All Rights Reserved with Yolanda Taylor

All Rights Reserved: Live from The NC Black Summit 2026

In this high-stakes episode of All Rights Reserved, Yolanda Taylor, "The People’s Attorney," takes you inside the annual North Carolina Black Summit. With the theme "Unleashing Our Power, United in Purpose," this wasn't just a gathering—it was a strategic "war room" for the future of North Carolina’s democracy. From the halls of the General Assembly to the front lines of mental health and school board advocacy, Yolanda captures the voices of the leaders navigating a "policy malpractice" environment. THE LEGAL BRIEF: THE "COLORBLIND" TRAP Before diving into the interviews, Yolanda breaks down the chilling implications of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Calias. * The Attack on Section 2: How the weakening of the Voting Rights Act threatens to dilute Black voting strength. * The Myth of Colorblindness: Yolanda tackles Chief Justice Roberts’ famous "stop discriminating" quote, explaining why declaring society colorblind before dismantling structural inequality actually protects the status quo. THE POWER PLAYER INTERVIEWS 1. THE LEGISLATIVE STRATEGY * Leader Robert Reeves (House Democratic Leader): On why the opposition spends millions to make you believe your vote doesn't matter and the "football team" analogy of political alignment. * Rep. Zach Hawkins: A clarion call on the intentional "starving" of public education to fund private school vouchers. * Rep. Jordan Lopez (Mecklenburg County): A look at the "IOU" state of North Carolina—the only state in the nation without a budget—and how it’s crippling infrastructure and state employee retention. 2. EDUCATION & ADVOCACY * Tyler Swanson (Wake County School Board Chair): The "Blue Ridge Loophole" and the "tough and ugly" budget decisions forced upon local school boards when the state fails to do its job. * Lillian Davis (NAMI NC): The intersection of public policy, inclusivity, and mental health advocacy. 3. THE MOVEMENT’S ARC * Courtney Crowder & Dr. Javita Lee Miller (NC Black Alliance): A reflection on 13 years of leadership, the evolution of Advanced Carolina, and the "passing of the baton" to the next generation of organizers. KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR THE COMMUNITY * Organize or Be Organized: Power must be curated; it doesn't sustain itself through hope alone. * Beyond the Ticket: Why local school boards and city councils are the primary defense against state-level neglect. * The Alliance Model: Building relationships with those who don't pray like us or look like us, because "a rising tide lifts all boats." 🎧 Listen to the full episode of All Rights Reserved on Choice FM and your favorite podcast platforms. Connect with Choice FM 🎧 Listen Live: 92.1 FM (WRSV) 📞 Message Line: 919-872-1055 📺 YouTube: @ILoveChoiceFM 📘 Facebook: I Love Choice FM 🌐 WWW.ILOVECHOICEFM.COM #NCBlackSummit #AllRightsReserved #YolandaTaylor #NCGA #VoterRights #PublicEducation #BlackLeadership #NorthCarolinaPolitics #PolicyOverPerformance

All Rights Reserved w/ Guests: Councilmen Reuben Blackwell & Andre Knight

In this heavy-hitting episode of All Rights Reserved, Yolanda Taylor, "The People’s Attorney," steps into the eye of the storm. Rocky Mount, NC has been a fixture in the headlines lately, rife with talk of budget shortfalls, administrative instability, and community backlash. But behind the soundbites lies a deeper story about who controls the money and who gets left out of the math. Joining Yolanda are Councilman Andre Knight (Ward 1) and Councilman Reuben Blackwell, IV (Ward 2). This isn't a conversation about personalities; it’s a masterclass in municipal power. INSIDE THE 30-MINUTE DEEP DIVE: * The 2003 Pivot: Why the budget was a "white power document" for 136 years and how the first Black majority council finally put sidewalks and housing in underserved wards on the line item. * The Police & Fire Pay Spike: The guests break down how former City Manager Keith Rogers bypassed the council to grant 35% and 25% raises to public safety departments just weeks into his tenure—and why that move left public works employees (predominantly Black) out in the cold. * The $117 Million Question: Clarifying the narrative around Rocky Mount’s financial health. The guests detail the fund balance left by former manager Rochelle Small-Tony and challenge the "bankruptcy" rumors circulating on social media. * Institutional Resistance: A candid look at "white flight" within city government and the friction that occurs when legacy department heads are asked to take direction from strong Black leadership. * Budgeting as Advocacy: Why your local budget is the most important civil rights document in your city, and why being "at the table" means nothing if you don't understand the flow of revenue. MEET THE GUESTS: * Councilman Andre Knight (Ward 1): A graduate of NC Central University and a pastor known for his outspoken advocacy. Knight views his seat not as a title, but as a megaphone for justice and civil rights in his native Rocky Mount. * Councilman Reuben Blackwell, IV (Ward 2): CEO of the Rocky Mount OIC and a UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus. Blackwell’s focus remains on workforce development, closing health inequities, and the "resolute" pursuit of economic mobility for the poor. 🎧 Listen to the full episode of All Rights Reserved on Choice FM and your favorite podcast platforms. Connect with Choice FM 🎧 Listen Live: 92.1 FM (WRSV) 📞 Message Line: 919-872-1055 📺 YouTube: @ILoveChoiceFM 📘 Facebook: I Love Choice FM 🌐 WWW.ILOVECHOICEFM.COM

All Rights Reserved w/ Yolanda Taylor

In this special solo episode of "All Rights Reserved," host Yolanda Taylor (the Community Lawyer) strips away the interviews and photo ops to have a direct conversation about accountability. Following weeks of discussions with senators, councilmen, and grassroots advocates, Yolanda connects the dots between the decisions made in backrooms and the reality at your kitchen table. In This Episode: - The "3x Rent" Barrier & Predatory Fees: Why requiring tenants to earn three times the rent—while North Carolina’s minimum wage remains stalled at- $7.25 per hour — is a mathematical lockout. Yolanda breaks down the impact of non-refundable $75+ application fees that strip families of gas and grocery money before they even secure a roof. - Proactive vs. Reactive Policing: A deep dive into the Social Sip and Stroll districts. Why is a person drinking a $2 Beer on a bench cited, while those with $12 cocktails are ignored? Yolanda explains the dangerous intersection of profiling and "proactive" law enforcement. - Crime & The Transparency Gap: A critical look at a recent Wake County case where charges for a stabbing involving six victims were dismissed before trial. Yolanda questions the lack of transparency from the DA’s office and whether the same outcome would exist for a Black defendant. - The Ballot Box as a Tool for Survival: Beyond the primary election turnout, Yolanda discusses the upcoming Knightdale community center bond and why local elections for Judges and the District Attorney are the most impactful levers for racial justice. - The Essential Worker Myth: Reflections on the pandemic "heroes"—grocery clerks, CNAs, and service workers—who are now being priced out of the very cities they kept running. 🎧 Listen to the full episode of All Rights Reserved on Choice FM and your favorite podcast platforms. Connect with Choice FM 🎧 Listen Live: 92.1 FM (WRSV) 📞 Message Line: 919-872-1055 📺 YouTube: @ILoveChoiceFM 📘 Facebook: I Love Choice FM 🌐 WWW.ILOVECHOICEFM.COM

All Rights Reserved w/ Guest: Representative James Roberson

On this episode of All Rights Reserved, host Yolanda Taylor, the "Community Lawyer," sits down with North Carolina State Representative James Roberson (District 37). Representative Roberson brings a unique perspective to the table, having served as the long-time Mayor of Knightdale before transitioning to the state legislature. This conversation strips away the political talking points to examine the friction and the functionality between local municipal needs and state-level policy. IN THIS EPISODE: * The Local-to-State Pipeline: How serving as a mayor informs legislative priorities and why understanding municipal "boots on the ground" reality is often missing in the General Assembly. * Education & The Workforce: With his background in higher education, Rep. Roberson discusses the current state of K-12 funding and the strategic importance of community colleges in North Carolina’s economic future. * Legislative Mechanics: A look inside the committee rooms—how appropriations and education policy actually get shaped behind the scenes. * Advocating for Wake County: Navigating the challenges of representing one of the fastest-growing regions in the country within a complex political landscape. ABOUT THE GUEST: Representative James Roberson serves North Carolina’s 37th District. A former Mayor of Knightdale and a career educator with decades of experience at Wake Technical Community College, he focuses on community development, public education, and sustainable economic growth. Learn more about his work: Rep. James Roberson - NC House [https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/H/786] 🎧 Listen to the full episode of All Rights Reserved on Choice FM and your favorite podcast platforms. Connect with Choice FM 🎧 Listen Live: 92.1 FM (WRSV) 📞 Message Line: 919-872-1055 📺 YouTube: @ILoveChoiceFM 📘 Facebook: I Love Choice FM 🌐 www.ilovechoicefm.com

All Rights Reserved w/ Guest: Angela Bryant, Gloria Davis & Sue Perry Cole

On this episode of All Rights Reserved, Yolanda Taylor (The Community Lawyer) is joined by three "Pioneers in the Struggle" who are currently reshaping the political landscape of the Twin Counties. Guests Angela Bryant, Gloria Davis, and Sue Perry Cole break down the transition from community frustration to organized, strategic power. They dive deep into the recent demerger of the Nash-Rocky Mount school system, a move rooted in historical segregation and current-day systemic pressure, and explain how they used the law and grassroots organizing to ensure Black families weren't left behind. IN THIS EPISODE, WE UNPACK: * The Reality of "Packing": A technical look at redistricting tactics where minority populations are over-concentrated into single districts to dilute their influence elsewhere. * The School Demerger Crisis: How 95% of the Edgecombe County population annexed back into the local district was Black, and the strategic response required to manage dilapidated infrastructure and skewed funding formulas. * Governing While Black: The unique challenges of exercising "Democratic Majority Power" in Eastern North Carolina, where high Black population percentages (like Edgecombe, the state's largest predominantly Black county) are often met with intense voter suppression and legislative "packing." * From Survival to Strategy: How to move residents from "crisis mode" (dealing with utility bills and car repossessions) to a place where they can hold elected officials accountable. MEET THE GUESTS: * Angela Bryant: Former NC State Senator (District 4) and community strategist. A veteran of both inside-government policy and outside-government grassroots power building. * Gloria Davis: Newly elected Edgecombe County School Board member and entrepreneur. A leader who bridges the gap between community faith, mental health advocacy, and the ballot box. * Sue Perry Cole: CEO of the NC Association of Community Development Corporations. A statewide leader in housing equity and systems change who specializes in building the infrastructure for equity. 🎧 Listen to the full episode of All Rights Reserved on Choice FM and your favorite podcast platforms. Connect with Choice FM 🎧 Listen Live: 92.1 FM (WRSV) 📞 Message Line: 919-872-1055 📺 YouTube: @ILoveChoiceFM 📘 Facebook: I Love Choice FM 🌐 www.ilovechoicefm.com