This week on All Rights Reserved, "The Community Lawyer" Yolanda Taylor sits down with H. Timothy Lovelace, Jr.—John Hope Franklin Research Scholar and Professor of Law at Duke University —for a deep dive into the current judicial assault on civil rights.

As the U.S. Supreme Court continues to hand down decisions that gut landmark statutes, Professor Lovelace provides the historical and legal context necessary to understand what is truly at stake for everyday lives. They deconstruct the "colorblind" myth promoted by the modern court, analyzing how cases like Louisiana v. Calle have been used to dismantle the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Lovelace challenges the "originalist" jurisprudence of the current majority by revisiting the vibrant, race-conscious era of Reconstruction. From the creation of the Freedmen’s Bureau to the establishment of HBCUs, they explore how the 14th Amendment was originally intended to be a mechanism for active equity, not a shield for maintaining the status quo.

In This Episode:

• Judicial Reverse-Engineering: Analyzing how the court uses constitutional law to advance political outcomes.
• The Voting Rights Act Under Fire: A breakdown of the Louisiana map dispute and the impact of gutting Section 2.
• Structural Racism Defined: Why race still structures every part of American life—from maternal health and education to the wealth gap—despite "colorblind" legal theories.
• From CRT to DEI: Understanding the legislative trajectory that successfully attacked Critical Race Theory and is now targeting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• The Global Civil Rights Fight: How the American movement has historically influenced international human rights law.

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In this high-stakes episode of All Rights Reserved, Yolanda Taylor, "The People’s Attorney," takes you inside the annual North Carolina Black Summit. With the theme "Unleashing Our Power, United in Purpose," this wasn't just a gathering—it was a strategic "war room" for the future of North Carolina’s democracy.

From the halls of the General Assembly to the front lines of mental health and school board advocacy, Yolanda captures the voices of the leaders navigating a "policy malpractice" environment.

Before diving into the interviews, Yolanda breaks down the chilling implications of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Calias.

• The Attack on Section 2: How the weakening of the Voting Rights Act threatens to dilute Black voting strength.
• The Myth of Colorblindness: Yolanda tackles Chief Justice Roberts’ famous "stop discriminating" quote, explaining why declaring society colorblind before dismantling structural inequality actually protects the status quo.

• Leader Robert Reeves (House Democratic Leader): On why the opposition spends millions to make you believe your vote doesn't matter and the "football team" analogy of political alignment.
• Rep. Zach Hawkins: A clarion call on the intentional "starving" of public education to fund private school vouchers.
• Rep. Jordan Lopez (Mecklenburg County): A look at the "IOU" state of North Carolina—the only state in the nation without a budget—and how it’s crippling infrastructure and state employee retention.

• Tyler Swanson (Wake County School Board Chair): The "Blue Ridge Loophole" and the "tough and ugly" budget decisions forced upon local school boards when the state fails to do its job.
• Lillian Davis (NAMI NC): The intersection of public policy, inclusivity, and mental health advocacy.

• Courtney Crowder & Dr. Javita Lee Miller (NC Black Alliance): A reflection on 13 years of leadership, the evolution of Advanced Carolina, and the "passing of the baton" to the next generation of organizers.

• Organize or Be Organized: Power must be curated; it doesn't sustain itself through hope alone.
• Beyond the Ticket: Why local school boards and city councils are the primary defense against state-level neglect.
• The Alliance Model: Building relationships with those who don't pray like us or look like us, because "a rising tide lifts all boats."

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In this heavy-hitting episode of All Rights Reserved, Yolanda Taylor, "The People’s Attorney," steps into the eye of the storm. Rocky Mount, NC has been a fixture in the headlines lately, rife with talk of budget shortfalls, administrative instability, and community backlash. But behind the soundbites lies a deeper story about who controls the money and who gets left out of the math.

Joining Yolanda are Councilman Andre Knight (Ward 1) and Councilman Reuben Blackwell, IV (Ward 2). This isn't a conversation about personalities; it’s a masterclass in municipal power.

• The 2003 Pivot: Why the budget was a "white power document" for 136 years and how the first Black majority council finally put sidewalks and housing in underserved wards on the line item.
• The Police & Fire Pay Spike: The guests break down how former City Manager Keith Rogers bypassed the council to grant 35% and 25% raises to public safety departments just weeks into his tenure—and why that move left public works employees (predominantly Black) out in the cold.
• The $117 Million Question: Clarifying the narrative around Rocky Mount’s financial health. The guests detail the fund balance left by former manager Rochelle Small-Tony and challenge the "bankruptcy" rumors circulating on social media.
• Institutional Resistance: A candid look at "white flight" within city government and the friction that occurs when legacy department heads are asked to take direction from strong Black leadership.
• Budgeting as Advocacy: Why your local budget is the most important civil rights document in your city, and why being "at the table" means nothing if you don't understand the flow of revenue.

• Councilman Andre Knight (Ward 1): A graduate of NC Central University and a pastor known for his outspoken advocacy. Knight views his seat not as a title, but as a megaphone for justice and civil rights in his native Rocky Mount.
• Councilman Reuben Blackwell, IV (Ward 2): CEO of the Rocky Mount OIC and a UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus. Blackwell’s focus remains on workforce development, closing health inequities, and the "resolute" pursuit of economic mobility for the poor.

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In this special solo episode of "All Rights Reserved," host Yolanda Taylor (the Community Lawyer) strips away the interviews and photo ops to have a direct conversation about accountability. Following weeks of discussions with senators, councilmen, and grassroots advocates, Yolanda connects the dots between the decisions made in backrooms and the reality at your kitchen table.

In This Episode:

- The "3x Rent" Barrier & Predatory Fees: Why requiring tenants to earn three times the rent—while North Carolina’s minimum wage remains stalled at- $7.25 per hour — is a mathematical lockout. Yolanda breaks down the impact of non-refundable $75+ application fees that strip families of gas and grocery money before they even secure a roof.

- Proactive vs. Reactive Policing: A deep dive into the Social Sip and Stroll districts. Why is a person drinking a $2 Beer on a bench cited, while those with $12 cocktails are ignored? Yolanda explains the dangerous intersection of profiling and "proactive" law enforcement.

- Crime & The Transparency Gap: A critical look at a recent Wake County case where charges for a stabbing involving six victims were dismissed before trial. Yolanda questions the lack of transparency from the DA’s office and whether the same outcome would exist for a Black defendant.

- The Ballot Box as a Tool for Survival: Beyond the primary election turnout, Yolanda discusses the upcoming Knightdale community center bond and why local elections for Judges and the District Attorney are the most impactful levers for racial justice.

- The Essential Worker Myth: Reflections on the pandemic "heroes"—grocery clerks, CNAs, and service workers—who are now being priced out of the very cities they kept running.

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On this episode of All Rights Reserved, host Yolanda Taylor, the "Community Lawyer," sits down with North Carolina State Representative James Roberson (District 37).

Representative Roberson brings a unique perspective to the table, having served as the long-time Mayor of Knightdale before transitioning to the state legislature. This conversation strips away the political talking points to examine the friction and the functionality between local municipal needs and state-level policy.

• The Local-to-State Pipeline: How serving as a mayor informs legislative priorities and why understanding municipal "boots on the ground" reality is often missing in the General Assembly.
• Education & The Workforce: With his background in higher education, Rep. Roberson discusses the current state of K-12 funding and the strategic importance of community colleges in North Carolina’s economic future.
• Legislative Mechanics: A look inside the committee rooms—how appropriations and education policy actually get shaped behind the scenes.
• Advocating for Wake County: Navigating the challenges of representing one of the fastest-growing regions in the country within a complex political landscape.

Representative James Roberson serves North Carolina’s 37th District. A former Mayor of Knightdale and a career educator with decades of experience at Wake Technical Community College, he focuses on community development, public education, and sustainable economic growth.

Learn more about his work: Rep. James Roberson - NC House

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On this episode of All Rights Reserved, Yolanda Taylor (The Community Lawyer) is joined by three "Pioneers in the Struggle" who are currently reshaping the political landscape of the Twin Counties.

Guests Angela Bryant, Gloria Davis, and Sue Perry Cole break down the transition from community frustration to organized, strategic power. They dive deep into the recent demerger of the Nash-Rocky Mount school system, a move rooted in historical segregation and current-day systemic pressure, and explain how they used the law and grassroots organizing to ensure Black families weren't left behind.

• The Reality of "Packing": A technical look at redistricting tactics where minority populations are over-concentrated into single districts to dilute their influence elsewhere.
• The School Demerger Crisis: How 95% of the Edgecombe County population annexed back into the local district was Black, and the strategic response required to manage dilapidated infrastructure and skewed funding formulas.
• Governing While Black: The unique challenges of exercising "Democratic Majority Power" in Eastern North Carolina, where high Black population percentages (like Edgecombe, the state's largest predominantly Black county) are often met with intense voter suppression and legislative "packing."
• From Survival to Strategy: How to move residents from "crisis mode" (dealing with utility bills and car repossessions) to a place where they can hold elected officials accountable.

• Angela Bryant: Former NC State Senator (District 4) and community strategist. A veteran of both inside-government policy and outside-government grassroots power building.
• Gloria Davis: Newly elected Edgecombe County School Board member and entrepreneur. A leader who bridges the gap between community faith, mental health advocacy, and the ballot box.
• Sue Perry Cole: CEO of the NC Association of Community Development Corporations. A statewide leader in housing equity and systems change who specializes in building the infrastructure for equity.

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This episode of All Rights Reserved cuts straight to the bone of the housing crisis in Southeast Raleigh. Host Yolanda Taylor, the "Community Lawyer," sits down with the "blueprint for advocacy," Award-winning community leader, Octavia Rainey—a preservationist who has spent decades on the front lines fighting the erasure of Black history and the displacement of its people.

• The 3x Rent Trap: Why requiring three times the rent to qualify is intentionally excluding Gen Z, Millennials, and low-wage workers.
• The Application Fee Hustle: How non-refundable $75–$100 fees are being used as a predatory revenue stream that disproportionately hits Black women.
• Zoning as a Weapon: A deep dive into how rezoning and the removal of "Conservation Overlay Districts" act as the primary engines for gentrification.
• The AMI Myth: Breaking down why "affordable housing" based on Area Median Income is a math problem that doesn't add up for CNAs, hospitality workers, and families living paycheck to paycheck.

Historical Erasure: Octavia Rainey discusses the changing face—and feel—of Southeast Raleigh and the importance of holding local government accountable for redevelopment decisions.

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On this episode of All Rights Reserved, host Yolanda Taylor sits down with Mark-Anthony Middleton.

What does it actually mean to "serve the people" in a rapidly shifting political landscape? Host Yolanda Taylor welcomes Mark-Anthony Middleton—pastor, former Durham Mayor Pro Tem, and past president of the NC League of Municipalities—to tackle the uncomfortable truths about leadership in North Carolina.

Middleton brings a unique perspective on the intersection of faith, local governance, and grassroots activism. He and Yolanda dive deep into the mechanics of voter suppression, the reality of "Christian Nationalism" [40:18], and the complex economics of housing affordability.

Key Topics:

Voter Intimidation: Analyzing the SAFE Act and efforts to disenfranchise Black voters in the South [11:22].

The Western NC Recovery: Lessons learned from working across the aisle during the Hurricane Helene aftermath [25:52].

Economic Empowerment: Middleton’s "Marshall Plan" for the Fayetteville Street corridor and the fight for guaranteed income [54:21].

A House on Fire: Why some Black Republican figures are failing the community they claim to represent [42:51].

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On this episode of All Rights Reserved, host Yolanda Taylor sits down with Grady Bussey, newly elected Town Council member for Knightdale, North Carolina, for a real conversation about public service, community growth, and why civic participation matters more than ever.

Bussey shares his journey — from being a nationally competitive track athlete at Saint Augustine's University to becoming a community organizer, advocate for voter engagement, and now a voice in local government. Along the way, he explains how sports, family, and grassroots organizing shaped his leadership philosophy.

The conversation also digs into some of the biggest issues facing Wake County, North Carolina today:

• Rapid population growth and housing development

• The future of infrastructure and community spaces

• Affordable housing challenges

• Why local elections and bond referendums matter to everyday residents

As the 2026 election cycle approaches, Taylor and Bussey also highlight the importance of civic literacy — encouraging voters to research candidates, understand ballot measures, and mobilize their communities to participate in the democratic process.

One key message from the episode: real change starts with people showing up — for their neighbors, their community, and the ballot box.

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