North Carolina has long been a beacon for small businesses, consistently ranking in the top five states for business by Forbes since 2006. As the Tar Heel State continues to attract people with its affordable housing, low cost of living, and favorable tax rates, it's no surprise that small businesses are thriving here. A critical … Continue reading Small Businesses in North Carolina: A Spotlight on Minority and Women-Owned Enterprises
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Basics of Evaluation
Evaluation is a critical process for any organization or program aiming to create an impact. In its simplest form, evaluation can be viewed as a systematic application of social science research methodologies to assess the effectiveness of programs or organizations. It is a process that not only helps measure the outcomes of programs but also … Continue reading Basics of Evaluation
Severe Housing Problems in North Carolina
The severe housing crisis in North Carolina is characterized by high demand, rising costs, and a lack of affordable rental units, particularly for low-income earners. Rental vacancy rates are at their lowest in over a decade, resulting in higher eviction rates, increased homelessness, and substandard living conditions. Severe housing problems, including overcrowding, high housing costs, … Continue reading Severe Housing Problems in North Carolina
Building a More Inclusive Workforce in the Piedmont Triad: Challenges and Solutions
The Piedmont Triad in North Carolina is home to a diverse economy and a population of 1.7 million. Despite its economic growth, job seekers face challenges such as skill mismatch, competition, and work-life balance. The COVID-19 pandemic has further impacted the workforce, introducing new challenges such as remote work and mental health concerns. Findings from … Continue reading Building a More Inclusive Workforce in the Piedmont Triad: Challenges and Solutions
Displacement and Exclusion
While Critical Race Theory (CRT) has been used to examine housing policy and segregation previously,[i] I propose a new conceptual model to extend CRT. The analysis will examine RECAPs as extremely weak markets resulting from a series of interrelated mechanisms that work to reduce minority home buying in strong market neighborhoods and/or dislocating them from neighborhoods … Continue reading Displacement and Exclusion
Build, Build, Build…
Why do we need more housing? Housing comes in many forms. The concept of housing itself is a social construct and what qualifies as ‘decent’ and ‘affordable’ housing has changed drastically over time and between jurisdictions. Generally speaking, a house is a living space used for permanent or semi-permanent residence for an individual, family, household … Continue reading Build, Build, Build…
More Regulation Needed for SFR Institutional Investors
Real estate has always been a safe, long-term investment. When managed locally (and not by a slumlord who is mining equity), rental owners provide an important service to a local community by providing affordable and decent places to live. Historically, middle-to-upper-middle-class families owned a couple of units to build long-term wealth and provide a cushion … Continue reading More Regulation Needed for SFR Institutional Investors
Addressing Racial & Economic Justice
Under a Republican Supermajority in North Carolina In recent years, the political landscape in several states has shifted. This week, North Carolina rejoins the list of states where Republicans have gained supermajorities in state legislatures. This development occurred when Rep. Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County, a former teacher and school administrator, switched from the Democratic … Continue reading Addressing Racial & Economic Justice
Environmental Justice Movements in North Carolina
Communities in Action Many Americans believe that poverty and geography are the main factors that determine where hazardous industries such as landfills, industrial farms, and pipelines are located, but there is mounting evidence that race, and not poverty, is the greatest predictor of where these industries will be sited. In North Carolina, landfills are disproportionately … Continue reading Environmental Justice Movements in North Carolina
Bridging the Divide
Exploring Racial Reparations and Their Potential for Healing Historical Injustices Racial reparations, or compensatory measures aimed at addressing historical injustices faced by Black Americans, have been a subject of considerable debate in recent years. Advocates argue that reparations are essential to rectify the lasting effects of slavery, segregation, and systemic discrimination, while critics contend that … Continue reading Bridging the Divide
Innovative Research Insights 