By Jheri Hardaway, Staff Writer | The Carolinian

Raleigh, NC — It was a standing-room-only crowd in Raleigh as North Carolina Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch took the stage alongside national voting rights champion, attorney, and author Stacey Abrams for an intensive, data-driven Jeopardy-themed conversation on the political landscape. Way more innovative than standard campaign events, the fundraiser served as an evidence-based dissection of the most critical policy issues facing North Carolina and the nation, from structural failures in the healthcare system to coordinated threats against the judiciary and voting infrastructure.

The forum underscored a singular theme: true leadership does not distort the facts for comfort; it empowers communities by confronting brutal truths with an actionable strategy for progress. The evening kicked off with audience members selecting policy categories to guide the discussion. The first critical issue raised concerned the North Carolina State Health Plan and the state’s obligation to provide affordable, accessible healthcare to public employees and retirees without shifting the burden to them through increased premiums and co-pays.

Leader Batch addressed the crisis directly, pointing to fifteen years of fiscal management under opposing legislative leadership that failed to protect the state’s infrastructure. “We waited over a decade to have Medicaid expansion,” Batch stated, drawing a direct line between systemic policy delays and rising costs for private policyholders. “It isn’t about the fact that it’s going to just go down because all of a sudden we remove people from the rolls. All of us with private insurance are going to continue to pay the price because the uninsured are the most vulnerable.”

Batch, a cancer survivor who received treatment at UNC, shared a profound personal perspective on the geographic disparities embedded in the healthcare system, noting she met patients traveling from Nash County and the coast because vast swathes of North Carolina have become medical deserts.

The policy conversation grew sharper when analyzing the raw data of the current state budget. Batch highlighted the stark economic reality of a state maintaining a minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, amounting to just $15,080 a year for an individual working 40 hours a week for 52 weeks without a single day off. Despite this, she noted, the legislature’s current budgetary trajectory imposes higher co-pays and premiums on the expansion population and state employees.

Stacey Abrams echoed these concerns by providing data from Georgia, a state that spent $80 million on a partial Medicaid expansion model, two-thirds of which was swallowed by administrative costs rather than direct patient care. “Medicaid expansion is life-saving care,” Abrams urged, noting that Georgia’s refusal to fully expand Medicaid has left it with some of the worst maternal mortality rates in the nation and led to the systemic closure of rural and metropolitan hospitals alike.

In North Carolina, Batch noted that while progress has been made, such as extending postpartum Medicaid coverage for pregnant women from 60 days to 12 months. New hurdles, such as retrogressive three-month lookback periods and complex work requirements, threaten to deter families from seeking care. “When you are turned down once, you are unlikely to ever sign up again,” Batch warned. “That is not going to reduce the cost of medical care and treatment; it’s only going to increase it.”

The dialogue shifted to the legal and community protections necessary to combat stringent voting laws, including the strategic removal of polling places from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority communities. When asked what concrete measures can prevent voter intimidation at the ballot box, Leader Batch called for radical civic participation and the deployment of human infrastructure. She recalled past election cycles where voters in her own district faced intimidating displays, including oversized Confederate flags and armed individuals at polling sites. Batch emphasized the necessity of trained, nonpartisan observers and volunteer attorneys. “What we need to do as a people, and so many of you in this room with privilege need to do, is be there at these polling places,” Batch asserted. “You need to be those nonpartisan observers. You need to be the line that holds… We are doing our very best to make sure that we are hiring and we have a lot of volunteer attorneys to be on this line.”

Abrams contextualized this fight by emphasizing the practical, block-by-block mechanics of election security. “Help people make a plan to vote, make certain they know what day the election is,” Abrams advised, reminding the audience that working-class voters often carry logistical burdens that obscure election timelines. “We owe it to our ancestors. They’ve been through worse. So now it’s our turn.”

A central focus of the evening was a granular breakdown of what it takes to break the legislative supermajority in North Carolina and protect the judiciary from hyperpartisan overreach. The financial and strategic calculus laid out by Leader Batch presented a compelling argument for the efficiency of investing in state legislative races:

The U.S. Senate Math: A competitive, top-of-the-ticket statewide race in North Carolina can easily command a staggering $800 million in collective spending.

The NC Senate Math: By contrast, the entire Senate Democratic Caucus can mount a highly competitive battle to build a working majority for roughly $12 million.

“That is 1.5% of the entire U.S. Senate spend,” Batch calculated, demonstrating how direct financial resources go significantly further in targeted local legislative districts. To break the current Republican supermajority, the Senate Democratic Caucus needs to net just one seat to reach 21, while a “great year” could push the caucus to 23 or 25 seats, securing a functional tiebreaker alongside the executive branch.

Abrams backed this strategy by pointing to historical data from her 2018 gubernatorial run in Georgia. While she narrowly missed the executive mark by 53,794 votes, the targeted, down-ballot investment successfully flipped 14 legislative seats and broke a devastating supermajority. “All of the evil that they do that they cannot get through an impotent Congress is coming to a state near you,” Abrams warned, framing state legislatures as the primary battlegrounds for modern policy warfare.

Furthermore, both leaders stressed that legislative majorities are the ultimate defense mechanism for the judiciary. Batch raised the alarm regarding partisan maneuvers across the country, such as the introduction of recall mechanisms targeting independent judiciaries, and warned that maintaining seats like Justice Anita Earls’ on the North Carolina Supreme Court is crucial to preventing the systematic dismantling of democratic oversight.

Closing the night under the banner of “Keeping Hope Alive,” Abrams shifted the perspective from defensive posturing to a proactive framework for civic engagement. She contrasted the mechanics of authoritarianism, which she defined as taking power, hoarding power, and avoiding accountability. Democracy, which requires sharing power, leveraging power for the collective benefit, and maintaining strict accountability. Abrams challenged the audience to push back against the weaponization of language, specifically the targeted attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) frameworks. “They see DEI for what it is: Diversity is people, Equity means fair access to opportunity, and Inclusion means respect for belonging,” Abrams declared. “In a democracy, that’s the DNA… We can’t let them seize our language and scare us into not calling the truth out. When they do that, we lose. When we refuse to let them take our language, we win.”

To counter structural voter fatigue, Abrams directed attendees to the 10 Steps Campaign, an action-oriented initiative designed to provide everyday citizens with an explicit plan for local resistance. The strategy hinges on executing practical steps: hosting and sharing informational narratives, organizing locally, litigating in both the courts and the court of public opinion, utilizing nonviolent disruption, and consistently engaging elected officials up and down the ballot.

As the standing-room crowd dispersed, the mandates left behind by both leaders were clear: fundraising is not merely an aggregation of dollars, and democracy is not a passive experiment. It is a continuous, disciplined application of hope, labor, and strategy.

Based on reporting by The Carolinian.

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For many diabetes patients, amputation becomes a last-resort measure after infections, ulcers, or poor circulation worsen rapidly and leave few other treatment options.

But according to Dr. Estelle Everett, a physician and researcher specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the 

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), most diabetes-related amputations can be prevented through early intervention, consistent medical care, and patient education.

For Everett, her commitment to diabetes prevention is deeply personal. Watching her younger sister navigate Type 1 diabetes exposed her early to the challenges many patients face, including barriers to advanced diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps due to racial disparities in patient care. 

Those experiences helped shape her focus on prevention, education, and equitable access to care.

Dr. Everett spoke with California Black Media (CBM) about the warning signs of diabetic complications, prevention strategies, healthcare access, and the role of diabetes technology in improving outcomes.

What are some of the early warning signs that a person with diabetes may be developing circulation and nerve problems that could potentially lead to amputation?

Amputation is usually the final stage of diabetic foot disease. Earlier signs often involve nerve damage. Some people experience numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of sensation in their feet.

Poor circulation is another warning sign. Symptoms can include calf pain while walking, foot pain at rest, cold feet, skin color changes, or wounds that do not heal properly. Foot ulcers, thick calluses, and untreated cuts can also become serious infections that may eventually lead to amputation if they are not treated early.

Before complications reach that stage, what are some early signs of diabetes itself that people should be looking out for?

Many people are walking around with diabetes and do not even realize it. Some patients first seek medical care only after they’ve already developed complications because they’ve had diabetes for years without knowing it.

That’s why routine screenings are so important. If you have diabetes, controlling it early can significantly reduce the risk of severe complications later on.

Many Black Californians harbor a degree of distrust in the healthcare system. What message would you send to encourage people to get regular checkups?

 Distrust is real, and there are many reasons people may avoid healthcare. Some fear discrimination or worry they’ll simply be judged instead of helped.

Personally, I realized some of the care my sister received may have been influenced by racial bias. Although she had diabetes for years, she was never offered diabetes technology like insulin pumps or continuous glucose monitors. When she finally asked about them, she was told she had to jump through many hoops. 

Later, I realized her experience wasn’t unique. Research shows that minority patients and people from lower-income backgrounds are less likely to be offered diabetes technology. That inspired me to focus my research on improving access for the populations that need these tools the most.

I think building trust is important. Finding the right doctor is almost like dating. If you don’t feel comfortable with your provider, it may help to find someone you connect with and feel understands your concerns. That relationship can make a major difference in getting consistent care.

Are there newer technologies or innovations in diabetes care that people should know about?

One of the biggest advances has been continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs. These small wearable devices track blood sugar levels in real time and have really changed diabetes care over the past decade.

For providers, CGMs give a much clearer picture of blood sugar patterns throughout the day. For patients, they provide immediate feedback about how food, exercise, and other daily habits affect blood sugar levels.

Someone may notice that certain foods cause major spikes while certain exercises lower their blood sugar. That real-time information helps people make healthier decisions and improve blood sugar control. Research shows these technologies can significantly improve outcomes.

What daily habits or preventative measures can reduce the risk of complications or even amputation?

The biggest thing is controlling your diabetes. A lot of people automatically think diabetes will lead to amputations, but research shows the risk is much lower when diabetes is well managed.

That means taking medications as prescribed, making dietary changes, and working to keep your A1C below 7. Managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol is also important because both contribute to circulation problems.

People should also inspect their feet every day, especially if they’ve already lost sensation. Some patients injure their feet without realizing it because they can’t feel the damage. Catching wounds early is critical. Good foot hygiene also plays a major role in prevention.

Are there any common misconceptions about diabetes that stand out to you in your clinical work with Black patients?

One major misconception is that diabetes medications cause complications like kidney failure or amputations. In reality, poorly controlled diabetes causes those complications — not the medications used to treat it.

Those misconceptions sometimes cause patients to avoid medications or stop taking them altogether. Another issue is that some people believe diet and exercise alone should always control diabetes. While lifestyle changes are important, some patients have severe diabetes that also requires medication.

Needing medication is not a personal failure. Sometimes diet and exercise alone are simply not enough, and medication is necessary to prevent serious complications.

This article is supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF). Visit www.chcf.org 

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What Wellness Really Means: Four Black Women Leaders Share Their Practice

Contributing writer Tiffany Johnson talks with four Black women leaders in Minnesota, Reverend Joan Austin of Endure Women’s Ministries, Kelsey Joson of InControl, Dr. Ayanna Rakhu of Sankofa Swim International, and arts leader Serena Wright, about what wellness means across their very different fields. Their answers reveal common threads: protecting daily rituals, finding movement in small joys, and building community that tells the truth with love.

When you hear the word wellness, what comes to mind?

I posed that question to four Black women leaders across sectors in Minnesota: Reverend Joan Austin, founder of Endure Women’s Ministries, a nonprofit supporting women in ministry; Kelsey Joson, founder and CEO of InControl, a wellness hub for adults with disabilities; Dr. Ayanna Rakhu, founder and CEO of Sankofa Swim International, promoting healing for Black and brown bodies through water; and Serena Wright, arts leader and former director in the University of Minnesota’s Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs.

I invited each of them to share her perspective on what wellness means and how it shapes different areas of life. What emerged was a reservoir of wisdom, revealing the many ways wellness takes root, and the many ways these women have built their own leadership around it.

Reverend Austin has served as an ordained minister for more than 25 years, and for the past decade she’s run her own nonprofit. “To me, wellness means being well-rounded spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. It’s about nurturing each of those aspects of ourselves as we navigate the different experiences and challenges of life,” she said.

“I was at a point where I wanted to give up in ministry, and during prayer, the Lord told me not to give up. He said ‘He needed me to endure,’ and that’s where the name came from.” The name is also an acronym: Equipped, Nurtured, Devoted, United, Renewed and Empowered.

Joson, founder of InControl, has built her career around others’ wellness. “When I hear wellness, what comes to mind is how someone takes care of their body, and not just physically. Wellness was never meant to be one dimensional. It is everything that goes into being a whole human being, the mental piece, the emotional piece, the spiritual piece, all working together to create a firm foundation,” she said.

“InControl is devoted to solving the quality of life crisis for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Minnesota. We provide in-home coaching focused on physical health, nutrition and social emotional wellbeing, meeting clients exactly where they are and helping them build real agency and independence in their own lives.”

Dr. Rakhu leads Sankofa Swim International and serves on the board of V3 Sports, a wellness hub in North Minneapolis, teaching communities from Minnesota to Grenada. “When I hear the word wellness, I picture a set of scales,” she said. “Sometimes one side is heavier than the other, and sometimes they’re perfectly aligned. But the scales are always adjusting. That’s how I think about wellness.”

It’s no coincidence that Rakhu’s specialty exists in the world of water, where balance is essential for survival. She’s passionate about restoring healing in the Black community around its historic relationship with water, challenging stereotypes about Black people and swimming while acknowledging the historical trauma of the transatlantic slave trade and the African diaspora.

“I describe my work as liberation work because I believe healing our relationship with water is liberating,” she said. “The communities I serve are Black people and people of African descent. I’m especially concerned about that relationship. That’s where my work lies.”

Wright, a leader in Minnesota’s arts and education community, finds sanctuary in nature. “Nature has always been a part of who I am. I literally take the time to look at a leaf, because that brings me to life.” Her connection to nature feels fitting given her recent recognition at Flowers Now!: A Celebration of Black Elders of the Arts Community, presented by the Givens Collection of African American Literature in May 2026.

“Wellness is a body, mind and spirit connection,” Wright said. “It’s checking in with myself first, being willing to ask questions, seeking honest feedback and pushing through discomfort. I don’t want to be paralyzed by fear, because that’s how I continue to grow.”

Though Wright recently retired from her longstanding role at the University of Minnesota, she doesn’t see it as an ending, but as “a reset,” continuing part-time at the university while staying deeply engaged in the arts community.

These four women, different in practice, revealed real overlap in how they approach wellness, and leadership.

On community: “You don’t need people tearing you down. You need people who will tell you the truth with love,” Wright said.

On showing up over perfection: “I protect my mornings as time for myself first, before I give my attention to anything else,” Joson said.

On movement: “I really love to roller skate. It reminds me of my capability, reminds me of my joy,” Rakhu said. “Wellness doesn’t have to look like a gym. Movement can be the smallest things we do every day,” Wright added.

On where to start: “Start with prayer, because I know God will lead, guide and direct,” Austin said. Rakhu suggested something simpler: “Make a list. It gets things out of your head and into this world of manifestation.” Wright summed it up: “Wellness isn’t about taking one big step. It’s about the little things you do every day.”

Wellness looks different for everyone, but these women point to one universal truth: caring for ourselves allows us to better care for others. By investing in their own physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health, they’ve become stronger leaders, building lasting impact in the communities they serve.

To learn more, visit Endure Women’s Ministries at endurewomensministries.org, InControl at incontrolmn.com, or Sankofa Swim International at sankofaswim.com.

Tiffany Johnson is a contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. She welcomes reader responses at tjohnson@spokesman-recorder.com.

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Tiffany Nicole Johnson

Tiffany Nicole Johnson is a marketer, writer and musician based in Minneapolis. Tiffany is a contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. She is also the associate director of marketing at… More by Tiffany Nicole Johnson

Based on reporting by Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

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