Usually reserved Carolina Panthers receiver D.J. Moore takes on more of a quiet leadership role TThhee CChhaarrllootttteeTHE VOICE P POF THE BLACKo oCOMMUNITYss SINCEtt 1906 WEEK OF JULY 15, 2021 VOLUME 47, NUMBER 45 WWW.THECHARLOTTEPOST.COM $1.50 Historic hire for health director Raynard Washington is first Black person named to position By Herbert L. White [email protected] Mecklenburg County Deputy Public Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington has been named director-desig- nee, making him the first Black person to hold the top position.$ Washington, who will succeed Public Health Director Gibbie STEVE REMICH Harris when she re- Kristie Puckett-Williams turned her life around after being incarcerated in the Mecklenburg County Jail. After cutting a plea deal to settle a cocaine tires at year’s end, Washington trafficking charge in 2009, she turned to education as a way to overcome trauma she said landed her behind bars. “I found myself out [of jail] with provides oversight a whole lot of trauma and a whole lot of lists of things to do in order to remain free in order for my children to remain free,” she said. and direction to internal opera- tions. He also supports all aspects of the county’s COVID-19 response with direct oversight of communications Turning trauma into advocacy and outreach, epi- demiology, testing and vaccine distribu- tion. for the formerly incarcerated “I’m honored to have been chosen for this role,” Washington After hitting rock bottom behind bars, a champion for transformation emerges said in a statement. “It Harris By Ashley Mahoney ment of Social Services required parent- has been a privilege to [email protected] ing classes in order to keep her chil- serve with an incredible team of Jail shattered Kristie Puckett-Williams’ dren.$ public health professionals in our This series was produced in partnership with the remaining sense of self-worth.$ “I found myself out [of jail] with a department over the past year. We Pulitzer Center Drugs and alcohol had dulled the pain whole lot of trauma,” she said, “and a strive every day to protect and im- of domestic violence. Crime supported a victim of severe domestic violence. whole lot of lists of things to do in order prove the health of our community her habit, which landed Puckett-Wil- None of the system’s responses to that to remain free, in order for my children and make good health possible for liams in the Mecklenburg County Jail for violence promoted any healing or trans- to remain free. I had to focus on that list everyone. I’m looking forward to “months,” she said. Facing a cocaine formation of that trauma. The only of things that I had to do.” continuing to work together in trafficking charge in 2009, she took a thing it ever did was exacerbate and UNC Charlotte social work professor serving the residents of Mecklen- plea deal to avoid giving birth in lockup, compound that trauma.” Dante Bryant PhD describes the Ameri- burg County.” and twins Kade and Kaiden were born Probation dominated much of Puck- can criminal justice system as one de- Washington, who started with premature five days later. They spent ett-Williams’ adult life, with the fear of signed to punish, not rehabilitate. Mecklenburg County last year, was 21 days in neonatal intensive care. returning to jail always hovering in the Dehumanization of the incarcerated is chief epidemiologist and deputy “It took a huge toll on my already frag- background. She participated in a man- a byproduct.$ commissioner with the Philadel- ile mental health state,” Puckett-Wil- datory 10-month treatment program as “Our local jail here, they’ve started all phia Department of Public Health liams said. “I entered into the system as part of her plea deal, and the Depart- Please see TURNING TRAUMA | 2A from 2017-2020. Before that, he worked for the Council for Afford- able Quality Healthcare Inc. and Please see DR. RAYNARD | 2A US education secretary bullish on HBCUs County and By Herbert L. White Rep. Alma Adams, the state’s five private disproportionately hinders school board [email protected] founder of the Bipartisan HBCUs and the South’s lower-income Black borrowers. U.S. Education Secretary Mi- HBCU Caucus. North Car- oldest Black college. Answers and questions are ed- guel Cardona understands the olina has 10 accredited In an interview with The ited for brevity and clarity. move ahead value of historically Black col- HBCUs – the most of any Post, Cardona talked Q: In terms of historically leges and challenges they face. state – ranging from pub- about the contributions black colleges, how much Cardona toured Johnson C. licly-funded North Caro- of HBCUs to American knowledge or background do with budget Smith University Monday and lina A&T State University, education, federal efforts you have with prior to becom- participated in a roundtable the nation’s largest by to improve their infras- ing secretary and have you had By Herbert L. White enrollment, to Shaw Uni- Cardona tructure and plans to re- to study up on them a little bit with students, JCSU President [email protected] Clarence Armbrister and U.S. versity in Raleigh, one of duce student debt, which Please see US EDUCATION | 3A Mecklenburg County commis- sioners and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools got what they wanted in NC and federal bills target Black maternal health their school funding dispute. The county agreed last week to By Aaliyah Bowden release $56 million of restricted [email protected] funds to CMS, whose total appropriation to New federal legislation would examine why mater- $538 million includes nal health is a crisis for Black women. an additional $11 mil- Two bills under the Black Maternal Health Momni- lion in operating bus Act of 2021 – Data to Save Moms and Social De- funds from Mecklen- terminants for Moms – focus on research to improve burg. The county will the health of all women, specifically Black women. also make available “Since the start of the pandemic, we really realized up to $1 million for that there was a serious problem within black ma- the district to im- Dunlap ternal health, that the disproportionate rate of mor- prove its website so tality and morbidity among our black women is a that information is more accessible crisis,” said U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, a Democrat for families and the public. whose congressional district includes Charlotte. “It’s The Board of Education agreed to still a crisis, and of course in the pandemic, it was a increase the district’s focus on im- crisis within a crisis.” proving student outcomes through Adams introduced the Black Maternal Momnibus the Student Outcomes-Focused Act in the House of Representatives in March 2020, Governance model and will work around the time the country shut down because of with a consultant on its implemen- the pandemic. The legislation would enact policy tation. changes like 12-month postpartum Medicaid cover- “Both boards have worked col- age, investments in rural maternal health, promotion laboratively through their respec- of a diverse perinatal workforce, and implicit bias OFFICE OF U.S. REP. ALMA ADAMS tive working groups to identify training to addresses mortality and morbidity rates U.S. Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.), right, listens during a roundtable discussion at the Goodwill ways to improve transparency and among women, specifically Black moms and babies. Opportunity campus in west Charlotte. Adams is co-sponsor of the Black Maternal Momnibus provide more clarity and focus on In North Carolina, 12 bills that closely mirror federal Act of 2020 and 2021. Please see COUNTY | 2A Please see NORTH CAROLINA | 2A INSIDE Please STAY IN TOUCH Digital edition: 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, July 15, 2021 Turning trauma into re-entry advocacy Continued from page 1A in places.”$ and recovery counseling from Liberty tum. Pregnant incarcerated people these different types of programs, to try Wendy Sawyer, research director at University.$ would receive free prenatal, labor and to help facilitate [re-entry],” he said. the$Northampton, Massachusetts-based Puckett-Williams feels called to fight delivery care which Puckett-Williams “But the reality is that programs only Prison Policy Initiative, wrote in a 2019 for people who are still in the trenches did not have. She also did not have fem- emerge when there’s a problem. A pro- report that re-entry programs have a of addiction, abusive relationships and inine hygiene products while she was gram always emerges in response to a gender gap that ignores the unique incarceration.$ incarcerated, which HB 608 would pro- deficiency. A criminal justice system needs of women. “For me,” she said, “it is about telling vide.$ that is designed for rehabilitation “A handful of programs have sprung the truth, and in indicting a system that “I was incarcerated while pregnant, re- shouldn’t need programs. It should be up in communities around the country indicted me, that indicted my poverty, ceived no prenatal care, [was in] shack- the program.”$ to meet the needs of women returning that indicted my trauma, and now I’m les, all the things,” Puckett-Williams Puckett-Williams said sheer will to home: some founded by formerly incar- in guiding it, because instead of ad- said. “I had been in jail before and did protect her family helped with navigat- cerated women themselves, some run- dressing my poverty, or my trauma, it not have access to menstrual pads. It ing re-entry. In addition to the twins, ning on shoestring budgets for years, only … compounded those issues. The was bad.”$ she has an older son, Julian Aguilar, 20. and all underscoring$the need for system did absolutely nothing to help. Triage upon return “I was determined that I was not going greater capacity$to meet the demand of “I had to heal before I could show up Re-entry comes with barriers that may to allow the system to win,” Puckett-Wil- over 81,000 releases from prison and in the world as my true, authentic self. push a person’s mental health to the liams said. “I just made it up in my 1.8 million releases from jail each year,” I knew the state’s version of who I was, back burner. Immediate needs such as mind. They weren’t getting my chil- Sawyer wrote. … “While many people was not who I was. I had a duty to tell housing and employment dominate the dren. They weren’t getting me.”$ are released from jail within a day or so who I am, and not just who I am, but the conversation, with less consideration Punishment and re-entry and may not need reentry support, jail value and the worth of people who have given to the trauma of imprisonment or Mecklenburg County’s Criminal Jus- releases can’t be overlooked, especially the same life experiences that I have, what led to incarceration in the first tice Services department consists of for women, who are more likely than because society will say that we have no place. two jails: Jail Central in Uptown and Jail men to be$incarcerated in jails$as op- value, we have no worth, we have noth- “Overall health plays a huge role in North on Spector Drive. The average posed to prisons.” ing to contribute. My existence in this your re-entry and mental health, this is daily population for both facilities be- Said Bryant: “If you want to know world is a clapback to that.” a huge component of a person’s total tween January-March 2018 was 1,492, what a system is designed to do, look at Still fighting wellness,” said Puckett-Williams, who with 1,253 incarcerated at Jail Central, what it produces consistently over Puckett-Williams is the statewide cam- utilizes therapy and advocates for according to the county’s latest Jail Pop- time.”$$ paign for smart justice manager at the transformative healing spaces. “While ulation Trend Report. Indicting the system American Civil Liberties Union of North you’re inside of a cage languishing, Men made up 89% of incarcerated res- Going to school was on Puckett-Wil- Carolina and a working scholar in mass your mental health is definitely at risk.”$ idents; girls and women comprised liams’ to-do list upon re-entry. incarceration who focuses on the treat- Mental health concerns for returning 8%$and boys 3%. Black people ac- “When I went to Central Piedmont ment of women, including those who citizens extend beyond depression counted for 67% of incarcerated, fol- Community College, I found myself in are pregnant. and/or anxiety. For many people, in- lowed by whites (21%) and Hispanics a welcoming space with people who She advocates for legislation like the cluding Puckett-Williams, self-value is 11%. Sixty-four percent were held pre- just wanted me to learn and to be the North Carolina House Bill 608, Dignity key in rewriting the narrative and mov- trial. A total of 4,927 people were re- best version of myself that I could be,” for Women Who are Incarcerated. HB ing forward.$ leased. she said. 608 was introduced in April and passed “Your self-image, how you view your- Mecklenburg County provides re- “As a result of being in that type of en- 113-0 in May.$ self, how you view the world, how you entry services to people returning from vironment, I found myself in the human “We know we have to legislate exactly view yourself in the world, your con- jails, state and federal prisons, many in services program focusing on sub- what people need in order for it to tribution to the world, all of those collaboration with local programs such stance abuse. I learned so much about happen,” Puckett-Williams said. “That is things are impacted by incarceration,” as Center for Community Transitions mental health and mental unwellness how we approach our work. What do she said. “How do you process this … and City Startup Labs’ ReEntry Entrepre- and wellbeing through the human serv- the people need? How will we get them deep trauma that you’ve experienced, neurship Program.$ ice program, that I learned a lot about what they need? Dignity for Women with no resources, when your immedi- “We assess or screen for what all their myself. What I learned at the end of the Who are Incarcerated is a huge example ate needs are an ID, someplace to live needs and barriers are,” county re-entry day was that the things that have hap- of that.”$ and somewhere to work? What are you manager Hope Marshall said. “Then we pened to me and my behaviors, my Limited use of restraints, cost of care, going to eat, what clothes are you going have probably 100-plus partners that ‘criminality’ was a response to trauma nutrition and body cavity searches are to wear? Those are the most immediate we can refer to help out with each of that had been unanswered.”$ included in HB 608. needs that a person has. those barriers and challenges. [People Puckett-Williams took it upon herself For instance, leg and wrist restraints, “There has to be a way that we can at] the highest risk, highest needs, you to critique and investigate the system restraints connected to other incarcer- allow people to re-enter, come home don’t want to send them to five differ- she was caught up in. She earned an as- ated persons and waist shackles would and navigate everything that they need ent places all at once, you need to pri- sociate’s degree at CPCC, bachelor’s in be barred during the second and third to navigate with assistance from the oritize and kind of walk through [and] human services from Gardner-Webb trimester of pregnancy, during labor or community.”$ walk with them, to get all these services University and a master’s in addiction delivery, as well as six weeks postpar-

Dr. Raynard Washington County, CMS board move ahead Continued from page 1A made public and the county is in no posi- the education of the children in Mecklen- tion to hold another elected body ac- new public health director burg County and to provide additional re- countable. sources to improve educational Commissioners approved withholding Continued from page 1A Washington is a technical expert on outcomes for students in Mecklenburg contingency funds until CMS developed a the U.S. Department of Health and public health practice, epidemiology, County,” commissioners Chair George plan, which was suggested by County Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare and control of diseases and adverse Dunlap said in a statement. Manager Dena Diorio. Black parents, the Research and Quality. health conditions internally while rep- School Improvement Plans and related Black Political Caucus and Charlotte- Harris, The Post’s 2020 Newsmaker of resenting the department’s interactions reports will be accessible in a centralized Mecklenburg NAACP joined forces to de- the Year, was interim public health di- with health stakeholders, government location on CMS’s website. The student mand action by the school district. CMS rector from June to October 2017, when officials and the media. outcomes model includes clearly defining pushed back, insisting holding money for she was named permanent director. Be- “Gibbie is a true public health profes- goals on improving student outcomes, school administrators and teachers fore that, Harris was health director for sional who has worked to bring compe- designing board meetings that focus on would harm students. Wake and Buncombe counties. In 2011, tency, leadership, respect and trust to goals, and annual superintendent eval- “I am encouraged by the outcome of she was named North Carolina Health Public Health in Mecklenburg County,” uations based on the goals. our collaboration with the BOCC,” school Director of the Year as leader of Bun- County Manager Dena R. Diorio said in The district will share information on board Vice Chair Thelma Byers-Bailey combe’s department. a statement. “Thanks to her leadership, the model in a workshop with county said. “It represents a win-win for our stu- “It has been an honor to serve as the we have truly been able to help improve commissioners. dents. I believe the strategies that both county’s health director over the past the quality of life for our residents.” “We are delighted to turn the page on our boards will be developing using the five years,” Harris said. “I have had the While Harris is best known for leading this budget dispute. The children of Student Outcomes Focused Governance distinct pleasure of working alongside the county’s COVID-19 response, her Mecklenburg County need us to work to- model will prove to be a game changer for many dedicated and hard-working pub- impact on public health is expansive. gether on their behalf,” school board CMS.” lic health staff, volunteers, and partners She led county efforts to identify health Chair Elyse Dashew said. “We look for- As part of the agreement, CMS will also during my time here. I sincerely appre- priorities, prevent and control com- ward to collaborating with the Mecklen- make School Improvement Plans avail- ciate the opportunity to serve the Meck- municable diseases and improve health burg Board of County Commissioners – able on its website which will be updated lenburg community with them and, outcomes and equity in vulnerable respectfully and strategically, in accor- in the fall, and yearly going forward. The more importantly, the outstanding jobs communities through new initiatives dance with our distinct roles and respon- plan will identify goals, actions, and pro- and important work they have done and like PrEP to prevent the spread of HIV sibilities. This kind of collaboration is key gress toward achieving objectives for all continue to do every day.” and the Office of Violence Prevention.$ to making progress in addressing the sys- low-performing schools, which will be temic issues that challenge so many of made available to the public on the CMS our students.” website. «RACIAL GAPS AMONG MOMS AND BABIES The school board announced last In addition, the site will provide the an- month it would initiate North Carolina’s nual “State of the School Report” with op- dispute resolution statute to reach agree- portunities and challenges for each NC and federal lawmakers target ment with the county after commis- improvement plan. The Board of Educa- sioners approved a budget CMS leaders tion has also made the data and annual say underfunded the district by $81 mil- targets that support their strategic plan Black maternal health crisis lion. At issue was Mecklenburg’s demand available on their website. Both boards that CMS produce a plan to address lin- will participate in a facilitated workshop Continued from page 1A kinds of things and so we women are often misdiag- gering student achievement gaps be- on Student Outcomes Focused Govern- legislation have been intro- want to really make sure nosed in exams due to cul- tween Blacks and whites. The school ance, as well as at least one additional duced by state lawmakers. that we get to the root of tural bias that leads to district insisted its strategy has been joint meeting a year. Black women are three it,” said Adams, co-founder inadequate health care. more times likely to die and co-chair of the Black “A lot of times, there’s a while giving birth com- Maternal Health Caucus. lot of preconceived no- pared to white women, the The Data for Moms bill tions about how much pain Centers for Disease Control would establish review we can endure, too,” said and Prevention reported in boards to analyze the Adams. “We’re strong 2019. The U.S. is one of 13 causes for mortality and women anyways, but that countries where the rate of morbidity rates in women. doesn’t mean that [doc- maternal mortality is worse “It’s going to improve the tors] need to assume and than 25 years ago and collection of pertinent data feel as if though [Black Black babies are three that we need that will basi- women] don’t need any- times more likely to die at cally explain what the root thing for pain.” birth than their white causes of maternal mortal- Adams said moving for- peers. ity and morbidity, are ward, doctors need to pay Last year, North Carolina these will be,” Adams said. more attention to the earned a D-plus grade on “It’ll be set up so that health of Black women, return to the Library without fines. the March of Dimes report there’ll be grant programs, pointing out that more card, with the preterm and there’ll be review conversations will need to death rate for babies in- boards that will compre- take place in order to ad- Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is now ´ne free. Beginning July 1, 2021 creasing from 10.4% to hensively look at that, so dress the maternal health customers are no longer charged ´nes on overdue materials. 10.7%. In Mecklenburg we have the data.” crisis they face. Come back to the Library. Return any overdue materials and enjoy all County, 1 in 5 mothers re- The Social Determinants “It’s really time for us ported having inadequate for Moms bill will research now to close this black ma- of the resources, services and programs the Library offers. ternal health gap because prenatal care in 2019. social factors that can con- Life happens, ´nes don’t. The two new bills under tribute to a mother’s our moms do matter, Black the act will focus on re- health. For instance, find- moms matter and we need search to explain why Black ing quality childcare, hous- every member of Con- women and babies are ing, transportation, gress, of the legislature, to cmlibrary.org/´nefree 704-416-0100 dying at higher rates. nutrition, and environmen- stand up and join us in “Women for the most tal factors. supporting the policies part, we’re talking about The bill will focus on that will save lives,” she black women, are really not high-risk populations such said. Follow The Post on Twitter listened to is a lot of pre- as incarcerated women, Aaliyah Bowden, who conceived notions about veterans, Native Ameri- covers health for The Post, women and pain, black cans, and other women of is a Report for America @thecharpost women in pain and those color. Advocates say Black corps member. 3A NEWS | The Charlotte Post Thursday, July 15, 2021 US education secretary bullish on HBCUs Continued from page 1A ution is tremendous. It’s support them there, but represent HBCUs, that’s we’re doing to provide tar- the bleeding, to make sure since becoming secretary? really important that we also continue with the mes- critically important. geted loan relief at Public that the practices, the MC: I visited at least a support them. saging that it’s important And I’ll tell you in the Service Loan Forgiveness- strategies that are there couple, and since becom- Q: When you mention that states do their part as conversations I’ve had with Borrower Defense we’re that are intended to pre- ing secretary and I can building back better, be- well. These institutions are my colleagues in the Senate really doubling down on vent students from going sense and feel the impor- cause HBCUs have histori- critically important. Being and in the House, their sup- our efforts and our urgency into … crippling debt. We tance that they have across cally been underfunded, here today is demonstrat- port for HBCUs is pro- around those areas, so we have to do better with the country. I have had not just from the federal ing our commitment to nounced very clear and I don’t get to these posi- those and we’re working some [interaction] as a side, but also states, what making sure we’re lifting think … they recognize the tions. really hard to make sure former commissioner of can be done at the federal up their stories and their importance of supporting We’re also looking at re- that happens. education in Connecticut. I level to get them not only successes so that post pan- these institutions for what turn on investment in col- Q: Would loan forgive- have had some work with to a sustainable level now, demic that could be they provide for our coun- leges. We can’t have folks ness be part of that equat- them mostly with regards but also for the future? stronger than ever. try. And because post-pan- graduating $200,000 in ion? to teacher recruitment, be- MC: That’s an important Q: There’s that line be- demic they’ve been hit debt, and then working for MC: We’re continuing cause we recognize there in question and it’s important tween the federal govern- harder than most others. $25,000 a year. That just those conversations with Connecticut, the value of work ahead. When we talk ment and state Q: There’s an ongoing doesn’t make sense. But in the legal team at the De- HBCUs across the country. about building that better governments and because problem that many stu- the short term, I think the partment [of Education] HBCUs historically have we shouldn’t be aiming to most of the HBCUs are in dents at HBCUs face – stu- Build Back Better agenda and the Department of Jus- had to do more with less, go back to how things were the South, which are not dent debt. What, if that the president has with tice and the White House, so it’s really important as before. So not only is the necessarily the most liberal anything, can be done to the American Families Plan and we’re going to con- we build back better that $600 million investment to places in America. What, if help eliminate student debt aims to add $1,400 to Pell tinue those conversations. we support our HBCUs ac- HBCUs is critical to make anything, can the federal which, is a long-term det- Grants and the college That’s part of the conver- ross the country, making sure that we’re helping government do to encour- riment to building credit or where I’m sitting right now, sation, but so are some of sure that we provide them them help their students age states that have HBCUs making long-term invest- Johnson C. Smith Univer- the other issues that are the support because but also with the recruiting to fund them to the level of ments such as buying a sity, three out of four stu- not given as much atten- they’re supporting our and retaining. predominantly white home? dents benefit from the Pell tion like ensuring that the country. The pandemic affected schools? MC: We know that black Grant. So, an increase in programs that we have are I recently learned that them disproportionately, MC: Visibility matters, so borrowers are dispropor- Pell Grants would help. working for our borrowers. 50% of the black dentists unfortunately. I know being here today, having tionately affected by this These are the types of Currently, right now I ques- across the country come many HBCUs are now won- conversations with the issue. So, we’re prioritizing things that we’re doing to tion whether they are. We from HBCUs and 80% of the dering about if their stu- President [Joe Biden] and short term, long term. Long help alleviate loan debt, but have to make sure that black judges have studied dents are going to return, having conversations with term, we’re prioritizing a also, we’re working really they’re working for our at HBCUs, so their contrib- so it’s important that we our elected leaders that review of everything that hard at the agencies to stop borrowers. Hayti community seeks $20M revitalization grant By Freda Freeman There was a spirit of com- will find out in September THE TRIANGLE TRIBUNE munity and not competi- if Hayti Reborn is one of DURHAM – Picture a com- tion because everybody the 10 finalists. At that munity of hundreds of helped each other to do point, each of the 10 will be homes and businesses – all and provide and get what awarded $1 million to thriving, all bustling, all they all needed to carry further develop their plan, Black owned. on,” she said. which then puts them in That is what Henry Today, Hayti is the poor- the running for either $20 McKoy envisions for Hayti, est area of the city, McKoy million or $10 million. The once home to Durham’s said. What happened? winners will be announced FILE PHOTO Black Wall Street. Highway 147, McKoy said, next summer. Black UNC Chapel Hill students and faculty maintain the school’s treatment of Pulitzer Prize- “We’ve seen the rise of explaining Hayti was de- McKoy said revitalizing stroyed when the Durham Hayti will take the com- winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones for a tenured professorship is emblematic of a lack Hayti. We’ve seen the de- Freeway was built through bined efforts of public, pri- of support. cline of Hayti. Now, let’s see Hayti reborn,” said it in the mid-1960s. He said vate, and philanthropic McKoy, director of Hayti Highway 147 not only de- sectors of the community. Reborn: Durham Equity stroyed businesses and United Way of the Greater Black UNC students and Project, an initiative to revi- houses, but the entire com- Triangle has pledged its talize the once prosperous munity economic ecosys- support of the project, ac- Black area of Durham. tem. cording to Nick Allen, chief faculty slam school on race Through Hayti Reborn, “Highway systems came program officer. Allen said McKoy and a group of long- right through the middle of United Way is committed By Annie Ma offer her tenure. Black communities, and to helping Hayti become In a statement, Chancellor Kevin time Hayti residents and THE ASSOCIATED PRESS their descendants, who Hayti was one of those the economic hub it once CHAPEL HILL — When the University Guskiewicz said that he has reviewed have a “vision of widely- Black communities. It de- was. of North Carolina first declined to the list of changes sought by the Black shared economic prosper- stroyed hundreds of “Every neighborhood has vote on granting tenure to journalist Student Movement and is asking the ity,” are working to restore houses, hundreds of busi- a history, stories of dreams Nikole Hannah-Jones, kicking off a university’s leadership team to de- Hayti and Durham to its nesses that were never re- and challenges, stories of protracted battle marked by allega- velop a plan to address those and Black Wall Street stature. built. But, in order to strength and resilience in tions of racism and conservative other concerns. “Hayti Reborn is about understand what it really the face of injustice, an backlash over her work examining the “I am grateful for the continued ad- community-oriented inves- destroyed, we have to look origin story and a story of legacy of slavery, Black students and vocacy of the Black Student Move- tors developing Hayti with closer. It destroyed individ- rebirth. These stories are faculty at UNC saw yet another exam- ment, the Carolina Black Caucus and community ownership. It’s uals, families, homes, held and carried forward ple of the institution’s failure to wel- the Black Graduate and Professional about redevelopment of firms, organizations, and, by the people most con- come and support scholars and Student Association. Their voices these properties by people most of all, institutions, nected to the place. It is students of color. have been vital throughout the history in those communities, and, which are the backbone of through this history, these For years, Black students and faculty of Carolina,” he said. as they rise, those people’s communities,” McKoy said. stories, and, most impor- at UNC have expressed frustration But Black faculty and students say income and livelihood rises McKoy highlighted other tant, the people that we with the way they are treated, from promises without action will not be as well,” said McKoy. factors that contributed to find purpose in our steps disproportionate scrutiny by campus enough. The Carolina Black Caucus Hayti was named and the decline of Black Dur- today and a collective vi- police to the dearth of Black profes- has previously said that a growing fashioned after the French ham and demise of Hayti, sion for the future,” Allen sors and staff. Without meaningful number of its members are thinking colony Haiti, the first inde- including globalization, said. “Rooted in these firm self-examination and change, they about leaving the university after re- pendent country created which pushed tobacco pro- beliefs, United Way of the said, UNC risks its ability to recruit cent events. by former slaves. During a duction overseas, urban re- Greater Triangle is proud to and retain students and faculty of The delay in the vote on offering recent presentation on newal, and gentrification. partner with the Hayti com- color and continues to alienate its tenure to Hannah-Jones, along with Hayti Reborn, McKoy said McKoy said Black people munity and Dr. Henry Black community. the perception that the university al- at its height, Hayti was a were also left out of Dur- McKoy to see that Hayti is “Right now, the relationship be- lowed political interests to override unique entrepreneurial ham’s redevelopment reborn in a way that tween the University of North Carolina the faculty vote that largely supported ecosystem. McKoy said phase from 2005-2020. centers justice, focuses on and its Black students, faculty and granting her tenure, has resonated far when W.E.B. DuBois visited Durham has one of the wealth creation, and eradi- staff is broken,” said Jaci Field, advo- beyond Chapel Hill. Durham in the early 1900s, highest per capita incomes cates both the symptoms cacy committee co-chair of the Caro- William “Brit” Kirwan, chancellor he marveled at what he in the state and country, and the root causes of ra- lina Black Caucus, a faculty group. emeritus of the University System of saw: a network of Black yet Black residents account cialized disinvestment.” “But have no fear. You belong. This is Maryland and a consultant for the As- businessmen all working for half of the people living McKoy said he has spent your home, too.” sociation of Governing Boards of Uni- together to make products in poverty, with Latinos ac- the past five years talking UNC’s Black student and faculty versities and Colleges, said the and provide services to counting for another 20%, with residents, seniors, groups presented a list of demands to perception that Hannah-Jones’ tenure meet each other’s needs; he said. youth, church leaders, and the institution at a news conference vote was delayed by outside political everything from lumber to McKoy and his planning businessowners. “What Wednesday. Many centered on elimi- forces touched the “third-rail of se- build homes, mattresses, team have applied for a does the community want? nating structural barriers Black stu- rious academic institutions.” clothes, food, and jobs. $20 million grant through Increased safety; quality, dents face, such as formalizing access The events will likely impede UNC’s Anita Scott Neville, a life- the W. K. Kellogg Founda- affordable housing; com- to resources that many only learn ability to recruit and retain top re- long Hayti resident, re- tion’s Racial Equality 2030 munity success; a civic about through word of mouth. The searchers, who may conclude that ac- called how her father and initiative. The foundation voice, they want the gov- groups also urged the university to ademic freedom at the school — other Black businessmen will award $90 million to ernment to listen to them; hire Black counselors and support especially to research topics like sys- could walk into Mechanics support programs that pro- investment equity; finan- staff in offices that work with stu- temic racism — could be jeopardized and Farmers Bank, talk to mote racial equality by cial mobility, living wage dents. by outside influence, said Irene Mul- the president about eco- 2030 to coincide with the jobs, and opportunity for “It is hypocritical for this university vey, president of the American Asso- nomic challenges they foundation’s 100th anni- advancement; geographic to claim that Black lives matter, while ciation of University Professors. were facing, and come out versary. The Hayti pro- agency, not to get pushed disregarding the pain they have “I think it’s going to be a very long with a check. “That’s how posal has made it to the out of the community; a caused their own Black students and and difficult process to recover, if the community supported semifinalists round in successful Durham,” he faculty,” said Julia Clark, vice pres- they can even recover from this. This one another and that was which 10 semifinalists will said. ident of the Black Student Movement. is a black eye on the University of vital in Pettigrew Street and receive a $1 million plan- Hannah-Jones said last week she will North Carolina Chapel Hill,” she said. Hayti being able to survive. ning grant. McKoy said he turn down a faculty position at UNC “And it’s not only on campus; it’s na- and instead join Howard University as tionwide. Certainly, all of academia a tenured professor. Last year, she has watched this unfold with horror.” submitted her tenure application to Institutes of higher education have UNC after being recruited by the dean long struggled to retain faculty of of the journalism school. color, who often face systemic bar- But the submission was halted ear- riers in academia. Mulvey said faculty lier this year by a trustee who vets the of color often face greater demands lifetime appointments because he had on their time, such as constantly questions about her nonacademic being asked to serve on diversity and background, university leaders have inclusion committees, and risk being Public Hearing Notice said. Major donor Walter Hussman Jr., viewed as “uncooperative” relative to CATS will hold a virtual public hearing to receive comments on a fare proposal for the for whom the journalism school is white peers if they decline. CityLYNX Gold Line. A fare change is proposed as the service area will be expanding named, had also sent emails to uni- Asked whether she felt her decision from 1.5 miles to 4.0 miles and service frequency will be increasing. versity leaders raising questions to reject the tenure offer would hurt about her Pulitzer-winning work on UNC’s ability to recruit and retain The Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) will hold a virtual public hearing at their The 1619 Project. Black students and faculty, Hannah- August 25, 2021, meeting. The public is invited to sign up and comment on the fare That work examines the legacy of Jones said the fault would lie with the proposal. slavery in the U.S. and has drawn board of trustees, if that were the backlash from conservative critics. case. To sign up to comment at the hearing, call 704-353-1794 or sign up via e-mail at Hannah-Jones was initially offered a “I didn’t create this situation,” she [email protected] before 3:00 p.m. on August 25, 2021. The meeting will begin contract position, despite her prede- said. “So, if they’re that concerned, at 5:30 p.m. The public may join this virtual meeting via WebEx. Please click on the cessors receiving tenure with their ap- they’ll do something different.” public hearing web banner on ridetransit.org to access the WebEx information. pointments. After weeks of mounting She added: “The issues on that cam- pressure, including protests led by pus, we know, go back further than the Black Student Movement, the my decision. I’m not to blame for school’s trustees voted last week to that.” www.ridetransit.org 704-336-RIDE (7433) 4A NEWS & OPINION | The Charlotte Post Thursday, June 15, 2021 TheThe CharlotteCharlotte PostPost What will future hold for Cosby? The Voice of the Black Community Were Bill Cosby and Dr. Cliff Hux- on last week. The Pennsylvania Su- not happen. table one in the same person? No, yet preme Court stated he had been de- Andrea Constand, a former Temple Gerald O. Johnson | CEO/PUBLISHER many thought so. Dr. Huxtable, of nied his constitutional rights. University employee, accused Cosby course, was a character played by Bill While there is widespread outcry of an inappropriate relationship in [email protected] Cosby. against his release, he is a free man. 2004. He was convicted of three Robert L. Johnson | PUBLISHER/GENERAL MANAGER The Huxtable character was kind, Reports suggest he will never be tried counts of felony assault in 2018. considerate and thoughtful. He was a again for any crime. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court [email protected] family man who gave words of wis- Phylicia Rashad, who played Claire ruled that the agreement he had with dom to those around him. Bill Cosby, Huxtable on “The Cosby Show” and the former DA was valid and there- Herbert L. White | EDITOR IN CHIEF the person, too had a gregarious and dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman fore Cosby’s case was overturned. [email protected] giving side. He opined about Black College of Fine Arts at Howard Uni- The justice system in America youth and how they should have versity in Washington, D.C., tweeted takes strange twists and turns. Yes, Published weekly by The Charlotte Post Publishing Company goals and dreams. “Finally!!! A terrible wrong is being Bill Cosby is free today on what many Inc., 5118 Princess Street, Charlotte, NC 28269 (USPS #965500). He gave parents both righted – a miscarriage of justice is are calling a technicality. Many Afri- Subscription is $65 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Char- solicited and unsolicited corrected!” can American men have been chal- lotte, NC. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Charlotte advice about raising The hailstorm of criticism about lenged by this system and are in Post, PO Box 30144, Charlotte, NC 28230 children and the impor- her comments has been severe. Stu- prison when they should not be. In- tance of education. dents and alumni have voiced their nocence projects across the country Cosby was called a displeasure and disappointment re- must continue their efforts to un- moralist by some. He ex- garding her statements. shackle the shackled. tolled the virtues of The facts of the case have been in Families are still waiting for justice, UNC and debate JAMES honesty and integrity. full view for some years now. The in fact, they are pleading for it. Being Mr. Cosby was, for a lot capstone is that Cosby admitted the behind bars and knowing you should EWERS of people, America’s wrongdoing. He took advantage of not be is the plight that too many over dissent Dad.” It was a weighty over 50 women. He has said that the Black men face each day. title, yet folks thought he deserved it. interactions with them were consen- The vitriol and upset caused by We Americans have a contradictory history when After all, he created Fat Albert and sual. The women have said that was Cosby’s release will be here as it it comes to tolerating, or not tolerating, dissent. The was in demand all over the world. For not true. They were not consensual. should be. People who see crimes latest chapter is the Nikole Hannah-Jones contro- all the applause, acclaim and adula- Cosby admitted as much in a dep- against women should not silence versy at UNC-Chapel Hill. tion, Cosby had another side. That osition to Bruce Castor, former dis- their voices. We have a moral obliga- The fight, fittingly, played out around July 4, the side was never revealed in the public trict attorney of Montgomery tion to speak up and to speak out. most American of holidays. We take off work, grill square. County, Pennsylvania. Castor agreed Winston-Salem native and Johnson hot dogs and set off fireworks to celebrate our Dec- You see, we really thought that Bill not to prosecute him in a criminal C. Smith University graduate James laration of Independence – and, sup- and Cliff were one in the same. We trial for his testimony in a civil pro- Ewers lives in New Orleans. posedly, our dedication to found out that was not true. ceeding. Basically, his deposition independence of speech and thought. Bill Cosby was released from prison would be sealed. Obviously, that did That dedication has been tested from the nation’s beginning. In 1798, Congress and President John Adams passed the Alien and Sedition Acts. The sedition law outlawed any GARY “false, scandalous and malicious writ- ing” against Congress or the President PEARCE and made it illegal to conspire “to op- pose any measure or measures of the government.” A congressman and a journalist were convicted and sent to jail. The laws were repealed or expired after Thomas Jefferson was elected Pres- ident in 1800. Race and dissent have long been intertwined. Be- fore the Civil War, Southern states banned abolition- ist writing and speaking. The U.S. House passed a Gag Resolution in 1836 to squelch discussion of abolishing slavery. For 100 years after the Civil War, advocating for Black Americans’ civil rights could be dangerous. In the 1960s, racist demagogues like North Caro- lina’s Jesse Helms, a television editorialist then, con- flated communism and civil rights. In 1983, Senator Helms filibustered against a national holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Helms said King followed a philosophy of ‘’action-oriented Marxism’’ that ‘’is not compatible with the concepts of this country.’’ Helms was a father of the Speaker Ban Law that thrust UNC-Chapel Hill into a battle over free speech almost 60 years ago. On the last day of the 1963 ses- sion, after just an hour of debate, the legislature enacted the law, which “prohibited speeches on North Carolina public college campuses by ‘known’ familyy meals members of the Communist Party, persons ‘known’ to advocate the overthrow of the constitutions of North Carolina or the United States, or individuals who had pleaded the Fifth Amendment in order to ready when you are decline answering questions concerning communist subversion.” For years, the ban embroiled the university in con- troversy. Its accreditation was threatened. In 1969, a three-judge federal court ruled that the law was an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment. Now the university is embattled over Hannah- Jones, who won a Pulitzer Prize for The New York Times’ “The 1619 Project.” The project tells how slavery has shaped America since slaves were first Visit foodlion.com/catering Place your order by Pick up your order brought here over 400 years ago. or stop by the deli at your filling out the order form from the deli at a time Conservatives claim the 1619 viewpoint somehow local store. online or in-store. that works for you. threatens our 1776 national narrative. But both stories shaped our nation’s history. Both should be studied. When Hannah-Jones announced last week that she wouldn’t be coming to UNC, the state Republican Party exulted that she “will no longer be spreading her divisive agenda at UNC-Chapel Hill.” Is that “cancel culture”? Explaining her decision, Hannah-Jones criticized the university’s leadership. She called out Walter Hussman, the Arkansas publisher and big donor for whom the journalism school is now named and who opposed her hiring: “I cannot imagine working at and advancing a school named for a man who lobbied against me, who used his wealth to influence the hires and ideo- logy of the journalism school, who ignored my 20 years of journalism experience, all of my creden- tials, all of my work, because he believed that a proj- ect that centered on Black Americans equaled the denigration of white Americans.” Her decision is understandable. But many people at UNC stuck out their necks for her – and may get their heads cut off in retaliation. The fight for free- dom of speech and thought will go on without her voice at Chapel Hill. Gary Pearce was a reporter and editor at The News & Observer, a political consultant, and an adviser to Governor Jim Hunt (1976-1984 and 1992-2000). He blogs about politics and public policy at www.New- DayforNC.com.

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THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021

CAROLINA PANTHERS Carolina Panthers receiver D.J. Moore posted a career high 1,193 yards in 2020 on 66 receptions, 21 fewer catches than the previous season, when he also went over 1,000 yards. The quiet man: D.J. Moore does his talking on the field The reserved and productive Panthers receiver transitions to leadership role and another quarterback By Herbert L. White – isn’t the sort to judge. rated wideouts. In 2020, he broke the fourth starter at the position in as [email protected] “They don’t [have] to impress me,” he 1,000-yard barrier for a many seasons. As far as Moore is con- D.J. Moore is adjusting to his new sta- said recently. “That’s the thing. They second straight season cerned, his job is to connect with the

tus of elder among Carolina Panthers ask me questions, but they actually go with a career-best 1,193 quarterback regardless of who is receivers. out there and do it to the best of their yards on 66 catches, 21 throwing passes. Moore, who is going into his fourth ability and if I see something wrong, I’ll fewer than the year be- “You never know who won’t go down

season, imparts leadership by sharing be like, ‘Hey, you’ve got to do such and fore. so you can never just be stuck on one knowledge with younger receivers like such better’ and that’s all I’ve really got Moore’s 18.2 yards per person because if you just get stuck on rookies Terrace Marshall and Shi Smith to say to him because the film will al- catch last year was third- that one person,” he said, “you will through example. They’ve showed ways back it up to help him get better.” Moore best in the league, but blank out the rest of the people that’s“ promise in offseason workouts, but Few people in Carolina’s receiver he’ll be challenged to on the team and … now you got to re- Moore, who is switching his jersey room meetings are as accomplished as maintain that efficiency with Sam learn everything with them, so I don’t number to 2 – which he wore in college Moore, one of the NFL’s most under- Darnold at quarterback, Carolina’s Please see PANTHERS | 6A They don’t [have] to impress me. That’s the thing. They ask me questions, but they actually go out there and do it to the best of their ability and if I see something wrong, I’ll be like, ‘Hey, you’ve got to do such and such better’ and that’s all I really got to say to him because the film will always back it up to help him get better. “ D.J. MOORE Carolina Panthers receiver

College hoops NIL opens for holidays new world with Jumpman for HBCU Invitational athletes What a whirlwind week for UNC, Florida, Oklahoma HBCU sports after the NCAA fi- nally caved – kicking and scream- and Michigan to play in ing – and gave the thumbs up to name, image and likeness rights Charlotte on 3-year deal for all student-athletes. By Herbert L. White And that’s on top of the realiza- tion that July 1 left [email protected] the MEAC down More holiday college basketball is heading three schools: North to Charlotte. Carolina A&T to the

The Charlotte Sports Foundation and Jor- NORTH CAROLINA SPORTS INFORMATION Big South Confer- dan Brand struck a three-year deal to host ence to join former the Jumpman Invitational at Spectrum Cen- North Carolina, which has a new basketball coach in Hubert Davis (above), is one of four pro- MEAC member ter starting December 2022 with men’s and grams committed to the inaugural Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte starting in 2022. Men’s and Hampton, and women’s teams from Florida, Michigan, women’s teams from North Carolina, Florida, Oklahoma and Michigan will play a round robin of Florida A&M and games over two nights shown on ESPN. North Carolina and Oklahoma. The schools BONITTA Bethune-Cookman were the first four to sign basketball and ESPN’s group of networks broadcasting “We’re incredibly excited to bring what we off to the SWAC, BEST football partnership deals with Jordan every game and ESPN Events working with believe will quickly become the marquee which substantially Brand. the foundation to maximize the event’s college basketball event of the holiday sea- raises that confer- Two games will be played each night, with footprint. Please see JUMPMAN |6A ence’s football power meter rat- ing. July 1 at midnight may have Induction time: 11 in the NC Sports Hall of Fame been dark outside, but there were plenty of bright GREEN lights in By Bonitta Best history in 2017 by becoming the first fe- • Dr. Charles Kernodle Jr. (posthumously) student-athletes’ eyes as they fi- THE TRIANGLE TRIBUNE male color analyst at the NCAA Men’s Bas- was Burlington Williams High School’s foot- nally got to capitalize off their Eleven North Carolinians will be inducted ketball Tournament. ball team doctor for over 60 years. The foot- name, likeness and image. into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame • Mack Brown is 253-121-1 as a FBS head ball field was named in his honor on his Arguably the first HBCU athlete July 23 at the Raleigh Convention Center. coach. The two-time national coach of the 90th birthday. to sign an NIL deal was Jackson The Sports HOF is located inside the North year is entering his 13th season at UNC • Mac Morris was Greensboro Page High’s State defensive end Antwan Carolina Museum of History. Chapel Hill. head basketball coach for 25 years and Owen. At the stroke of 12, Owen The inductees: • Dennis Craddock (posthumously) amassed a 456-151 record and three 4-A signed with Three Kings Groom- • Debbie Antonelli has been an ESPN coached the UNC women’s and men’s cross- state titles. ing, a black-owned hair product broadcaster for over three decades. She has country and track and field teams for 27 • Trot Nixon, a two-sport star at New shop in New York. won numerous awards for her broadcasting seasons, winning 45 conference champi- Hanover High in Wilmington, played for the Of course, the rich also got and on-air commentary. Antonelli made onships. Please see SPORTS HALL |6A richer. Master P’s son, Hercy Miller, inked a deal with Web Apps America that is reportedly It’s home sweet home at last for Independence worth $2 million over four years, according to TMZ Sports. Several By Ashley Mahoney three matches. said. “There is no consistency to our game months ago, Web Apps an- [email protected] “There is definitely some historic signifi- right now. Yes, it was a tough result, but it nounced its commitment to sup- The Charlotte Independence are finally cance,” midfielder Brandt Bronico said. “It’s speaks to us. Once we come together, once porting HBCUs. home. a bummer and disappointing that we could- we change these things, we can win this Miller says he’s not going to be The USL Championship side debuted at n’t come out with a win tonight. I know the league.” selfish with his newfound wealth. renovated American Legion Memorial Sta- guys gave their all out there.” Charlotte unraveled against New York “I learned from my dad,” he told dium July 8 in front of 4,231 fans with a 3- Defender Hugh Roberts said the common after striker Dane Kelly departed with a TMZ. “I’m going to start off by 2 loss to New York Red Bull II. While denominator is the club, which has yet to hamstring injury. Kelly, who, scored both giving back to the community fireworks, a roaring crowd and the Uptown produce consistent performances. goals, leads the Independence with six. and everyone around me. I have skyline produced a festive atmosphere, “This honestly is a summary of how our “My movement off the ball, running in be- a camp July 21. I’m giving back to Please see | 6A Charlotte’s losing streak was extended to season has been going, ebbs and flows,” he INDEPENDENCE Please see NIL | 6A 6A SPORTS | The Charlotte Post Thursday, July 15, 2021

Jumpman Invitational has hoops for holidays Continued from page 5A Charlotte Sports Foundation and Jor- son to the Queen City,” Danny Morri- dan Brand to create a memorable expe- son, executive director of the Charlotte rience for basketball fans, as well as all Sports Foundation said in a statement. the players and other representatives “These are four of the most storied and of the participating schools.” competitive programs in the game, and Morrison said there’s a possibility of we’re looking forward to the intercon- expanding the showcase to include ference play.” more Brand Jordan-affiliated programs Jumpman Invitational joins a long list in 2023 or 2024 or extend the partner- of high-profile college and professional ship beyond the original three-year basketball events ranging from the deal. NCAA Final Four to hosting the CIAA “We’re hoping this will be the start of tournament for 15 years and a couple one of the most anticipated, coveted turns with the NBA All-Star Game. and competitive events in all of college “This a great opportunity to show- basketball each and every year,” Mor- TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST case our city’s passion for all things rison said. “Charlotte has all the re- basketball and a wonderful venue in sources to make this an overwhelming The Charlotte Independence debuted at the renovated Memorial Stadium on July 8 with a 3- the Spectrum Center,” said Fred Whit- success including an incredibly pas- 2 loss to New York Red Bulls II in front of 4,231 fans. field, president and vice chairman of sionate fan base, and we look forward Hornets Sports & Entertainment. “We to seeing this event grow in stature for look forward to partnering with the years to come.” Independence and Memorial Stadium open a new chapter Continued from page 5A said. “Going back to Ramblewood, we used hind and [midfielder Clay Dimick and to be in trailer locker rooms. We used to NIL rules open new horizons Bronico] looking for me, that is what made take showers kind of in like trailers and me dangerous,” Kelly said. “Losing the had to walk out of the trailer to the shower game was tough, so I can’t even celebrate and then walk back in a towel. It’s been for Black college athletes, too the two goals.” crazy. Ramblewood is a decent field, but Where it began not in comparison to this.” Continued from page 5A Everybody is not going to earn $2 million The club’s journey to Memorial Stadium Historic significance the kids, giving school supplies.” in NIL. began in 2014. It was the first place Mike Memorial Stadium was originally dedi- Oh yeah, Miller is headed to Tennessee And you know where money is involved, Jeffries visited when he interviewed for the cated by President Franklin Roosevelt in State, an HBCU, in the fall. the bad always hitches a ride with the head coaching position with the USL 1936 and was home to the American Soc- GoPuff, a delivery service with locations good. Student-athletes need to be edu- Championship expansion side. He would cer League’s Carolina Lightnin’ in the in the Triangle, has offered EVERY college cated. manage the club at four venues in two 1980s. However, the stadium’s 58-yard- athlete a sponsorship deal. Hundreds have Double duty states over the next six years. wide field was too narrow to accommodate taken the company up on its offer. The procession of former NBA/NFL stars “It was just awesome to actually be here modern professional soccer. It had also To educate its student-athletes and staff coaching at an HBCU continues. NBA All- and be on the sideline,” Jeffries said. “That fallen into disrepair. on this sudden change in status, North Car- Star Reggie Theus has been hired as part was fantastic. It’s probably better than Mecklenburg County began renovating olina Central was the first MEAC school to Bethune-Cookman’s new men’s basketball I imagined in terms of the setup, what the the stadium in 2019, with the intent of the launch ELEVATE, an education program coach. Theus replaces Ryan Ridder, who facility looks like and all those things.” Independence serving as the primary ten- powered by INFLCR. left in March for UT-Martin. Roberts recalled traveling to Charlotte as ant. The $40.5 million project (10,500 seat- “Our student-athletes will be empowered But Theus’ duties won’t stop there. He’s an opponent and playing in other Mecklen- ing capacity for a sporting event) features by INFLCR’s cutting-edge platform that de- also been named athletic director. burg County facilities, like Ramblewood a synthetic turf field – 75 yards wide by livers a robust knowledge-base with video Head coaches as ADs is a recipe ripe for Soccer Complex. Memorial Stadium offers 120 yards long – which makes it conducive and written content about financial literacy disaster. Yes, Steve Joyner Sr. has been a sense of permanence by comparison. to hosting professional and amateur sports and applicable policies and laws governing doing it at Johnson C. Smith for a gazillion “[Tonight] was a significant moment,” he as well as other events, such as concerts. NIL, as well as best practices for brand years, but Division II vs. Division I are two building to elevate their visibility and mar- different animals. And even Joyner has not ketability, a reporting structure to effi- been without criticism over the years. Sports Hall of Fame inductees ciently document NIL activities to ensure B-CU is a top-of-the line HBCU and having compliance,” said NCCU athletic director its men’s basketball coach try to handle the Continued from page 5A mer executive director of • Donnell Woolford was a Ingrid Wicker McCree. pressures of coaching and controlling the Boston Red Sox for 12 sea- the Wolfpack Club and now three-sport start at Douglas One main concern that’s not been written money for everybody else is ludicrous. sons. special assistant to the ath- Byrd High, an All-American about much is how will all this new money I don’t care how many points Theus • Julius Peppers was a letic director. at Clemson and was a first- affect players’ financial aid. Money made scored in the NBA; you’re talking about sack master at North Car- • Judy Rose was Char- round draft pick by the from NIL is taxable income, which should Black folks, money and sharing. Bad, bad olina and later in the pros. lotte’s athletic director for Chicago Bears. Woolford be reported on financial aid applications mistake. He won both the Chuck 28 years. When she ac- started every game from and that, in turn, may reduce a player’s fi- Bonitta Best is sports editor at The Trian- Bednarik Award for best de- cepted the position in 1990, 1989-96 and ranks third in nancial aid package. gle Tribune in Durham. fensive player and the Lom- she was just the third fe- Bears’ history with 32 inter- bardi Award for best male AD at a Division I pro- ceptions. collegiate lineman. His 17- gram. Former NBA star Tyrone year NFL career, the major- • Tim Stevens is also in “Muggsy” Bogues was also ity with the Carolina the National High School voted to the HOF but is in- Panthers WR D.J. Moore lets Panthers, ended with 724 Hall of Fame. Stevens cov- eligible due to his inability tackles, including 159.5 ered high school sports for to attend the induction cer- sacks – fourth-best in NFL 48 years at the Raleigh emony, which a require- his play do most of the talking history. Times and later the News & ment.

Continued from page 5A In order to being at his best, Moore has • Bobby Purcell is a for- Observer. really look at it like that.” graduated to helping his mates rise to the Moore said he’s been encouraged by occasion, even if he’s one of the league’s Follow The Post on social media Darnold’s progress in picking more low-key receivers. He’s never going up the Panthers’ offense and to be the most talkative, preferring to let building chemistry with re- his production do the talking. ceivers during workouts. “Just set an example, day in and day out, “It’s been good,” Moore just working hard,” he said. “Even though said. “We’re all here, so work- some of the guys in the room older than ing with Sam’s been good day me, they all just still come to ask me ques- in and day out. Getting some tions or whatnot. We push each other, they @thecharpost The Charlotte timing down is always good push me. They see something that I didn’t thecharpost Darnold when you got OTAs. He’s do right, they tell me about it [and] I ask Post been soaking up everything that the them questions. So it’s just like all in the coaches are throwing out I mean he just go room going back and forth with dialogue The Charlotte Post out there and just being the QB that he is.” to help each other get better.”

The Charlotte Post