Human Rights

Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray: Civil Rights Activist, Poet and Lawyer

By Alanna Joyner / March 18, 2021 / Comments Off on Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray: Civil Rights Activist, Poet and Lawyer

Durham-based civil rights activist Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, was the first Black person to earn a doctorate in law from Yale Law School, a founder of the National Organization for Women and the first Black woman to be ordained an Episcopal priest. As a Black, queer, southern woman, Murray fought for racial and gender equality,…

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Maya Angelou: Award-winning poet and author, civil rights activist

By Alanna Joyner / March 10, 2021 / Comments Off on Maya Angelou: Award-winning poet and author, civil rights activist

In honor of Women’s History Month, Progress NC Action is highlighting women who have fostered change, encouraged debate and have transformed our state through their contributions to arts, sciences, politics, etc. A revered North Carolina poet laureate, world-famous author and civil rights champion who made an impact on American culture and society for more than…

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John Merrick: Prominent Business Leader from Durham

By Alanna Joyner / February 24, 2021 / Comments Off on John Merrick: Prominent Business Leader from Durham

In an effort to celebrate Black History Month, Progress NC Action is highlighting prominent Black leaders from North Carolina, who have shaped our state through their contributions to arts, sciences, politics, etc. In the early 1900’s, Black-owned businesses in Durham, North Carolina can be traced back to the efforts of two African-American entrepreneurs:Charles Spaulding and…

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Ella Baker: The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement

By Alanna Joyner / February 18, 2021 / Comments Off on Ella Baker: The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement

In an effort to celebrate Black History Month, Progress NC Action is highlighting prominent Black leaders from North Carolina, who have shaped our state through their contributions to arts, sciences, politics, etc. Ella Baker, known as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”, inspired and guided several leaders, including W. E. B. Du Bois, Thurgood…

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How the Greensboro Four Sit-In Sparked a Movement

By Alanna Joyner / February 1, 2021 / Comments Off on How the Greensboro Four Sit-In Sparked a Movement

In an effort to celebrate Black History Month, Progress NC Action is highlighting prominent Black leaders from North Carolina, who have shaped our state through their contributions to arts, sciences, politics, and more. On this day 61 years ago, four North Carolina A&T students held the first major sit-in of the Civil Rights Movement at…

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The News & Observer: NC Labor commissioner says COVID-19 isn’t a workplace threat that requires safety rules

By Alanna Joyner / December 11, 2020 / Comments Off on The News & Observer: NC Labor commissioner says COVID-19 isn’t a workplace threat that requires safety rules

The latest ruling by North Carolina Secretary of Labor Cherie Berry is yet another example — in a line of bad decisions — of her incompetence towards workplace safety. After two decades filing in the role as the state’s top enforcer of workplace safety rules, Berry recently ruled that COVID-19 isn’t a workplace hazard, so…

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Trump Administration targets immigration system, passes sweeping policy changes

By Alanna Joyner / June 25, 2020 / Comments Off on Trump Administration targets immigration system, passes sweeping policy changes

The Supreme Court just issued a ruling that will potentially allow the Trump administration to move forward in deporting tens of thousands of immigrants living in the United States with little oversight.  In a 7-2 decision, the justices found that newly arrived immigrants do not have the right to challenge their expedited removal in federal…

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N.C. Policy Watch: North Carolina dreamers heartened for their futures after Supreme Court ruling

By Alanna Joyner / June 22, 2020 / Comments Off on N.C. Policy Watch: North Carolina dreamers heartened for their futures after Supreme Court ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration cannot carry out its plan to shut down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), which has allowed nearly 700,000 young people, known as Dreamers, who came to the United States as children, to live and work in the United States. In a 5-4…

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As communities fight for justice, Juneteenth sheds light on Black History and freedom

By Alanna Joyner / June 19, 2020 / Comments Off on As communities fight for justice, Juneteenth sheds light on Black History and freedom

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. But 155 years after, the nation is still struggling with the issues of systemic racism and injustice. The celebration of June 19, coined “Juneteenth“, marks a day in 1865 when Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that…

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WRAL: U.S. Supreme Court’s message to N.C. End discrimination now

By Alanna Joyner / June 16, 2020 / Comments Off on WRAL: U.S. Supreme Court’s message to N.C. End discrimination now

Monday brought on a victory for LGBT rights and a defeat for President Donald Trump’s administration, by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that a longstanding federal law barring workplace discrimination, protects LGBT employees.  The landmark 6-3 ruling marks the biggest moment for LGBT rights in the United States since the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage…

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