Carolina Changemakers
By North Carolina Justice Center
We interview the North Carolinians working to make our state a more just and equitable place—community leaders, advocates, and organizers. They’re working on housing, healthcare, criminal justice reform, education, workers’ rights, immigration, and more. Join us as we dive into their stories and get to know the people behind the issues.
Carolina ChangemakersMar 15, 2024
EPISODE 2: Fr. Javier Almendárez-Bautista
The NC Justice Center has released the second episode of our podcast Carolina Changemakers. In this episode, we sat down with Fr. Javier Almendárez-Bautista to talk about ONE Wake, a non-partisan, multi-ethnic, multi-issue group of religious congregations, associations, and other non-profits in the Wake County area. ONE Wake focuses on affordable housing—a pressing issue that grows more urgent as Wake County’s population increases and the cost of living spikes drastically. Join us as we discuss how ONE Wake got started, how Fr. Almendárez-Bautista got involved in this work, why affordable housing is so necessary for our communities to thrive, what can be done to address the housing crisis, and more.
Note: This episode was recorded in June 2024 before the assassination attempt against former President Trump. Although electoral issues are discussed broadly in this episode, the conversation does not address the discourse around political violence and the upcoming election.
EPISODE 1: Reggie Shuford
On the first episode of Carolina Changemakers, NC Justice Center Executive Director Reggie Shuford sits down to talk about his life and work—from being the first Black student to graduate from Cape Fear Academy and clerking for Justice Henry Frye after law school to his career at the ACLU and a memorable “driving while Black” case that deeply impacted him.
Join us for this fascinating and moving conversation.