NCLM Southern City Volume 71, Issue 2, 2021

5 INSIDE THIS ISSUE 9 11 13 15 16 21 26 30 34 37 38 6 8 40 44 46 26 16 WRITERS THIS ISSUE BEN BROWN NCLM Communications & Multimedia Specialist JACK CASSIDY NCLM Communications Associate SCOTT MOONEYHAM NCLM Director of Political Communication & Coordination In Memoriam ‘A zest for life.’ Remembering Kelli Kukura. NCLM Report Calls for Broad Examinations of Policy Affecting Racial Equity After several months of work, NCLM’s Task Force on the Impact of City Leaders on Racial Equity has released a report calling for broad examinations of municipal policies affecting racial equity. NCLM Board of Directors Selected at CityVision 2021 Alexander, Neisler, and Harris to lead organization over next year. NCLM Local Leadership Foundation Back with Ever-Important Mission An ever-important, but timely, agenda is leading the League’s re-energized Local Leadership Foundations. By the Numbers: Senator Burgin on Data, Health Care, Local Government, and Term Limits The League’s quarterly legislator Q&A. The Broadband Market Failure Under current legislation, almost nothing can resolve the internet problem in North Carolina. The City of Washington is now finding that out firsthand. Cities and Towns Lead the Way on Affordable Housing In the face of a complex and far-reaching issue, cities and towns are not sitting on the sidelines. Jennifer Robinson: Local Leadership as a ‘Way of Life’ Facing issues head-on and with family in mind, the Cary councilmember’s public service mindset was on full display this past year. A Pandemic Innovation: The Online, Main Street Marketplace in New Bern What started as a creative COVID solution now promises to support local businesses far into the future. CityVision Virtual Conference a Success, Goes in Depth on Timely Issues Hundreds of municipal officials across North Carolina gathered in virtual fashion in late April for one of the state’s most engaging community-focused conferences in memory. In NCLM-Supported Partnership, College Students are Helping Town Hall Through Pandemic One, the pandemic places outsize demand on governments and nonprofits to respond, and two, plans for internships fell through for many a college student. Board of Directors Speaking Out Working Across Boundaries Talk of Our Towns The past year has presented a litany of challenges for our cities and towns. Through those trials, we’ve been given a glimpse at the determination and dedication of our local leaders. Taking the Field Opportunity in Crisis Board of Trustees