ALUMS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Mr Joseph (Joe) R. Wynn, Member of C. M. Eppes Class of 1953 

The City of Southern Pines, N. C. and its Parks and Recreation Dept. will host the

"Dedication, Ribbon Cutting and Renaming of The Swimming Pool" in honor of 

JOE. R. WYNN" on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 10;00 a.m.  This event will be at the J. Pleasant Hines Park on  S. Stephens Street.

Joe R. Wynn played football at C.M. Eppes High School, attended and graduated from North Carolina Central University , served in the U. S. Army and had an outstanding career  as a Coach and Physical Education Teacher in Southern Pines for over 35 years. He was known as the first Black Parks and Recreation Director In Southern Pines.  He assisted a large number of Black youth with learning how to swim and to compete in various sports. His legacy and community impacts in Southern Pines and Moore County still reign  in 2026.

After retiring, he and his wife moved to Jacksonville, Florida where they joined their three daughters. Joe R. Wynn died January 6, 2007, at the age of 72.

Mr. Joseph (Joe) R. Wynn, Eppes High School Class of 1953, was the Uncle of Lillian Savage Best, Bernadette Gregory Watts, Elton T. Savage, Jr. (all Eppes graduates) and the late Sharon A. Savage, an Eppes Attendee (Rose High graduate).

Zeola Bardy is a member of C. M. Eppes Class of 1968.
Black Veterans Project’s Capitol Hill testimony (Feb 24, 2026)

Essential Takeaway

BVP told Congress that systemic racial discrimination in VA benefits has cost Black veterans an estimated $100 billion in lost wealth, and that dismantling VA equity protections is deepening the harm.

Core Points

Historic and Current Inequities

• Black veterans were systematically denied GI Bill access during Jim Crow, blocking homeownership and education.
• White veteran families now hold 32× more wealth than Black veteran families, a gap of $164,000 per household. Congress.gov
• Black veterans remain twice as likely to live in poverty and make up one‑third of homeless veterans. Congress.gov

Evidence of VA Racial Bias

• FOIA data obtained with Yale Law School shows billions in disability benefits wrongfully denied to Black veterans since 2001.
• These findings support Monk v. United States, the first race‑based class action challenging discriminatory VA benefits administration. Congress.gov

Equity Protections Being Dismantled

• The VA’s Office of Equity Assurance was eliminated, halting investigations into racial disparities.
• Anti‑DEI executive orders have created fear and confusion for staff working on equity issues.
• Brookshire warned these moves are being used to justify privatizing VA health care.

Political Efforts to Redefine “Deserving” Veterans

• Certain political forces are attempting to narrow who is considered entitled to earned benefits, threatening minority veterans’ dignity and recognition.
• Approaching the nation’s 250th anniversary, historical erasure adds further harm.

What BVP Asked Congress to Do

• Restore and strengthen VA equity offices.
• Protect data transparency and civil rights enforcement.
• Support reparative justice for Black veterans and families.
• Ensure VA benefits are administered fairly and without racial bias