Black Issues Forum

Black Issues Forum

by PBS North Carolina

News Commentary Politics

6/24/22: LGBTQ Acceptance in Black Communities during Pride Month

As we celebrate Pride Month in June, what are our points of pride considering the pace of social change for LGBTQ acceptance and inclusion nationwide and in the Black community? NC Representative Vernetta Alston and Kendra Johnson of Equality NC join Deborah Holt Noel to share their views on recent policies, the move to ban books and the January 6 hearings.

06/17/22: Meaningful Juneteenth and Father’s Day Celebrations

North Carolina Museum of Art Director Moses Greene talks about increasing visitor diversity at the museum with a special Juneteenth event and more, and sports journalist Dwayne Ballen and clinician Dr. Veronica Hardy share insights on the 2022 NC Fatherhood Conference workshop "Fathering after COVID." Deborah Holt Noel hosts.

06/10/22: Elder Medical Care, Financial Security and Long-term Living Options

Elder care continues to be a topic of concern among Black families from generation to generation. Guest host Kenia Thompson has a candid conversation with panelists Dr. DeLon Canterbury, CEO of GeriatRx; Margo Arrowsmith, author of “You Can Keep Your Parents Home;” and Carmen Williams, CEO of The TrouBull Company.

6/03/22: Student Loans, Debt Forgiveness and Workforce Preparedness

Student debt deliberations spark conversations about equal workforce opportunities for minority students. Guest host Kenia Thompson engages panelists Maurice Jones, CEO of OneTen; Mark-Anthony Middleton, Mayor Pro-Tem; and Dr. Henry McKoy, Professor of Entrepreneurship with North Carolina Central University.

5/27/22: Uvalde Shooting, Gun Control and Inclusion on Main Street

Panelists discuss concerns surrounding gun control in the United States. A special feature on Wilson, NC, shows how the city is overcoming systemic issues while paving a path of inclusivity for all. Guest host Kenia Thompson talks to Wilson Mayor Carlton Stevens, DEI champion Bea Ethridge and CREATE NC’s Dr. Mark Little about the issues.

5/20/22: Primary Results, Buffalo Rampage and the “Great Replacement”

Results from the May primary set the stage for November. What can voters expect from US Senate candidates Cheri Beasley and Ted Budd and those in other key races? With communities reeling from the mass shooting in Buffalo, attorney Dawn Blagrove, political analyst Steve Rao and professor La’Meshia Whittington talk about protection, safety and the racist “Great Replacement” theory.

05/13/2022: Inflation’s Causes, Pandemic Impacts and Local Elections

The pandemic is slowly moving to our rearview but what impact has it left in its wake? The Great Resignation and an end to the eviction moratorium could spin North Carolinians into a financial storm, and the upcoming local election will play a large role. Guest host Kenia Thompson talks to Senator Natalie Murdock, political analyst Steve Rao and financial coach Kimberly Winborne about the issues.

5/6/22: Shattering Roe v. Wade’s Protections, BLM in Elizabeth City

A leaked Supreme Court brief signals a reversal on Roe v. Wade and an end to federal protections for abortion; professor La’Meshia Whittington, attorney Nisha Williams and activist Shemekka Stewart-Isaacs discuss the impact on Black women. In Elizabeth City, activists Keith Rivers and Ashley Mitchell share what’s changed 1 year after Black Lives Matter protests over the killing of Andrew Brown Jr.

3/25/22: Bias at Google, SCOTUS Hearings & Russia Detains WNBA Player

Tech giant Google faces a racial discrimination lawsuit, Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson counters attacks during Senate confirmation hearings and Russia continues to detain WNBA star Brittney Griner on drug charges. Political analyst Steve Rao, author La’Meshia Whittington and Substantial Media CEO Greg Hedgepeth comment.

3/18/22: Racism in Schools, Ukraine & Mark Meadows Voter Fraud

I think it lists all the topics and is just under the max character count: A mock slave auction at a local school prompts action. Parent Ashley Palmer and Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock of We Are, which specializes in anti-racism training, respond. Senator Natalie Murdock, Councilman Leonardo Williams and attorney Harold Eustache comment on the Ukrainian president’s appeal to Congress for assistance and voter fraud activity of former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

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