In this high-stakes episode of All Rights Reserved, Yolanda Taylor, "The People’s Attorney," takes you inside the annual North Carolina Black Summit. With the theme "Unleashing Our Power, United in Purpose," this wasn't just a gathering—it was a strategic "war room" for the future of North Carolina’s democracy.

From the halls of the General Assembly to the front lines of mental health and school board advocacy, Yolanda captures the voices of the leaders navigating a "policy malpractice" environment.

Before diving into the interviews, Yolanda breaks down the chilling implications of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Calias.

• The Attack on Section 2: How the weakening of the Voting Rights Act threatens to dilute Black voting strength.
• The Myth of Colorblindness: Yolanda tackles Chief Justice Roberts’ famous "stop discriminating" quote, explaining why declaring society colorblind before dismantling structural inequality actually protects the status quo.

1. The Legislative Strategy

• Leader Robert Reeves (House Democratic Leader): On why the opposition spends millions to make you believe your vote doesn't matter and the "football team" analogy of political alignment.
• Rep. Zach Hawkins: A clarion call on the intentional "starving" of public education to fund private school vouchers.
• Rep. Jordan Lopez (Mecklenburg County): A look at the "IOU" state of North Carolina—the only state in the nation without a budget—and how it’s crippling infrastructure and state employee retention.

2. Education & Advocacy

• Tyler Swanson (Wake County School Board Chair): The "Blue Ridge Loophole" and the "tough and ugly" budget decisions forced upon local school boards when the state fails to do its job.
• Lillian Davis (NAMI NC): The intersection of public policy, inclusivity, and mental health advocacy.

3. The Movement’s Arc

• Courtney Crowder & Dr. Javita Lee Miller (NC Black Alliance): A reflection on 13 years of leadership, the evolution of Advanced Carolina, and the "passing of the baton" to the next generation of organizers.

• Organize or Be Organized: Power must be curated; it doesn't sustain itself through hope alone.
• Beyond the Ticket: Why local school boards and city councils are the primary defense against state-level neglect.
• The Alliance Model: Building relationships with those who don't pray like us or look like us, because "a rising tide lifts all boats."

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In this heavy-hitting episode of All Rights Reserved, Yolanda Taylor, "The People’s Attorney," steps into the eye of the storm. Rocky Mount, NC has been a fixture in the headlines lately, rife with talk of budget shortfalls, administrative instability, and community backlash. But behind the soundbites lies a deeper story about who controls the money and who gets left out of the math.

Joining Yolanda are Councilman Andre Knight (Ward 1) and Councilman Reuben Blackwell, IV (Ward 2). This isn't a conversation about personalities; it’s a masterclass in municipal power.

• The 2003 Pivot: Why the budget was a "white power document" for 136 years and how the first Black majority council finally put sidewalks and housing in underserved wards on the line item.
• The Police & Fire Pay Spike: The guests break down how former City Manager Keith Rogers bypassed the council to grant 35% and 25% raises to public safety departments just weeks into his tenure—and why that move left public works employees (predominantly Black) out in the cold.
• The $117 Million Question: Clarifying the narrative around Rocky Mount’s financial health. The guests detail the fund balance left by former manager Rochelle Small-Tony and challenge the "bankruptcy" rumors circulating on social media.
• Institutional Resistance: A candid look at "white flight" within city government and the friction that occurs when legacy department heads are asked to take direction from strong Black leadership.
• Budgeting as Advocacy: Why your local budget is the most important civil rights document in your city, and why being "at the table" means nothing if you don't understand the flow of revenue.

• Councilman Andre Knight (Ward 1): A graduate of NC Central University and a pastor known for his outspoken advocacy. Knight views his seat not as a title, but as a megaphone for justice and civil rights in his native Rocky Mount.
• Councilman Reuben Blackwell, IV (Ward 2): CEO of the Rocky Mount OIC and a UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus. Blackwell’s focus remains on workforce development, closing health inequities, and the "resolute" pursuit of economic mobility for the poor.

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In this special solo episode of "All Rights Reserved," host Yolanda Taylor (the Community Lawyer) strips away the interviews and photo ops to have a direct conversation about accountability. Following weeks of discussions with senators, councilmen, and grassroots advocates, Yolanda connects the dots between the decisions made in backrooms and the reality at your kitchen table.

In This Episode:

- The "3x Rent" Barrier & Predatory Fees: Why requiring tenants to earn three times the rent—while North Carolina’s minimum wage remains stalled at- $7.25 per hour — is a mathematical lockout. Yolanda breaks down the impact of non-refundable $75+ application fees that strip families of gas and grocery money before they even secure a roof.

- Proactive vs. Reactive Policing: A deep dive into the Social Sip and Stroll districts. Why is a person drinking a $2 Beer on a bench cited, while those with $12 cocktails are ignored? Yolanda explains the dangerous intersection of profiling and "proactive" law enforcement.

- Crime & The Transparency Gap: A critical look at a recent Wake County case where charges for a stabbing involving six victims were dismissed before trial. Yolanda questions the lack of transparency from the DA’s office and whether the same outcome would exist for a Black defendant.

- The Ballot Box as a Tool for Survival: Beyond the primary election turnout, Yolanda discusses the upcoming Knightdale community center bond and why local elections for Judges and the District Attorney are the most impactful levers for racial justice.

- The Essential Worker Myth: Reflections on the pandemic "heroes"—grocery clerks, CNAs, and service workers—who are now being priced out of the very cities they kept running.

🎧 Listen to the full episode of All Rights Reserved on Choice FM and your favorite podcast platforms.

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🎧 Listen Live: 92.1 FM (WRSV)

📞 Message Line: 919-872-1055

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