The People's Alliance has some bittersweet news to share. As of today, Victoria Bright has stepped down from her role as co-President to become a full-time student at the Duke University Fuqua School of Business. While we will miss her leadership and passion for progressive action, we are glad that Victoria will stay in Durham and will remain a PA board member to continue to be involved in carrying out our mission. Congratulations to Victoria in her next life venture!

Additionally, co-President Katie Mgongowla has resigned from the Board of Directors as of Friday, June 26. We thank Katie for her service to the organization.

In accordance with the PA Bylaws, current Vice President Katie Todd will serve in the role of President effective today, July 1, and will fulfill this term for the remainder of the calendar year (ending December 31, 2020). You may reach Katie at [email protected]. 

Furthermore, the PA Board has approved current board member, Yesenia Polanco, to serve as Vice President also until the end of the calendar year. You may reach Yesenia at [email protected]. 

We thank Katie and Yesenia for stepping up to ensure the invaluable work done by PA members and Action Teams continues. Establishing a Durham that our collective progressive movement envisions — a place where people can live, people can work, and people can thrive — remains our top priority.

Please keep an eye out later this summer for information on how to get more engaged with the board in 2021.

Thank you,

People’s Alliance Board of Directors

We are outraged and grieving at the Black lives taken unjustly by police violence and white supremacy. 

The violence against Black people must stop. Those with power, wealth, and white privilege must end their targeted killings of the descendants of those whom the United States enslaved in order to build this country. The deep trauma of how Blackness has been looted resonates unbearably and constantly. Corporations, museums, and governmental entities have stolen and continue to steal Black culture, Black ideas, and Black votes, all while resisting Black wealth building and healing. Meanwhile, terorrism against Black bodies continues.

At a time of great uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, public officials at both the city and county levels in Durham continue to work to complete their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year 2020-2021. Since early in the year, PA (led by its action teams and board) has been advocating for the inclusion of several specific budget requests that support our vision of a just, equitable, and inclusive community where all people thrive. These requests include additional funding for rental assistance and eviction diversion, added support for race equity, a proposal for county-wide property tax assistance for low-income homeowners, expanded investments in environmental sustainability, and a living wage for all Durham Public Schools (DPS) employees.