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Back to School Means Coming Home for a Hurricane Helene-Displaced Head Start program

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The day marked a homecoming and a chance to reflect on the program’s long-running impact on the community.

Published

11 months ago

August 29, 2025

Oakland Post

By Liz Bell, EdNC

Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene left more than 4 feet of water inside the halls of Quaker Meadows Generations in Morganton, North Carolina, the child care program’s staff welcomed students and families back to its building for a new school year. The day marked a homecoming and a chance to reflect on the program’s long-running impact on the community. “Seeing those little faces walk in and how excited they were, especially the kids that were here before the hurricane, to just walk in and their little eyes see the new playgrounds and the new equipment. It was just — it closed the circle,” said Tina Kyes, family and child development director at Blue Ridge Community Action (BRAC), the child care program’s parent organization.

Parents, children, and staff posed under an arch of balloons throughout the day to celebrate the 60th birthday of BRAC, which operates three childcare programs and provides community services for families, individuals with special needs, and elderly residents across several counties in the region. The organization’s administrative offices, as well as its adult day center, were also displaced by the storm. After Helene, programs were relocated into five different locations, said Cheryl Leonhardt, director of Quaker Meadows Generations. The child care center’s classrooms, funded through Early Head Start, Head Start, NC Pre-K, child care subsidy, and private tuition, moved to a Burke County public school, Salem Elementary, and a local church. “That was our big thing — making sure that our employees were good, and that we could still give services to our families and provide them with what they needed,” Leonhardt said.

Recently, community members and Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt gathered for the site’s grand reopening. “Thank you” signs for all the organizations and individuals who supported the program’s recovery were staked in the front lawn. “There are still people that, even though they don’t know you, they want to reach out and help you and do things for you,” Kyes said. “We’ve all been kind of amazed that we were able to get up and running so quickly.” Across the region, 148 licensed child care programs with a little more than 5,000 enrolled children were impacted by Helene, according to a presentation in August from Laura Hewitt, Child Care and Development Fund coordinator at the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE).

At the end of July, three programs were permanently closed due to storm damage, two had serious damage but were going to reopen, and four programs remained temporarily relocated. The state legislature allocated $10 million in childcare recovery funding to the North Carolina Partnership for Children, $2 million of which had been expended on Aug. 4. At Quaker Meadows Generations, staff worked overtime last week to set up each classroom in a brand new, bright, clean space. Multiple teachers described the feeling of being back in a new and improved facility as “overwhelming.”

Recovery amid larger uncertainties

Leonhardt asked Hunt to visit the program after speaking in August to Gov. Josh Stein’s N.C. Task Force on Childcare and Early Education, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, advocates, and other state leaders working on recommendations to address the statewide lack of access to high-quality, affordable early care and education. Hunt has also been on a statewide childcare tour to raise awareness about the importance of early learning for children, families, employers, and communities. Leonhardt told the task force about her program’s needs to recover from the hurricane and to continue serving the community. On Monday, she said that she is hoping to continue advocating, not just for the experiences of her own students and staff, but for the broader early childhood landscape.

One of her biggest hopes is for a sustainable public investment in the early childhood workforce. Childcare stabilization grants, first funded from the American Public Rescue Act for pandemic relief and then partially continued by the state legislature, ended in March. Like the majority of programs that received the grants, Leonhardt said her program used the funds to provide higher compensation to her staff. Because the program is part of a larger organization, she said, they can provide benefits and higher wages than stand-alone private childcare centers. That has helped the program to retain every staff member since the hurricane. They are still not able, however, to pay teachers at the level of public school teacher salaries. The grants ended while many programs in the region were in early stages of recovery, and while Leonhardt’s program was still scattered across temporary sites. Even with the program’s financial stability relative to other centers, it was hard, she said. “When that went away, that hurt,” Leonhardt said.

She said assistance for early childhood programs to retain teachers after future natural disasters is needed, and that supports like the stabilization grants should be available long-term. “There are not a lot of people that right now are going into the field, but if childcare programs were able to pay more, and people that want to be in that field saw that, then I think that would help a lot of programs be able to get more staff,” she said. The governor’s task force released interim recommendations in June aimed at expanding access and supporting the early childhood educator workforce. But the task force alone cannot allocate funding for either purpose. This session, the legislature has not allocated any new childcare funding, despite advocacy from the business community, nonprofits, and providers.

Quaker Generations Meadows offers Early Head Start, Head Start, and NC Pre-K. It also serves children through the state subsidy program and accepts private tuition from some families. Early Head Start and Head Start are federal programs aimed at serving low-income children and families with high-quality early education and family services. “We’re hoping that we help those families break that trend,” Leonhardt said of Blue Ridge Community Action’s mission to lift families out of poverty. Both through Head Start and other programming, BRAC helps families set and meet educational and financial goals, connect with other community resources, and “obtain and maintain self-sufficiency,” according to its website.

On top of hurricane recovery, operating child care programs out of temporary sites, and the end of stabilization grants, the program also experienced uncertainty due to proposed federal cuts to Head Start by the Trump administration. However, those cuts did not make it into law. “It was scary there for a while when we didn’t know if the money would come,” Leonhardt said. Though the school is back with full retention of its staff, an additional one-year-old classroom, and stable funding, recovery is not over, program leaders and teachers said. Children and families are still processing the emotional and mental toll of the storm. “That’s such a traumatic experience for them,” said Kelly Sylvester, a pre-K teacher. She said a recent trauma-informed training has reminded her of the mental health needs of children and staff. Kyes, who has been with BRAC for 40 years, said she is hoping for “no floods, no disasters, no catastrophes” this school year. “Even with things going on in childcare, I think we just want to get back to whatever normal is,” she said. “It seems like it’s been forever since we were normal.” Though establishing routines in a new and improved space will take time, Kyes said, it felt like the hard work of the program and larger community had paid off. “We’re home now,” she said.

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Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park

ATLANTA VOICE — A mural depicting late journalist Jovita Moore, painted on the exterior wall of a building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park, was painted over in April. Moore passed away in 2021 after decades of working in Atlanta television news. Bellwood Coffee owners stated in May they were unaware of Moore’s identity or significance to the community before painting over the mural.
The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

At the corner of Boulevard, SE. and Rosalia St., SE., directly across the street from an abandoned home and a Methodist Church, is Bellwood Coffee. One of hundreds of coffee shops in Atlanta, this place of business would not be worth a solitary discussion if not for the way its exterior walls are currently painted. There was once a mural depicting the late Jovita Moore, a beloved journalist who worked in Atlanta for decades. Moore, who passed away in 2021, mentored many of the people you see on television newscasts today. Though her legacy will never be forgotten, it was the mural of her image that was erased.

In April, members of the Grant Park community voiced their disgust at the mural, which graced a side wall of the building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee’s Grant Park location, before it was painted over. In its place are the words “Bellwood Coffee; Cocktails, Biscuits, Dry Goods, Air Conditioning. *Heat Too”. In May, the business owners responded to the community pushback on social media by acknowledging they did not know who Moore was before painting over her image. And later admitted that they did not attempt to find out what she meant to the community.

On May 21, the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account had a post about being “in close contact with Jovita’s family and are actively working on next steps in this process.” Two months later, the mural has not been replaced, repainted, or repositioned on the property. Nothing has been done. Black history is often erased, most recently by the current Presidential administration, but oftentimes on a smaller, quieter scale. The mural was originally painted by muralist Tommy Bronx, who had been in contact with the business owners about repainting it. As of July 6, Tommy Bronx had responded to a direct message via his Instagram account from The Atlanta Voice about any updates on his plans to repaint the mural.

“We’re currently working on it. You should see some movement in the weeks to come,” he wrote in a response.

On Monday, July 6, the business had several patrons inside and was running smoothly with three employees manning the counter. The Atlanta Voice dropped by Bellwood Coffee to get a look at the exterior wall where the mural once stood as a memorial to a journalist and mother who lost her life to brain cancer at the young age of 54. Moore’s image added some color to the block. The grey wall in its place does not.

A direct message was sent to the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account, and there hasn’t been a response as of 7 p.m. on Monday.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Voice.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator

ATLANTA DAILY WORLD — A New York man faces felony hate crime charges for allegedly posting a threat against New York State Senator Lea Webb. James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a social media news post about a Juneteenth celebration.
The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

A New York man is facing felony hate crime charges after allegedly posting that he’d be “proud to hang” New York State Senator Lea Webb from a tree in response to a news story about a Juneteenth celebration.

James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested June 23 by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a WBNG 12 News Facebook post. “I’d be proud to hang her from a tree,” Crosby wrote, according to WBNG.

Crosby was charged with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, a class C felony, per the New York State Police. He is currently being held at Broome County Jail.

During the subsequent investigation, state police found Crosby was in illegal possession of firearms despite being prohibited from owning them due to a prior felony conviction. Investigators recovered a rifle, a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, and a firearm suppressor — all prohibited under New York state law, per the NYSP.

Crosby was charged with four additional counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, all class D felonies.

Webb, who represents New York’s 52nd Senate District, had been a featured speaker at a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Binghamton City Hall, where the celebration included prayers and the singing of the Black national anthem.

Police said Crosby’s comment was posted in response to a WBNG news story covering the event.

The day before his arrest, Crosby posted a Facebook apology claiming the comment “was not intended to be racial in any way” and was made in reference to what he described as a “criminal,” citing criticism of Webb over her use of nonprofit legal aid in a foreclosure case — a matter state watchdogs said created an appearance of a conflict of interest, per the Ithaca Voice. He was arrested the following day.

Webb issued a public statement June 25 condemning the threat.

“It was extremely disappointing and hurtful to see the now-deleted threat and attacks on my life in response to a story about Juneteenth, a national holiday that recognizes the ending of slavery in America,” she said. “Feedback and thoughts on policy are one thing, but to make a public call for lethal violence is absolutely unacceptable and dangerous. We must recognize our shared humanity and reject violence in all forms.”

She thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and law enforcement for their “swift response.”

Following Crosby’s comments, social media users called for a boycott of his contracting business, Crosby Home Improvements.

The Binghamton City Democratic Committee also called for an investigation into the incident before his arrest.

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The post ‘Proud to hang her from a tree’: Man arrested for threatening Black Senator appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Daily World.

The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations

NEW YORK CARIB NEWS — Outgoing CARICOM Chairman Terrance Drew called on regional leaders to build a stronger and more effective Caribbean Community that benefits future generations. Speaking at the 51st Regular Meeting, Drew urged modernization of governance structures and improved implementation of Community decisions to make CARICOM safer and more prosperous.
The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

Speaking Sunday at the opening of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, Dr. Terrance Drew said the region must modernize its governance structures, improve the implementation of Community decisions, and ensure CARICOM becomes safer, more prosperous, and more relevant to the lives of its citizens.

The meeting, being held under the theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” coincides with the Community’s 53rd anniversary. During the ceremony, Dr. Drew formally handed over the rotating CARICOM chairmanship to Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre.

Reflecting on his six-month tenure as chairman, Drew praised fellow regional leaders for maintaining their commitment to democracy, good governance, unity, and the rule of law despite mounting global economic and geopolitical challenges.

“Throughout these challenges, CARICOM chose engagement over isolation. Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to a fair and rules-based international trading system and ensured that the interests of small developing states continued to be heard.”
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He highlighted progress made in strengthening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, including deeper trade cooperation, expanded labour mobility, and efforts to lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Drew also noted the Community’s growing partnerships beyond the Caribbean, particularly with the African Union, while stressing that every international partnership should advance the interests of all parties involved.

The outgoing chairman also expressed appreciation to Dr. Carla Barnett and the CARICOM Secretariat for their professionalism and unwavering support during his tenure.

“Whenever I called, you answered. Whenever support was required, you and your team responded with diligence, competence, and excellence.”

Dr. Drew urged the Secretariat to continue preserving its impartiality while faithfully implementing decisions made by Heads of Government, saying that balance has helped strengthen the regional integration movement.

The conference continues in Saint Lucia with regional leaders expected to deliberate on key issues including regional security, climate resilience, trade, economic integration, food security, Haiti, reparations, and strengthening the CSME.

Based on reporting by New York Carib News.

The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.