Hidden Valley activists protest City Council’s redistricting plans
Charlene Henderson and political activists in Charlotte's Hidden Valley community are protesting redistricting plans that would move them to another district
Hidden Valley is a predominantly African American community that has so far avoided gentrification. They want to keep the political continuity of their voting community.
Sister Henderson questions proposed redistricting maps that will result in a “denial or dilution of the Voting Rights Act for her community.” She told City Council, “Map A is the only map that protects and preserves Hidden Valley’s all Black voting record.” The activists consider two of the proposed redistricting maps to be racially discriminatory to Black voters in the Hidden Valley neighborhood. Charlotte’s City Attorney and the City Council denied these claims. The proposed maps Hidden Valley activists are criticizing move two precincts in Hidden Valley from District 4 into District 1.
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I am honored to add my voice to the endorsements for Jeanne A. Dixon, Candidate for Kannapolis City Council. Jeanne and I share a friendship that spans over fifty years. She often says that our friendship began while playing in the “sandbox” when we were children. To know someone this long gives you a clear perspective of that person’s integrity, character, and ethics. Jeanne has these critical attributes that have carried her through a storied career in working on behalf of others, in her personal and family life of achieving the many goals she set for herself, and in her profound spiritual faith.
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The first Black American ever to serve as U.S. secretary of State, Colin Powell, 84, was lauded by other Black political pioneers for his leadership after his untimely death was announced Monday.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the first African American ever to hold the office, said in a statement:
Secretary Colin Powell dedicated his life defending our nation. As National Security Adviser, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, and secretary of State, he was an independent thinker and a barrier breaker who inspired leaders in our military and throughout our nation.
Secretary Powell served our nation with courage, unwavering in his belief in its principles and its promise. The son of immigrants, Secretary Powell rose through the ranks of the United States Army. He was a decorated veteran and devoted patriot.
The legacy that he leaves behind - on America’s national security and on the leaders, he mentored - can be seen every day across our nation and the world.
Former President Barack Obama issued a statement saying:
Years ago, when he was asked to reflect on his own life, General Colin Powell described himself as “first and foremost a problem-solver.” It was true, of course. But he was far more than that.
General Powell was an exemplary soldier and an exemplary patriot. He was at the center of some of the most consequential events of our lifetimes – serving two decorated tours in Vietnam; guiding U.S. strategy in the Gulf War; serving as National Security Advisor, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of State; offering counsel to four presidents; and helping shape American foreign policy for decades. Everyone who worked with General Powell appreciated his clarity of thought, insistence on seeing all sides, and ability to execute. And although he’d be the first to acknowledge that he didn’t get every call right, his actions reflected what he believed was best for America and the people he served.
Along the way, General Powell helped a generation of young people set their sights higher. He never denied the role that race played in his own life and in our society more broadly. But he also refused to accept thatMore ↠
In the world of GOTV (Get Out the Vote), no name in modern times shines brighter than Stacey Abrams of Georgia.
Abrams, a former Georgia state representative and Democratic candidate for governor in 2018, founded a voters’ rights nonprofit group called the New Georgia Project, which in turn pushed several voter registration efforts to increase Georgia’s voter rolls, particularly in Black and other diverse communities.
Just prior to the 2020 presidential elections, Abrams founded yet another nonprofit known as Fair Fight, which not only registered new voters, but educated them on the pressing issues.
The results - 800,000 new Georgia voters were brought to the process; Democrat Joe Biden won the traditionally conservative red state over incumbent Republican Donald Trump; and even more importantly, two Democrats, Rev. Raphael Warnock, and Jon Osoff, unseated two Republican incumbents give Pres. Biden the 50 Democrats he needs to get any of his agenda done.
Aimy Steele
Dr. Aimy Steele agrees that there is much to be learned from Stacey Abram’s kingmaker success in Georgia, and she hoping that some of that “Black Girl Magic” will rub-off right here in North Carolina in time for the 2022 elections.
Last week, Dr. Steele and her team kicked off “The New North Carolina Project (NNCP),” an ambitious effort, modeled after the Abrams’ effort in Georgia, to register more than 100,000 eligible voters of color for the 2022 midterm elections, increase early voter turnout
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STATESVILLE, NC - Statesville City manager Ron Smith has named Brian Roberts as the City’s new Finance Director, effective immediately. For the past two years, Roberts, 38, has served as the City’s Assistant Finance Director under Chris Tucker, who resigned in August to accept another position.
“I have been extremely impressed with the job Brian has done as interim,” said Smith. “It didn’t take long to recognize that he was the obvious choice for finance director. He is extremely qualified and will be a great addition to the City’s management team.”
Roberts is excited to “play a role in moving Statesville forward. I look at where we are, the growth we are experiencing, the improvements we are making to infrastructure and I’m grateful to be a part of the team.”
Much of Roberts’ professional career has been in auditing. He served as the senior internal auditor for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina’s Assistant State Auditor in Investigations, and the Senior Audit Inspector
Brian Roberts
for the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office. “I know that a lot of people think that the finance director only knows how to say ‘no’, but it’s my job to be the ‘yellow light’ … to slow things down to make sure it’s being done right.”
As Statesville’s Finance Director, Roberts will oversee the City’s financial status, including investments, budget preparation, audit preparation and compliance
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