Vernetta Alston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vernetta Alston
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 29th district
Incumbent
Assumed office April 13, 2020
Preceded by	MaryAnn Black
Durham City Councilwoman
In office 2017–2020
Succeeded by	Pierce Freelon
Personal details
Born	Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	Cardinal Gibbons High School
Alma mater	North Carolina State University (BA) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (JD)

Vernetta Alston is an American politician and lawyer. She is a member of the Democratic Party. She served on the Durham City Council from 2017 to 2020. After that, she became a representative in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Early Life and School

Growing Up in North Carolina

Vernetta Alston was born in Durham, North Carolina. She grew up in Cary. She went to Immaculata Catholic School in Durham. This was a private school.

High School and College

She later graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School. This is a private Catholic high school in Raleigh. For her college studies, she attended North Carolina State University. She then earned a law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Public Service Career

Working as a Lawyer

Before becoming a politician, Vernetta Alston worked as a lawyer. She was a staff attorney for N.C. Prison Legal Services. She also worked for the North Carolina Center for Death Penalty Litigation for more than five years. During this time, she helped Henry McCollum. He was proven innocent after spending 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Serving on the Durham City Council

In 2017, Alston was elected to the Durham City Council. While on the council, she supported important projects. One of these was a $95 million plan for affordable housing. This plan aimed to help people find homes they could afford.

Alston in December 2019

Speaking at Immaculata Catholic School

In February 2019, Alston was invited to speak at Immaculata Catholic School. This was part of their Black History Month celebrations. The school's African-American Heritage Committee invited her. They wanted her to speak about "Influential African American Women."

However, the invitation was later taken back. This happened after some people threatened to protest the event. The school's pastor, Fr. Christopher VanHaight, made the decision. He said he received messages from parents who were concerned. They worried about a politician speaking who supported certain social views. He also said the school "needed a break from politicians." The Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh supported his decision.

Alston shared her thoughts in a statement. She said that the school's decision was "sad" and "regressive." She felt it sent a message that some voices could be "cancelled." She also said it showed that inclusion was not valued by some.

A group of parents from the school disagreed with the decision. Danielle Sutton, who led the African-American Heritage Committee, was one of them. Later, Fr. VanHaight apologized. He then re-invited Alston to speak. Alston spoke at the school in March 2019. She received a standing ovation from the audience.

Joining the North Carolina House

In 2020, North Carolina General Assembly member MaryAnn Black passed away. Durham Democratic Party officials suggested that Governor Roy Cooper appoint Alston to fill the empty seat. Alston officially left the Durham City Council in April 2020. She was sworn into the North Carolina House of Representatives on April 14, 2020.

Personal Life

Vernetta Alston is married to Courtney Young. They have two children together. They live in the Hope Valley Country Club area.