As the trees bloom, so does our work. Check out what is happening with LP North Carolina!Ā
š«¶ Welcome Our New Co-Chair & OC Committee Members
We have exciting leadership news: Mayor Pro-TemĀ Shawn RushĀ of East Spencer was recently elected Co-Chair of the LPNC Organizing Committee, bringing the energy, relationships, and commitment we need as we grow. Alongside Co-Chair CouncilmemberĀ Kim Roney, Mayor Pro-Tem Rush has already hit the ground running by leading the candidate review process that brought two new members into the OC: Greensboro CouncilmemberĀ Irving AllenĀ andĀ Fayetteville CouncilmemberĀ Shaun McMillian. With leaders from East Spencer to Greensboro to Fayetteville to Asheville now at the table, we are building the kind of statewide depth that will power something truly historic for LPNC. Welcome to Mayor Pro-Tem Rush, Councilmember Allen, and Councilmember McMillian ā we are so glad to have you on board!
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š· Community Pushed To Get Daā FLOCK Out of AshevilleĀ
As cities around the state grapple with issues related to public safety, people in Asheville spent months organizing through social media, hosting neighborhood meetings, galvanizing faith communities, organizing in union halls,Ā at Sunshine Labs, and evenĀ at Nerd NightĀ talks. Even with that, the Asheville City Council decided at itsĀ May 12 public meetingĀ to move forwardĀ with surveillance technology. Our beloved member and LPNC Organizing Committee Co-Chair, Asheville CouncilmemberĀ Kim Roney, has been organizing with her constituents to De-FLOCK Asheville. She cast the lone dissenting vote as the City Council approved two resolutions expanding the city’s surveillance infrastructure. Residents packed the chamber and chanted “Shame! Shame! Shame!” after the votes passed.Ā
“The good news is our community better understands the risks of AI-fueled surveillance tech and why we need accountability,” said Councilmember Roney. “We’ll keep organizing until we De-FLOCK Asheville, safeguard the rights of the people who live, work, and visit Asheville, and grow the movement across North Carolina.”Ā Check out some resources & organizations to inform your organizing strategies:Ā
- Local Leadership in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and the Tech Oligarchy: Understanding the ways that large technology corporations exert influence and control over government and what local governments can do about it.Ā
- Deflock.org: Your go-to resource for understanding and addressing the growing presence of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) in our communities.
- Electronic Frontier Foundation: Providing resources to educate elected officials, staff, and the public about AI-fueled surveillance tech and data centers.Ā
To learn more about de-flocking your city, county, or school system please email our helpdesk atĀ helpdesk@localprogress.org.Ā
š Wells Fargoās Troubling Pattern of Racial Disparities in North Carolina
Our partners at the AFL-CIO are working on a community briefing on Wells Fargo’s loan disparities. āHousing is not a privilege for someāitās a basic need. When race decides who gets access, it goes against our deepest moral beliefs,ā said Bishop Herbert Reynolds Davis, Ph.D.Ā Read the new reportĀ about Wells Fargo and the ways race appears to influence who gets access to basic housing needs.
šļøĀ Affordable Homes, Stable Communities: Our 2026 Housing Convening in Seattle
At the end of March, we held our first Housing Convening in four years:Ā Affordable Homes, Stable Communities!Ā More than 70 elected officials and staff gathered in Seattle for two days to talk about how to fund and preserve affordable housing, organize alongside tenant unions, and explore publicly-owned options! We also had the chance to explore the city, talking with El Centro de la Raza and Seattle Chinatown Int’l. Dist. Preservation and Development Authority about their efforts to preserve affordable housing for their communities. The strength of Local Progress is when our members can come together to learn from one another and build relationships with each other.Ā
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š£ Comms Cohort 2026
Thatās a wrap on another comms cohort! In April, we brought 15 LP members to Washington D.C. as the grand finale to our second-ever communications cohort. Since January of this year, this amazing group of members has come together almost every week on Zoom to learn from LPās comms team how to become better communicators. From learning how to develop better press relationships to best practices for short-form video content, we did a deep dive for our membership on everything they need to know to be successful communicators in 2026. In D.C., we took all the lessons learned virtually and saw real-life professional communicators put them into practice. From visiting with local NPR journalists to meeting communications staffers on the Hill, the threads of our lessons were interwoven into every sit visit and important moment during our time in the nationās capital.
š¤ North Carolina Collaborative Governance Academy
Weāre excited to co-host a two-day CollaborativeĀ Governance AcademyĀ training withĀ LeadNC, Down Home NC, North Carolina Black Alliance, and North Carolina Association of Educators onĀ May 30-31.Ā
š Triangle Meet & Greet
On Saturday, May 30, from 5:00 pm- 7:00 pm, please join us at ourĀ meet & greet in Raleigh. You can learn more about Local Progress, meet our members, and learn more about our co-hosts LeadNC, Re:Power, Downhome NC, NC Black Alliance & NC Association of Educators.Ā
ā¤ļø SAVE THE DATE: Metrolina Meet & Greet
Our LPNC Co-Chair, Mayor Pro-temĀ Shawn Rush, is working with our LPNC Organizing Committee to host a Metrolina Meet & Greet on Friday, August 28, from 6 pm-8 pm in Charlotte, North Carolina. There is a lot happening across our great state, and we are working together to make sure everyone has access to the support they need for the work ahead. This is open to members and special guests across the state, but our agenda will be focusing on counties such as Rowan, Cabarrus, Gaston, Cleveland, Mecklenburg, and surrounding areas.Ā
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š SAVE THE DATE: LPNC State Strategy Summit & Mixer
On Saturday, December 5, LPNC will host a State Strategy Summit and Meet & Greet. This will be a space where we can think collectively and collaboratively about the legislative landscape post-elections and plan for what is possible. If you would like to be a part of this, or if you are a partner organization that would like to participate or collaborate.Ā
If you are interested in supporting or attending any of our upcoming events, pleaseĀ email me.Ā
š NEW RESOURCE:Ā Tax the Rich, Fund Our Communities
With billionaires and corporations getting richer thanks to the Trump administrationās billionaire tax break and working communities struggling because of its cuts to essential public programs, illegal wars, and chaotic tariffs, itās more urgent than ever for local leaders to respond by taxing the rich to fund our communities’ needs.
On Monday, May 18, the Local Progress Impact Lab and the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy released a new policy toolkit,Ā Tax the Rich, Fund Our Communities: Local Options For Progressive Revenue. This toolkit surveys progressive local tax options, includes case studies of local successes, and provides advice on policy design and managing common challenges. The taxes outlined in this toolkit would raise funds to support essential public services, including education, affordable housing, parks, transportation and other services for our communities to thrive.Ā
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š» NEW RESOURCE: No Buildout for Billionaires: Understanding the Data Center Expansion
Across the country, the worldās largest corporations are pushing to build massive data centers in our communities. The developers behind these projects promise localities benefits like tax revenue and jobs, but the reality is far more dire. Corporations are padding their own pockets with tax breaks while harming the very neighborhoods they claim to be investing in.
As Local Progress members are facing these proposals, we want to be sure leaders are armed with the knowledge to understand what these projects are and how to cut through corporate misinformation. Check outĀ the first in a series of one-pagers demystifying the billionaire buildoutĀ for local elected officials.
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š£ NEWLY UPDATED: Immigrant Justice Messaging & Narrative GuideĀ
Since taking office, Trump and his billionaire allies have waged war on all of us ā militarizing our cities, abducting our neighbors, and stripping us of our freedoms ā but no one has been more targeted and scapegoated than our immigrant family members and neighbors. To win the narrative, we all need to document the Trump Administrationās horrific actions, counter their lies and misinformation, AND collectively demand our vision for a better future. Check out our newly updatedĀ Immigrant Justice Messaging & Narrative GuideĀ for situational messaging guidance, best practices, tough Q&A, and more!Ā
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š How to Start a Municipal Grocery Store: First Steps Local Leaders Can Take
As grocery prices rise, municipal grocery stores may be one solution to stabilizing the cost of putting food on the table. OurĀ new policy bulletinĀ breaks down the grocery affordability crisis and how localities can explore municipal grocery programs with existing and emerging models, as well as practical steps to begin introducing them in your own neighborhoods.Ā Check outĀ (pun intended) ourĀ new resourceĀ today!
š¤Ā Get Involved with LPNCĀ
We are activating a bold, action-oriented chapter in North Carolina, and we need your energy, ideas, and leadership! Here’s how you can get involved:
- Recruit a new member today! Do you know a values-aligned local elected? Whether they are newly elected or seasoned professionals, we want to hear from them!
- Are you a leader who leads the leaders? PleaseĀ apply to join the LPNC Organizing Committee.Ā
- Email meĀ with any questions or ideas you have to make North Carolina stronger, orĀ schedule a meeting today!Ā
Together, we’ll learn from one another, celebrate victories, and support each other through the tough moments. We’ll strengthen connections, share ideas, and create a space where everyone’s voice matters. I’m excited for the journey ahead and grateful to be working alongside such passionate, committed people.
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š” Your One Stop for Caucuses
Trying to remember when the next Pride Caucus General meeting is? Want to join the Black Caucus signal group chat? Or find your caucus playlist? Look no further! Your one-stop shop for all things caucusĀ is right here!Ā
CouncilmemberĀ Crystal BlackĀ of the Greensboro City Council is a dedicated public school educator and represents a majority-Black district. She ran for office to disrupt systemic inequities and to ensure her residents have a strong advocate.
In her first few months in office, Councilmember Black has already secured a major victory by transitioning the Bingham Park remediation plan from a “cap and cover” approach to full remediation. She has also been a leader in housing, public safety, and in establishing updated Code Compliance ordinances to ensure quality housing for all residents.
Reflecting on her achievements, Councilmember Black stated, “I am most proud of moving the remediation plan for Bingham Park from cap and cover to a full remediation. The community deserves this level of effort from the city. For far too long, Black and Brown communities have had to settle for the lesser or least expensive option. This is about what is just, and I am proud to bring justice to the forefront of the council for approval. I am also proud to have worked to establish and update the Code Compliance ordinances. These ordinances give residents the tools they need to ensure everyone has a quality place to live.ā
Since joining Local Progress at the encouragement of her colleagues and Kay Brown, she has valued the ability to engage with other intentional leaders. The work that Local Progress supports aligns closely with how I intend to move in governance. Having this support can only amplify the work that we are all doing.ā She also noted that having access to research and legal expertiseāparticularly regarding policies like data center regulationāhas been a “game changer” for her work on the council.
Councilmember Black is excited about the future of Greensboro, noting that the new council is dedicated to showing residents what true equity looks and feels like.