The council’s vote comes as House Bill 171 awaits a veto override vote in the North Carolina Senate. The North Carolina House has already voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of the bill.

If enacted, HB 171 would:

• Prohibit state agencies and local governments from using public funds to “promote, support, fund, implement or maintain” DEI initiatives or programs.
• Prohibit local governments from maintaining dedicated DEI offices or staff positions.
• Prohibit local governments from offering DEI training.

All three of Cabarrus County’s N.C. House representatives: Jonathan Almond, Grant Campbell, and Brian Echevarria, voted in favor of the bill and in favor of overriding the governor’s veto.

Council Member Andy Langford, who moved to disband the committee, noted that Concord United was formed after residents urged city leaders better to engage all community members following George Floyd’s death. He credited former Council Member Ella Mae Small with helping shape the city’s original response. He emphasized that the committee’s membership reflected Concord’s racial and ethnic diversity.

Langford characterized the decision to dissolve the committee as one made under pressure from state lawmakers rather than a reflection of the city’s own priorities, citing the risk of losing state and potentially federal funding if the committee continued to operate.

City leaders had raised these concerns with Concord United members weeks earlier. According to the committee’s June 23 meeting minutes, Mayor Steve Morris, Langford, and Council Member Betty Stocks discussed the committee’s legal and financial risks. He informed members of the city’s plan to dissolve the group.

During that June 23 meeting, Langford noted how significantly the political landscape had shifted since Concord United’s founding in 2021, pointing to mounting state and federal opposition to racial equity and inclusion initiatives and the potential consequences of continuing the committee’s work, including possible lawsuits against the city.

According to the June 23 meeting minutes, Concord United members expressed a strong willingness to continue their work despite the challenges. They discussed forming an independent advisory group of concerned citizens to carry the effort forward outside the formal city structure.

Committee Co-Chair Michelle Joshua expressed appreciation for the city’s openness to continuing some form of collaboration with the group in a different format in the future.

Council Member Betty Stocks said she hoped the committee’s work would continue in some capacity following its dissolution, citing the group’s meaningful contributions to the city.

Council Member Alvarys Santana encouraged both residents and elected officials to remain engaged with Concord’s diverse communities, describing ongoing engagement as essential to the city’s broader function.

Langford also asked the City Council to send a formal letter thanking Concord United members for their years of service, noting the significance of the group’s contributions during its time in operation.

House Bill 171 remains pending a veto override vote in the North Carolina Senate. If the override succeeds, the legislation would take effect statewide, formally barring local governments from funding or maintaining DEI-focused programs, offices, or committees similar to Concord United.