“Talk Black”: Attorney Larry D. Hall Returns As Columnist
Spectacular Magazine is excited to announce the return of former NC House Democratic Leader and member of Gov. Cooper’s cabinet, Attorney Larry D. Hall, as a weekly columnist. Hall’s column, Talk Black, will appear each Wednesday, beginning Jan. 5.
Hall wrote the column, TalkBack 2, for Spectacular Magazine from 2007 to 2016. Representing Durham County’s 29th District in the House of Representatives since 2006 and leading House Democrats beginning in 2012, each month Hall provided legislative updates (issues, policies, laws, etc.) in laymen’s terms, explaining what each meant for the district and the state. He paused writing his column in Jan. 2017 when he was appointed Secretary for the North Carolina Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, where he served until Jan. 2021.
“After two years of COVID isolation and societal reactions from compassion to accusation, we’ve all had our attention and focus shifted away from life that happens every day and the policies and functions that make life possible,” Hall stated when asked about returning as a columnist. “I wanted to help bring our focus back to an understanding about what dynamics, events, and activities that continue to affect our present and form our future. How do these things happen or better yet, who does them and what do they mean? Should we be spectators or participants, victors or victims?”
Spectacular Magazine Publisher Phyllis Coley said, “As NC’s premiere Black magazine, it is Spectacular’s responsibility to keep our community accurately and factually informed. I believe that bringing Hall back helps us do that. Talk Black will provide a better understanding of policy and issues, and, in turn, politics. Many times, there may be calls for action. Talk Black will provide a platform for ‘real talk’ as we encourage conversation in the comments section. Hall welcomes the opportunity to discuss or answer any questions relating to the column’s subject matter and/or any other issues you may have concerns.”
“Let’s engage in dialogue and create our futures with purposeful action,” said Hall.
About Larry D. Hall
Larry D. Hall is currently serving as Deputy Industrial Commissioner in the NC Department of Insurance. He served as the Secretary for the North Carolina Department of Military & Veterans Affairs from 2017 -2021. Hall represented Durham County, North Carolina’s 29th District in the House of Representatives, since 2006 and he led House Democrats since 2012.
Born and raised in his district and a student of public schools, Hall earned a B.S. with Honors in Political Science and Business from Johnson C. Smith University and a J.D. from the School of Law at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Upon undergrad graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.
A decorated officer, Hall served 16 years in the United States Marines and Marine Corps Reserves and served in the support of the Operations in the Middle East in Lebanon and Iran. Hall has been awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, the Marine Corps Reserve Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and a Meritorious Unit Citation from the United States Marine Corps. He served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Weapons Company Executive Officer, Training Officer, Battalion Area Security Officer, Staff Judge Advocate, Communications Security Officer, and Logistics Officer.
He also served as Legal Officer and was formerly Commandant for the Marine Corps League Detachment, which assists Marines transitioning from active duty to civilian life in locating employment, housing, and educational opportunities for their families.
Hall is an active member of the community. He has served as an Executive Committee Member and Economic Committee Chairman of the Durham Branch of the NAACP, as Secretary and Chairman of the Durham Business and Professional Chain, and served on the Durham Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He has also served as Executive Officer of the Young Marines Program, Board Chairman of the Durham Companions Mentor Program, and as an instructor and training officer teaching youth leadership, discipline, custom, courtesies, and traditions of the Marine Corps.
Hall’s service to North Carolina continues to be merited, receiving the NAACP’s President’s Award, Equality in Legislation Leadership Award, and Excellence from the Courtroom to the Capital Community Service Award. He has been featured multiple times in Governing magazine and has been honored as a Champion of NC Working Families, a 100% Environmental Champion, and a Defender of Justice for his commitment to safeguarding voting rights, expanding opportunities throughout the state for individuals and communities of low incomes, and protecting vulnerable families and members of the military from predatory lending.
As House Democratic Leader, Hall served on the state’s Economic Development Board, the state’s Innovation Council, The North Carolina Courts Commission—Chairperson, The Duke Medical Center Advisory Board, the Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee—Chairman, and has been inducted as a Toll Fellow by the National Conference of State Governments. He was elected to the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) 2015 Board of Directors to devise and execute nationwide election strategy in state legislatures. Hall also is Chair of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation.