Children’s Theatre of Charlotte production of ‘GRIMMZ’ puts hip-hop in fairytale classics

THE VOICE OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY SINCE 1906 TThhee CChhaarrlloottttee PPoosstt WEEK OF DECEMBER 31, 2020 VOLUME 47, NUMBER 17 WWW.THECHARLOTTEPOST.COM $1.50

GIBBIE HARRIS « NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR More stimulus funding sought Adams among House coalition for increase in federal relief By Herbert L. White [email protected] U.S. Rep. Alma Adams wants the federal government wants a larger stimulus for Americans coping with an economy weakened by the coronavirus pan- demic. The Charlotte Dem- ocrat voted Monday for the Caring for Americans with Sup- plemental Help Act of 2020 to increase the amount of money Adams struggling Americans receive in a second round of direct TROY HULL | THE CHARLOTTE POST payments to $2,000. President Donald Trump on Sunday signed a Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris,The Post’s 2020 Newsmaker of the Year, has been an outspoken advocate of health bill that keeps the federal govern- care equity in marginalized communities long before the coronavirus pandemic. ment open and pays $600 in sti- mulus funding despite calling the legislation “a disgrace” for not in- cluding larger payments. Repub- licans, particularly in the Advocate for public health GOP-leaning Senate, opposed the $2,000 checks while a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the Dem- ocratic-controlled House of Repre- sentatives passed it. before, beyond COVID-19 “I was proud to vote to authorize a $2,000 Economic Impact Pay- ment, also known as the stimulus Mecklenburg County health director’s goal: Safety and equity in community check, to help our hardest-hit fam- By Herbert L. White 335,000 Americans and caused dispro- any level – to earn Newsmaker of the ilies during this holiday season,” [email protected] portionate damage in the Black com- Year. U.S. Senate candidate Harvey Gantt Adams said in a statement. “House COVID-19 put public health in the fore- munity, eclipsed both. earned the inaugural distinction in 1990. Democrats have been proud to front of conversations about race, pol- As of Dec. 28, there were 60,930 cases In an interview with The Post, Harris support increased stimulus checks itics and safety. of novel coronavirus infection in Meck- discussed how COVID-19 changed Meck- since voting for the HEROES Act in And Gibbie Harris is in the middle of lenburg County with 552 deaths. It’s lenburg County, the disparities it re- May. American families need this Mecklenburg County’s response to is- Harris’ job to impart details in a pan- vealed, lessons learned for future help now.” sues the pandemic has laid bare over the demic world: the grim reality of infec- pandemics and public response to social Adams has long supported in- last 10 months. tions and death during a global health distancing and face coverings. Answers creased direct cash payments Harris, the county’s health director, is crisis, working with government are edited for brevity. through the CARES Act, which in- The Post’s Newsmaker of the Year. If agencies and the medical community on How COVID changed daily living: cluded the original Economic Im- 2020 were a typical news year, presiden- testing protocols and access to vaccines, COVID has turned everybody’s world pact Payment, as well as the tial politics and racial justice activism which recently arrived in limited supply. upside down this year, I believe, in any HEROES Act in May, which would would have dominated coverage, but the Harris is the first public health profes- number of ways. It’s more than a single have authorized an additional coronavirus, which has killed more than sional – and first health professional at Please see HARRIS | 2A $1,200. “There are 10 million fewer jobs than when the pandemic began,” Please see ADAMS | 4A ‘Sick buildings’ add Jury’s out on to COVID-linked efficacy of inequity across state death penalty By Jennifer Allen for justice COASTAL REVIEW ONLINE A task force established earlier this year to address By Herbert L. White inequalities amplified by COVID-19 in communities [email protected] of color recommends looking at pressing public Capital punishment is the sub- health issues such as the “sick building” problem ject of demands for a that can increase the spread of the coronavirus. review of its use in The problem is caused by legacy pollutants — North Carolina. radon, asbestos, mildew, mold — that arise from de- N.C. DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY For the third time in layed maintenance of aging schools, Health conditions among North Carolina's state correctional centers, including four years, no one was senior centers, hospitals and other Central Prison in Raleigh, above, is drawing renewed scrutiny because of the sentenced to death by buildings, according to the first bian- a state jury in 2020, a nual report released this month by the COVID-19 pandemic. trend that gives cap- Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Envi- ital punishment foes Engel ronmental and Health Equity Task hope that lawmakers Force Gov. Roy Cooper put in place in Chronic prison problems and judges will work to eliminate June. systemic racism in law enforce- Regan The report finds that, because of ment and the courts. aging and poorly functioning HVAC predate, outlast pandemic North Carolina has not carried systems, students attending these schools “are ex- In June, Lisa Phelps was sen- out an execution in 14 years while posed to a host of chemical and biological contami- By Jordan Wilkie tenced on a probation violation to a growing number of the state’s nants that adversely affect their health and overall CAROLINA PUBLIC PRESS the North Carolina Correctional In- 138 death row prisoners are bring- well-being and their ability to learn. Reopening these The women’s prison in Raleigh stitution for Women in Raleigh. She ing forward claims of racism in schools amid the pandemic is likely to exacerbate does not have air conditioning. got there in June and left in De- their trials and sentences under the problem, as buildings with poor ventilation, al- It is not an anomaly among North cember. the Racial Justice Act. ready a crucible for building related diseases, can Carolina’s 55 prisons, nor is the “I knew I was only going to be “This year, our state’s highest potentially become hotbeds for the spread of the co- Greenwood C hall at Swannanoa there about six months, but I just, I court said very clearly that it’s time ronavirus.” Correctional Center for Women, didn’t see the light at the end of the to stop ignoring racism in the The sick building problem is just one issue the task where the heat was malfunctioning tunnel because of the horrid con- death penalty,” said Gretchen force recommends addressing. for portions of four days in De- ditions, I mean it was really hot in Engel, executive director of the Task force members broke up into subcommittees cember while 18 women were quar- there,” Phelps said. Durham-based Center for Death focused on five areas — access to healthcare, eco- antined after being exposed to a Please see SICK| 2A staff member with COVID-19. Please see CHRONIC |3A Please see JURY’S | 2A INSIDE Please Digital edition: 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, December 31, 2020 GIBBIE HARRIS « NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR Jury’s out on death penalty Continued from page 1A modern death penalty is pervasive in death penalty Advocate for public Penalty Litigation. “It’s rooted in racism,” Engel cases. time to confront the clear said. “North Carolina’s The court ruled in June and undeniable evidence death penalty was used that inmates who filed that race still determines first as a tool for enforcing claims under the Racial health before, beyond who is sentenced to slavery and then to police Justice Act are entitled to death.” segregation. It’s no wonder hearings where they can On Dec. 14, the Task that today we have a death present evidence that pros- Force for Racial Equity in penalty riddled with in- ecutors excluded Black ju- COVID-19 pandemic Criminal Justice released a equity. From the dispro- rors and allowed racial bias study linking capital pun- portionate numbers of tainted their trials. In two Continued from page 1A further and started requiring these ishment’s “relationship to people of color on death separate decisions, the pandemic as far as I'm concerned be- folks to do as much of electronically white supremacy” and row to the death sentenc- court ruled that four peti- cause of the impact that it's had on as they could, but also to start includ- lynching. The panel rec- ing of innocent Black men, tioners who proved dis- not just from a health perspective but ing the race and ethnicity data. Unfor- ommended a Truth and from the exclusion of Afri- crimination under the RJA also an economic perspective, a social tunately, the state has required it but Reconciliation Commis- can American jurors to the be removed from death perspective, and behavioral health not necessarily enforced it. We still sion that would study ra- favoring of white victims. row and resentenced to life perspective. And in many cases a spir- see that close to 25% to 30% of our test cial disparities in death If we want to move forward without parole. One deci- itual perspective for people. It has results come through without race sentencing, review com- as a society, we must sion noted North Caro- really challenged all of us and re- and ethnicity and ethnicity data and mutations of death sen- reckon with that.” lina’s “egregious legacy of quired us to think differently about we try to collect that when we have tences imposed before In October, CDPL re- the racially discriminatory how we act in the work that we do. conversations with individuals about 2001, and consider replac- leased Racist Roots: application” of the death And in many cases for some of our their positive test results, but some- ing the death penalty with Origins of North Carolina’s penalty. some of our most challenged pop- times that's challenging to get over a maximum sentence of Death Penalty, a sweeping “Ending the death pen- ulation has really made life, extremely the phone, so I think it was probably life without parole. The project that puts the mod- alty is just one small part difficult, I think. function in the beginning of just being task force also rec- ern death penalty in the of what’s needed to finally Early recognition of the coronavirus in a rush to at least recognize the pos- ommended that the death context of its history. begin erasing the stain of risk itive test results. penalty be prohibited for Dozens of scholars, artists, racism from our criminal “For me, COVID started back in late “We created a system here for us to people with serious mental advocates, and people di- punishment system, but December (2019), early January when collect data but then the state re- illness and those under 21 rectly affected by the death it’s an important first we first started getting word of this quired us to be part of their system, and said juvenile offenses penalty contributed to the step,” Engel said. “As long virus and learning a bit more about it, and we had to see if we could get the should no longer be used project, which reveals how as the state is still trying to and then starting to have conver- two systems to talk together so every- as aggravating factors in racism has shaped and execute people in our sations in the county about what it body's been scrambling. We’re doing death penalty trial. perpetuated the modern names, we cannot say we could mean for us, and things really the same thing with vaccine right now “Any honest attempt at death penalty. are serious about rooting sort of hit the fan in March. It has been the state has created a new system for truth and reconciliation The state Supreme Court out the legacy of slavery a year of uncertainty, a year of us to manage the vaccine inventory must begin with the ac- also recognized in a series and racial terror.” changes, chronic changes, whether and the people that are getting vac- knowledgment that the of rulings that racism is that’s in what’s going on with the cine but it’s a brand-new system and virus, what’s going on in terms of re- it has lots of kinks in it, so the data quirements and what we’re asking the has been an ongoing challenge. We do community to do, whether that has to our best to get information out to the ‘Sick buildings’ add to COVID- do with the guidance that we're get- community but it's a quickly evolving ting on how to operate. situation we’ve had with COVID.” “It's just been a constant year of Lessons learned from the pandemic: linked inequity across the state change and change is hard when it's “I certainly hope that we're learning like that and when it's so fluid it’s al- from this and that we will take the Continued from page 1A potential for COVID seph African Methodist nomic opportunity and most on a daily basis, a part of the things that we’ve learned as we move spread,” he said. Church. business development, challenge has been working with our through this pandemic and apply It’s not just schools that “Together we have com- educational opportunity, staff to make sure they have the re- them not only to future pandemics are sick buildings. Any mitted to be bold and to environmental justice and sources they need, but also just to but to the way we operate on a regular aging infrastructure, busi- challenge the status quo by inclusion and patient en- support them and the day to day work basis. We train regularly. We do con- nesses, county buildings, bringing forth impactful gagement — to create the they’re doing.” tact tracing already before COVID could have these prob- and long-lasting change report, approved during a Mecklenburg residents’ response to came along with other communicable lems, Johnson said. with every recommenda- meeting Nov. 18. requests to limit the virus’ spread: diseases, but not at the scale that The subcommittee opted tion we make,” said Spear- Themes the subcommit- “I think it’s a mixed bag. In the be- we've had here. I would believe that to focus on schools when it man in a release. “This tees recommend address- ginning, especially when we had the some of the things we’ve learned, and comes to sick buildings at team is intent on peering ing include broadband stay-at-home order, I think there was some of the systems that have been first because of the push to through the lens of equity access and telemedicine, a lot of compliance around that. put in place we will continue to use have children back in wholeheartedly agree that Medicaid expansion, work- COVID was so new, people were sort those and continue to tweak them and school. lives do matter and the re- force development, im- of scared of it and weren’t sure what make them better. “If the school is new, risk turn we will get on our in- proving digital literacy, to expect. We saw a lot of compliance “But in addition to that, I believe, is low to spread COVID-19. vestment for doing just support for federally qual- early on. As this has dragged out, based on everything that I know, this But in some of these places and right will yield greater ified health centers and people have become more frustrated won’t be the last time that we deal where the HVAC systems returns than any monetary medical school pipelines, with it and everyone just wants things with something like this and that we don’t function so well, it’s return on investments ever which are programs at all to get back to normal. Unfortunately, need to learn from what’s happened another risk and potential will.” levels of education that tar- this virus is not working with us in the this time, what’s worked well, what problem, but pandemic or The subcommittee is also gets, enrolls and supports same way, so we’ve had to continue to didn’t work well and make sure that not, we need to fix the pushing for the creation of until graduation underrep- ask people to wear their masks and we’re better prepared next time.” problem,” he said. environmental justice, resented students includ- social distance and I will tell you that How the pandemic has exposed gaps There’s some efforts to equity and inclusion posi- ing minority, low income I believe that the majority of our com- in health and health care access: deal with sick buildings in tions in state agencies such and women, with the goal munity has done a great job of doing “We know we have disparities in our some places, he continued, as the departments of of increasing representa- that. community in a number of different but “the point is we have Commerce, Transporta- tion in a certain field, ac- “Obviously we have some chal- areas. Health is obviously one of deteriorating infrastruc- tion, Natural and Cultural cording to the National lenges from time to time and most of them. We have disparities in chronic ture and some groups are Resources, and the Office Library of Medicine. those show up on social media. So, diseases, we have disparities in infant more adversely impacted of Emergency Manage- “Inequities in North Car- you're seeing the bars and restaurants mortality we have disparities in HIV. in rural counties where the ment. olina are not new, but the that might not be complying, and So, from a health perspective we know tax bases cant invest in “The goals of the sub- pandemic is shining a you're hearing from people who don't that exists. We know that there are public school infrastruc- committee broaden envi- bright light on disparities like the things that we’re asking them disparities with access to care, ture.” ronmental justice beyond in our health care and our to do. But I get emails every day from whether in health care as well as in be- Also, on the coast, there’s DEQ to incorporate EJ and economy. This task force people who are grateful that we’re havioral health services and we know the added complication equity concerns more con- has recommended ways to asking folks to do those things and there’s disparities in poverty and that comes with recurrent sistently in state-decision tackle these inequities and wanting me to enforce people doing housing and in education. weather events like hurri- making that impacts com- break through systemic those things. Again, that goes back to “We talk about social determinants, canes. “This year we had munities of color,” Sharon barriers to quality health- a lot of what we’re asking is for indi- we talk about the need to make the worst hurricane season Martin, DEQ spokesperson, care and economic oppor- vidual compliance and for people changes that are going to improve the in four decades,” Johnson told Coastal Review Online. tunities,” Cooper said in a stepping up and doing the right lives of everybody in our community. said, adding that these re- The biannual report details statement. things.” But these are big issues, and it's really current weather events are how, as well as next steps In addition to policy rec- Tailoring the message that masking hard for people to wrap their arms part of the new normal, and issues ahead for the ommendations, the bian- and social distancing can save lives: around them in a way where we can which he calls “certain un- subcommittee’s work. nual report includes “I do believe that the message has to make significant change, and signifi- certainty.” The subcommittee also subcommittee goals, ac- be tailored and that has been chal- cant change impacts everybody. If “Here’s the opportunity has proposed using cur- complishments and plans lenging but necessary. We have differ- we’re going to make significant in the crisis,” he said, ex- rent training and incentive for the next year. A digital ent populations in our community changes in our system that impact plaining that this is a programs to create jobs copy of the biannual report that respond differently number one these disparities, then that means unique chance to address initiatives in disadvan- is on the website and there they receive their messages differ- changes that improve the lives of this pressing issue by cre- taged communities geared is a 2020 Policy Rec- ently. We've got a fairly young pop- those who experienced these dispar- ating jobs and businesses toward remediation and re- ommendations fact sheet ulation here and if you look at our ities, but it also means changes in the to move sick businesses to siliency work on public that serves as a quick guide data most of our cases, the majority lives of people who are privileged and green businesses with and low-income buildings to the report. of our cases have been in age group who don't experience these dispar- open space and open in those communities, with “The policy recommen- 20 to 59 with a larger number in the ities. spaces for kids to learn, a specific focus on public dations were developed by 20 to 39 age range, so the messaging “So, it becomes a challenge some- play and develop. schools within the demon- task force members with for them, obviously, has to be differ- times in making sure that people Other recommendations stration sites of Robeson public input to help im- ent than it has to be for our older com- know what is going to have to happen by the Environmental Jus- and Edgecombe counties, prove equity among un- munity. And then of course for effects to improve these situations and to get tice and Inclusion Subcom- according to the release. derserved communities, of chronic diseases we need them to that commitment to happen. My hope mittee include “The Task Force created particularly communities understand the risk that those chronic is that COVID has made these issues environmental justice and a propitious opportunity to of color,” said state Depart- diseases place them in with this virus. so stark for our community that it will equity concerns in state recommend policy ment of Administration So, we’ve had to tailor those messages move us to action, and not just devel- decision-making and ad- changes as well as Secretary Machelle and have tried to do that effectively. oping plans and having conversations dress environmental and strategies, tactics, and pro- Sanders. “It is our goal to It’s not just tailoring the messages, it’s and doing little bits and pieces of economic impacts in dis- grammatic initiatives to create economic opportu- also who is the messenger because things here and there, because I think advantaged communities, address pressing environ- nity, eliminate health dis- people accept messages differently it's going to take some big changes for according to the state De- mental justice issues in our parities, and achieve from different individuals and differ- us to really make the difference that partment of Environmental state, such as the sick environmental justice for a ent groups of individuals, so we’ve we’re saying we want to see.” Quality. building problem in our better North Carolina.” tried to pay attention to that as well. If you have questions about COVID- “At the state level, we public schools that affects James H. Johnson Jr. is That will continue as we start rolling 19 of the flu, call the Public Health Hot- must also consider how children of color dispro- on the Environmental Jus- out the vaccine.” line at (980) 314-9400 weekdays from economic incentives, busi- portionately,” Johnson tice and Inclusion Subcom- Why ethnicity wasn’t included with 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and weekends from 10 ness recruitment and re- said. “More than that, in mittee and serves as early infection reports, which later a.m.-2 p.m. tention, economic the process, we can create director of Urban Invest- confirmed a disproportionate impact development, and infras- a pathway to greater ment Strategies Center, on communities of color: tructure decisions either shared prosperity and eco- Kenan-Flagler School of “Actually, the fact that that was not improve or disadvantage nomic justice by inten- Business, and is chair of necessarily being reported in the be- communities,” said DEQ tionally connecting the state Department of ginning was more a function of how Secretary Michael S. Regan, historically disadvantaged Environmental Quality’s the data was being collected. So, what who serves as subcommit- citizens to business and Environmental Justice and happened early on as systems were tee chair, in a statement. job opportunities aimed at Equity Advisory Board. being created to capture the data, we “Together, we should have addressing environmental Johnson said in an inter- had laboratories that were reporting a standard analysis and and public health equity is- view that research shows some data to the state electronically. decision-making process sues in our state.” the urgently needed ren- Some of them are doing it by paper for how proposed projects The task force plans to ovation of existing aging and fax, and then that data would be could disproportionately develop a policy imple- and rapidly deteriorating dumped into the system at the state impact communities of mentation plan, host pub- school buildings in mostly level it is sent to us. At that point, the color.” lic listening sessions, and rural and low-wealth state was just trying to get the data in Subcommittee members continue working on long- counties is a $3 billion about the positive test results and joining Johnson and Regan term goals set by the sub- problem in North Carolina. contact information so we could do are North Carolina NAACP committees in August. “My concern, and issue the contact tracing we needed to do President the Rev. Dr. T. This is the first of two re- Hear the entire Gibbie Harris interview that I’ve raised, is that we and making sure that people who Anthony Spearman, Greg ports that will be released have lots of people saying were positive knew they were posi- on The Post’s In Other Words podcast on Richardson, the executive by the task force. The sec- we’ve got to get students tive. Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Sound- director of the Commis- ond report is scheduled to back into school, but leg- “Then the state went a little bit cloud. sion of Indian Affairs, and be released June 1, 2021. acy pollutants and poor the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Au- HVAC systems increase the gustine, pastor of St. Jo- 3A NEWS | The Charlotte Post Thursday, December 31, 2020 UNC graduate Corbett Chronic prison problems Continued from page 1A COVID-19, needing to take at least two developed scientific For RaShaun Conner at Sampson weeks off work from the time they Correctional, about half the year is were tested as per state policy. spent surviving poor weather con- And though it’s technically not soli- approach to vaccine ditions because of the lack of climate tary confinement, DPS has been using control inside the prison. the same prison cells for medical By Stacy M. Brown phy, Corbett earned under- “She developed the spe- “During the summer and winter, it’s quarantine and isolation during the NATIONAL NEWSPAPER graduate degrees in biolog- cific scientific approach to kind of rough,” he said. pandemic. PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION ical sciences and sociology mitigating the coronavi- Sampson Correctional was built in In line with health protocols, Phelps Dr. Anthony Fauci, the in 2008 from the Univer- rus.” the late 1930s, according to the N.C. was quarantined at NCCIW for two leading infectious disease sity of Maryland Baltimore COVID-19 has dispropor- Department of Public Safety’s website. weeks after a visit to the courthouse. doctor and director of the County, where she was a tionately affected African Old infrastructure is not the only But in violation of medical best prac- National Institute of Al- Meyerhoff Scholar and an Americans, who make up a problem in the prisons that predates tices and possibly the order of a state lergy and Infectious Dis- NIH undergraduate large percentage of the the pandemic or the only one that judge, those conditions are strikingly eases, addressed the scholar. more than 330,000 U.S. contributed to the severity of the close to punitive segregation. African American com- She then enrolled at UNC residents to die from the COVID-19 outbreaks behind the walls. “They posted a note on the wall, a munity’s fears Chapel Hill, where she ob- virus. Conner is in a dorm with about 135 memo on the wall that said, ‘Quaran- of accepting tained her Ph.D. in micro- One study released by other men in a prison that has 18 cur- tine in segregation is not for punish- the new coro- biology and immunology the COVID Collaborative, rent COVID-19 cases in another part ment. It is for your own health,’” navirus vac- in 2014. the NAACP and UnidosUS of the facility. If the virus is intro- Phelps said. cine. A viral immunologist by revealed that 14% of Black duced to his dorm, he said, there “I thought it was the funniest thing “To my Afri- training, Corbett is known Americans trust a vaccine wouldn’t be anything to stop every- in the world,” she said. “It was not for can American for using her expertise to will be safe, and 18% trust body from getting it. punishment, but it felt like it.” brothers and propel novel vaccine de- it will be effective. For those two weeks, she was locked sisters ... this velopment for pandemic Much of the concern While North Carolina has prioritized Corbett incarcerated people and prison staff in her cell 23 hours a day and let out- vaccine that preparedness. stems from pervasive rac- to receive the COVID-19 vaccines, side three times a week, when she you’re gonna be taking was Appointed to the VRC in ism in medical research long-standing problems like crum- could walk “three steps sideways and developed by an African 2014, her work focuses on and healthcare, notably the bling infrastructure, limited access to four steps forward” in a chain-link American woman. And that developing novel coronavi- 1932 Tuskegee experi- health care and staffing shortages, cage. is just a fact,” Fauci pro- rus vaccines. ment. which created an environment for As with prisons around the country, claimed during a recent Corbett has 15 years of “I would say to people COVID-19 to thrive behind prison DPS uses solitary confinement as a National Urban League expertise studying dengue who are vaccine-hesitant walls, will continue while the rest of punishment. A person is held in a cell event. virus, respiratory syncytial that you’ve earned the the state recovers from the pandemic. for long periods of time with little to Fauci noted that Dr. virus, influenza virus, and right to ask the questions The increased attention, in large do, few if any privileges and little ac- Kizzmekia Corbett, a Black coronaviruses. that you have around these part due to litigation challenging the cess to sunlight. Using those same woman, has been at the Along with her research vaccines and this vaccine constitutionality of conditions during cells for medical quarantine creates forefront of the vaccine activities, Corbett is an ac- development process,” the pandemic, has brought about distrust between prison staff and in- process, adding that it is tive member of the NIH Corbett told CNN. “Trust, transparency and awareness of the carcerated people, said Ben Finholt, vital to recognize the U.S.’s Fellows Committee and an especially when it has been prison system that may dissipate staff attorney at N.C. Prisoner Legal history of racism that’s led avid advocator of STEM stripped from people, has once the pandemic is gone, which Services. to great mistrust from the education and vaccine to be rebuilt in a brick-by- could still take many months yet. The distrust and the isolation of Black community. awareness in the com- brick fashion. And so, what ‘It was not for punishment, but it quarantine could lead to people not “The very vaccine that’s munity. I say to people first is that I felt like it’ wanting to report their symptoms, one of the two that has ab- “History books will cele- empathize, and then sec- The pandemic exacerbated long- Finholt said. And it creates a situation solutely exquisite levels – brate the name and ondly is that I’m going to standing issues within the prison sys- whereby prison staff might also be 94 to 95 percent efficacy achievements of Dr. do my part in laying those tem, from medical care to poor disincentivized from thoroughly against clinical disease and Kizzmekia Corbett, the bricks. And I think that if conditions to having too many people checking for symptoms. almost 100 percent effi- Black woman who was the everyone on our side, as in prison relative to the number of “That’s the system that DPS has set cacy against serious dis- leader in developing the physicians and scientists, staff. up where people who might be sick ease that are shown to be COVID-19 vaccine,” Bar- went about it that way, The American Civil Liberties Union aren’t going to want to report it,” Fin- clearly safe – that vaccine bara Arnwine, president then the trust would start of North Carolina has an ongoing law- holt said. “The guards don’t want to was actually developed in and founder of Transfor- to be rebuilt.” suit in federal courts alleging delib- deal with it because they don’t have my institute’s vaccine re- mative Justice Coalition, erate indifference in the state prison’s any humane way of separating people search center by a team of wrote on Twitter. health care plan for treating hepatitis who might be sick from people who scientists led by Dr. Barney C and another in state court challeng- appear not to be sick.” Graham and his close col- ing the constitutionality of the state’s Not separating the sick means more league, Dr. Kizzmekia Cor- use of solitary confinement. spread of the disease. bett, or Kizzy Corbett,” DPS has been transparent about One can measure a state’s response Fauci said. staffing shortages since the problem to the COVID-19 pandemic spreading Corbett, 34, is an accom- contributed to an attempted prison through prisons in several ways. De- plished research fellow escape and killing of four prison pending on which measure and how and the scientific lead for staffers in 2017. it’s measured, North Carolina rises in the coronavirus vaccines Both the health care and staff short- the ranks or falls to the very bottom. and immunopathogenesis age crises have only grown more se- The COVID Prison Project lists North team at the National Insti- vere during the pandemic, as prison Carolina as one of the more transpar- tutes of Health, National medical facilities are filled to capacity ent states for the testing and case in- Institute of Allergy and In- and staff members get sick with formation it posts online. fectious Diseases Vaccine Research Center. According to her biogra-

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© 2020 Regions Bank. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank. 4A NEWS | The Charlotte Post Thursday, December 31, 2020 TheThe CharlotteCharlotte PostPost Americans need stimulus package The Voice of the Black Community The American people They are gone! Trump four years ago or the table. First, is that he have been in an economic During the recent weeks, four weeks ago, is he still will sign it in the next few Gerald O. Johnson | CEO/PUBLISHER slump for Congress has been feuding your hero? Do you still days. This will be the best [email protected] several over another stimulus want to crown him the of what could happen. Sec- months. package. These talks have king? ond, there will be some Robert L. Johnson | PUBLISHER/GENERAL MANAGER Stores have been spirited and full of Nancy Pelosi said, “On package that will be agreed [email protected] lost revenue vitriol. They have essen- Monday, I will bring the upon by the House and and workers tially gone nowhere. A lot House back to session Senate. Third, he will not Herbert L. White | EDITOR IN CHIEF have been of talk but no real action. where we will hold a sign it and America will be displaced or Just days ago, however, recorded vote on a stand- in a free fall. [email protected] JAMES had to accept they did agree on a $900 alone bill to increase eco- While dangerous, I would reduced billion package. Included nomic impact payments to not put it past him because Published weekly by The Charlotte Post Publishing Company EWERS hours. in this package would be a $2,000. To vote against he believes in mass misery. Inc., 5118 Princess Street, Charlotte, NC 28269 (USPS #965500). Clearly, $600 check for each Amer- this bill is to deny the fi- Bring on Biden and Har- Subscription is $65 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Char- COVID-19 has caused im- ican. The president was ex- nancial hardship that fam- ris. The optics for hope are lotte, NC. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Charlotte measurable harm to our pected to sign this bill into ilies face and to deny them much better with them. We Post, PO Box 30144, Charlotte, NC 28230 way of living. law. It would have pro- the relief they need.” will have a chance with Basic necessities like vided some welcomed re- Well, the House of Repre- them. We had no chance food, clothing and shelter lief from this economic sentatives will pass it and with him. are in short supply. Com- pothole America finds it- the Senate will reject it. Un- Looking forward, the vac- munities are in crisis be- self. fortunately, that refrain cine will keep us healthy cause we cannot get what Instead, as is the custom has been the case for many and well. Our families will we so desperately need. and practice of Mr. T, he is years now. As a result, we be reunited. Bless our Pandemic relief Terms like food insecurity holding the United States are at a standstill. brothers and sisters who have become a part of our hostage. Reports are that Common ground has passed away in 2020. The lexicon. the bill was flown down to been hard to reach. This economy will rebound, and We are down and need a the “Southern White crossroads of indifference our citizens will return to and the Georgia hand to help us. House,” Mar-A-Lago, Flor- has stifled us and made us work. An American shout- That hand is the federal ida. stumble along with no di- out to our first responders government. Some months While Americans are tee- rection. We are ships pass- and to our military. Senate elections ago, we the people re- tering on collapse, he is ing in the night with no It is with hope and opti- ceived stimulus checks of playing golf. port of call. mism that I look forward to Fair warning: this isn’t a traditional holiday col- $1,200 and unemployment This is despicable and re- So here we are with a 2021. umn. benefits. Businesses were pulsive. He is in the lap of president whose meanness Johnson C. Smith Univer- If we think of clarity as a kind of gift, though, we able to hang on and pay luxury while we languish in knows no limits. sity graduate James Ewers can be grateful that the effort to pass a much- their employees. Now near economic poverty. In my opinion, there are lives in New Orleans. needed COVID-19 relief bill in the waning days of those funds have run out. Now, if you voted for three scenarios that are on this Congress makes one thing crystal clear: hurt- ing families and small businesses will be aban- doned if Republicans keep control of the U.S. Senate by winning Georgia’s January 5 runoff elec- The story of Rudolph’s little brother tions. There is some good news. The $900 billion pack- I know Rudolph’s little was rejected by his peers dren’s book to give to cus- out life as a loser, just as I age includes emergency relief for renters, families, brother. because he looked differ- tomers. did.” small businesses, and more. That relief, that, in- And now that Rudolph ent from them and didn’t Chris explains that Rob- If there is a message in cludes direct help to individuals, is urgently and the other reindeer are quite fit in. Chris explains, ert’s four-year-old daugh- Rudolph, Chris said, it is needed. It will extend some protections against safely back at the North “One day he is blessed ter, Barbara, helped. that “tolerance and perse- evictions for another month. It will Pole, I can tell you the when Santa Claus realizes “Dad would read her pas- verance can overcome ad- give small business owners a little mostly unknown story of that Rudolph’s apparent sages and then gauge her versity. It is a story of more breathing space to try to sur- where the Rudolph tale infirmity would be invalu- reaction to different word acceptance.” vive the pandemic. came from and why that able in helping to guide his selections.” Rudolph’s fame erased About 12 million unemployed story may sleigh on even the foggiest Montgomery Ward pub- whatever doubts his dad people who were going to be cut off tug at your of nights. The odd little lished and gave away 2.4 may have had about him- at the end of the year will receive heartstrings guy whose difference million soft cover copies of self. “In this way, what he $300 weekly in federal support and more than made him an outcast sud- the Rudolph book in 1939 got out of Rudolph was far an extension of the unemployment other holiday denly became a hero!” and another 3.6 million in more valuable than money, BEN assistance program until mid-March. stories. Chris says that Rudolph 1946. something that money I have was modelled on his The company held the could never buy.” JEALOUS All this is necessary. But it is a tem- porary fix that falls far short of ad- known for father’s life. “He grew up copyright. So at first Robert “But for Dad, it was never years that in New York as a smart lit- got no money from the about the money. What dressing the pain people are D.G. experiencing and truly setting us on the road to re- Robert May, tle ethnic Jew who didn’t project. “But that didn’t mattered was that every covery. father of my MARTIN quite fit in. Part of the really matter to him,” Chris December, he could lit- Almost 12 million renters will be behind on their law school problem was that he was, says, “And this gets to the erally dress up and step rent by an average of almost $6,000 at the end of classmate at least early on, quite heart of what I want to say out into the world again as this month, according to one study. The Census Bu- Chris, wrote the book small.” about my Dad, something the proud father of Ru- reau says that about 29 percent of Black families about Rudolph, the Red- He weighed less than 100 that I deeply admire him dolph. Rudolph’s success are behind on rent. Much of the back rent has piled Nosed Reindeer. But I did pounds until he was a high for. His own childhood ex- never turned his head. He up since unemployment benefits under the CARES not know the details. school senior. periences, coupled with was and remained a hum- Act—the first relief bill—expired during the Last week Chris gathered “Dad’s life in some ways the then state of his life, ble man to the very end. I summer. According to some estimates, as many as some details and shared resembled Rudolph’s in made it easy for him to think he saw Rudolph as a 20 million tenants—about the population of Flor- them with me. terms of his growing up as identify with the character blessing, rather than as ida—are at risk of eviction. He wrote, “I grew up as a sort of underdog, when he was bringing into the something he could take With a problem that huge, David Dworkin, CEO of the younger brother of Ru- and how did he finally get world.” full credit for.” the National Housing Conference, told Market- dolph the Red-Nosed Rein- ‘discovered’ by Santa and Chris says his dad sought D.G. Martin hosts “North Watch that the bill’s $25 billion in rental assistance deer, a character that my suddenly become a much to convey a “message of Carolina Bookwatch,” Sun- is just a band-aid, “a practical start for staving off father, Robert L. May, more accepted hero.” hope,” to tell the story of day 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday the immediate threat of mass evictions across the created in 1939 in his chil- After graduating Phi Beta “an underdog” who was at 5 p.m. on UNC-TV. The country.” dren’s book by that title. Kappa from Dartmouth in “yet triumphant in the program also airs on the Because the bill falls short of what is needed, When I popped into the 1926, Robert worked in ad- end.” He hoped that chil- North Carolina Channel some people are blaming “Congress” generally. world in 1943, Rudolph vertising for several large dren who heard or read the Tuesday at 8 p.m. Let’s get real. If congressional Republicans had was already four years catalogue firms. At Mont- story of Rudolph would, in their way, there would have been no bill—or a far old.” gomery Ward in 1939, he his words, be inspired by worse one. The storybook Rudolph was asked to create a chil- “the little deer who started Republicans have been resisting a meaningful re- lief bill for months. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told President Trump not to make a deal Focus on community bank support with Democratic lawmakers before the election. He tried to hold the current bill hostage to a provision By Christopher G. Cox The central focus of Proj- stakeholders, the OCC need to get serious about that would make it harder to hold big companies ect REACh is facilitating re- hopes to put together the dismantling the systems FOR THE CHARLOTTE POST accountable for providing unsafe workplaces. lationships among major technology to help bridge that keep black and other Another Republican senator held up the bill to try Confronted with the financial institutions, civil both the digital divide and underserved communities to impose restrictions on the Biden administra- blunt reality that home- rights organizations, finan- the economic divide. locked out of the American tion’s options for encouraging economic recovery. ownership is largely out of cial technology firms and One area of focus, Moss dream,” said Marc Morial, Look at what the Senate Republicans proposed at reach for some 45 million Minority Depository Insti- said, addresses those president and CEO of the the beginning of December. Their plan had no new Americans without usable tutions. Some of the organ- deemed as “credit invisi- Urban League. money for federal employment and a January 31 credit scores, the Office of izations that have pledged ble.” Project REACh partic- “We commend the OCC’s cutoff for extensions in unemployment insurance. the Comptroller of the Cur- to work with the OCC on ipants are developing a efforts to lean into solu- The Republican plan had zero dollars—zero!—for rency recently launched this initiative include Citi- new credit decision-mak- tions to the unprecedented rental assistance. the Roundtable for Eco- bank, Flagstar, Huntington, ing tool that expands on economic loss caused by The Republican plan had zero dollars—zero!—for nomic Access and Change Texas Capital, Wells Fargo, the traditional credit re- this pandemic,” Morial direct relief to individuals and families. (Project REACh) to address JP Morgan Chase, the porting structure. added. The Republican plan had zero dollars—zero!—for this and other economic NAACP, the National Urban “The effort looks at alter- Asked about the role pol- the SNAP nutritional assistance program often disparities that hinder League, Operation Hope native data such as direct itics might play in the roll- known as food stamps. wealth creation in com- and Credit Karma. debit authorizations and out of Project REACh as the Millions of people will get emergency help be- munities of color. “We are building oppor- other types of payments nation shifts from the cause Democratic congressional leaders refused to Project REACh was ini- tunities,” Moss noted, “for that are not considered in Trump Administration to accept Republicans’ demands. tially conceived in the MDIs to receive invest- traditional credit scoring,” the Biden Administration, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is fa- wake of the widespread so- ments and through those Moss said. Timely and reg- Moss was optimistic. mous for using and abusing his power to stop legis- cial unrest that followed investments helping them ular payments of rent and “I don’t see Project lation dead in its tracks. I believe there is only one the killing of George Floyd to build out their infras- subscription services, such REACh as being a political reason he agreed to the compromise: he knew that in Minneapolis, explains tructure so they can pro- as a Netflix, expand the initiative, but more of an throwing millions of Americans off unemployment Andrew Moss, director of vide the same suites of data that is evaluated so apolitical or bipartisan ef- and out of their homes just before Christmas would minority outreach in the services and financial pro- that more people would be fort to support com- have encouraged Georgia voters to make sure that OCC’s office of public af- ducts that others have had considered creditworthy. munities that need these Republicans and McConnell don’t hang onto power fairs. the opportunity to benefit Derrick Johnson, pres- types of resources,” Moss in the next Senate. But Georgia voters are smarter “We recognized,” Moss from in this country.” ident and CEO of the said. “I’ve not seen anyone than that and will see through McConnell’s said, “that a lot of the un- MDIs are defined by the NAACP, said of Project who has had a negative schemes. rest was due to the lack of Federal Deposit Insurance REACh, “We look forward thing to say about trying to President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Ka- full participation in the Corporation as banks and to working collaboratively help people who need the mala Harris, and Democratic congressional leaders economic system by com- other financial institutions on solutions addressing type of assistance that we know that much more is needed to help Americans munities of color and other that are either owned or di- systemic and institutional- are trying to provide get through the current economic crisis. They’ll underserved communities. rected primarily by African ized economic discrim- through Project REACh.” only be able to give Americans what we need if we By this I mean they are not Americans, Asian Ameri- ination that has existed for Christopher G. Cox is give them what they need—victory in the Georgia getting the same opportu- cans, Hispanic Americans decades.” publisher and managing Senate races and a Democratically-controlled Sen- nities that others have, not or Native Americans. Moss “With black homeown- editor at ate. just from a social level but says there are about 140 ership, median household www.realesavvy.com. So, try to find some time this holiday season to also from an economic such institutions in the U.S. wealth, and access to cap- join one of the many efforts that are encouraging level.” By working with these ital sinking like a stone, we Black voters in Georgia to show up for the Senate runoff elections the way they did in November. It’s not very often that voters have a chance to shift the direction of the country twice in just two months. Adams votes for House pandemic relief bill Let’s make it happen. Continued from page 1A to stay afloat and start hir- tion ban is set to expire at chopping block, and if Ben Jealous is president of People For the American Adams said. “Over 3 mil- ing again.” the end of January. Congress doesn’t continue Way and People For the American Way Foundation. lion Americans are now The Coronavirus Aid, Re- Adams said more needs to act, they may never re- facing long-term unem- lief, and Economic Security to be done to help people cover from the economic ployment. This increased Act’s eviction protection stay afloat as the pan- devastation,” she said. “In benefit will help keep a provisions, which expired demic’s impact on the the spirit of the holiday roof over their heads, food in July, covered more than economy deepens. Em- season and in the name of on the table, and the lights 12 million occupied fed- ployment is expected to basic decency, the Senate on. This check should also erally financed rental units, take a hit until the supply should follow our lead and Follow us on create more customers but they didn’t cover of COVID-19 vaccine be- pass this bill.” with money in their renters in units backed by comes more available. social media: pockets – the consumers private sector financing. “COVID-19 has put 100 our small businesses need The latest nationwide evic- million Americans on the The Charlotte Post PAGE 5A Sports THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

ASSOCIATED PRESS Carolina Panthers defensive end Marquis Haynes (98) strips Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins of the ball in the Panthers’ 20-13 win Sunday in Landover, Maryland. Embrace the process Even with nothing tangible to play for, the Panthers are looking forward to building a winning foundation By Herbert L. White cember,” coach Matt Rhule said. “Lots of Panthers, who improved to 3-8 in one-pos- hard as we can. Playoffs or no playoffs, [email protected] things happen early in the session games, they’re com- that doesn’t really matter. It’s been a while since the plan worked year, but the good teams in peting. Against Washington, “Our pride – we know how good we can this well for the Panthers. December, they run the foot- they pounded the ball with a be, we are going to go out there and play

A strong first half was all Carolina ball, they play defense, they persistent ground attack and each and every week. We are going to all needed to beat Washington 20-13 Sunday take the ball away. We’re not took it away from Washington, come together as brothers, as we know we in Landover, Maryland to break a three- perfect in those areas but I which needed a win to wrap are, and just put it all together in all phases

game losing streak in which the Panthers think that we’re a team, I up the NFC East title. of the game.” tapped into what’s worked well. They hope has a plan, and every- “Sometimes, when teams as The Panthers were good at situational forced four turnovers before intermission one tries to complement each people say, ‘have nothing to football, scoring on Brandon Zylstra’s re- and succeed in every phase. Even at 5-10 other.” Rhule Samuel play for,’ we have a lot to play covery of a Washington muffed punt, “ Mike and nothing to gain by winning, they Carolina, which hosts New for,” said receiver Curtis Samuel, who to- Davis’s 1-yard plunge and Robbie Ander- showed attitude and execution that can be Orleans Jan. 3 in the Panthers’ season fi- taled a career-best 157 scrimmage yards son’s 14-yard catch in the first half to seize built upon. nale, certainly hasn’t quit, a testament to (106 receiving).” We are going to go out a 20-3 lead. The defense was stellar, forc- “To me, it’s how most teams win in De- Rhule’s insistence on playing hard. The there each and every week and play as Please see PANTHERS | 6A

Lots of things happen early in the year, but the good teams in December, they run the football, they play defense, they take the ball away. “ Carolina Panthers coach MATT RHULE Brooklyn Charlotte FC win a sign of reunion for what can be Bronico and for Hornets Nicholls By Ashley Mahoney Remade roster shows [email protected] Fate brought Brandt Bronico and Marc pace, tenacity vs. Nets Nicholls back together, with a bit of help from By Herbert L. White Chicago Fire and Charlotte FC. [email protected] CHARLOTTE HORNETS The 30th franchise an- The Hornets needed a spark. They got it Gordon Hayward, who was the Hornets’ biggest veteran addition, led Charlotte with 28 points nounced Bronico as their third signing on Dec. against one of the Eastern Conference’s best 18, reuniting the Charlotte 49ers alumnus and seven assists in their 106-104 win against Brooklyn Sunday. teams. with Nicholls, his former club and USL League Sunday’s 106-104 win against Brooklyn, a Charlotte instead of the turning point, it was One thing that changed for the Hornets Two coach with North Carolina Fusion and preseason pick to advance to the NBA Fi- as unexpected as it was sudden. Gordon was their aggressiveness with small lineups. Carolina Dynamo. nals, was a massive kick-start for Charlotte, Hayward, whom they signed in the offsea- They attacked the basket with gusto and “While we are looking all over the world, we which was 0-2 and playing the finale of son for leadership and facilitation, got both more than held their own on the boards, know there is talent that comes from North back-to-back games. After a couple of in- with a game-high 28 points outrebounding the bigger Nets 52-46. Char- Carolina, and that is a priority of ours,” said consistent games that resulted in losses, the and seven assists. The Hor- lotte played at a faster pace, which Borrego Nicholls, who is Charlotte FC’s technical direc- Hornets showed off their potential not only nets outshot Brooklyn 44.8% is pushing this season, resulting in 96 shots tor. in going toe-to-toe with the Nets but finding to 42.7% and turned 19 Nets against Brooklyn’s 82. While Nicholls is well acquainted with Bron- a way to win down the stretch. turnovers into 23 points while “We have to attack the basket and be the ico, he said the entire staff did their home- “This gives us a big jolt obviously it is a committing 15 miscues that aggressive ones, also on the defensive end work on him. big game for us to get that first one against resulted in 18 points. we have to keep guys out of the paint,” said “It was very important that our scouts took a championship caliber organization and “We’re trying to improve guard Devonte Graham, who scored 13 a look, that we did our research, not only with team,” coach James Borrego said. “I’m just Borrego from our first two games,” points on 5-of-15 shooting, including 3-of- the scouting team, but also the references proud of our guys. They have been busting Hayward said. “I think we were 9 on 3-point tries. “We don’t have a Rudy with former coaches because it is very much their tails all this time. I know it hasn’t gone more committed … to this game. We have Gobert or somebody that will clog the paint about the collective in terms of the decision our way and as we said … in shootaround to constantly get better, and I think it’s hard. up, block a whole bunch of shots and get a and going on different people’s expertise,” this thing is going to turn, and it can turn We almost have to treat every team like it’s whole bunch of rebounds so we have to do Nicholls said. “While I am delighted that in one game.” Brooklyn. I think because it was Brooklyn, it collectively and keeping guys out of the Brandt is going to be here with us, it is not If this was indeed a turning point for we almost had this extra urgency.” Please see BROOKLYN |6A based on sentiment. It is based upon his abil- ity to play and compete.” The signing announcement coincided with Bronico’s wedding day – he married former Silver: NBA can pull off basketball season safely 49ers women’s soccer player Rebecca Beatty in a ceremony officiated by former 49er Hans By Tim Reynolds “I think we are prepared for isolated cases; turn to get players and others inside the Honer. Nicholl said the announcement timely THE ASSOCIATED PRESS in fact, based on what we’ve seen in the pre- NBA vaccinated against the coronavirus. was largely coincidental, yet for Bronico and The NBA found a way to get through last season, based on watching other leagues “In no form or way will we jump the line,” Beatty, it was the perfect wedding present. season amid a pandemic. Adam Silver sees operating outside a bubble, unfortunately, Silver said. Charlotte’s director of player personnel Bobby no reason why the same cannot ring true it seems somewhat inevitable,” Silver said. Silver spoke on the eve of the season- Belair kept Bronico updated about the an- again this season. “We’re prepared for all contingencies.” opening doubleheader — Golden State vis- nouncement. Silver, the NBA’s commissioner, said one Games could be postponed or canceled iting Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Clippers “The announcement came out and I was tak- day before the season began that he is con- along the way, and Silver said that if the playing against the defending champion ing wedding pictures with my groomsmen at fident the league’s health and safety proto- league encounters issues that cannot be Los Angeles Lakers. He said if the league the time,” Bronico said. “It was all very exciting cols will allow teams to get through their controlled by what’s covered in the health didn’t believe in its plans, the season simply to have everything come out at once and to planned 72-game regular season slates even and safety protocols suspending the season would not be starting. celebrate not only that announcement, but as the coronavirus problem rages across the — just as was the case back on March 11, “We do anticipate that there will be bumps also Rebecca and I getting married. It was country and the world. He did, however, when the 2019-20 season was halted for 4 in the road along the way,” Silver said. amazing.” warn that he expects the virus to create 1/2 months — will again be a possibility. Teams will play 10 fewer games than the Bronico described Nicholls, who first saw some problems along the way. But the league, Silver vowed, will wait its Please see SILVER | 6A Please see BRONICO | 6A 6A SPORTS | The Charlotte Post Thursday, December 24, 2020 Panthers look ahead to winning foundation Continued from page 5A you look at Brian Burns, here’s a guy who no ing Washington quarterback Dwayne Haskins one thought was going to play and then he into a pair of interceptions and 14-of-28 pass- shows up, he goes out there and he makes ing for 154 yards and a rating of 36.9. Car- plays like he does. Zach Kerr flying around, olina hasn’t been flashy, but they’ve even John Miller up front, different guys have persevered through a season of adversity. just been fighting through different things “It’s really when it gets cold and it’s great to just win and reward those and the season gets long, coach guys.” Rhule being a tough guy, that’s Even with a season of near-misses and when he’s going to judge his blown opportunities, Carolina is playing with tough guys,” cornerback Donte more intensity than the 2019 team that went Jackson said. “That’s when he’s 4-12 with an eight-game losing streak to going to come out and he’s close. It isn’t lost on safety Tre Boston, who going to see who’s still fighting snagged an interception against Washington. ‘til the end. I’m a guy – and a lot “I think when you take a whole brand new MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER Jackson of guys on the team are the staff, you have a whole brand new team, Brandt Bronico, who played college soccer with the Charlotte 49ers, is back in town as same – who is going to fight until brand-new schemes, you can see us building a professional with Charlotte FC. they lock us out of the building and that’s just throughout the season,” he said. “We’ve had what it is. good games – specifically on defense – we’ve “We came out here and we knew – put the had shut outs of the Lions, we’ve had first half Bronico, Nicholls reunite season behind us, put the record behind us, of Vikings, we’ve had second half of the Pack- put all the close game losses behind us and ers, and it’s about putting it together each and Continued from page 5A expects to use his experience in the just come out here and play playoff football.” every snap. It’s about guys trusting the him play at age 12, as the kind of per- league to mentor newcomers like fel- Said quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who process, guys doing their one-eleventh and son he would want to play for through- low midfielders Riley McGree and Ser- hit 19-of-28 passes for 197 yards and a score: you’re seeing that. Down the stretch, we out his career. Bronico credits Nicholls gio Ruiz. McGree is a 22-year-old “It just says that this is a team of selfless in- asked more of that. We asked guys to hold with helping his development, which Australian who Charlotte sent on loan dividuals. Guys have been banged up all year themselves accountable to doing their job earned him second-team all-America at to Birmingham City in England’s sec- – it’s the game of football, it happens – but and you see that.” Charlotte, going in the third round of ond division. Ruiz, a 26-year-old the 2017 MLS draft (47th overall) by Spaniard, is currently on loan with Las Chicago. Charlotte FC and Chicago will Palmas in Spain’s second division. Nei- swap fourth-round picks in the 2022 ther has MLS experience. draft. “There is a general understanding of Bronico heads to Charlotte FC after MLS that is quite unique,” Nicholls said. starting 40 of his 60 appearances for “You are traveling across time zones, the Fire with two goals and eight as- altitude, turf versus grass, the freezing Brooklyn win a sign of what sists. While the level of the game has cold of Toronto versus the red hot of changed since Nicholls coached him, Orlando and Houston. Having some- Bronico is a tireless worker dedicated one who is used to that, who has been to his craft. there and done it is great not only for can become for the Hornets “He is pretty much the same player,” us, but for those who are coming in.” Continued from page 5A rallied to within 104-102 with said. “I’m learning about all these Nicholls said. “Of course, has contin- While Bronico has not had a chance paint is one of those ways. If they 40.4 seconds to go. guys. We didn’t have probably as ued to improve and grow, but the fun- to connect with his future teammates are going to beat us by knocking Kevin Durant missed a 10-foot much time as we would’ve damental part of his game is still who yet, he plans to reach out in the coming down a whole bunch of threes, fadeaway jumper with 7.4 sec- wanted to get to know each other he is in terms of the energy and the vi- days. He also expects to train on his then you just have to pat them on onds left and Terry Rozier - on the court or off the court, but brancy that he brings—the ability, the own and with the 49ers until it is de- the back and go with it.” drained a pair of free throws for we’re slowly building that chem- competitive spirit, the ability to go box termined where he will spend the 2021 Charlotte led 82-77 after three a four-point advantage the Nets istry. We’re trying to get better. I to box—both defending and attacking. season. Right now, the focus is moving quarters and expanded its advan- couldn’t erase. think it’s something that you can As players grow and develop, they be- to Charlotte. tage to 16 points with eight min- “I think we’re constantly build- see out there. We’re starting to come a little bit wiser as they gain more Bronico’s work ethic is not only ap- utes left fourth before Brooklyn ing that chemistry,” Hayward figure each other out.” experience.” plauded by former coaches and team- Bronico’s attention to detail was fos- mates, but he also prides himself on tered under 49ers coach Kevin Langan. being a great locker room presence, The program prides itself on fitness, something he learned from playing Silver: NBA can pull off season safely with a work rate reflected in their con- alongside German FIFA World Cup and sistent NCAA tournament appearances. UEFA Champions League-winning mid- Continued from page 5A on issues that are important to and no arena is planning to have “From a physical perspective, Brandt fielder Bastian Schweinsteiger as a customary 82-game slate. The them,” Silver said. “So, I think it’s more than 4,000 ticketholders in has always been quite blessed in terms rookie in Chicago. season is starting two months a combination of the collective the seats at this point. Smaller at- of his stamina and his work rate,” “We know that Brandt and his char- later than usual and the playoffs action that the league will be tak- tendance means smaller revenue, Nicholls said. “Obviously now he is far acter is only going to be an asset in are set to stretch into July, all with ing together with its players and and the league missed its revenue stronger. Everybody along the way has every way—obviously on the field that players and coaches being tested coaches, and on top of that play- projection by about $1.5 billion played a part with Brandt, but we is a priority, but also he is a wonderful daily and with nearly 60 players ers realizing the enormous reach last season — largely because should never come away too far from teammate, and he does raise the stan- having already missed some time they have with their voices.” many games were canceled and Brandt and his desire and capacity dard because he never takes a minute with their teams during training Toronto guard Kyle Lowry said the bubble games, including the work and to compete.” off,” Nicholls said. “He is a great exam- camp and the preseason because last week that he expects the playoffs, were played without For Bronico, his mentality can be ple for anybody coming in who is new of positive COVID-19 tests. league to continue driving con- fans in the seats. summed up as #Grindset. and some of the younger players who And as was the case at Disney, versation about the need for so- Silver said playing another sea- “It’s giving everything to the body, come through also.” social justice initiatives remain cietal change. son without fans would mean the mind and the soul to achieving and Bronico, who grew up in High Point top priorities for the league, Silver “For myself, it’s all about action. NBA revenue would dip about believing in whatever you want to do without a home-state team to aspire said. The efforts will be different It’s all about doing it,” Lowry said. 40%. in life—that’s the #Grindset,” Bronico playing for, intends to do everything now — for example, “Black Lives “It may not say it on the court or “Tens of thousands of people said. he can to provide a pathway for those Matter” is no longer painted onto it may not say it on our jerseys or rely on our league and its related He intends to wear No. 13 in Char- players to succeed in the MLS. game courts, a change from what on the back of the jerseys, but it businesses for their livelihoods,” lotte, which he also wore in Chicago. “I definitely want to be as hands on was the case in the bubble. Buy resonates when you’re doing Silver said. “We also feel a respon- He and his younger brother Brady both as I can to the academy and to the the commissioner stressed that things in your communities, to sibility to our fans. People con- wore 13 growing up. Charlotte 49ers,” he said. “It’s my duty fighting racial inequality is no less uplift your communities and to tinue to look at sports as a break “It kind of resembles a B,” Bronico to give back after so many people have important now than it was then. uplift other people. So that’s a big from the challenges of the pan- said. “My initials and his initials are done so many things for me, and help- “I think there’s also been in a thing, is continuing, yourself, to demic and as a small reminder of both BB. When I’m wearing that num- ing me get where I am today. That’s the new awakening among the play- make it matter.” what life was like before COVID- ber I feel like I’m playing for both of us. least I could do—guiding them and giv- ers in the league as to the impact The NBA currently expects only 19. ... It’s a piece of life I feel we’re It means a lot to me and him.” ing them my experience of the dos and they can have when they use the six of its 30 teams to open the able to get back, for the time Bronico, who will be 26 when Char- don’ts.” platforms they have to speak out season with fans in the stands, being.” lotte FC kicks off its inaugural season, Pandemic, playoffs and planning: That’s Charlotte soccer in 2020 By Ashley Mahoney as the inaugural club president 10 struggled away from home but were instrumental in the creation of recorded two draws during the [email protected] days before Christmas. They also managed to go 5-2-1 on the road. the USL Black Players Alliance, spring season and opted not to play Charlotte soccer stayed busy in signed three players, all midfield- They won Group G, finishing the which launched in August. The goal in the fall in order to focus on re- 2020, even though most of the ac- ers, one of whom knows Charlotte regular season 8-4-4 with 28 points, is to empower members of the turning to play in 2021. tion happened off the pitch. well. Brandt Bronico’s Dec. 20 sign- which allowed them to host a play- USLBPA to use their platforms as While the year did not go as an- ing coincided with his wedding day off game for the first time in club professional athletes to create pos- The USL League Two and ticipated, it did not fail to entertain. to fellow former Charlotte 49ers history. They lost 2-1 in overtime itive change in their communities. Women’s Premier Soccer League Bank of America Stadium hosted soccer player Rebecca Beatty. to Charleston. They have yet to ad- Roberts utilized his podcast Back- sides did not play in 2020 due to multiple games, as was expected, Charlotte FC signed Riley McGree vance beyond the first round of the YardFooty to connect Black players cancelled seasons. However, the but they were not the ones origi- in October, sending the Australian playoffs with previous playoff ap- and coaches, who were able to USL League Two side did make nally scheduled, and they played in on loan to Birmingham in the Eng- pearances in 2016 and 2017. share their experiences within the coaching changes this month by front of significantly smaller lish Football League Championship. Kelly led the club with 11 of their game. Miller and Roberts also sup- promoting Michael Kovach from as- crowds. The Charlotte Independ- Sergio Ruiz became the inaugural 26 goals. Goalkeeper Brandon ported local nonprofit Heal Char- sistant to head coach. Drew Yates, ence made club history during the player to sign with the club in July. Miller, a Charlotte native, kept five lotte in their quest to raise $10 a former Eagle and Stumptown condensed USL Championship reg- He is spending his time on loan in clean sheets and led the league at million to address housing insecu- player, joined the staff as an assis- ular season, yet their front office’s Spain with second division side Las the end of the regular season with rity in Charlotte. They donated tant coach. tone deaf response to social and Palmas. His announcement came 61 saves. Both showed support for based on their performance each Charlotte 49ers racial inequality overshadowed shortly before MLS pushed the the Black Lives Matter movement game. Miller is now on the board of Men’s and women’s soccer was their accomplishments on the club’s inaugural season back to on and off the field. Kelly would Heal Charlotte. Roberts also estab- postponed from the fall to the pitch. 2022. take a knee and raise his fist in the lished a foundation, donating his spring season. Both teams contin- At every level, 2020 provided air after scoring a goal. Drawing at- time and funds raised through the ued to train during the fall. memorable moments, some of The Jacks had momentum head- tention to the movement was sig- foundation to organizations such International Champions Cup which left you wondering what ing into the season. They signed all- nificant not only as it pertained to as Block Love Charlotte and Cre- Summer typically signals soccer could possibly happen next. Take a time USL Championship leading the movement as a whole, but ative Player Foundation. Maund’s at Bank of America Stadium with look at what happened in 2020. goal scorer , and opened specifically in response to the anti- work focuses on using real estate to the International Champions Cup. Charlotte FC the season with a 2-1 win at Sport- Black Lives Matter posts shared on provide affordable housing. Yet the tournament known for The fledgling Major League Soc- ing Kansas City II. Then the league Twitter by club majority owner Dan The club will move into the newly bringing European clubs to the cer expansion franchise has 15 pressed pause in March due to DiMicco. renovated Memorial Stadium for United States could not happy with months to continue to build a club COVID-19. When play did finally re- Players expressed their disap- the 2021 season. COVID-19. A five-year deal was an- from scratch. They made several sume, it was a condensed 16-game pointment and disgust that the Stumptown Athletic nounced during the 2019 ICC stop hires in early 2020, notably techni- season in a group format, with the front office did not separate itself The club plays in the National In- in Charlotte, which Tepper Sports cal director Marc Nicholls, got their top two clubs advancing to the from the actions and views of DiM- dependent Soccer Association, and Entertainment President Tom academy off the ground over the playoffs, followed by single-elimi- icco. Players like Miller and defend- which paused its spring season on Glick described as “a first of its summer and announced Nick Kelly nation. Charlotte traditionally ers and March 12 due to COVID-19. They kind” agreement.

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