The Moment To Be Rather Than Seem
“Esse Quam Videri” – the official state motto of North Carolina – was adopted on February 21, 1893. The Latin phrase, which translates to “to be rather than to seem,” originates from De Amicitia, an essay on friendship written by Cicero, the Roman author and politician, around 44 B.C. In that essay, Cicero contrasts the true character and virtue of friendship with the mere appearance of such qualities. He argued that authentic friendship requires demonstrated moral character through honest, loyal, and sincere actions – not actions driven by public recognition, reputation, or image. This principle captures the ideals of authentic, principled, and trustworthy leadership and relationships. Today, that motto calls on our institutions and leaders to uphold the dignity, safety, and due process rights of every person who calls this state home.
North Carolina experienced a surge of law enforcement activity that has created fear and heightened anxiety across immigrant communities. These are not abstract concerns. They are lived realities for thousands of residents who contribute to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of our state. Families should not wake up afraid. Children should not fear their parents will not come home. Neighbors should not feel unsafe seeking essential services or reporting emergencies.
This moment is about people, not politics. Our communities and states are stronger when residents feel safe, respected, and able to fully participate in civic life. When fear takes root, it erodes trust in public institutions, discourages cooperation with law enforcement, and undermines public safety for everyone. It also threatens the values we claim to hold dear: fairness, justice, and compassion.
Read MDC’s full statement HERE or at the button below.
Webinar: Understanding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
Navigating Public Service Loan Forgiveness can be confusing—especially for nonprofit staff balancing a million things. That’s why Public Service Promise and MDC Inc. are teaming up to break it down in a free, live webinar built for you.
You’ll learn how PSLF works, who qualifies, and what steps to take now. Register for the Dec 3rd webinar at the button below.
MDC Podcast, Episode 2: The Cost of Education
Join MDC's CEO Lakeisha Hood Moïse, Dr. Daniel Collier, PhD (University of Memphis), and MDC’s Sabrina McGee as they dive into the realities of student debt and the challenges borrowers face today.
Don’t miss this powerful conversation on equity, education, and economic opportunity. Listen at the button below.
Hurricane Helene, 1 Year Later: Calling for a Just Recovery
One year after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, the NC Inclusive Disaster Recovery Network (NCIDR)—a statewide coalition of public, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations facilitated by MDC —launched a weeklong campaign (September 21–27, 2025) to highlight the ongoing needs of survivors and call for a just, equitable, and comprehensive recovery.
NCIDR and its partners emphasized that volunteerism and charity are not enough; substantial state and federal investments are urgently needed.
Learn more at the button below.
H.R. 1 slashes the South’s safety net and threatens regional prosperity
It’s not surprising the South is one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S., given its food, storytellers, musicians, sense of community, and business hubs. Yet, the South also faces many challenges – rural Southerners live farther away on average from grocery stores and hospitals, Southern states spend less per pupil on education than other states, and Southern workers have fewer protections as states prioritize corporate interests over workers’ rights.
MDC strengthens capacity, fosters collaboration, and builds influence for an equitable and inclusive South. The federal government’s recent budget, H.R. 1, or the grossly misnamed “One Big, Beautiful Bill”, poses a severe threat to our vision for a thriving South. While we won’t know the full extent of the bill’s impacts for years, the changes H.R. 1 makes to the social safety net will exacerbate existing inequalities and make Southerners, particularly Southerners of color, sicker, poorer, and less educated.
To ensure that local communities and partners have access to the information they need to prepare and advocate, MDC has produced five briefs (Immigration, SNAP, Medicaid, Student Debt, and School Vouchers) outlining the impact of parts of H.R.1 in the South, and how Southern communities are coming together and pushing back. They will be released throughout November and can be downloaded at the button below.
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Shaping a South where all people thrive
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