Analyst Kris Nordstrom published “North Carolina must invest in its teachers” which highlights the growing problem of teacher vacancies and what North Carolina lawmakers can do to support our teachers and address this crisis.  

On Saturday, June 15, Senior Policy Advocate Sarah Montgomery was honored at the HOKE County NAACP Leadership Breakfast with the Education Award for her years of tireless advocacy across our state. On Tuesday, June 25, we joined our coalition partner, Every Child NC, for our Advocacy Day for Education Rights. The day brought together advocates from across the state to demand action on fully funding the Leandro Plan, a moratorium on private school voucher expansion, student discipline reforms, and early education funding.  

On Tuesday, June 18, the NC Justice Center celebrated two incredible individuals, Chief Justice Henry and Shirley Frye, at the Historic Magnolia House in Greensboro. During the reception, we honored the Fryes with a Lifetime Champions of Justice Award. Chief Justice Frye and Mrs. Frye have devoted seven decades to racial and social justice work, inspiring and impacting countless North Carolinians. These inspiring changemakers have broken the glass ceiling, advocated for policy change, empowered marginalized communities, and promoted equal opportunity. We will continue honoring North Carolina’s changemakers at our 2024 Defenders of Justice Gala on Sunday, September 22, 2024. 

Aditi Kharod, Legal Intern: Aditi attends George Washington University Law School and chose to intern at the NC Justice Center because she admires the work of our organization. She is excited to have the opportunity to assist and observe the work of multiple projects this summer. 

Eliza Weidner, Legal Intern: Eliza attends UNC School of Law and is passionate about public interest work. She chose to intern at the NC Justice Center because she believes in the importance of eliminating poverty in North Carolina.  

Jada Hill, Legal Intern: Jada attends Emory Law School and chose to intern at the NC Justice Center because she is excited about the opportunity to do consequential work here in her home state. 

Cesar Sandoval, Workers’ Rights Intern: Cesar attends the University of Idaho and was placed at the NC Justice Center through Student Action with Farmworkers. Cesar was motivated to apply for himself and in recognition of his parents’ work and, in the future, to bring about change for farmworkers.   

NC Justice Center paralegal Andressia Ramirez reflected on HB 10, an immigration bill that will mandate all North Carolina sheriffs honor ICE detainer requests. Andressia states, “I wrote this op-ed because it was crucial to share a narrative that has largely been ignored—the real, lived experiences of the Latino community under threat from policies like HB 10. By highlighting these voices, I aimed to counter the prevailing rhetoric and show the profound and harmful impact such legislation can have on our community's trust and safety.” 

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

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