THE CASH STUFF FOR MAY 7, 2026

 

Bishop William Barber blasts U.S. Supreme Court VRA decision at press conference in front of the NC Legislative Building/ (video grab)

BLACKS MOBILIZE TO 

COMBAT SUPREME COURT

RULING THAT CRIPPLED

VOTING RIGHTS ACT

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

Like an electric shock to the system, last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down Louisiana’s voting map and effectively crippling the last vestige of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, has now energized the African-American community across the country and here in North Carolina to redouble efforts to maximize its voting power or else lose black political representation.

"Today's decision is a devastating blow to what remains of the Voting Rights Act, and a license for corrupt politicians who want to rig the system by silencing entire communities,” national NAACP President/CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement from the civil rights organization right after the April 29th ruling. 

 “This ruling is a major setback for our nation and threatens to erode the hard-won victories we've fought, bled, and died for.”

“But the people still can fight back,” Johnson continued. “Our best defense and offense is the ballot box, and we're going to turn out voters for the midterm elections to make sure we can elect representatives who look out for us.”

In a 6-3 decision in the case known as Louisiana v. Callais, the conservative majority of the nation’s highest court ruled Louisiana’s second predominantly-black voting district was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander because it violated the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.

For decades per Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA), state legislatures have drawn so-called “majority-minority” voting districts to allow and protect African-Americans’ ability to elect candidates of their choice, and prevent diluting their voting power.

But in the conservative majority opinion, Justice Samuel Alito said that because of “vast social change,” particularly in the South, along with greater black voter registration and participation, majority-minority voting districts were no longer necessary.

Alito continued that in order to now successfully challenge voting maps under the VRA, plaintiffs should have to present evidence of  “ a strong inference” that a state “intentionally drew its districts to afford minority voters less opportunity because of their race.”

One of the court’s three liberal justices, Elena Kagan, representing the minority dissenting opinion, wrote that the conservative majority opinion now made it nearly impossible to use race as a remedy to ensure fair representation when drawing future voting maps, making maps now much harder to legally challenge.

The result is expected to be less black representation in Congress.

Reaction to the conservative majority ruling has been seismic, with Republicans, including Pres. Trump, praising it as untying the hands of state legislatures who were previously restricted in redrawing voting districts by the VRA. Two Republican states, Alabama and Tennessee, are already reportedly redrawing their maps as a result. Louisiana is also in process, and Florida did so within hours of the decision.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC-9), chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee said the court’s decision “restores fairness, strengthens confidence in our elections, and ensures every voter is treated equally under the law.”

Meanwhile, Democrats and black leaders condemned the ruling, saying it will dilute black voting strength by either packing black, mostly Democratic voters into one district, or spreading them out so their numbers can’t influence tight races involving Republicans.

While at least seven states are now rushing to redistrict under the new Supreme Court ruling before the November elections. North Carolina, considered a swing state, already did in October 2025.

        The Republican-led NC General Assembly, in an effort to create another seat to maintain control of Congress and claim 11 of 14 N.C. districts, redrew the First Congressional District in the northeast, historically a forty-percent black voting district currently represented by two-term incumbent Democrat Rep. Don Davis, to lean more Republican by reducing black voting strength to 32 percent.

  In November, Congressman Davis will need a strong African-American and Democratic turnout to keep his seat.

“These maps are a political weapon,” said Sen. Kandie Smith then, “…and black voters are the target.” NC Republican legislative leaders maintain they did not use race to redraw the First Congressional District, only party affiliation. Gov. Stein, a Democrat, could not veto it.

  If Davis loses, that will leave the 12th Congressional District in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, represented by six-term incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Alma Adams (who is also up for reelection), as the only majority-minority congressional district in the state.

African-American leaders in North Carolina joined others across the nation in sounding the alarm for what the Supreme Court VRA ruling now means, and what the community must do about it.

“As Frederick Douglass said after the Dred Scott decision, this [judicial] overreach must serve to intensify and embolden our agitation,” Bishop William Barber, president of Repairers of the Breach, said in front of the NC Legislative Building April 30th. “Today must be a catalyst for the most massive turnout of black, brown, and white voters who believe in justice and equal protection under the law.”

“The simple response to these actions must be a robust organizing campaign within our communities to maximize and utilize our voting powers to protect our political existence within this democracy,” declared civil rights Attorney Irving Joyner. “No one is going to save us if we don’t seek to save ourselves.”

“In North Carolina, we have seen the real and harmful consequences of voter suppression, and this decision will only embolden those efforts,” said NC NAACP Pres. Deborah Dicks Maxwell in a statement. “But this fight is not over. When the courts fail the people, the people must respond.”

“Our power remains at the ballot box,” Pres. Maxwell continued. “We will organize, mobilize, and turn out voters to protect our communities and elect leaders who believe in fair representation and justice. Our democracies [are] under attack, and we will not be silent.”

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SAU FILES FOR

CHAPTER 11

BANKRUPTCY

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

Just when many thought that St. Augustine’s University (SAU) in Raleigh was well on the road to overcoming its problems, comes word that the private Episcopalian HBCU has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to address its massive debt. Doing so, SAU’s Board of Trustees said in an announcement, is a “deliberate and strategic step to advance the University’s long-term sustainability while addressing current financial realities.” 

According to the Chapter 11 filing last week in federal court, SAU had $50 million to $100 million in financial liabilities to 345 creditors, with assets between $100 million and $500 million. 

SAU’s largest single debt is $14 million to the Internal Revenue Service, along with millions owed to several other federal agencies and private vendors. The school is disputing its top 20 creditors, and they have until August 25th to prove their claims. 

In doing so, the Self-Help Ventures Fund, a nonprofit group that helps underserved communities with financing challenges, agreed to loan SAU millions to meet many of its obligations, provided the school cut ties with two of its board members who previously served as chairman and vice chairman.

But in the process, the school must give up its legal battle to retain its eligibility for permanent accreditation for now, the very thing it needs to remain a viable, competitive  educational institution.Without accreditation, SAU cannot receive federal student financial aid.

Instead, SAU has announced that it will implement teach-out agreements for current students to finish their studies at other schools. That, along with non-degree nursing and technical certificates, along with apprenticeship programs.

The SAU Board of Trustees calls attempt to keep the school open “a new path forward” and “building a pathway toward accreditation.” 

SAU’s Interim President Dr. Jennie Ward-Robinson has resigned, Dr. Verjanis A. Peoples has taken her place.

In a statement, SAU said, “SAU will work collaboratively with stakeholders, including creditors, donors, alumni, and community partners, to provide meaningful opportunities for supporters of the institution to contribute and play an active role in its continued progress and success.”  

“These steps position the University to move forward with clarity and purpose, continuing its mission of preparing students academically, socially, and spiritually for leadership in a complex, diverse, and rapidly changing world.”

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THE CASH COMMENTARY FOR APRIL 30, 2026

                                                                     CASH MICHAELS

  CARLA, CARLA, CARLA

by Cash Michaels

Normally, I would consider this an open letter to a public figure whose recent off-the-wall behavior has left me wondering if they’re not one taco short of a combination plate, but I’ve already written one of those to Evangelist Franklin Graham, denoting the so-called “man of God’s” broad brush, inexplicable endorsement of all things Donald Trump.

But then there’s seven-term outgoing NC House Representative Carla Cunningham of District 106 (parts of north Charlotte/Mecklenburg County). You know…the same Carla Cunningham who, after serving her constituency as a “lifelong Democrat,” last week, formally announced that she had left the Democratic Party, and would serve out the remainder of her term as unaffiliated.

Yeah, “unaffiliated” leaning Republican.

Here’s some of what she said in a statement:

“After four years of growing misalignment with party leadership and following her historic vote for the state budget that triggered Medicaid Expansion into law; Representative Cunningham has chosen to place the people above the party. “I have been a Democrat all my life, but I came to realize that I want to serve the people; not a party. Being an independent thinker does not align with party politics, and I will never compromise the needs of my constituents to satisfy a political agenda.” 

Well for your information, Carla, political parties have platforms, from which candidates express the core values and policy priorities they share with their constituencies and will fight for if elected to office. Until four years ago, you were apparently in full agreement with the Democratic Party platform of freedom,  justice, full employment, voting rights and nondiscrimination. 

        But given your exit, apparently your constituency doesn't need any of those anymore.

Of course, the Mecklenburg County GOP was thrilled with your news, saying in a statement that they express their “strong support” for your “courageous decision,” "putting principle before politics" and you have “demonstrated true leadership.”

Now tell me, Carla, did you write that bull about yourself for the Republicans? A little thick, don’t you think?

The classic case of a failed politician trying to act like some kind of hero because her own two-faced sins caught up with her for betraying her party, her community and ultimately her constituency, ultimately ushering her hard-headed backside out of office.

        Too tough, Carla? You ain't read nothing yet!

Rep. Cunningham says “After four years of growing party misalignment with party leadership…” meaning, I guess, that for the past four years, she and the NC Democratic Party have not seen eye-to-eye on various issues. I can understand how that can happen. But what you don’t do if you’ve been “a lifelong Democrat,” is start voting with the NC Republican House majority against the interests and needs of your constituents, who elected you to seven terms, 14 years, as a Democrat to represent them and the issues they feel are important to them.

By the way, we’re talking about a Republican House majority that has never, EVER, done a damn thing to help the African-American community of this state, and in fact, has done everything to undermine our right and ability to vote, cripple our right to equal opportunity, and dutifully follows the whims of that racist-in-chief in Washington, DC.

Hell, voting along with wretched hyenas like these on the time of day is NOT, as you put it, Rep. Cunningham, “serving the people,” and you, in fact, are "compromising the needs of your constituents to satisfy a political agenda." And you did it enough times to the point where no one but Republicans knew for sure if you could be counted on to vote with some common sense.

Voting with Republicans against the interests and needs of your community is like voting with the Ku Klux Klan, in my opinion, just because some Democrats have gotten on your last nerve. 

So save the “… I want to serve the people; not a party. Being an independent thinker does not align with party politics, and I will never compromise the needs of my constituents to satisfy a political agenda…” routine. You made it plain and clear in a recent WBT radio interview that loyalty is NOT your better face.

“I’m transactional,” you said, Rep. Cunningham. “It’s business. It’s government doing business.”

You said that right after also boasting, “What’s beneficial to my constituents is that I serve them and prioritize what their needs are.” 

Really? Well not anymore, Homegirl! Displaying that low-altitude attitude simply got you in more trouble when you ended up being the only Democrat to vote with Republicans to override Gov. Stein’s veto of the controversial sweeping immigration enforcement bill HB 318, which compelled North Carolina’s sheriffs to hold undocumented immigrants for ICE agents. Then picking a dumb fight with Mecklenburg Sheriff Garry McFadden over his refusal to bend to that law didn't help much either.

To add insult to injury, you got up on the House floor and started saying ugly things about undocumented human beings that clearly made people wonder what kind of heart you really do have, and whether it beats or clangs against a metal interior.

        Last July at the legislature, you gave a speech on the House floor in favor of a veto override of HB 318 when you said, in part, “As a social scientist reports, all cultures are not equal.” “Some immigrants come and believe they can function in isolation, refusing to adapt.”

“If you ask me to line up behind another group of people to raise awareness about their plight,” you maintained, Rep. Cunningham, “I unapologetically say no."

Funny thing. Later on, when you realized your mouth wrote checks your hateful backside couldn’t cash and could cost you your reelection, you actually did try to apologize. Fancy that.

In his April 1967 speech “The Other America,” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr…yes… I’m going there, said:

“In this America, millions of work-starved men walk the streets daily and search for jobs that do not exist. In this America, millions of people find themselves living in rat-infested, vermin-filled slums. In this America, people are pulled by the millions and they find themselves perishing on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. In a sense, the greatest tragedy of this other America is what it does to little children. Little children in this other America are forced to grow up with clouds of inferiority forming every day in their little mental skies. And as we look at this other America, we see it as an arena of blasted hopes and shattered dreams. Many people of various backgrounds live in this other America. Some are Mexican-Americans, some are Puerto Ricans, some are Indians. Some happen to be from other groups. Millions of them are Appalachian whites.”

So in these remarks, Dr. King expressed concern for the plight of poor people beyond the black community. He talked about the lack of opportunity for people of all stripes to earn a living and feed their families, not whether their culture is "equal" to anybody's  Hell, undocumented immigrants basic needs of life are not only equal, but exceed ours, because in many cases, they have nothing when they come here but th clothes on their backs.

       And no, Rep. Cunningham, the majority of undocumented immigrants ARE NOT criminals, as a majority of Republicans declare!

         Dr. King was also known to support the efforts of heroic immigrant activists for equality, and had he lived, he would certainly be against the illegal activities of ICE and Border Patrol agents today.

Does Dr. King agree with you, Rep. Cunningham, that “all cultures are not equal?” Be honest, that's your sneaky, pseudo-Republican way of saying that all people - GOD's children - are not equal. If what you say is true, then is black culture - a culture you and I share - “equal” with overall white American culture, and if so, how so? And if it is, then how is undocumented immigrant culture, whatever culture that they may represent, not equal to black and white cultures? Dr. King expressed concern for the children of “many people of various backgrounds [who] live in this other America,” denoting Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, Indians, and even Appalachian whites.

In other words, your tawdry words of hate have no explanation beyond exposing some dark and loathsome sentiment that must lurk deep in your core that would make you a perfect Republican. But you didn’t join the NCGOP, did you? Now, you’re going to play silly political games against your former party, and certainly against your governor with the time you have left in office, and then have the gall to call it  “…never [compromising] the needs of my constituents to satisfy a political agenda.” 

        Your hateful words about other struggling human beings of color not being equal forced your party to leave YOU first, Dearie. Mark Robinson and you must be pen pals.

        Probably why only 21.8 percent of your voting constituency voted in the March primary for you, and Democrat Rev. Rodney Sadler ran away with over 70 percent of the vote against you, meaning he will be sitting in your District 106 seat come January.

If I come off a little rough on you here, Rep. Cunningham, it’s because you deserve it. 

        You openly expressed hatred for other people of color on the floor of our state House; voted with folks who have proven their ill will against our community and others; and acted as if the sun rises and sets with your very breath.

Just save us all the faux suspense, Carla, go all the way and join the NC Republican Party like your girl, Tricia Cotham, did. Apparently both of you enjoy singing the old “ NC Democratic Party has done me wrong” song.

        Why not sing it together one day with the time you have left in office?

If things were that bad with party leaders, you could have just gotten out of politics and leave the headaches to someone else, instead of stabbing folks in your district who loved you and supported you in the back. But no, you acted out and then switched because you put power over the people you serve, and wanted to prove to the Democratic Party who you think you really are.

I know, I know, Rep. Nasif Majeed from around your neck of the woods in northeast Charlotte has also just switched from Democrat to unaffiliated this week too, and will finish out his term in office as such after also losing his seat in the March primary.

I’m not going to jump all over him, however, even though he also voted with the Republicans to override Gov. Stein on different issues in the past. Unlike you, Rep. Majeed did not take to the House floor acting ugly. In fact, in his statement, he said his switch after eight years in office was a matter of  “principle, transparency, and accountability.” 

I can live with that, as long as he, and you, can live with the fact that, "the people have spoken." 

Well, all of us have gotten your message, Carla. Why not try spending these last few months in office displaying some dignity, and truly standing up for the people you’re supposed to represent, instead of continuing to act like a spoiled brat with your new Republican buddies who, if they had their way, would NEVER have supported you to run for office back in 2012.

        To be clear, what I've written here is in NO way a defense of the NC Democratic Party. Yes, party leaders there can be vicious and self-serving. I know that from covering various Democratic primaries over the years, especially involving black candidates. But the solution isn't to go vote with the Republicans. Especially now that voting rights have been severely crippled in this country.

        The solution is to fight for what you believe in within the party. Fight for what it's supposed to stand for!

        All families have fights, Carla, many times bitter. But families who stand for something always find a way to overcome their problems for the good of the whole, and NEVER do what you did!

         Good luck and GOD bless.

        

      

THE CASH STUFF FOR APRIL 30, 2026

                                                            REP. CARLA CUNNINGHAM

MECKLENBURG GOP

“STRONGLY SUPPORTS”

REP. CUNNINGHAM

LEAVING DEMOCRATS

By Cash Michaels

Contributing writer

The Mecklenburg County Republican Party has issued a statement supporting former Democratic Rep. Carla Cunningham’s decision to leave the Democratic Party after losing the March primary.

Cunningham, 64, was defeated decisively by Rev. Rodney Sadler in a three-candidate Democratic primary for District 106 once Gov. Josh Stein and the NC Democratic Party decided to support Rev. Sadler after she voted with House Republicans frequently, including to override Stein’s veto, and also delivered what many considered to be a fiery and insensitive “all cultures are not equal” floor speech against undocumented immigrants last year.

There was considerable community outrage after Cunningham’s remarks, causing the influential Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg not to endorse her for reelection.

Last Friday, Rep. Cunningham - who will remain in office until next December serving the rest of her term - announced that she had officially switched her political party affiliation from Democrat to unaffiliated.

Her full statement read:

After four years of growing misalignment with party leadership and following her historic vote for the state budget that triggered Medicaid Expansion into law; Representative Cunningham has chosen to place the people above the party. “I have been a Democrat all my life, but I came to realize that I want to serve the people; not a party. Being an independent thinker does not align with party politics, and I will never compromise the needs of my constituents to satisfy a political agenda,” said Representative Cunningham. In recent months, Representative Cunningham has faced a troubling wave of hostility from individuals outside of District 106, fueled by the actions of the NC Governor and the North Carolina Democratic Party. She has responded with resolve: “It is clear that my values as a Black woman no longer align with their agenda. I have my family’s full support, and I move forward with absolute conviction.” Representative Cunningham is equally steadfast in her belief that parents hold the sacred right to guide their children through life; shaping their values, protecting their well-being, and navigating their futures without government overreach. She is equally committed to ensuring that the urgent needs of hardworking, struggling Americans are elevated above all else. 

“There are families in this district who are fighting every single day just to survive. We have a moral obligation to place the needs of struggling Americans above all competing agendas; including policies that would extend the resources and protections of this government to those who have entered this country unlawfully, at the expense of citizens who have long been underserved,” she stated. As an Unaffiliated representative, Cunningham’s message to all elected officials is clear: “We were elected to serve the people, not the party. It is vital that we work together for the betterment of every North Carolinian; and I will always stand on the side of the people.”

Even though Rep. Cunningham did not join the NCGOP, Kyle Kirby, chairman of the Mecklenburg County Republican Party, issued a statement of strong support for her move.

Kirby wrote in part:

“The Mecklenburg County Republican Party expresses its strong support for Carla Cunningham and her courageous decision to change her party affiliation from Democrat to unaffiliated.”

“The Mecklenburg County Republican Party stands firmly behind Representative Cunningham and her decision as she continues her service in the North Carolina General Assembly. We are confident that she will fulfill the remainder of her term  with dignity, independent judgment and a continued focus on the people of Mecklenburg County.”

As an unaffiliated state representative, Cunningham is now free to caucus with either the Republican House majority or the Democratic House minority, and can vote with either party anytime she chooses.

The outgoing Rep. Cunningham has represented House District 106 in parts of North Charlotte and Mecklenburg County as a Democrat for seven terms. She is the third Mecklenburg County Democrat to leave the party since 2023, when Rep. Tricia Cotham left to join the NC Republican Party.

    On Monday, it was reported that Rep. Nasif Majeed, a Democrat from District 99 in northeast Charlotte, also announced that he is leaving the Democratic Party, and switching his party registration to unaffiliated. Rep. Majeed lost his seat in the March primary, and will serve until the end of the year. In a statement Sunday, Rep. Majeed said his switch was a matter of "principle, transparency and accountability."

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NC AUDITOR REPORTS ON

NC A&T ALLEGED MISUSE

OF $5 MILLION IN AID

By Cash Michaels

A criminal referral has been made to the State Bureau of Investigation after the NC State Auditor’s Office determined that more than $5 million in university funds have reportedly been distributed to ineligible recipients at NC A&T State University.

In an Investigative Special Report, State Auditor Dave Boliek indicated that after university officials informed his office about the matter, it was discovered that the school’s Division of Business and Finance reportedly gave financial assistance to students “…without evidence of merit or need-based criteria between 2017 - 2025.”

Those students involved - some of whom were family members of university employees -  allegedly received the funds because of their connections with former senior university officials, totaling $5.1 million. Auditor Boliek determined that the source of those funds was the ARF (Administrative Recovery Funds) account, which holds fees charged to students for housing, parking and dining.

From the Auditor's report:

Of that $5 million, more than $780,000 was distributed to students who were university employees, family members of university employees, or had a direct personal or professional connection to NC A&T.

[T]he former Executive Director of the Real Estate Foundation’s nephew received $73,063 in financial awards, an NC A&T Center for Teaching Excellence External Advisory Board member’s daughter received $23,052, the son of a former Part-time English Instructor received $22,545, the son of the former Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Enterprises received $18,707, and the former Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business and Finance’s daughter was awarded $14,888 in funds.

“Through our investigations, we at the State Auditor’s Office seek to hold individuals accountable for misguided actions,” State Auditor Dave Boliek said in a press release.

“What’s been uncovered at NC A&T represents gross misconduct. Given the findings of our investigation, we’ve made a criminal referral to the State Bureau of Investigation, and I have fully informed and updated the Guilford County District Attorney. I want to thank NC A&T Chancellor Martin for working with the State Auditor’s Office and for the corrective actions being taken on this matter.”

NC A&T Chancellor James Martin II said in a statement that, “I am grateful to Auditor Boliek and his team for the thoroughness and professionalism of their review,” he said. “Our students deserve to know that every dollar they pay is managed with integrity, and the corrective actions we have taken reflect that commitment. We welcomed the Office of the State Auditor’s review, we support the referral to the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office and State Bureau of Investigation, and we will continue to cooperate fully.”

Martin said those senior officials directly involved in the scandal no longer work at the university, and new, corrective policies to ensure that funds are never improperly awarded again to unqualified students should be fully in place by Dec. 31st.

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