Hi Friend --



As we offer thanks and a farewell to our former staff person, Scott Sellers, we are excited to welcome our new Lead Organizer, Celeste Cornelius! Here’s a note from Celeste introducing herself:







I am Celeste Cornelius, and I am elated to be joining your organization. I started in local organizing in Greensboro, North Carolina and have been passionate about local politics and elections ever since. I graduated with bachelor's degrees in Political Science and History in May of 2020. I went on to pursue a Masters degree at Johns Hopkins University that will be completed in December of 2021 with defense of my Masters thesis. I have been an active member of Guilford for All, as well as Second Vice Chair for Guilford County Democratic Party. I am extremely passionate about building strong community ties to hold all of our elected officials accountable and cannot wait to get started. 



Please join us in making Celeste feel welcome by sending her a hello and well wishes as she transitions to Durham to start her new role! She can be reached at [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>.



Upcoming PA Action Team Meetings



Environment and Climate Justice Action Team



We were so thrilled to have 115 people join our Green New Deal for Durham <[link removed]> (GNDD) town hall last month! You can watch a recording of the conversation <[link removed]> or check out the interactive slide deck <[link removed]>.  



We’re continuing to build on that energy and enthusiasm as we move forward with our GNDD coalition partners! If you’re interested in getting more involved in this work, please fill out our new volunteer form <[link removed]> and we’ll be in touch about upcoming opportunities, including new working groups focused on partnerships, policy development, and communications.



PA Reviews Draft County Budget for FY 2021-2022



The advocacy of our action teams and members in support of our priorities for the city and county budgets continues! Last month, we had the chance to see how the county’s proposed budget for this upcoming fiscal year matched up with what we’ve been requesting. See for yourself where the county’s draft budget met, somewhat met, or fell short of our expectations here. <[link removed]>



Transit Equity Campaign Videos



PA has been working with partner organizations to advocate for transit riders, transit workers, and low income communities of color as Durham develops scenarios for its new Transit Plan. In this series of videos, you can hear transit riders and workers in their own words, talking about the need for safe sidewalks, more frequent, reliable buses, and paratransit service.



Read more about the Transit Equity Campaign and these videos here. <[link removed]>



See all four (short) videos on YouTube <[link removed]> — and click “like” to help others see them, too!



Upcoming PA Action Team Meetings



All are welcome to attend and participate in action team meetings, including non-PA members.



Education Action Team



We’ll discuss the following priorities: 



- Budget advocacy

- Principal accountability

- Equitable access to extracurriculars

- School safety (including school resource officers). 



Date: Thursday, June 20 | Time: 8:00 - 9:30pm | Location:Zoom (see RSVP link)



Register here to attend (required). <[link removed]> Registrants will receive the Zoom details the week of the meeting.



Economic Justice Action Team



Note new meeting time: Starting in July, the Economic Justice Action Team will begin meeting on the first Tuesday of every month, at 7:00pm. There will be no meeting in June. 



During our July meeting, we will debrief our budget advocacy efforts and revisit our team plans to assess our progress to date and plan for the rest of the year. 



Date: Tuesday, July 6 | Time: 7:00 - 8:30pm | Location: Zoom (see RSVP link)



RSVP here. <[link removed]>



Housing Action Team



On June 3, 6:00pm, we’ll plan for the Durham City Council budget hearing on June 7. Register to speak by clicking here <[link removed]> before Monday, June 7, at 6:30pm. The city budget is agenda item 39, but it should be the first public hearing. People’s Alliance budget priorities include funds for: 



- Rent assistance for Legal Aid of NC to help prevent evictions and homelessness

- Grants for long-time, low-income homeowners with rising taxes

- Funds for Braggtown and other legacy Black communities to plan AND invest in affordable housing, safe streets, sidewalks, transit, and community spaces in historic African-American neighborhoods

- Increase transit buses and paratransit vans and staff to meet the needs of people with disabilities



For more info, email [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>. 



Date: Thursday, June 3 | Time: 6:00 - 7:30pm | Location:Zoom (see RSVP link)



RSVP here. <[link removed]>



Events and More from Progressive Partners / Durham Organizations



Durham CAN Meetings



Durham Congregations, Associations, and Neighborhoods have several events and meetings PA members can attend this month, including the bimonthly Metro Council meeting on June 17, 6:00pm. Find more information and registration links here. <[link removed]>



Legal Aid of NC Roundtable: Health and Home



Having secure housing makes all the difference to individuals and public health. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, elected officials and local leaders stressed the importance of everyone having a safe and secure place to call home to prevent viral spread. The federal and state governments passed moratoria on evictions, thus ensuring that families and residents could remain housed and viral transmission could be slowed. Our unhoused neighbors, however, were unable to safely isolate, quarantine, or even wash their hands. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, those living without housing experienced higher rates of hospitalization, medical emergency, and injury.



The anticipated end of the pandemic does not mean that the connection between health and home becomes any less important. On June 23, 12:00 - 1:00pm, Legal Aid experts on our medical-legal partnership and housing teams, as well as a representative from Duke University School of Medicine will speak to the difference that having a home makes to our individual and collective health.



Register for this free virtual discussion by clicking here. <[link removed]> Advance registration is required.



Support Durham People’s Alliance!



People’s Alliance needs your support to continue our community-driven advocacy. Please contribute whatever you are able to at this time!



<[link removed]>Donate now <[link removed]>





People's Alliance

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People's Alliance - PO Box 2935, Durham, NC 27715, United States

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