During this session, I have sponsored/co-sponsored key pieces of legislation such as:

SB 649 – (Sponsor) North Carolina Venture Fund, Provides funding for initial capital for developing technology companies and ventures. 

SB 600 – (Sponsor) Study Automation and the Workforce, would establish a committee to review the current and future effects of automation on the workforce that would provide government officials, educators, and business leaders, with the information and insight necessary to guide the state towards mitigating the negative effects of automation on workers. 

SB 589 – (Sponsor) Small business capital improvement account, an act to allow small businesses to eliminate state income taxes on a portion of revenue if used for capital expenditures. 

SB 563 – (Sponsor) Renewable Energy Tax Credit, an act to reenact a tax credit incentive for investing in renewable energy property. Business provision: a credit ceiling of two million five hundred thousand dollars applies to each installation of renewable energy property placed in service for a business purpose. 

SB 558 – (Sponsor) Veterans Business Participation Tracking, an act to encourage and promote the use of veteran contractors in state purchasing of goods and services, state construction contracts, and state information technology procurement. 

SB 524 – (Sponsor) Small Business Assistance, An act to provide funds to assist small businesses. Provides grants to small businesses and establishes the small business recovery program. 

SB 512 – (Sponsor) Hire NC Workers, an act to provide tax incentives for small businesses to hire North Carolina workers. 

SB 334 – (Sponsor) Funds/Center For Entrepreneurship, an act to appropriate funds to the national institute of minority economic development to establish the center for entrepreneurship. 

SB 223 – (Primary Sponsor) Durham/Grants to Businesses & Nonprofits, an act authorizing the city of Durham to make grants to businesses and private or public nonprofit organizations that serve the public interest and well-being of the Durham community and it’s citizens. 

I have continued to build relationships throughout District 20 to ensure that I am not only representing the voices in my district but across our state. 

I have worked with farmers and families as a Durham County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor to:

• Improve farming and produce more high-quality food for all communities
  
• Reserve our land, open spaces, and drinking water
  
• Ensure that movements such as farm-to-table operate equitably
  
• Eliminate food deserts in our communities
  
• Address access to healthy and fresh food
  
• Expand partnerships with local schools to provide educational and training programs to get students excited about environmental stewardship
  

My other efforts include starting a business. In 2017, I launched a company, Attal Strategies, to work with and assist private companies and non-profits to raise capital and better engage with the communities we serve. I feel proud that through my business efforts I have had opportunities to

• Support and improve the important work done by childcare providers
  
• Support the construction of better roads, bridges, and transit networks
  
• Ensure rural areas become well-positioned for job creation
  
• Work with Attorney General Josh Stein on criminal justice issues to protect families and ensure fairness for all
  
• Advocate statewide for greater access for all families to fresh food and clean and high-quality drinking water

   

Prior to starting my own business, I have tackled many of these issues and more through various professional and volunteer responsibilities that I have accepted. For example, I began my professional career working with Chris Kromm at the Institute for Southern Studies right here in Durham. Then, the City of Asheville Economic Development Office and Advantage West Economic Development Group provided an opportunity for me to tackle many job development and agri-business efforts. I felt proud to assist many local farmers and farming businesses to increase progress and success throughout their communities.

Just before starting my business, I had the honor to work with Attorney General Stein on his many efforts to improve life throughout North Carolina. I assisted the Attorney General as the Deputy Director of Communications and as the Community Outreach and Partnership. Those responsibilities helped me connect many people throughout the state that work constantly to solve problems and deal with many concerns.

Additionally, my background also includes service as:

• Traveling Press Secretary for the Deborah Ross for Senate Campaign
• Director of Marketing and Communications for GoTriangle, a regional transit agency
• Vice Chair of Precinct 5 in Durham County, First Vice Chair of the Durham County Democratic Party, Secretary of the Durham Democratic Women, and Third Vice President of the African-American Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party
• Membership and participation on the Durham County Transportation Advisory Board, the UNC-Chapel Hill Institute for the Environment Board of Visitors, the Black Leaders Organizing Collective (BLOC) Board, and the City of Durham Participatory Budget Steering Committee

Please note that all of these positions and service have benefited from the knowledge and skills that I developed in earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill and in studying Public Administration at Western Carolina University and Leadership and Organizational Change at Pfeiffer University.