Newsletter from the Office of Sen. Angela R. Bryant


     

Halifax, Nash, Vance,  Warren and Wilson Counties

District – 4

Senator Angela R. Bryant

Volume 11, Issue XII

Thursday, April 16, 2015

 

 

NEWS FROM RALEIGH…

I always welcome your comments, project updates, suggestions, and visits. My office door and electronic door are always open to you!  You are also invited to attend any and all Sessions and Committees.  Visit the website for Session and Committee meeting times.  As always, thank you for your support!

 

NEWSLETTER NEWS

 

·        AROUND THE DISTRICT AND MORE EVENTS AND SCHOLARSHIP

·        THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE MORE YOU GROW: Preacher or Teacher – Pastor of 2 Churches with a 3.7 GPA; Duke Library  Historical Perspectives

  • AWARDS AND GRANTS: The Golden Leaf Commits $50 Million to Entice Auto Manufacturer to NC; NC Department of Commerce; The Duke Endowment; 30.5 Million in ‘Face Forward’ Grants Available To Help Youths With Juvenile Records Gain Job Skills and Sart New Careers;TIGER Discretionary Grants; Marketplace 2015 Coming;
  • LEGISLATIVE NEWS: Monday March 20- Friday April 2 – Week in Review; Sen. Angela R. Bryant Sponsors Pages and the 2015 Youth Legislative Assembly Students

 

 

 

AROUND THE DISTRICT AND MORE 

Events and Scholarships

·        Cooking Matters at the Store   A guided grocery store tour to help families buy healthy, affordable foods.  Tours began March 2015. Reservations required. Contact Abi Hicks at hicksa@halifaxnc.com or 252-583-5021 x 238.

·        Halifax Community College Men to Men Summit, The Journey Towards Male Empowerment, Wednesday, April 15th, 9:30am-2pm at Halifax Community College, The Centre. Contact, 252-536-5464 or email dscott788@halifaxcc.edu.

·        Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe Pow-Wow, Thursday – Sunday, April 17th -19th, Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School grounds, 130 Haliwa-Saponi Trail, Hollister, NC.  Contact Archie Lynch for details, at 252-586-4017.

·        The Wright’s Center 26th Anniversary Gala Celebration, Thursday, April 23rd, 6 – 9pm, at the R. T. McCarter Fellowship Center, 225 Glendale Avenue Rocky Mount.

·        Halifax County Gang Taskforce presents 2015 Gang Summit, Wednesday, April 23rd at 7:00pm at Kirkwood Adams Community Center. For more information contactBruce Temple, Chief Deputy, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office (252) 593-1015.

·        Eastern NC School for the Deaf 50th Anniversary,  Wenesday, April 25th, will begin with a Heart Walk. Registration is at 8:00am and the walk will begin at 9:00am.  The gate will open at 12:00pm and the program will begin at 12:30pm. Please RSVP to, Debra Pierce at 252.237.2450, ext. 232, or at debra.pierce@esdb.nc.gov.

·        Roanoke Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Halifax and Northampton Department of Social Services, Spring Fair 2015, Tuesday, April 29th, 9:00am – 3:00pm, Halifax Community College, The Centre. For questions, call 252-537-3513 or email msweet@rvchamber.com.

·        Medoc Community Annual Medoc Day Festival on Saturday, May 2, 2015 on the grounds of the former Eastman Middle School from 11am until 6pm. For more information, contact Rebecca Copeland at 252-813-5952.

·        Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Legislative Day at the NC General Assembly.  Please wear Pink or Green. For information contact, Gina Dean NC Connection Team at 919-6377850

·        Eastpointe Mental Health First Aid 8-Hour Course, Wednesday – Thursday, May 28-29, 2015 Two Day Course – May 28th, 8:30-3:30pm and May 29th, 8:30-12:30, Edgecombe County Administrative Building, 201 St. Andrew Street, Tarboro, NC. For questions, contact training@eastpoint.net or call 252-407-2165.

·        The Second Chance Alliance is hosting Lobby Day on Tuesday, May 5, 2015 from 10 am – 3 pm at the NC General Assembly, Legislative Office Building, Raleigh. Please consider attending.  For more information, contact the NC Second Chance Alliance at (919) 715-0111, ext. 216 or visit ncsecondchance.org.

·        First Annual Public Libraries and STEM Conference, Wednesday – Friday, Aug. 20-22, 2015, Denver, CO. Registration now open. For additional information contact: Anne Holland, Conference Manager/Space Science Institute by calling 720-974-5876 or email aholland@spacescience.org or visit http://www.1pi.usra.edu/education/stemlibraryconference/registration/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL NEWS: The More You Know, The More You Grow…

 

 

March 26, 2015

 

Preacher or Teacher – Pastor of 2 Churches with a 3.7 GPA 

 

It’s all true!!!  On March 26th the Tom Joyner Foundation Hercules Scholar selected by Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is the Pastor of The Living Waters Baptist Church (High Point, NC) and the Associate Pastor of the New Light Baptist Church (Greensboro, NC).

 

He’s a Rocky Mount, NC native Dayhige Mykell Wright, a sophomore mass communications major headed to earn his Master’s in Divinity upon graduation from WSSU.

 

Click here to learn more about this young scholar and understand why he always tries to live by one verse in the Bible, Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

 

 

Public Relations Summer Fellowship

Hill & Knowlton 

Washington, DC

Apply on Career Site

Job Description

Hill+Knowlton Strategies Summer Fellowship Program

Hill+Knowlton Strategies will be hiring multiple summer fellows to support the Public Affairs, Corporate Communications, and Digital practice groups in the Washington, D.C., office. This is a formal fellowship designed to introduce you to the day-to-day business of a strategic communications firm and to help you develop the essential written and oral communicative skills required to conduct public relations activities. The internship is merely step one toward what will become a fulfilling career for many. 

Fellows will be assigned to work with a mid-level liaison on their respective team. Assignments are generally made on the basis of staffing needs for each client account, but whenever possible, we will match the assignment with the intern’s personal skills and interests.

We require immediate and full-time availability throughout the program (minimum 40 hours per week) for the summer months (June-August 2015). Part-time availability not permitted.

 

Qualifications:

·                       Current juniors, seniors, or recent college graduates studying Communications, Public    

            Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, Government, or related

·                       Previous PR internship or relevant leadership role at college/university (previous Hill,             

       campaign, policy/public affairs experience a plus)

·                       Strong writing, social media, and research skills

·                       Extremely organized with the ability to multitask and prioritize projects in a fast paced     

       environment

·                       Desire for a career in PR!

Compensation: 

 

$15/hour + overtime eligible (+40 hours/week)

 

Application Instructions:

If you meet the above qualifications and availability, please submit your resume with cover letter noting your practice area preference and availability date. If you are not local, please include your relocation plans/timeline in your cover letter. Apply Now

Duke Library Historical Perspectives

Historical perspectives from the Duke Libraries interviewing folks from Halifax County and surrounding areas. Click on the link below: 

http://library.duke.edu/digitalcollections/behindtheveil_enfield_nc_and_environs/

 

 

AWARDS AND GRANTS

 

The Golden Leaf Commits $50 Million to Entice Auto Manufacturer to NC.

 

On February 5, 2015, the Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors announced that it reserved $50 million to provide support for the location of an automobile manufacturing facility within the borders of North Carolina. “The state is readying itself to win and host this type of manufacturing industry,” said Johnathan Rhyne, Chair of the Golden LEAF Board of Directors. “The Golden LEAF Board took this action to demonstrate its commitment to this emerging opportunity. An automobile manufacturer and its suppliers can create thousands of jobs and serve as a catalyst for long-term economic advancement.”  Since its inception, Golden LEAF has been committed to using the funds entrusted to it for projects with the most potential for bolstering North Carolina’s long-term economy, especially in tobacco-dependent, economically distressed, and/or rural communities. “The committed Golden LEAF funds are not earmarked for a specific site or company, but to a site that an automobile manufacturer has indicated is its preferred North Carolina location,” said Dan Gerlach, Golden LEAF President. “The Foundation generally does not make a single grant of this magnitude, but recognizes the transformative potential of attracting this industry. The Board’s commitment is equal to a year and a half of our current grantsmaking budget, conveying the seriousness and aggressiveness that will be required to be successful.” As a public charity, Golden LEAF funds can be used for costs associated with project needs such as public infrastructure and workforce training.
To read more about the announcement, visit:

Golden LEAF’s $50M commitment makes N.C. megasites more competitive

Golden LEAF earmarks $50m to help lure automaker

Golden LEAF Foundation pledges $50M in incentives for auto manufacturing plant

 

NC Housing Finance Agency

 

The Board of Directors has awarded a loan of $150,000 from the NC Housing Trust Fund to renovate the Flynn Christian Fellowship Home of Wilson, Inc. The work will include a major rehabilitation of both interior and exterior spaces, including a complete asbestos and lead abatement.  The renovation will make one of the bathrooms fully accessible, and all appliances will be upgraded to improve energy efficiency. The Flynn Christian Fellowship Home is a nonprofit that provides support for men recovering from substance abuse disorders.  The three-story, brick home has 22 beds, with nine bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and dining area.  The Home receives operating funding from United Way, federal and local government grants, local churches, private donations, fundraising and program fees.  The total development cost is $538,000. 

 

I wanted to inform you that the following projects in Wilson and Vance Counties have been awarded FY2015 Economic Development Competitive Grants for Underserved and Limited Resource Communities (ULRC) from the Division of Rural Economic Development.

 

 

North Carolina Department of Commerce

The following projects in Wilson and Vance Counties have been awarded FY2015 Economic Development Competitive Grants for Underserved and Limited Resource Communities (ULRC) from the Division of Rural Economic Development.

 

·         City of Wilson (Wilson County) — $25,000 for Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, Phase I

·         Opportunities Industrialization Center of Wilson, Inc. (Wilson County) — $25,000 for New Year, New Me

·         Vance County — $50,000 for Vance County Regional Farmers Market Paving Project

·         Wilson Botanical Gardens (Wilson County) — $25,000 for STEM Garden-Phase 1

 

 

The Duke Endowment

 

Based in Charlotte, N.C., The Duke Endowment is one of the largest private foundation in the Southeast. It shares a name with Duke University and Duke Energy, but all are separate organizations. Each year, the Endowment distributes more than $100 million in grants to make a difference in children’s services, health care, higher education and rural churches in North Carolina and South Carolina.

 

You’ll find all of our recent grants posted on our website, www.dukeendowment.org.  For more information, please contact me at gcochrane@tde.org.

 

New Focus United Methodist Church

$130,000

To begin a literacy program.

Enfield

NC

Tabernacle United Methodist Church

$150,000

To construct a fellowship hall addition.

Townsville

NC

 

 

$30.5M In ‘Face Forward’ Grants Available To Help Youth

With Juvenile Records Gain Job Skills And Start New Careers

Initiative’s Third Phase Continues Program’s Progress

Closing: April 23, 2015

 

WASHINGTON – Youth who have been in the juvenile justice system often face numerous challenges as they attempt to enter the workforce and become productive citizens. The stigma that a juvenile record carries can close doors before they ever open. All too often, these hurdles continue into adulthood and become overwhelming barriers that sustain a cycle of crime and incarceration.

To stop the cycle before it starts, the department launched the “Face Forward” initiative – a program designed to help court-involved youth overcome barriers early on and provide occupational training and credentials that will help them open the door to career success.

 

The goal of the Face Forward program aligns closely with President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative which seeks to close opportunity gaps still faced by too many young people and often by boys and young men of color.

“We all succeed when we all succeed – and that’s what the Face Forward program is all about,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. “With these grants, we can create a brighter future for these youth, build safer communities and strengthen our economy as a whole.”

 

This will be the third round of the Face Forward grant initiative which uses the most promising workforce and juvenile justice strategies available. The grants also build on the department’s commitment to fund sustainable programs through the career pathways initiative, which better coordinates education and training services to enable workers to attain industry-recognized credentials and find jobs.

 

Grantees are expected to provide a range of services that include case management, mentoring, education and training services. Funded programs will also help to eliminate the stigma of a juvenile record by offering services to seal juvenile records and providing opportunities to handle delinquency complaints outside of the juvenile justice system.

 

The department plans to award four grants of $5 million each to intermediary organizations who will then work with local service providers in no less than three communities across no less than two states. The remaining funds will be awarded to approximately 10 community organization for up to $1.05 million each. Preference will be given to grantees that target communities with high-poverty and high-crime rates.

 

Grantees will provide services to youth between the ages of 14 to 24 that have been involved in the juvenile justice system, but never convicted in the adult criminal system.

 

The Funding Opportunity Announcement, which includes information about how to apply, is available at http://www.grants.gov.

 

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).

 

TIGER Discretionary Grants

Secretary Foxx Announces $500 Million in Seventh Round of TIGER Funding

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced last week that $500 million will be made available for transportation projects across the country under a seventh round of the highly successful U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program.   TIGER 2015 discretionary grants will fund capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure and will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that will have a significant impact on the nation, a region, or metropolitan area. Local, state and tribal governments may apply for funding.

The TIGER 2015 grant program will continue to make transformative surface transportation investments by providing significant and measurable improvements over existing conditions.  The grant program will focus on capital projects that generate economic development and improve access to reliable, safe and affordable transportation for disconnected both urban and rural, while emphasizing improved connection to employment, education, services and other opportunities, workforce development, or community revitalizationhttp://www.dot.gov/tiger 

For information on the 2015 TIGER summit, please click here.

The Pre-Application deadline is 11:59 E.D.T. on May 4, 2015.

The Final application deadline is 11:59 E.D.T. on June 5, 2015

For more information on the 2015 TIGER 2015 Grant program, please visit:

?         Notice of Funding Availability

?         2015 Webinar Series

?         How to Apply

?         Fact Sheet

Prospective applicants are encouraged to look through Frequently Asked Questionspast webinars, and other guidance by exploring the links on the left side of the page.

Marketplace 2015 is coming!

WEDNESDAY
MAY 27, 2015
From 8am to 5pm

SHERATON IMPERIAL
Research Triangle Park, NC

More than 50 representatives from federal government, military/civilian agencies, and large prime contractors will be available to talk with small businesses. 

Attend seminars designed for both those new to government procurement and those with previous contracting experience. Topics include:

  • Federal Contracting Basics
  • Capability Statements That Work
  • State & Local Contracting
  • Think Like a Contracting Officer
  • Certifications and Affiliations

Registration

$75 Early Registration Fee (thru 12pm May 26th)

$95 at the Door

$300 Booth Fee for Prime Contractors

Register

 

Hosted by Rep. David Price (NC 4th District)

and Rep. G. K. Butterfield (NC 1st District)

In cooperation with

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • DHHS / NIH / NIEHS
  • NC Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) / PTAC
  • Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses, NC DOA

 

www.sbtdc.org/events/marketplace

(919) 715-7272 | (800) 258-0862 (in NC only)

 

 

 

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

 

Monday 3/30 – Friday 4/2 Week in Review

 

McCrory signs gas tax into law. This week Senate Bill 20, the gas tax increase and IRC changes that went to joint House and Senate Conference last week for compromise between the two chambers, was passed and signed into law. This bill will increase revenue for road work by allowing the gas tax to increase incrementally over the next four years. The edition of the bill that was passed and signed into law also included the IRC provisions that remove deductions for homeowners going through loan forgiveness. Read more here.

 

Wake County Board of Commissioners gets redistricted. This week the House Elections Committee took up Senate Bill 181, allowing for the redistricting of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, which will drastically change the makeup of the Commission. This legislation is largely considered a reaction by the Republican-led General Assembly to less than favorable election results this past November, and is yet another power grab by the state to take away local control. This bill was a local bill, affecting only Wake County directly, so did not require the signature of the Governor, becoming law as soon as the House passed the legislation Wednesday afternoon. Read more here.  

 

NC House introduces new restrictive abortion legislation. This bill would require a 72-hour waiting period to get an abortion – up from the current 24 hours – and would preclude UNC-Chapel Hill and East Carolina from providing any elective abortions. UNC Hospitals officials said the proposal might hinder their ability to train doctors. Women’s rights groups oppose the legislation, saying it would do nothing to protect women or children, while inserting the government into the doctor-patient relationship. Read more here.

 

NC Republicans introduce religious freedom legislation, in spite of outcry over Indiana legislation. Last week, NC House and Senate Republicans introduces matching RFRA legislation, though we have yet to see this begin moving through either chamber. Walmart, American Airlines, and Angie’s List have all come out against this kind of discriminatory legislation in wake of Indiana’s adoption of RFRA, citing that it is bad for business. While North Carolina continues to work toward bringing a car manufacturer to the state and bring good paying jobs across all industries, the General Assembly continues to push forward with social legislation like thisthat could continue to hurt our business climate. Read more here.

 

Historic Tax Credit dead in Senate. A bill that the N.C. House passed last week to bring back North Carolina’s Historic Property Tax Credit program is dead in the state Senate, said state Sen. Tom Apodaca of Hendersonville. The Governor and leaders in the House have been calling for incentives to encourage growth and economic development, including the historic tax credit, since session has begun. Read more here.

 

 

                                          

                                                                                                                                            

 

Statewide high school students in grades 9 through 12 serve as Pages when the General Assembly is in session.  They perform valuable duties for the Senators and their office staff.  They attend daily Senate sessions, committee meetings, and assist staff members with office duties during the week they serve in the Legislature.

 

Sen. Angela Bryant sponsored D’Asia Garner for the 45th Annual Youth Legislative Assembly, on the weekend of March 20th – 22nd. Approximately 200 NC high school students were expected to attend and draft bills, engage in debate and vote on mock legislation.  D’Asia says “I really enjoyed my experience at the YLA. It was awesome. I advise anyone to go and take the time out for a great office experience. Being able to go and experience things like this makes me honored to get up and do great things”.

 

Lily Nicole Richardson, a student at Warren County High School, served as a Page the week of March 30th.  She is the daughter of Spencer Richardson and Kellie Branche of Warrenton. “The Senate Page Program with Senator Angela Bryant was an amazing and inspirational experience. Prior to this program, I thought I would never aspire to be involved in the government, but this has truly engaged me in a psotive way. It is a program I highly recommend. I can’t thank Senator Angela Bryant enough for this extraordinary opportunity,”says Lily.  

 

Annabelle Elizabeth Webb, a student at Northern Vance High School, served as a Page, the week of March 30th.  She is the daughter of Larry and Elaine Webb of Henderson.  Annabelle shared about her experience, “This experience has changed my view on politics. I now understand the complexity of legislature.  This experience has helped me become an informed future voter. This has also sparked my interest in politics. I’ve been able to network with future voters, future legislators, current legislators, and government officials.  I am grateful to Senator Bryant as she has given me this opportunity.”

 

Twins, Kei’Sshiona Cor’Tayshia Jones and Russhion Lemont Jones II, students of Rocky Mount Preparatory School, served as Pages the week of March 2nd.  They are the children of Russhion Jones and Lakisha Silver of Enfield.  “Leadership is more about influence than authority. Influence is all about building relationships upon others, and also having an impact on their lives. I choose to lead, creating a path for those inspired that will follow within my footsteps”, says Russhion.  His twin sister, Kei’Sshiona  shared similar sentiments, “Society needs leaders everyday in the world for new ideas to help improve the nation. All leaders bring something different to the table. Serving as a Senate Page opened my eyes to new opportunities. I was able to meet with many Senators, Assistants, and other Staff. This hands-on experience gave me insight on the lives of our leaders of today, chances to build relationships with Senators, and become familiar with how my state General Assembly operates”.

 

Statewide high school students in grades 9 through 12 serve as Pages when the General Assembly is in session.  They perform valuable duties for the Senators and their office staff.  They attend daily Senate sessions, committee meetings, and assist staff members with office duties during the week they serve in the Legislature.

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU

 

Dear Sen. Angela Bryant,

Thank you so very much for your efforts to obtain the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award fro me.  I was and still am most thrilled at receiving the award. As my wife said, “It’s the icing on the cake,” and indeed it is. Thank you again for all you did to make this happen and for your very kind comments made at City Hall. I do miss living and working in NC and Henderson and working with so many wonderful people there. You are surely among that group.  Thanks Again!

 

Sincerely

 

A. Ray

*********************************************************************************************

Sen. Bryant,

Thank you, for supporting your county and the services we all provide for the residents of our state.

 

Sincerely,

 

Your Board of County Commissioners

 

Contact:  Senator Angela R. Bryant, North Carolina Senate • District 4•

North Carolina General Assembly • State Legislative Office Building • 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 520, Raleigh, NC  27603 • 919-733-5878-P • 919-754-3289-F •Angela.Bryant@ncleg.net or

Karon Hardy, Legislative Assistant at  bryantla@ncleg.net.