Newest leader to re-brand caucus
By John Joyce
Published in News on January 31, 2016 1:45 AM
African American Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party President Linda Wilkins-Daniels is intent on re-branding the organization as one that fulfills its promise to hold elected officials accountable, she said.
Mrs. Wilkins-Daniels took the oath of office Jan. 9 at the Goodwin House in Raleigh. This weekend, she and the executive board of the AAC NCDP are attending a retreat in Pittsboro.
A 22-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Mrs. Wilkins-Daniels retired at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro and made Wayne County her home. She began working with the Wayne chapter of the AAC NCDP and served as its president for one term before becoming the first-vice chair of the ACC NCDP at the state level. She held that office for two years prior to being elected president in Nov. 2015.
"I've always had a passion for helping people treated unfairly, regardless of their race or gender," Mrs. Wilkins-Daniels said.
Since becoming involved in politics, Mrs. Wilkins-Daniels has made it her mission to take on difficult issues including poverty, homelessness, the judicial system, party politics, as well as internal issues within the party and within the AAC. In her inaugural speech, she said that work would continue.
If it seems like a lot to take on, that is because it is, she said.
Part of the reason for the weekend's retreat is to discuss the strategy behind those initiatives and to rebrand the AAC, something she said is overdue.
"It is needed because the AA has been left behold, some of our issues have not been attended to by our elected officials. And it is the duty of the AAC to hold those elected officials accountable," Mrs. Wilkins-Daniels said.
It is that duty to which, in years past, the AAC has fallen short, she said.
"They could have done things better, done more to address the issues relevant to the African American community."
Mrs. Wilkins-Daniels said she is not out to tear down past leaders of the AAC, or those of the democratic party. She said she is focused on throwing off the failed model and starting over.
"I just want to build a strong foundation so we can go forward," she said.
Mrs. Wilkins-Daniels is the second female president of the AAC, following behind Stella Adams who served from 2003 to 2005. She said she is honored to have been elected to the position and to have the support she does.
"We want to set a tone of empowerment, not one of hatred and blame," she said.
In falling short of holding elected officials accountable in the past, the AAC has relinquished control to special interests, those backed by money with agendas they want to see forced through in legislation, she said. Her first order of business is it to get back to the AAC's true purpose, to make sure the elected officials are working for the best interests of those who elected them.
Part of that is coming up with solutions of their own and the AAC working to see them implemented.
"First by talking to the lawmakers and making sure they are aware of our issues. And that is what this retreat is all about. Coming up with a strategy and a plan, she said."
"You can't just complain, you have to have solutions and hold law makers accountable."