The North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Statement on President Trump’s Executive and State Actions on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
2/26/2025
One of the greatest strengths in North Carolina is our diversity. In this decade alone, North Carolina had been ranked as the #1 state for business for two years in a row, a testament to our diverse and talented workforce. For North Carolina to continue to compete on the world stage, we must have a prepared workforce that can collaborate with others who look differently from us and have different cultures and values than we do.
​
As part of his campaign, President Trump promised to fight for our workforce and spur economic growth for all American communities. Just one month into his term, he has shattered all the promises he made to our workers and citizens. On Day 1 of his administration, Trump signed an executive order to dismantle all initiatives within the federal government that are geared toward ensuring that federal government is filled with the very best workers and representative of all Americans.
​
In the name of an anti-DEI witch hunt, hundreds of jobs have already been lost in North Carolina; funding is in jeopardy in critical North Carolina industries like farming and research, which threaten thousands of more jobs. Now, inflation is back on the rise, and we are likely headed toward a recession. President Trump and Elon Musk have owned what they are doing, and they are proud of what they are doing.
​
Now, there are people in the North Carolina General Assembly who want to follow in lockstep with President Trump and Elon Musk. In the name of an anti-DEI witch hunt, they too want to eliminate efforts to recruit the best to work in local and state governments and schools and universities. To them, it does not matter whether they’re telling the truth. To them, it does not matter whether jobs are lost, schools close down, or families are ruined. It only matters that they follow their leader, President Trump.
​
House Bill 171 is part of that witch hunt, and measures like this ignore the contributions of many communities that have long been overlooked. The programs that these measures seek to destroy include programs that uplift students and workers in Appalachia and other rural parts of North Carolina, along with other marginalized groups. Embracing a broad spectrum of voices—from urban centers to the farthest reaches of our rural communities—is not just a moral imperative. It is a strategic necessity in order to lift every North Carolinian.
​
The truth is that we would not be North Carolina without our diversity. We are home to the second highest number of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), which have each enjoyed bipartisan support, since their inception. These institutions have produced leading engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists, researchers, lawyers and more in the workforce of North Carolina and America. We have Governors and CEOs who are proud products of our HBCUs.
The North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus has always been driven by the principles of equality and fairness. Our caucus remains committed to lowering costs and creating greater economic opportunities for all. We welcome the efforts of anyone who truly cares about uplifting those principles. But we will not tolerate any efforts that use those principles under false pretenses, while eliminating jobs and opportunities for North Carolinians.
NC Legislative Black Caucus Elections 2025
1/30/2025
Yesterday the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus elected officers for the 2025-2026 session. The elected officers are as follows:
​​
-
Chair: Senator Kandie Smith, SD-5
-
First Vice Chair: Representative Amber Baker, HD-72
-
Second Vice Chair: Representative Allen Buansi, HD-56
-
Secretary: Representative Renée Price, HD-50
-
Treasurer: Representative Maria Cervania, HD-41
-
Parliamentarian: Senator Caleb Theodros, SD-41
-
Chaplain: Senator Joyce Waddell, SD-40
-
Sergeant-at-Arms: Senator Natalie Murdock, SD-20
​
Raleigh, NC - The North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus is 42 members strong and looks forward to continuing to serve as a voice for black people and communities of color. Some of the caucus priorities for this biennium include further investments in minority owned businesses, fully funding our K-12 schools and HBCUs, and ensuring that communities of color are represented in our state budget.
"Now more than ever, it is crucial for the NC Legislative Black Caucus to unite in strength and solidarity to advance the interests of our constituents and our state," Said Chairwoman Senator Kandie Smith. "Over the next two years, I am committed to empowering minority communities while fostering strategic partnerships between the House and Senate, and local, state, and federal government."
Media Contact: Senator Natalie Murdock NCLBC Sergeant-at-Arms
E: Natalie.Murdock@ncleg.gov
P: (336) 207-0360
In honor of her unwavering dedication to student health and wellness, UNC Charlotte has renamed its student health center in honor of NCLBC Member, Sen. Joyce Waddell.
On Sunday, Nov. 5, more than 100 guests gathered to celebrate this renaming ceremony, officially establishing the center as the Joyce Davis Waddell Center for Student Health and Wellbeing.
During the ceremony, accolades poured in for Waddell's dedication to education in Charlotte and North Carolina. As a longstanding public servant and educator, Waddell established the Joyce Davis Waddell Student Wellness Support Fund within the Division of Student Affairs. This fund aims to equip students with the necessary tools for successful lives upon graduation.
Joyce Davis Waddell, Ph.D., holds the distinction of being the first African American woman from Mecklenburg County to serve in the North Carolina Senate, a position she has held since 2015. With over three decades of experience in education, including 21 years in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as a teacher and administrator, Waddell actively participates in numerous community organizations dedicated to serving children.
Joyce Davis Waddell Center for Student Health and Wellbeing Opens
at UNC Charlotte
11/15/23