Blog
Dawn Blagrove Speaks Out Against Voter Suppression at the North Carolina General Assembly
On June 16, Emancipate NC Executive Director Dawn Blagrove joined advocates and community leaders at the North Carolina General Assembly to oppose legislation that would make voting more difficult for North Carolinians. Speaking forcefully against efforts to restrict...
The Illusion of the Second Chance: Karmelo Anthony
By Johna T. Speller Emancipate NC Intern The concept of second chances is widely celebrated in our society, yet in the American criminal justice system, it remains a luxury dictated by race. When students fail an assignment, teachers offer make-up opportunities;...
Celebrate with Us!
Come join Emancipate NC and the Amani Collective on June 20th as we celebrate the opening of a new community space dedicated to connection, learning, and collective growth. In the spirit of Juneteenth, we'll gather to share our vision, introduce upcoming programs,...
Celebrating Attorney Caleb Barco
Emancipate NC is thrilled to celebrate a major milestone in the journey of former intern Caleb Barco, who has officially been sworn in as an attorney. Caleb's commitment to justice, public service, and community advocacy has been evident throughout his academic and...
First Lady Highlights Kerwin Pittman’s Vision for Reentry
Emancipate NC is proud to celebrate the recognition of Team Emancipate member Kerwin Pittman, whose innovative work to support people returning home after incarceration was recently highlighted by First Lady of North Carolina, Anna Stein. In a recent statement, First...
Phillip Vance Smith’s Work and Award Highlighted by The News and Observer
Josh Shaffer of the News and Observer highlighted friend of Emancipate NC, Phillip Vance Smith’s work and recent Prison Journalist of the Year Award: Last week, Smith took Prison Journalist of the Year honors at the Stillwater Awards, presented in part by the Society...
Emancipate NC Supports Legal Challenge to South Carolina Prison Book Ban
Emancipate NC has been involved from the beginning in a major legal challenge to a South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) policy that severely restricts access to books for incarcerated people. Elizabeth Simpson, Strategic Director at Emancipate NC, has...
Common Cause NC — Virtual Town Hall
Emancipate NC Executive Director Dawn Blagrove recently joined a virtual town hall hosted by Common Cause North Carolina to discuss the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Callais case and what it means for voters in North Carolina and across the South....
REFORM Alliance Speaker Series
Kerwin Pittman recently served as the featured speaker for an internal speaker series hosted by REFORM Alliance, an organization founded by leaders including Meek Mill, JAY-Z, Michael Rubin, Robert Kraft, and Robert F. Smith>, all committed to transforming...
Dawn Appeared on the Sticky Note Conversations Podcast!
Emancipate NC Executive Director Dawn Blagrove recently joined host Erika Washington for a powerful conversation about the future of Black political power following a Supreme Court decision weakening Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. During the podcast, Dawn...
June is Stolen Children’s Month
We proclaim June as Stolen Children’s Month, a month dedicated to honoring children and families impacted by systems of separation and building collective power among those most affected. Founded by Ashley Albert, Stolen Children’s Month is a narrative and advocacy...
Family Justice Cohort and Black Mothers March
Team Emancipate’s Toia Potts, who is also a former Justice League Fellow, led this year’s inaugural Family Justice League Cohort, bringing her lived experience and leadership to help build and strengthen an impacted parent track rooted in healing, advocacy,...
Attention, Greenville: Seeking Information about Officer Jennifer Umphlet
Officer Umphlet was involved in an incident with our client, Anthony Drayton, at a McDonald’s in February 2025. We are gathering information to better understand community experiences and perspectives related to this officer. We welcome input from anyone who has had...
Congrats to Phillip Vance Smith, II — Journalist of the Year!
Huge congrats to friend of Emancipate NC on the 2025 Stillwater Award for Journalist of the Year! From Phill: "Earlier today I found out that I won the 2025 Stillwater Award for Journalist of the Year. This award only applies to incarcerated people, but it is a...
Kerwin Pittman Wins the 2026 Conen Morgan Trailblazer Award at the NC Black Summit
Congrats to Kerwin on his receipt of the Conen Morgan Trailblazer Award at the NC Black Summit! In Kerwin’s own words: "When your work speaks for you, even in your absence, you know you're walking in purpose. I am deeply honored to have received the 2026 Conen...