History & Mission Statement

On January 1, 2003, Democracy South's North Carolina Money in Politics Project, with its seven staff members, became known as Democracy North Carolina. As the successor to Democracy South's North Carolina project, Democracy North Carolina focuses public attention on the need for innovative reforms of the electoral process — the foundation of our representative democracy.

Mission Statement

Democracy North Carolina is a nonpartisan organization working statewide to fulfill the promise of "one person, one vote," the bedrock principle of equal rights and self-determination. We believe the people of North Carolina deserve a government that is truly by the people and for the people — one that is committed to the public good. You can help us make this ideal the reality in our state.

Program Focus

Democracy North Carolina's ultimate goal is a more vital democracy that fulfills the promise of "one person, one vote." Because voters should control the election process, we are committed to a range of campaign-finance reforms that: (a) improve disclosure of the flow of political money; (b) strengthen enforcement of election laws; (c) address other threats to the integrity of the election process, such as sham issue ads and soft money; and (d) promote a voluntary public-financing program that frees candidates from the money-chase and puts voters at the center of election financing. In addition, we are committed to expanding voter participation in elections, for example, by pulling in those not involved (youth, prisoners and ex-felons, discouraged ex-voters, etc.) and by ensuring that every registered person who goes to the polls has his or her ballot counted.

Our strategy to achieve meaningful reform involves engaging citizens in the process of being active owners of the election system. Our grassroots/leadership work aims to develop local and statewide networks of informed citizens who are willing to pursue and defend meaningful pro-democracy policies. Our research/public education program analyzes election-related problems and remedies and disseminates our findings directly to targeted audiences and indirectly through the media and other intermediaries. Our coalition-building activities flow from the two program arms and focus on developing a coordinated, effective, racially and politically diverse reform effort in North Carolina. Each program area complements the other and contributes to our goal of expanding the coalition of organizations and individuals concerned about civic participation and election law reform.

Staff

Molly Beacham, Director of Development, earned a B.A. in French Literature and Masters of Environmental Management from LSU. She has fundraising experience with The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Trust for North Carolina, and Ross, Johnston & Kersting Development Consultants. She expresses a strong desire to strengthen Democracy North Carolina's financial support from a broad base of citizens by celebrating the organization's past success and demonstrating the strong link between current campaign finance practices and policies that threaten our democracy and our state.

Leigh Bradley, Office Manager, has an a BSW from Indiana University and an MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill. She has been with the organization since 1996.

Robert Dawkins, NC Field Organizer, has worked as a grassroots organizer for several years. He conducted organizing campaigns in Houston and Atlanta for ACORN before becoming Head Organizer in Charlotte. He has also consulted on various grassroots campaigns for nonprofit groups. Robert has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Carolina

Jennifer Frye, Associate Director, earned a B.A. in Political Science and German from UNC. She was a Democracy Summer Organizer in 2003 and served on the Board of Directors before becoming part of the staff. She is an alumnus of the Public Allies North Carolina leadership development program has previously worked in gun violence and homelessness prevention.

Bob Hall, Executive Director, has been working with grassroots groups across North Carolina since 1970, collaborating with them on research projects on economic and social issues. He has served as executive director and research director with the Institute for Southern Studies and was recognized for that work with a MacArthur Fellowship in 1992. He has an MA in Sociology and Religion from Columbia University.

Ashley Holloway, NC Field Organizer, earned a B.A. in African and African American Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill. At the age of 14, she began organizing, became politically active and began working with nonprofit organizations in Fayetteville and Chapel Hill. Cumberland County is now a part of her primary area of responsibility and she is determined to do her part in fulfilling the promise of one person one vote.

Katy Munger, Communications Director, has over twenty years experience in all aspects of marketing and communications. In addition, her political experience includes grassroots organizing, issues advocacy, volunteer recruitment and campaign management. She holds a B.A. with Honors in Interdisciplinary Writing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jonathan Peterson, NC Field Organizer, earned his BA in Political Science from UNC-Chapel Hill. At UNC, he was heavily involved in Student Government and outreach initiatives designed to educate the student body. In addition, he worked for Boards and Commissions at Governor Easley's Office. His primary area of responsibility is the Triad area.

Adam Sotak, Organizing Director, has been working with Democracy North Carolina (formerly Democracy South) since January 2000. Prior to his work at Democracy NC, Adam received his MSW from UNC-Chapel Hill and trained and worked as a labor organizer. He also spent two years working with at-risk youth. In 2001, he received the Humanitarian Award from the Charlotte-Black Political Caucus and in 2005 he received the "Unsung Hero Award" from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP for his work for voting rights.

Tia Stanley, NC Field Organizer, earned a B.A. in Communications from Elon University. Prior to joining the Democracy North Carolina team she spent time as a Campaign Associate for the Triangle United Way. Through her involvement with various service organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated she has worked on homelessness prevention, HIV/AIDS awareness and youth advocacy.

Board of Directors

Natalie Watson, Board Chair
Attorney
Rocky Mount

Tracy Burton
Financial Manager, Burton Family Dental
Greenville

Ruben Campillo
Advocacy Coordinator, Latin American Coalition
Charlotte

Knick Dixon
Educator, Gaston Prep School
Roanoke Rapids

Becky Gomer
National Field Director, Working Families Win
Charlotte

Carol Haack, Treasurer
Bookkeeper and Accountant
Waynesville

Rosalyn Jones
Child Nutrition Assistant/Nutrition Specialist
Vanceboro

Margaret McCreary, Secretary
Attorney
Durham

Gray Newman, Vice-Chair
Civil Engineer, Conservationist
Charlotte

Patricia Seibert
Retired
Washington

Heather Yandow
Development Director, NC Conservation Network
Raleigh

Dr. Reginald Watson, Ex-officio Board Member
East Carolina University Professor of English
Greenville