Published: Mon, Jan. 01, 2007 12:00AM

Modified Mon, Jan. 01, 2007 03:54AM

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Even before the Rev. William Barber II was elected president of the state chapter of the NAACP, the Goldsboro preacher was speaking out against inequities in the state's public schools and in favor of better opportunities for poor and minority students.

He railed against the resegregation of schools in Wayne County, where students in Goldsboro classrooms are predominantly black. He helped organize rallies at the General Assembly in Raleigh, with students themselves lobbying legislators to do more to help schools that make do with less.

The 43-year-old civil rights advocate plans to push even harder in 2007.

Barber's organization is one of several planning a march on Raleigh early in this year's legislative session to press a number of issues, with education at the top of the agenda.

"Education is the No. 1 issue of the NAACP," Barber said. "It always has been."

In the new legislative session, Barber said he will strengthen his call for steps to reverse increasing resegregation and for more money to be spent to help struggling students.

"Any people that do not fight for their children are not worthy of having them," Barber said.

State Superintendent June Atkinson said Barber has helped amplify the debate about the haves and have-nots in public education.

"The best thing he brings to the table is his bully pulpit to talk about how we need to improve public education," Atkinson said. "He's a great supporter and a critic of public education. He is eloquent in his delivery of his message of educating all children."

(Todd Silberman)

State Rep. Paul Stam, House minority leader

The challenge for state Rep. Paul Stam, the Apex Republican who recently won the job as minority leader in the House, is whether he can pull together Republicans who have fought so bitterly over the past four years that they've missed opportunities to increase their ranks in the legislature.

Stam has started by contacting each of the other 51 Republicans to talk about their interests.

"Find their strengths and magnify their strengths. Help them find a way to use their talents," Stam said. "That's the way to do it."

Recently elected to a fourth term, Stam has stayed out of the shouting matches between opponents and supporters of former House Republican Speaker Richard Morgan of Moore County. Behind the scenes, Stam has made campaign donations to candidates not aligned with Morgan and has supported stands backed by former Rep. Art Pope of Raleigh, a longtime Morgan foe.

Stam had no comment on the infighting, other than to say that it is fading. He also said he would not use his position to stage phony partisan battles.

"We're only going to fight the Democrats when they are wrong," Stam said. "This is not about partisan-ness. This is about getting the people's business done."

Stam, 56, said he will propose rules changes to give Republicans more say in the legislative process. He calls them "golden rules" that could benefit Democrats someday if they end up in the minority.

Stam is known for his ability to maneuver legislation. He reads bills closely and often suggests amendments that clean up sloppy language or prevent potential legal issues. But now he will be too busy to be the House grammarian.

"I'm going to find a volunteer who sits on the back row, right in front of staff, to take that role," Stam said.

(Dan Kane)

Ryan Wuerch, CEO, Motricity

Ryan Wuerch set a high bar in 2006, leading his fast-growing Durham technology company into deals with major media companies such as MTV and raising $86 million in outside funding.