Black Issues Forum Series: 2015-16

Deborah and BIF intern Paris Alston head into the field to learn more about the fun outdoor and exercise activities that many black North Carolinians love to do! We'll take you horseback riding, swimming, hiking, and Deborah even goes for a run as we check out how North Carolina groups are keeping people happy and healthy.

Despite progress in the medical and social stigma realms, black North Carolinians are still suffering at staggering rates from HIV and AIDS. Bridgett Luckey and Drs. Allison Mathews and Adaora Adimora discuss how to continue and increase the fight against this terrible medical phenomenon. BIF intern Ayana Sadler also takes us to a 2BeatHIV event in Durham for more information about HIV research.

The concept of race is a complex matter, and often it is difficult to have a real conversation about race and ethnicity without tensions rising and offenses being launched. Deborah has a dialogue about the definition of race and more with Dr. Candis Watts Smith of UNC-Chapel Hill, Dr. Mark Anthony Neal of Duke University, and Samone Oates-Bullock, a student at UNC-CH.

College sports are a beloved and time-honored tradition - but what does it mean when the athletes who provide the excitement of competition don't get the education that they were promised or proper compensation? Dwayne Ballen of CBS Sports, CL Brown of ESPN.com, and Dr. Deborah Stroman of UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School flesh out the problems with big university athletic programs in the NCAA.

After strong protest three North Carolina HBCU's were dropped from a bill that many clained threatened the schools viability. Can the alumni of these schools now breathe a sigh of relief? Andrea Harris of the North Carolina Institute for Minority Economic Developmen and Ty Couey founder and President of the National HBCU Alumni Association and National Organization of College Parents discuss.

November 10, 1898 was an important and tragic day in Wilmington's and North Carolina's history, yet very few people know about what took place on that fall day all those years ago. Filmmaker Christopher Everett explores this crucial historical moment in his new documentary, Wilmington on Fire, and Deborah sits down with him to learn more about why he wanted to tell this story.

This is an important election year for North Carolinians, yet there are so many barriers that voters of color are facing when it comes to their basic right to express their voices. Deborah chats with Kerra Bolton, David Joyner, and John White - three NC political experts and strategists who have ideas about how voters of color can protect their votes as well as their ability to go to the polls.

Historically black colleges and universities are facing new challenges to their resources, and administrators all over the state are working hard to strengthen their schools for the future. Deborah sits with Dr. Corey Walker of Winston-Salem State University and Edith Bartley of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to discuss what HBCUs are doing to better serve their students and communities.

Historically black colleges and universities are facing new challenges to their resources, and administrators all over the state are working hard to strengthen their schools for the future. Deborah sits with Dr. Corey Walker of Winston-Salem State University and Edith Bartley of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to discuss what HBCUs are doing to better serve their students and communities.

This week, Deborah heads to Rocky Mount to learn about the predominantly female African-American medical team at the Opportunities Industrialization Center - the OIC - a multi-purpose resource center that focuses on health. These doctors, nurses, and dentists are working to both improve health disparities in Eastern NC and to educate their patients about the virtues of medicine and health care.