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Leaders see Alumni ^ ^c\ebr^/^5oent*
The Tronic le
Volume40,Number 10 WINSTON-SALEM, N.C THURSDAY, October 31, 2013
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NC OOP Photo
Johnson C. Smith University forum participants (from left) Ada Fisher, Kory Swan son, Hasan Harnett, Vince
Coakley, /Catherine Restrepo, Clarence Henderson, TJ. Jackson and Earl Philip.
(jUF looks to make
inroads with blacks
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE
North Carolina has joined a national Republican ini
tiative to engage African American voters.
Though the state's GOP African American
Engagement Office has been up and running
since September, it was formally opened in
Charlotte on Oct. 21 during a ceremony that
drew state and national party leaders. Party
officials say they have been looking for new
ways to make inroads into the black commu
nity since President Barack Obama won
reelection in 2012, easily winning the vast
majority of votes cast by minorities.
Earl Philip, the Republican National
Committee's African American director for
N.C., said the new office fills a "void that has
been missing."
we maice no quarrels aDoui it, we snouia nave oeen
communicating a little more and engaging a little more
(wit)t African Americans), so that is what we're doing
now," he said.
Philip said that though black votes have overwhelm
ingly gone to Democrats for many decades. Republicans
have shown they can get minority votes through engage
ment. He pointed to Pat McCrory. who got only three per
cent of the minority vote in his failed 2008 gubernatorial
run, but won the governorship in 2012 with 14 percent of
the minority vote.
Philio said the engagement office won't
focus on specific policies, but will tout core
Republican values to appeal to blacks.
"The mission of our office is to be a
resource to the black community for
Republican ideals and promote the traditional
values of the black community, which are the
core values of the Republican Party," he said.
"Those core values are faith in God. strong fam
ilies, small government, personal responsibility,
strong economy and equal opportunity for all."
The office will focus much of its efforts on
black businesses, churches, organizations and
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
(nBCUs). Philip said the reception the office has
received so far has been good.
"We've been doing this since September, and we have
received nothing but open arms, no negativity, none what
Scc GOP on A9
fo^
. *
Photo courtesy of M. Leight
Molly Leight is seeking her third term.
Taylor; Leight
look to
retain seats
BY LAYLA GARMS
THE CHRONICLE
Democratic City Council members Molly Leight
and James Taylor say they are optimistic about their
chances for reelection.
Taylor, who won the Southeast Ward seat four years
ago. Dealing tne
Democratic incumbent
along the way, says one
of his greatest accom
plishments on the
Council is the work he
has done to bring eco
nomic development to
the ward. He is also
proud of his championing
of an anti-graffiti ordi
nance that prohibits the
sale of spray paint to
minors and 10 percent
minority businesses par
ticipation requirement for
firms vying for city busi
fVCC
"This ward has creat
ed the most jobs in the last four years, with the addition
of Caterpillar, Herbalife and Pepsi," he said. "...We've
been successful with changing the quality of life, not
only with jobs and economic development, but also
through legislation."
See Election on A8
James Taylor
HandyMen
PtK*o by l^yla Garrm
Forsyth County Elections Director Robert
Coffman paints the home of a local senior. He and
other county leaders recently rolled up their
sleeves to help mark the Shepherd's Center's
SftOOth home repair. Read more on page BI.
WFU hosts tomorrow's lawyers
BY LAYLA GARMS
THE CHRONICLE
City native Vondell Davis believes
in planning ahead.
Since she was 16, Davis, the old
est of five children, has been working
towards her goal of becoming a corpo
rate attorney. Last week, the Winston
Salem Slate University senior contin
ued on her quest at Carolina's
Vineyards & Hops, where she was
able to network and compare notes
with other law and pre-law students
from across North and South
Carolina.
"1 just do everything that 1 can so I
can see what I'm getting into if I do
enroll at Wake Forest," said Davis,
who is hoping to be accepted to the
university's JMBA program, which
includes a law degree and an MBA.
"It's not about where you're going -
it's about who you meet during that
time."
Davis. 23, was one of nearly 100
up and coming African American law
and pre-law students from across the
region who convened at Wake Forest
on Oct. 25 and 26 for the National
Black Law Students Association's
Academic Retreat for Sub-Region III.
The event - which included network
ing sessions, panel discussions and
workshops on everything from dress
Sec Lawven on AS
Phcxo by L?yta Ciarms
Charlotte School of Law's Victoria Owens (left) and Z'a Williams.
Black 'Nam vets tell students war tales
Raynor
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE
A group of African American Vietnam War veterans were invit
ed to Wake Forest last Friday to share their memories from the con
troversial conflict with students in an English class.
The students had been exploring the letters mailed home by
American soldiers as they fought in Vietnam and various other
wars. Sharon Raynor, a visiting professor from Johnson C. Smith
University, teaches the class and conducts an oral history project
Set Veto on A7
ASSURED
STORAGE
of Winston-Salefn, LLC
Photos by Todd
Luck
Vietnam
veteran
John
Barnes
speaks as
Robert
Jones
looks on.
Il
VO