Acting Secretary Julie Su Visits Charlotte!
The Acting Secretary's visit comes amid Women's History Month to highlight to work of Women in the Queen City!
Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su visited Charlotte, North Carolina, yesterday, joined by Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, at a roundtable discussion hosted by the nonprofit She Built This City, a local pre-apprenticeship program helping women access good-paying infrastructure jobs.
Together with business leaders, nonprofit organizations, and issue experts, the trio discussed raising the quality of jobs in fields traditionally dominated by women, such as those in the care economy, as well as expanding pathways for more women into good-paying, union jobs that are rebuilding America's infrastructure. They discussed the Biden-Harris Administration’s successful work expanding the care economy and opportunities for trade and high-skilled job trainings that grow opportunities for women, their shared aspirations to expand on this progress, and how such progress benefits all of Charlotte and all Americans. Rep. Adams was highly encouraged by the event.
“When women succeed, America succeeds!” Rep. Adams said at the event, quoting Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. “I thank Acting Secretary Su for joining Mayor Lyles and me for a discussion with She Built This City about how they’re training women in all kinds of practical trade skills and expanding the workforce. These efforts are watering the seeds of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Infrastructure bill, putting North Carolinian men and women to work rebuilding Charlotte. We’re excited to finish the job” she added.
Rep. Adams Presents: "COPD-What You Need to Know"
Rep. Adams Invites You to Attend Her 1st Quarter Hunger Initiative!
Today is the last day to apply for Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding!
Democratic Caucus Seeks Summer Interns
The House Democratic Caucus is currently seeking candidates for paid internships for the 2024 Summer term. Interested applicants should submit an application through this form and upload a resume, cover letter and one-paged writing sample. Digital applicants may submit 1-2 digital samples. This internship offers compensation of $2,400 per month. The deadline to apply for our Summer cohort is Friday, March 29, 2024.
Lowe’s Foundation Awards Grants to District 12 Organizations to Shore Up America’s Skilled Trades Workforce
The Lowe's Foundation has selected 10 community-based nonprofits as Gable Grants recipients to enhance their innovative skilled trades training programs. These nonprofits expand the foundation's roster of grant recipients to 24 organizations offering inclusive and scalable training programs in 25 states nationwide.
Two of these organizations are right her in the 12th District!
She Built This City (Charlotte) will use the grant to grow its training, hiring and community service model with five new locations across North Carolina's Piedmont region. The nonprofit aims to dismantle barriers for women and marginalized communities in skilled trades and will also offer new curriculum and certifications, from aging-in-place to drone surveying.
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont (Charlotte) will scale its Construction Skills Training program, that offers stability services, credentials, personalized coaching and access to employers to launch construction careers. The nonprofit served more than 9,000 people in 2023 in the Charlotte region.
Special thanks to the Lowe’s Foundation for recognizing these organizations for their incredible work!
Commission Focused on Freeing Those Who Have Been Wrongfully Convicted Receives Grant for US Department of Justice
The North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission has received the nearly $250,000 federal grant to help them continue and expand their important work!
Created in 2006 by the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission (Commission) is a neutral, fact-finding state agency charged with investigating post-conviction claims of actual innocence which result from felony convictions within North Carolina. The Commission is the first and only of its kind in the United States. The Commission is made up eight Commissioners from a broad range of perspectives within the criminal justice system.
The Commission will use the requested funds to employ two grant staff members. They will be responsible for investigating cases, including searching for, locating, and collecting evidence for DNA testing. Additionally, funds will be used to conduct DNA testing in qualifying cases where physical evidence can be located and the results of DNA testing could show innocence. These funds will be used to employ the most appropriate laboratory for testing. Limited funds will also be used for supplies and to equip the Commission’s evidence room for evidence collected by the Commission in grant qualifying cases.
Rep. Adams Co-Leads Black Midwives Day Resolution
Last week, Representatives Alma Adams, PhD. and Gwen Moore, along with Senators Cory Booker and Laphonza Butler introduced a resolution that designates March 14th, 2024 as Black Midwives Day. This resolution honors the impactful work Black midwives have done to advance human rights and reproductive justice and encourages Congress to proactively work to mitigate racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. In response, Rep. Adams released the following statement:
“As a Black mother and grandmother, I understand deeply the difference that having an advocate during the birthing process can make for veteran and first-time mothers. Midwives provide that critical service and can help make the birthing process much smoother, less stressful, and, most importantly, much less deadly for Black Moms. We must continue to uplift this practice and encourage medical professionals to see the value of midwifery, particularly in assisting Moms of color. I am proud to stand in solidarity with our extraordinary Black Midwives by supporting this resolution to highlight the rich history of their craft and their invaluable contributions to the field of maternal health," said Congresswoman Alma Adams, PhD.
Read the full text of the resolution here.
12th District Native Thrives at US Naval Academy!
Micah Wilson was nominated by Congresswoman Adams to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in 2023. Micah has absolutely loved attending Navy thus far! He is a member of the Glee Club which sings the National Anthem before every home football game. This month, Micah will go on tour in Japan with the Glee Club during spring break. Micah is majoring in aerospace engineering which he intends to pursue a professional career in after his service.
Congrats on all your hard work and dedication, Micah!
This week, House Republicans released their proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget that is in complete opposition to the needs and wants of the American People. It includes policy proposals to cut social security and Medicaid, to increase in the retirement age and deprive hard working Americans of their benefits, and poison pill policy riders to ban abortion and IVF.
I remain focused on solving the real needs of our constituents. I will continue working to build an economy that works for all Americans where nobody has to struggle to afford a place to live, feed their families, or get the healthcare they need. I will continue the fight to protect the rights of women to make their own healthcare decisions. I will continue the work to end senseless gun violence and keep our communities safe.
The American People deserve a Congress that serves their needs in Washington, and I will do everything in my power work on your behalf and put people over politics.
Sincerely,
Alma