Dear Friend,
It’s back-to-school season for many North Carolina students. Even though most of us aren’t students anymore, this time of year always feels like an invitation to return to learning mode—a time for creative problem-solving, curiosity, and focus.
I learn something new every day at the NC Justice Center, guided by the dedication and expertise of my colleagues and this growing community. We are constantly striving to deepen our understanding of the systemic issues that perpetuate racial and economic injustice. |
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As you’ll read in this newsletter, some of this month’s work has included advocating for equal pay for working moms, recommending common sense policies that improve working conditions for teachers, and building momentum and buy-in to tackle medical debt.
The obstacles we face in the movement to create lasting change are real—but so is our ability to meet these challenges. Thank you for your continued commitment to building a North Carolina that is just and equitable for all our neighbors.
In solidarity,
Reggie Shuford
Executive Director |
In a significant win for millions of North Carolinians, 99 acute care hospitals across the state have committed to participating in the innovative medical debt relief program introduced by Governor Cooper and the NC Department of Health and Human Services. This initiative aims to alleviate the medical debt burden for millions of low- and middle-income families. Eleven Black nonprofit leaders, including NC Justice Center Executive Director Reggie Shuford, signed a joint letter urging hospital CEOs to back this initiative, as it will address the disproportionate impact of medical debt on Black North Carolinians and advance affordable health care for communities facing severe health disparities.
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“North Carolina is one of the country’s least attractive states for teachers,” Senior Policy Analyst Kris Nordstrom states in a new blog post sharing the findings of a recent report from the Learning Policy Institute titled, “Where is Teaching Most Attractive and Equitable?” The report cites issues like low starting salaries, high teacher dissatisfaction, and significant job insecurity as the causes of record levels of teacher vacancies. This trend results from a decade of policies that have made the teaching profession increasingly inhospitable. North Carolina can reverse course if legislative leaders prioritize teachers and students by investing in teacher pay, improved working conditions, and equitable school funding.
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On August 13, the NC Justice Center held a virtual briefing on the short legislative session where our experts shared key takeaways and insights, including victories, setbacks, and what lies ahead for our state. Our policy team provided insights on the efforts to prevent the rollback of the Second Chance Act, the push to support fully funded public schools, and many other consumer, housing, and immigration policies. You can find the recording of the briefing, the slides used, and more information on the topics covered by clicking the link below.
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A recent New York Times article from contributor Ann Carrns highlights the dangers of seller-financed "land contracts" that leave many low-income buyers vulnerable. These contracts often lack the consumer protections of traditional mortgages, putting homebuyers at risk of losing both their homes and their investments. NC Justice Center Senior Attorney Kate Woomer-Deters emphasized the significant risks, noting that buyers can be evicted and left without any recourse if they fall behind on payments. The NC Justice Center continues to fight for these homebuyers, recently securing a settlement of over $1 million to compensate about 200 park residents in a case against Riverstone Communities, a mobile-home park owner exploiting land contracts.
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Wednesday, August 7, 2024, marked Moms' Equal Pay Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the persistent wage gap that leaves working mothers earning just 63 cents for every dollar earned by working fathers. This inequity isn't just a statistic—it’s a call to action for all of us who believe in fairness and dignity for all workers to push for policies that recognize and support the caregiving responsibilities that disproportionately fall on mothers. By advocating for legislative change, including the FAMILY Act, Healthy Families Act, and Paycheck Fairness Act, we can help close the wage gap and ensure that all parents have the economic security they deserve.
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The NC Justice Center is proud to sponsor the first-ever CAROLINADAZE Music & Arts Festivals, a concert series hosted by Common Cause North Carolina. The event is focused on driving young people’s participation in our state’s democracy by recruiting the acts they love, raising money for grassroots causes they care about, registering them to vote, and offering a compelling vision for how they can organize beyond elections. On Saturday, September 14, headliners Janelle Monae and Tierra Whack will take the stage at the Red Hat Amphitheater with supporting acts Moses Sumney, Lute, Helado Negro, and Elora Dash.
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On August 22, the NC Justice Center hosted a sold-out event at the home of the Honorable Terry and Ted Van Duyn in Asheville, NC, honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of Frank Goldsmith, a renowned civil rights attorney and champion of justice. Notable speakers Reggie Shuford, Lou Lesesne, and Judy Leavitt offered inspiring reflections on Goldsmith's impact and legacy. The sold-out event was a testament to Goldsmith's enduring legacy and the profound impact he has had on the community. His commitment to justice and equality will continue to inspire generations to come.
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The North Carolina Justice Center
224 S. Dawson Street | Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
919-856-2570 | contact@ncjustice.org |
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