Midway through the season, the Panthers’ offensive line struggles to solve opponents’ blitz TThhee CChhaarrllootttteeTHE VOICE P POF THE BLACKo oCOMMUNITYss SINCEtt 1906 WEEK OF NOVEMBER 5, 2020 VOLUME 47, NUMBER 9 WWW.THECHARLOTTEPOST.COM $1.50 House of Prayer campuses reopen Mecklenburg, church agree on virus rules By Herbert L. White [email protected] The United House of Prayer for All People is again open in Meck- lenburg County. Health officials and church lead- ership struck a deal last week that reverses a total shutdown of all 11 campuses after an outbreak of co- ronavirus infections from the an- nual Charlotte convocation reached superspreader levels. Thousands of followers – mostly from states along the Eastern Sea- board – reportedly attended gath- erings between Oct. 4-11 at the Mother House at 2321 Beatties
TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST Ford Road. Mecklenburg County Public Mecklenburg County poll worker Worth Williams (right) helps Tiffani Scott cast her ballot at West Charlotte Recreation Center on Tuesday. North Car- Health, which reported more than olina’s presidential race was too close to call as of Wednesday morning, but voters re-elected incumbent Gov. Roy Cooper and kept Republicans 180 people linked to the convoca- in control of the General Assembly. tion contracted COVID-19, with six deaths, banned in-person meetings at all Mecklenburg facilities until at least Nov. 6. The agreement requires the de- No mandate in NC: Status nomination to abide by social dis- tance guidelines, require face coverings and hand sanitizer. The church is also required to clean and disinfect all indoor surfaces at quo for divided government the Mother House with methods approved by local, state or federal authorities. While ballots are still being counted, state power remains unchanged “This is a great result for the By Herbert L. White “We’ve clearly won North Carolina, incumbents by Wednesday morning, in- United House of Prayer and for re- where we’re up 1.7%, 77,000 votes with cluding Mecklenburg County’s Christy ligious freedom and expression [email protected] only approximately 5% left,” Trump said Clark. Republicans earned 27 of 50 Sen- throughout Mecklenburg County,” North Carolina’s presidential and U.S. during an appearance at the White ate seats and 67 of 120 in the House, but Mother House pastor Apostle Ron- Senate elections are too close to call, but House. “They can’t catch Senate Leader Phil Berger nie White said in a statement. “Our voters opted for at least two more years us.” acknowledged the lack of congregants and members are of divided state government. Incumbent Democrat voter mandate in calling for looking forward to participating in Votes were still being tallied as of Wed- Gov. Roy Cooper handily bipartisan cooperation. daily services starting today and nesday morning to decide the presiden- bested Republican chal- “For the sixth consecutive we and our leader, Bishop C.M. Bai- tial race between incumbent President lenger Dan Forest, while Re- election, voters made a ley, are thrilled to welcome them Donald Trump and former Vice Pres- publicans maintain their clear choice in support of back into God’s House.” ident Joe Biden. Trump told supporters grip on the General As- the Republican platform of Mecklenburg Health Director he won, although state elections officials sembly. Cooper Berger low taxes, expanded school Gibbie Harris issued an order of have until Nov. 12 to count an estimated While Cooper will remain choice, and large invest- abatement of imminent hazard on 200,000 mail-in ballots – mostly from in the governor’s mansion, Republicans ments in education and teacher pay,” Please see DEAL | 4A urban Mecklenburg and Wake counties will maintain control of the legislative Berger said. “The Senate Republican ma- where Democrats dominate. branch, albeit without a veto-proof ma- jority will continue to deliver on those Ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 will be jority they lost in 2018. GOP House can- promises. Daughter’s counted. didates unseated at least five Democratic Please see VOTERS | 2A plea for virus Voters express unease about today, tomorrow THE ASSOCIATED PRESS wide survey of about 132,000 voters and to favor Trump over Biden. protection in Voters in North Carolina made their nonvoters – including 3,731 voters and RACE FOR US SENATE pick for president while holding negative 701 nonvoters in North Carolina – con- In the race for U.S. Senate, Cal Cun- views about the country’s direction, ac- ducted for The Associated Press by ningham had an advantage over Thom fed prison cording to an expansive Associated Press NORC at the University of Chicago. Tillis among voters under 45 but older By Brittany McGee survey of the American electorate. TRUMP VS BIDEN voters were divided. MEDIA HUB The race between President Donald In the race for president, Biden had an Black voters were more likely to favor Ashley Jackson sits on the cream Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden advantage over Trump among voters Cunningham. Tillis led Cunningham sofa, talking with a visitor when concluded Tuesday as the nation re- under 45 while Biden and Trump were among white voters. her phone lights up as a call comes mains in the throes of a global public roughly even among older voters. Cunningham had an advantage over in. She smiles. health crisis and mired in the economic Black voters were more likely to prefer Tillis among college-educated voters “This is my father,” she downturn it brought on. Biden over Trump. White voters were while Cunningham and Tillis were about whispers, politely signaling the AP VoteCast found that 39% of North more likely to prefer Trump over Biden. even among voters without a college de- end of the conversation. Carolina voters said the U.S. is on the Biden had an advantage among col- gree. Jackson, who lives in Charlotte, right track and 60% of voters said it is lege-educated voters but voters without Cunningham had an advantage among puts the phone on speaker, and an headed in the wrong direction. a college degree were split. both voters in cities and suburban voters automated female voice an- Here’s a snapshot of who voted and Biden led among both voters in cities but voters in small towns and rural areas nounces an incoming prepaid call what matters to them, based on prelim- and suburban voters. Voters in small were more likely to prefer Tillis. from Orrin Jackson, an inmate in a inary results from AP VoteCast, a nation- towns and rural areas were more likely Please see NC VOTES | 2A federal prison. Before Ashley could say anything, the voice warns her the call is being recorded and sub- ject to monitoring. Then, it asks Rapper DaBaby brings party, support to voters whether she would take the call. By Ashleigh Fields ganization #NoCap 2020. ballot box. Those who traveled with him She accepts. “To partner with DaBaby on this initia- included radio personality No Limit Ashley and Orrin exchange greet- THECHARLOTTEPOST tive is huge for Charlotte. If Larry, television host Ally Lynn and Black ings, in the automatic way people A young Black man is stereotypically there were ever a moment college students from across the state. do on phone calls. not the person most people expect to see when young Black folks An entourage of students from North “Everything all right?” Orrin asks encouraging them to vote. needed to vote and get en- Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, his daughter over the noise of But- However, Charlotte native and gaged, this is that moment,” and Johnson C. Smith universities pro- ner Federal Correctional Complex Grammy-nominated recording artist Da said Jonah Vincent, director vided live music while voters waited in in the background. Baby spent Election Day working to of #NoCap2020. line to cast ballots. They not only pro- “I’m good,” Ashley chuckles, be- change that narrative. The rapper used Da Baby traveled to six vided a distraction from the long lines fore explaining that she has com- his platform to enthuse voters in his DaBaby polling sites in communities but also passed out water, snacks and t- pany. hometown under the initiative “Vote of color to encourage young shirts from the Vote Baby Vote tour bus. This monitored form of com- Baby Vote” in partnership with the or- adults to create change, starting at the Please see RAPPER | 2A munication with her father is the Please see MY FATHER | 4A
INSIDE Digital edition: Please STAY IN TOUCH Sports 5A Snapchat: thecharpost www.thecharlottepostnewspaper.com Recycle Life 1B Twitter: @thecharpost A&E 5B To subscribe: (704) 376-0496 or online Facebook: The Charlotte Post Classified 4B http://tcppc.com/Subscribe Instagram: @thecharlottepost #PaperThursday 2A NEWS | The Charlotte Post Thursday, November 5, 2020 Voters uneasy about future Continued from page 1A the top. RACE FOR GOVERNOR Ten percent named health care, 9% In the race for governor, Roy Cooper named racism and 4% named law en- had an advantage over Dan Forest among forcement. both voters under 45 and older voters. NATIONAL ECONOMY Black voters were more likely to prefer Voters were more negative than posi- Cooper while white voters were more tive in their assessments of the nation’s likely to back Forest over Cooper. economy. Overall, 42% described eco- Both voters without a college degree nomic conditions in the U.S. as excellent and college-educated voters were more or good, and 58% called them not so good likely to favor Cooper over Forest. or poor. Both voters in cities and suburban STAYING AT HOME voters were more likely to back Cooper Among registered voters who chose not over Forest while Forest had an edge to cast a ballot in North Carolina, 25% said among voters in small towns and rural that was because they don’t like politics areas. generally, 15% said they are concerned FACING THE PANDEMIC about being exposed to the coronavirus The coronavirus pandemic has spread and 14% said they don’t like the candi- through the U.S. for roughly eight dates. WIKICOMMONS months, killing more than 230,000 Amer- In North Carolina, 77% of nonvoters Former Vice President Joe Biden was locked in a close race with President Donald Trump in icans. Overall, 17% of voters said the virus were younger than 45 and 82% did not North Carolina’s presidential campaign, which was too close to call early Wednesday. in the U.S. is completely or mostly under have a college degree. control, and 31% said it’s somewhat AP created this story automatically under control. Fifty-one percent of voters using results from AP VoteCast, a survey think the coronavirus is not at all under of the American electorate conducted by NC votes for division control in this country. NORC at the University of Chicago for Fox ON THE ISSUES News, NPR, PBS NewsHour, Univision Continued from page 1A Congressional District, and Deborah The coronavirus pandemic was top of News, USA Today Network, The Wall “I hope over the next two years we Ross in the Raleigh-area 2nd – will join mind for many voters in North Carolina. Street Journal and The Associated Press. see a departure from the divisive par- Alma Adams, G.K. Butterfield and Forty-two percent said it is the most im- The survey of 3,731 voters in North Car- tisan lawsuits that have hamstrung at- David Price in that party’s caucus. portant issue facing the country today. olina was conducted for eight days, con- tempts at good faith negotiations Adams and Butterfield are the state’s Voters also considered the economy a cluding as polls closed. between Republicans and Democrats only Black representatives. Adams, major issue, with 26% saying it ranked at in the legislature and the executive who represents most of Mecklenburg, branch. ran unopposed. Republicans, who have controlled There was history the General Assembly since 2011, will made, too. Mark Robin- Post earns Facebook Accelerator redraw legislative districts based on son, a newcomer to readiness to pursue busi- thirds are based in the 2020 census data. Their last redistrict- elected politics from By Herbert L. White ness opportunities. Half of South or Midwest, areas ing a decade ago has been mired in Greensboro, is the state’s [email protected] the participants are Black- that have historically been court challenges since, as Democrats first Black lieutenant The Post is one of 20 owned and led, including undercapitalized com- have sued on the basis that the remap governor-elect. Robin- media organizations par- some of the nation’s oldest pared to their coastal amounts to voter suppression along son, who describes him- ticipating in the Facebook Black newspapers and dig- peers. with voter ID rules. Cooper has also self as a disciple of Journalism Project’s Sus- Robinson itally native organizations. Just over half of the sued lawmakers over attempts to “common-sense conser- tainability Accelerator Pro- Sixteen publishers focus group are for-profit media. weaken gubernatorial authority. vatism,” beat state Rep. Yvonne Hol- gram, a sustainability on local news and two- Democrats picked up a pair of U.S. ley with 52% of the vote. training initiative. House seats held by Republicans who “I think other young people seeing The program for news declined to run for re-election after me achieve this goal I think it really publishers is Facebook’s court-ordered redistricting in 2019, will encourage many people of color premier journalism pro- reducing the GOP advantage to 8-5. to step up and step out,” Robinson, gram and involves inten- The Democratic newcomers - Kathy 52, said. sive training in essentials Manning in the Greensboro-area 6th for building a sustainable media business. The initia- tive, which includes one- to-one coaching with an industry expert and grant support to implement new Rapper DaBaby brings party strategies, follows Face- book’s recent announce- ment that it would invest and support to hometown voters an additional $5 million in Continued from page 1A numbers have increased to support Black and local news organizations “Working with these or- by 64%.” brown voters. that serve historically mar- ganizations has been in- Throughout the day free “We are the people who ginalized communities. credibly powerful in terms rides to polling stations in need to vote,” said Da Program participants of our ability to engage Charlotte were also offered Baby. “We need to push, were selected based on youth voters across the with the promo code which is why we are trying their demonstrated impact state,” said #NoCap2020 “VOTEWITHDABABY.” The to draw as many people as on community, commit- lead fellow Israphil Bran- artist shared that he specif- possible to create change.” ment to the program’s re- don. “I believe the turnout ically would do all he could quirements and their 3A NEWS | The Charlotte Post Thursday, November 5, 2020 4A NEWS & OPINION | The Charlotte Post Thursday, November 5, 2020 TheThe CharlotteCharlotte PostPost Former contenders in a new cabinet The Voice of the Black Community Who will be serving in the considered for the U. N. thought the new president system. Thus, she would Gerald O. Johnson | CEO/PUBLISHER new presidential cabinet? position and for several might ask him to take that be a controversial appoint- If Donald Trump turns other jobs including Secre- position again. More likely ment. Another former [email protected] out to be the winner of the tary of Veterans Affairs he will become Secretary of presidential candidate Robert L. Johnson Nov. 3 election, there may and Secretary of Health Homeland Security. Mike Bloomberg is on the | PUBLISHER/GENERAL MANAGER be changes, but probably and Human Resources. I opined that Washington list of possible Treasury [email protected] merely a con- Susan Rice was not men- Gov. Jay Inslee “may have secretaries. tinuation of tioned in my earlier col- staked a claim for the top Other current senators Herbert L. White | EDITOR IN CHIEF the shifting umn because she did not job at the Environmental such as Amy Klobuchar sands of the run for president. Ho- Protection Agency.” Sure and Cory Booker are in the [email protected] last four wever, she was considered enough, he is being consid- mix for new positions, years. for Biden’s vice-presiden- ered for that post and for showing how wrong I was Published weekly by The Charlotte Post Publishing Company However, if tial running mate. In the Secretary of Energy. about their aspirations. Inc., 5118 Princess Street, Charlotte, NC 28269 (USPS #965500). Joe Biden is Obama administration, she In last year’s column, I No North Carolinians Subscription is $65 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Char- the winner, served as national security suggested that the U.S. competed for the Demo- lotte, NC. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Charlotte D.G. there will be advisor and ambassador to senators who were running cratic presidential nomi- Post, PO Box 30144, Charlotte, NC 28230 MARTIN a total turn- the United Nations. Her ex- for president (Warren, Ber- nation, but some could be over in the perience and her close re- nie Sanders, Kamala Harris, in the running for high- cabinet. lationship with Biden make Kirsten Gillibrand, Cory level positions in a new ad- Last year about this time her a likely choice for Sec- Booker, Amy Klobuchar, ministration: Secretary of I wrote that many of the retary of State or another and Michael Bennet) would the N.C. Department of Black cotton is then 20 Democratic candi- high-level national security be reluctant to give up Health and Human Serv- dates were really not run- or intelligence position. their current high-status ices Mandy Cohen to lead ning for president. Instead, I noted that Andrew positions for any other job. the national Centers for the new rose they were auditioning for Yang, a respected business Also, I thought, a new Medicare & Medicaid Serv- high-level jobs in the new leader, had made a good Democratic president ices and U.S. Rep. Alma By Molly Weisner president’s administration. impression as a candidate would not want to appoint Adams for Secretary of MEDIA HUB It turns out I was right. for president. As a result, anyone whose Senate seat Education. The two young men squint into the camera and For instance, I wrote he is being mentioned for would be filled by a Repub- For a detailed listing of smile from beneath their baseball caps. about candidate Pete Butti- several possible cabinet lican governor. contenders for positions in Behind them, the cotton field sprawls into the dis- gieg, “Most of us had never positions. Yang has talked Maybe I was wrong. For a new administration see: tance, meeting the line of trees bordering the acreage heard of him until a few about a "trickle-up econ- instance, Elizabeth Warren https://static.politico.co in Northampton County in northeastern North Car- months ago. But we have omy" and a future auto- may be lobbying for ap- m/ad/85/838ffd064be981 olina. learned that he is smart, mated economy, so pointment as Secretary of 705f24dc406813/poten- The field is green, as a passerby might expect, but quick on his feet, articu- automated that human Treasury even though the tial-biden-wh-administra- atop the green floats a soft, buoyant layer of white late, trustworthy, speaks workers would be unnec- Republican governor of tion-officials-sp.pdf puffs. several foreign languages, essary. As Secretary of Massachusetts would ap- D.G. Martin hosts “North Standing shoulder to shoulder with his childhood and has been a Rhodes Commerce he could bring point her successor. She Carolina Bookwatch,” Sun- friend, Jamaal Garner, Julius Tillery snaps a selfie on Scholar and a soldier. He is his futurist thinking to the gets good grades for mas- day 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday the first day of the harvest in 2016. cool and persuasive. He practical world. tering the complicated at 5 p.m. on UNC-TV. The Black Cotton was born. could be Secretary of State Julian Castro served as American financial system. program also airs on the Tillery started his company, Black Cotton, to make or ambassador to the Secretary of Housing and She is an informed advo- North Carolina Channel the cotton he harvests into home décor, art and jew- United Nations.” Urban Development for cate for policies to restrain Tuesday at 8 p.m. and elry. But cotton has always had its roots in the land Buttigieg is now being President Obama. I the powers that run that other times. Tillery lives on. Tillery represents the fifth generation of his family to farm in North Carolina. His great-great grand- father was the first in the family to be born free in Aunt Becky’s in prison early. Why? 1871 in Halifax County. Tillery works alongside his father, James Tillery Jr., today. I do not know anyone her role as Aunt Becky in lege? If Sean has anything to As a child, his father and grandfather showed Til- sentenced to prison that “Full House” is probably You probably just want work with at a trial, he can lery how to grow cotton, corn and peanuts until he wants to go before it is ashamed of her rich per- to run and hide. Loughlin’s show reasonable doubt” graduated from high school. Then, he attended UNC- time to go. It does sound a son behavior. Her thinking hideaway for the foreseea- said Jeffrey Cramer. Chapel Hill and graduated in 2008 with a degree in bit strange, doesn’t it? is that money can buy you ble future will be the Fed- Cramer and Berkowitz economics. Prison, after anything, legal or illegal. In eral Correctional worked together at the U.S. As an aspiring business owner, economics was a all, is not a this case it was illegal. Institution in Dublin, Cali- Attorney’s office in Chi- logical choice for Tillery. But Black Cotton wouldn’t palatial es- Buying your daughters fornia. cago. be invented for another eight years. Instead, the tate. two scholarships to the Did COVID-19 have any- I would opine that Lough- choice to pursue economics was more personal. You are be- University of Southern Cal- thing to do with her want- lin and her husband got off On Tillery’s Facebook page, right under his photo, hind bars ifornia was just flat-out ing to get to prison early? with generous plea bar- a man named Edward B. Farley is quoted: “Successful and your wrong. They were to have Maybe she thought she gains. While some may dis- people do the things unsuccessful people are not movements been members of the USC would contract the virus agree, justice is not blind. willing to do.” are con- crew team. Laughable and and have to postpone her Sometimes it has one eye JAMES Farley is not a Wall Street businessman, a slick- trolled by sad at the same time. sentence. That would have open. This time it was haired “30 under 30” or a laureate economics pro- EWERS prison Lori Loughlin said, “I been an albatross hanging open for Loughlin and Gi- fessor. He was a friend of Tillery’s father and a guards. made an awful decision over her head. annuli. public school teacher in Virginia. But to Tillery, he Lori Loughlin and her and went along with a plan Judge Nathaniel Gorton Many are trying to under- was like a grandfather and mentor. husband, Mossimo Gian- to give my daughters an has ordered Loughlin to stand why they did not just In an Instagram post in honoring Farley’s death in nuli, decided they could unfair advantage in the col- pay a $150,000 fine and pay their daughters’ tuition 2019, Tillery said Farley pushed him to “be well read not wait, so they petitioned lege admissions process.” perform 100 hours of com- costs. Money certainly was and think fast.” Farley received an economics degree the judge to go early. Their Seeing her two daughters munity service. To a multi- not an issue. when he was at Virginia State College and Tillery was original reporting date was everyday was probably millionaire like Loughlin, How did they get mixed inspired to do the same at UNC. Nov. 19. However, they re- another reason for her that fine is a drop in the up with Rick Singer and his During the week, Tillery went to class. On week- ported on Friday. In my early pokey arrival. When bucket. Key Worldwide Founda- ends, he wasn’t studying at coffee shops on Franklin opinion, there are multiple we as parents embarrass In my opinion, this is one tion? I know when college Street or hanging out in his dorm. Tillery said he was reasons for their early arri- our children, it is hurtful to of the fallacies of the crim- coaches want to offer you “one of those kids” who went home most weekends. val. them. We are called upon inal justice system. a scholarship, they do not Even while at UNC, he knew he wanted to bring ev- Loughlin was sentenced to be good examples for There are people who send surrogates to do it. erything he learned in class back to his farm. to two months and Gian- our children. When we do commit far less serious Shame on the parents for “I wanted to give cotton a different value,” Tillery nuli to five months. First, I not, bad feelings happen. crimes and are locked up being duped. said. “The cotton business is a very tough business believe Loughlin did not Friends calling Loughlin for years. People who are Now with the holidays — not much money in it. I wanted to come up with want to spend all of her may be another reason for locked up without a voice. coming up, they will be in a creative solution to that.” holiday in jail. She will her wanting to make an People who are locked up a federal facility. That is At first, Tillery wasn’t sure how we would turn his miss Thanksgiving with exit from her house. Talk- and cannot afford adequ- unfortunate. The question farm into a sustainable business. But he knew who the family, but maybe she ing to a friend about this ate defense counsel. is will they be home for could help him figure that out. will get out in time to enjoy indiscretion is probably a The lawyer for Loughlin Christmas? “I called up my buddy, Jamaal,” Tillery said. some of the yuletide sea- difficult conversation. How and her husband is Sean James Ewers, a Johnson Tillery and Garner grew up together in Northamp- son. do you talk about cheating Berkowitz. “Sean is a pros- C. Smith University gradu- ton County. When Tillery went to Chapel Hill in The actress known for to get your kids into col- ecutor’s worst nightmare. ate, lives in New Orleans. 2004, Garner enlisted in the Marine Corps. For nearly a decade, the two were apart until an idea brought them back together. Tillery brought Garner on as operations manager, Deal allows House of Prayer to reopen and they created Black Cotton together, starting by just picking some raw cotton and putting it in mason Continued from page 1A close contacts reported by gregations have adopted “The First Amendment to jars as his first décor arrangements. Oct. 24 with a letter to the people who were con- virtual or drive-through the U.S. Constitution, as “We didn’t know what it was going to turn into,” White and United House of firmed infected, as well as services in addition to so- well as Article I, section 13 Tillery said. “But we knew we had some cotton.” Prayer attorney Mickie Bai- health departments across cial distancing. Health offi- of the North Carolina Con- “He had a vision, and I saw it,” Garner said. “I liked ley to shut down all Meck- the Carolinas, Georgia, cials previously said they stitution, guarantee the it from day one.” lenburg facilities. White New Jersey and New York. encouraged House of right to free exercise of re- Four years after its founding, Black Cotton sells said the church imple- Anyone who has received Prayer leaders to suspend ligion to all,” he said. “The and ships wreaths, table centerpieces, apparel and mented safety measures a message from a contact services to account for ev- county can take measures even raw cotton across the country and the world. such as occupancy limits tracer should call the con- eryone who attended the to combat the spread of Black Cotton flips the narrative, writing Black before the convocation tact tracing hotline at (980) convocation. When they COVID-19, but those ac- farmers and entrepreneurs like Tillery into the with no issues. 314-9401. didn’t respond, the county tions cannot be overbroad center of a story that uplifts Black farmers in a way “The church’s roots in The pandemic has at issued the imminent haz- and the county cannot sub- history never did. Mecklenburg County reach times pitted the right to as- ard order. stantially shut down and By the 1860s, the South was producing 75% of the back 94 years,” White said. sembly – protected by the Joshua Davey, the entire religious denomi- world’s cotton. Even in the early 1800s, half of all “Our members understand First Amendment – against church’s legal counsel, said nation as the abatement U.S. exports were cotton. Yet, at the center of that that they are part of the municipal officials who Mecklenburg overstepped order did here.” economic boon were the millions of enslaved Black community, and we hope urge COVID-suppressing its authority by shutting North Carolina, which is people who suffered at the expense of that profit. the county understands strategies during worship down every campus in the in Phase 3 of its reopening Tillery knows exactly what he’s doing. He knows the United House of services. Churches suc- county. Because each plan, recommends but some may listen to his story with a raised eyebrow Prayer’s vital role in Meck- cessfully sued North Caro- United House of Prayer doesn’t require in-person or crinkled forehead. But his gaze is forward and un- lenburg County.” lina to hold services conducts services daily, worship limits of 100 faltering, seeing something life-giving in a crop that Public Health officials say without limits, citing reli- the order was especially people per room or 30% ca- devastated his ancestors. they tried to reach nearly gious freedom. Other con- onerous. pacity, whichever is less. “Everybody has their history, but we’re talking about our present,” Tillery said. “If you want to talk about present, we’re presenting a beautiful, modern switch to a crop we’ve raised.” ‘My father was not sentenced to die’ On Tillery’s land, he and his team are the sole au- thority. Continued from page 1A Orrin is allowed to go out 23 hours a day at the start a new death was an- “Somebody can’t tell me, ‘you don’t know anything only thing Ashley has ever to recreation for an hour of the pandemic. He heard nounced, not knowing if about cotton,’” Tillery said. “But we bring the cotton known. Orrin, along with and a half every other day. news of how the virus was her father was safe. to you. Do you know anything about this cotton?” his brother and nephew, He spends much of his devastating communities A couple of years ago, Tillery said he’s using Black Cotton to empower were arrested and sen- time reading books that outside the prison, and Ashley began working in a Black farmers and rural communities, whether it’s tenced to life on drug and give him more perspective wanted to check on all of leadership role for North by educating visitors on farm tours or offering the weapons charges when she about his situation. Ashley his loved ones. His anxiety Carolina in the advocacy landscape to minority artists who create photogra- was six months old. has a copy of “The New Jim increased due to the fact group for children of incar- phy and short films. She’s 31 now and has no Crow” by Michelle Alex- that he could only call cerated parents, We Got Us Tillery said a Black rapper filmed a music video on memories of her father ander that he sent to her at twice a week for five mi- Now. The organization re- his fields. While there, the artist asked to say a outside of prison. the start of the pandemic. nutes. leased four demands they prayer. In the face of learning “Things have been hectic “By the time you got the want to see implemented As the man prayed, he cried. He then told Tillery that Butner has the highest as you can imagine – but conversation going, it is to protect their parents something that he’ll never forget. number of COVID-19-re- things are going according time to go,” he said. from COVID-19: immediate “He said this was the freest he’s ever been walking lated inmate deaths in the to plan and I do not think it When she learned about clemency for elderly and as a Black man,” Tillery said. federal prison system, will be long now,” Orrin the first death, Ashley sick; free communications; This was land that belonged completely and freely Ashley renewed her efforts wrote on a pink slip of called the prison to ask a real-time notifications to Tillery and the musician as young Black men, a over the summer to get her paper preserved inside the about what was being done system that includes mo- freedom their ancestors never knew. incarcerated family front cover of the book, to keep her father safe. bile notifications; and san- On another tour, Tillery said some visitors ran up members released. confident this new push to There was no real answer itation measures that and down the tilled rows, saying “there’s no limit to “My father was not sen- reduce his sentence and be for her question. Her voice include hand sanitizer. what we can do right now.” tenced to die,” she recites. released will be a success. shakes as she talks about Orrin was on lockdown the fear she got whenever By Ashley Mahoney tion in esports and gaming. The The Charlotte Post PAGE 5A [email protected] partnership is designed to create CIAA jumps a pathway for future partner- The CIAA is jumping into es- ships with leaders in the indus- ports. try. The goal is to provide not
into esports The nation’s oldest historically only educational opportunities Black athletic conference part- for students, but career path- nered with Atlanta-based non- ways as well. The collaboration
with new profit Cxmmunity (pronounced stems from a connection made Community) to create the by conference member Johnson Sports league’s esports and gaming ini- C. Smith, which launched its es- partnerships tiatives.“ Cxmmunity’s mission is ports and gaming management THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020 to increase minority participa- Please see CIAA |6A
The biggest thing is when we hurt ourselves, it’s the Bethune- only time people are moving the ball on us. That is what we’re noticing in film. It’s a guy out of his gap, it’s a guy with a penalty, it’s a guy out of a zone. Cookman “ Panthers safety TRE BOSTON to MEAC: We’re out Bethune-Cookman decided to make its exit from the MEAC earlier than expected. The university announced last week that it was opting out of the 2020-21 season. “In the face of a surging COVID-19 spike across much of the country and the State of Florida, we have concluded that the risks are too great for our student-ath- letes and staff to travel and compete at this time,” B-CU President E. LaBrent Chrite said in a release. The university has ceased all student athletic activities until further notice out of an abundance of caution. “The health and safety of our stu- dent-athletes, as well as our coaches, staff and fans, will always be our top priority.” The Wildcats, who are leav- BONITTA ing the MEAC for the SWAC after the season, become the BEST first NCAA Division I institu- tion to opt out of sports for the entire sea- son. The MEAC announced last week that
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS football and basketball teams would play a division-only schedule to reduce costs Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (54) tackles Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan during the Falcons' 25-17 win last and travel. week at Bank of America Stadium. The loss, Carolina's third straight, dropped them to 3-5. “We’ve administered nearly 6,000 tests since the start of the school year, and up until a little over a week ago, saw remark- ably positive results from our testing pro- tocols,” vice president for intercollegiate Panthers’ defensive athletics Lynn W. Thompson said. “Over the past eight days, however, we’ve no- ticed a sudden spike in cases on campus, hence this decision. This pandemic has affected us all, including me personally.” weakness on display Thompson lost his brother to COVID in September. “Now is not the time for us to roll the Midway through season, they struggle with mistakes and third down balls out and play,” he said. “It’s the time By Ashley Mahoney needs to be ironed out over the sec- Five rookies started on defense for Please see BETHUNE-COOKMAN | 6A [email protected] ond half of the season. the Panthers: first-round pick Derrick The Carolina Panthers have to find Carolina forced Atlanta Brown (four tackles) and defensive a way to get off the field on third to punt once, and that tackle mate Bravvion Roy (one); cor- Can soccer be down. was in the fourth nerback Troy Pride (four tackles and They head into the halfway point of quarter. a pass breakup); safety Sam Franklin the regular season 3-5, with a young “We’ve got to find a (four tackles and one pass defense) sold in football defense struggling to find its footing way to get off the field and linebacker/safety Jeremy Chinn, and an offense that could use a boost on third down,” veteran October’s NFL defensive rookie of the from All-Pro running back Christian safety Tre Boston said. month, led the team with 10 tackles, town from the McCaffrey, who is on injured reserve “We had them in man- Boston a quarterback hurry and a pass de- with an ankle sprain. ageable range a few fensed. Last week’s 25-17 loss to Atlanta (2- times today, whether it was penal- Rookie defensive backs Myles ground up? 6) provided a glimmer of hope when ties, big plays, guys don’t drop in the Hartsfield and Stantley Thomas- Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson zones, us hurting ourselves. The big- Oliver also saw playing time, tallying Charlotte FC will have to sell soccer to a intercepted Matt Ryan’s pass in the gest thing is when we hurt ourselves, three tackles between them. Caro- football town. second quarter—his third of the sea- it’s the only time people are moving lina’s success on defense has to The MLS franchise’s under-17 and U-14 son. Carolina converted that take- the ball on us. That is what we’re no- come from their young players academy sides became the first players to away into Teddy Bridgewater’s ticing in film. It’s a guy out of his gap, adapting to the NFL quickly, particu- represent the club at Bank of America Sta- 29-yard touchdown pass to Curtis it’s a guy with a penalty, it’s a guy out larly the secondary. dium when they hosted Atlanta United in Samuel for a 14-6 lead, but from of zone. We’re not getting hurt be- “Obviously, I’ve had [Jackson] a few a Halloween double-header that drew there the Panthers fell flat, managing cause the guys are so much more games but it’s something I take my 1,775 people. While the stadium is oper- only a field goal the rest of the night. special than us. We just have to do a pride on, making sure that our young ating at limited capacity per North Caro- Offensive issues aside, the defense better job at our job.” Please see PANTHERS | 6A lina’s Phase 3 reopening guidelines, the attendance number for a free event was small, even for glorified Blitz pressure points to offensive line issues youth soccer on a Saturday. The first team kicks off in By Steve Reed 17 loss to Atlanta. Bridgewater barely had time to get 2022, with two players THE ASSOCIATED PRESS “You just can’t really win when you the ball in his hands before the Fal- signed thus far. Charlotte Opposing defenses are learning can’t control the line of scrimmage,” cons were all over him. proved it could host the oc- success can be had Rhule said. “I don’t feel like we con- Bridgewater hinted the Panthers casional international soccer ASHLEY when blitzing Teddy trolled the line of scrimmage today. need to do some self-scouting before game at Bank of America Sta- MAHONEY Bridgewater and the ” their next game as teams are picking dium between Gold Cup, In- Panthers. The Falcons did more blitzing than up on Carolina’s tendencies. ternational Champions Cup In what has become a normal and played more Cover-2 on “As the season goes on, teams get and most recently the U.S. women’s na- common theme in re- second downs with left tackle Russell more film on you,” Bridgewater said. tional team, where attendance ranged cent weeks, the Falcons Okung out with a calf injury.< “You play more games and teams from just under 35,000 to over 69,000 at brought the heat against “Even on the four-man rush, there come up with different ways to try to the 75,000-seat arena. Yet the question Bridgewater, sacking were too many times where he had to get after the quarterback. I think remains will people pay for a sport that is Bridgewater him three times and flush,” Rhule said. those guys had a good plan and we still considered foreign by many on a forcing him to throw the ball away on For the second straight game did a good job for the most part, but consistent basis? several others. That left coach Matt Bridgewater took a costly sack on those guys made plays, too.” Putting a successful product on the Rhule pointing the finger directly at third down that took the Panthers out Added Rhule: “He was kind of pitch is less of a concern than building a his offensive line after