Alanna Joyner

North Carolina’s Primary Election Day is today. Here’s what you need to know.

By Alanna Joyner / May 17, 2022 /

Today marks Primary Election Day for five states, including North Carolina, that are holding 2022 primary elections. During the state’s Primary Election Day on Tuesday, May 17, voters can choose which candidates for the state’s open seat in the U.S. Senate, congressional races, and legislature seats along with hundreds of local offices across the state. …

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Before Rosa Parks, Sarah Keys refused to back down

By Alanna Joyner / February 16, 2022 /

Before Rosa Parks, Sarah Keys refused to back down. Before Rosa Parks made history by refusing to give up her bus seat, Sarah Keys did the same.  On August 1, 1952, the young Army private traveling to Washington, North Carolina, refused to give up her seat on an interstate bus for a white Marine. From…

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Before the Greensboro Four, there was Durham’s Royal Seven

By Alanna Joyner / February 4, 2022 /

Before the Greensboro Four, there was Durham’s Royal Seven. In an effort to celebrate Black History Month, Progress NC Action is highlighting prominent Black leaders from North Carolina, who have shaped our state through their contributions to arts, sciences, politics, and more. North Carolina’s place in the civil rights movement is largely connected with the…

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‘Right thing to do.’ In historic vote, Charlotte expands LGBTQ protections

By Alanna Joyner / August 10, 2021 /

On Monday, Charlotte’s City Council unanimously voted in favor of a nondiscrimination  ordinance that would establish protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, natural hairstyle and more.  The expansion of protections marks Charlotte as the tenth North Carolina community to pass a nondiscrimination ordinance. This comes after 5 years since the state blocked…

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Amid Medicaid’s 56th Anniversary, Red state Medicaid expansion momentum continues to grow

By Alanna Joyner / July 27, 2021 /

This Friday, July 30, marks the 56th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing into law the amendment that created Medicare and Medicaid. For 56 years, Medicaid has helped make health care affordable and accessible for millions across the country.  Despite the benefits, several states, including North Carolina, continue to halt the expansion of the…

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No more excuses for lawmakers when it comes to public schools

By Alanna Joyner / July 6, 2021 /

Recently, State Superior Court Judge David Lee issued the latest order in the Leandro v. State lawsuit – directing the state to address the longstanding violation of the constitutional right of North Carolina public school children to a “sound basic education”, by implementing a comprehensive funding plan developed by the state itself. The Comprehensive Remedial…

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Freedom Riders movement celebrates 60th anniversary

By Alanna Joyner / May 26, 2021 /

This month marks 60 years since 13 Freedom Riders–including a young John Lewis– set out on two buses from Washington, DC to challenge the segregation of public transportation.   In the weeks that followed, the Freedom Riders were threatened, arrested, and attacked by violent mobs throughout the Deep South. They attracted the attention of the nation…

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As Andrew Brown Jr. is laid to rest, the family and Elizabeth City community continue to demand answers

By Alanna Joyner / May 4, 2021 /

Andrew Brown Jr., the 42-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by sheriff’s deputies, was laid to rest on Monday in Elizabeth City. In the wake of Brown Jr.’s funeral, the Family and community members are continuing their demands for justice and transparency. Last Wednesday, a state judge ruled that Brown Jr.’s family were allowed…

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In police killing of Andrew Brown Jr., a small NC town crisis on national stage

By Alanna Joyner / April 27, 2021 /

In the wake of the conviction of Derek Chauvin, North Carolinians have taken to the streets of Elizabeth City after Pasquotank County deputies shot and killed Andrew Brown Jr., an unarmed Black man in his car, while serving a warrant Wednesday.  While the guilty verdict from the Chauvin trial felt like a victory for some,…

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NC panel signs off on Duke Energy orders on rates, coal ash

By Alanna Joyner / April 19, 2021 /

On Friday, the N.C. Utilities Commission approved two orders involving Duke Energy’s two electric subsidiaries in the state over rate increases requested back in 2019 and a settlement announced in January by Duke Energy, Attorney General Josh Stein and a conservation group over how coal ash clean-up cost. According to the Triad Business Journal, the…

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