In the summer of 2020, WUNC launched a special coverage series titled “Calling for Change.” The series highlighted the voices of Black activists and leaders advocating for racial equity in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and the widespread protests that followed.
Five years later, WUNC revisited several of those voices to reflect on what has changed, and what remains urgent.
Among the leaders featured is William “Sandy” Darity, Founding Director of the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity and Samuel DuBois Cook Professor of Public Policy at Duke University.
On the rollback of DEI efforts in recent years, Dr. Darity noted:
What we now are observing is a situation in which the institutions and organizations that are truly committed to racial equity are continuing to do that, and the ones that were only displaying a commitment because of the climate of the moment are exposing themselves as not really having that same type of dedication to these principles.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Dr. Darity emphasized the need for federal policies that advance racial equity and reparations, outlining four key priorities: Guaranteed Employment, Baby Bonds, Universal Wi-Fi Access, and Reparations for Black Americans.
Read or listen to the full story: What’s changed since 2020? North Carolina’s Black leaders give us their takes
