News 14 Carolina's Deborah Tuff was at the forum and has this report.
DURHAM -- The NAACP had questions.
If elected as North Carolina's next governor, what would candidates do to create a better economy, better schooling, and a fair judicial system for North Carolina -- particularly its African-American residents?
Many filled a Durham church's sanctuary on Saturday to hear those answers.
"To hear the candidates genuinely speak about how they are willing to develop the African-American community,” said forum attendee Brandon Green on why he was on hand. “Whether or not we really got a definitive answer on a lot of the issues, I don't know, but I can honestly say we have it on record."
Of the seven candidates vying for the state's top job, four showed for the forum.
Leading Democratic candidates Lt. Governor Beverly Purdue and Richard Moore were on hand, along with retired Air Force Colonel Dennis Nielsen
Former state Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr was the only Republican on the panel -- a panel which promised change.
Change to healthcare, reduced drop-out rates among African-American high school students and more action instead of just talk.
Of the seven candidates vying for the state's top job, four showed for the forum.
This is why they say you should pick them as your leader.
"While all of these are going to be looking into each other's past, I'm going to be looking into your future. I think we have to be a futuristic governor, and work toward the future," said Nielsen.
Added Purdue, "As your next governor I'm going to work with you and for you to build a new North Carolina all the way from the mountains to the coast. Together, together anything is possible."
Said Orr, "If elected governor I will do everything, everyday to make sure that the public's interest is served as opposed to the small concentration of power that has controlled this state for so many years.”
Said Moore, "We're going to need a new kind of governor, a governor whose not afraid of making tough decisions, a governor who's not afraid of change, a governor who is willing to stand up for those who need help and deserve it. That's the kind of governor I'm going to be.”
All these are promises that African-American activists say they'll hold the state's next governor accountable for.