The Panthers offense showed plenty of promise on opening day. Defense? Not so much TheThe CharlotteCharlotteTHE VOICE Post PostOF THE BLACK COMMUNITY SINCE 1906 WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 VOLUME 47, NUMBER 2 WWW.THECHARLOTTEPOST.COM $1.50 Felons move closer to the ballot NC court eliminates fines as voting barrier By Herbert L. White [email protected] North Carolina felons who are on probation because they owe court fees or fines can now vote, enfran- chising thousands of residents. A Sept. 4 ruling by a Superior Court panel voted 2-1 that NCGS 13-1 violates the state constitution by denying the right to vote to people who can’t pay court costs. Because the law allows for a longer probation period for indigent fel- ons, the court ruled the statute vio- lates the Equal Protection clause and a ban on property qualification guaranteed under the constitution. The court granted plaintiffs’ mo- DAVID FLOWER | CITY OF CHARLOTTE tion for a preliminary injunction. Charlotte City Council member Malcolm Graham, right, who represents Beatties Ford Road, was among the Charlotte officials to canvas the area An estimated 60,000 former North Wednesday during the launch of the $24.5 million Communities of Opportunity initiative. Carolina felons are disenfran- chised, according to the advocacy campaign Unlock Our Vote. Voter rights advocates contend the ruling removes an economic City initiative’s goal: Invest in barrier to voting. “The court’s ruling is important because it recognizes the harsh re- ality of disproportionate treatment most challenged communities of people in poverty, especially within the criminal legal system,” said Laura Holland, an attorney Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity program starts with Historic West End with the North Carolina Justice By Herbert L. White program. easy for us to come out today with pic- Center’s Fair Chance Criminal Jus- City and county representatives can- tures and with videos and with plans and tice project. “Although the decision [email protected] vassed the Beatties Ford Road neighbor- promises. Those of you who have been did not provide all the relief sought The city of Charlotte has unveiled a hood, including City Council member in the community for more than a day or by the plaintiffs, thousands of plan to address safety concerns and eco- Malcolm Graham and Mecklenburg two will say, ‘what’s different? We’ve people are likely to have their right nomically challenged communities. County Commissioner Vilma Leake, both seen pictures. We’ve seen plans. We’ve to vote restored in time for the up- Corridors of Opportunity focuses on of whom represent the area. heard speeches. We’ve heard mes- coming election.” six corridors – starting with Beatties Ford “[My role] as a county commissioner is sages.’” The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Road – to address gaps in infrastructure, human services and the city is infras- Jones said council tasked his staff at its four North Carolina residents and workforce, transportation, housing and tructure, and I’m not sure we’re doing annual strategy meeting to take a differ- community activist groups who code enforcement, business devel- our jobs in either place,” said Leake, who ent approach to helping economically conduct voter registration and opment, public safety and urban design. asked for accountability from local offi- challenged communities. Their goal is to education: Community Success Ini- The remaining five focal points are Cen- cials and residents of the community. bring on change that’s easily recognized. tiative, North Carolina NAACP, Jus- tral Avenue-Albemarle Road, Freedom “You got more Black people in office “We changed every way that we do tice Served NC and Wash Away Drive-Wilkinson Boulevard, Graham with the city than we’ve ever had before. business,” he said. “Every tool that is Unemployment. Street-North Tryon Street, Sugar Creek So, what are they doing to make it available on any stretch of earth in Char- The litigation is part of a cam- Road-Interstate 85 and West Boulevard. better?” lotte-Mecklenburg should be available in paign by advocacy groups to re- The city invested $24.5 million in the Said City Manager Marcus Jones: “It’s Please see CITY | 2A Please see NC COURT | 2A Bond Black Lives Matter campaign Charlotte seminar launches on education and activity By Herbert L. White [email protected] COVID pandemic The campaign to pass a $197 By Ellison Clary million city bond package is under- way. SPECIAL TO THE POST The Vote Yes for City Bonds cam- Attending secondary school during a pandemic paign launched a website Monday challenges students and parents alike. Black Lives and named co-chairs: Angela Yo- Matter Charlotte is hosting a digital forum for pos- chem, executive vice president and sible solutions. ERIN JENKINS | MEDIA HUB chief digital and technology Officer The webinar “Back To School During COVID-19” is Phyllis Terry, owner of JC’s Kitchen in Durham, is one of the few Black-owned businesses at Novant Health, and Kieth Cock- scheduled for Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. that remain in the city’s urban core as the COVID-19 pandemic and gentrification have rell, global technology and opera- “Attending classes in this Covid-19 atmosphere taken a toll. tions chief operating officer at presents many challenges and results in more than Bank of America. The referendums a few ramifications,” said Gerald Johnson, publisher are threefold: $102.2 million for of The Charlotte Post and president of The Charlotte Black NC businesses battle transportation, $50 million for Post Foundation, which operates Black Lives Matter workforce housing and $44.5 mil- Charlotte. lion for neighborhood improve- “The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools currently op- pandemic and gentrification ments. erate virtually-only while private and charter schools The package is the last of four run in a variety of ways, from in-person to virtual By Ramishah Maruf though no one but owner Phyllis planned initiatives to fund Char- and a mix of the two.” Terry is listening. JC’s, which stands MEDIA HUB lotte’s Community Improvement Presenting views at the seminar will be CMS board for Jesus Christ’s, was a center for Plan, a long-range capital invest- Chair Elyse Dashew; Mecklenburg County Manager DURHAM — The walls of JC’s the Hayti District’s church com- ment program of $800 million for Dena Dioro and Gregory “Dee” Rankin, CMS Equity Kitchen in downtown tell of an estab- munity — families gathering after infrastructure. Voters approved Committee member and education chair of the Black lishment frozen in time — before a church to share platters of Oxtail and similar bond packages in 2014, Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Dedrick pandemic-induced recession, before mac and cheese. 2016 and 2018. Russell of WBTV News will moderate. a summer of racial justice protests, The flags from around the world “A long-range view on making in- Attendees will have an opportunity to make state- and even before owner Phyllis Terry are still draped on the walls. The frastructure improvements has ments and ask questions virtually. To join the dis- took over the restaurant 12 years tables are set, though no one is sit- served us well in terms of promot- cussion, register at http://tcpfdn.org/BLMC_reg. The ago. ting there. Now, chairs are stacked ing economic development and discussion will operate remotely only. Admission is The signs inside are devoted to against the wall, and Terry is the only making Charlotte more livable and free, but those who wish to attend must register to God, prayers on every table. Gospel person working behind the counter Please see BOND CAMPAIGN | 2A receive a link to the webinar. music blasts through the restaurant, Please see BUSINESSES |2A 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, September 17, 2020 Businesses battle twin adversities Continued from page 1A resented in how the com- something that in turn, I City initiative invests in serving takeout. munity grows,” Broderick would have created a Durham has changed, said. “People that are Black debt,” Terry said. and the COVID-19 pan- haven’t had an opportunity During lunch time, it is challenged communities demic has changed it even to ensure that their busi- just Terry working the res- more. Outside her small, nesses were centered or taurant — answering Continued from page 1A Williams and founder of Neighboring red building that was built were any part of the dis- phone calls, serving cus- our Corridors of Opportunity. What’s Concepts is serving as a consultant to in 1955, Terry points down cussion.” tomers, keeping the food great about what’s happening now is owner Darius Anderson, CEO of So- the street to a new apart- A community staple warm. Besides a cook who because you’ve worked so hard for so noma, California-based Kenwood In- ment building. Just behind JC’s Kitchen is a part of comes in the morning, it is long, you’re ahead of the game. You vestments on the project. A boutique her is the glass police sta- that recent history. Terry’s her behind the counter. are shovel ready. You have projects hotel is also planned for the project. tion that opened in 2018. brother opened the busi- There is no need to out- that just need a little bit to get over Graham also alluded to an announce- “We can see the tearing ness 30 years ago as “Lee’s source her payroll.