Black History Month

Black History Month

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, Black History Month reminds us of our responsibility to honor the contributions and achievements of African Americans and their pivotal role in shaping our state and nation; and

Whereas, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, first launched “Negro History Week” in 1926, and is widely regarded as the father of Black History; and

Whereas, North Carolina is home to the largest number of four-year, degree-granting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the nation and more HBCU students than any other state; our ten HBCUs have a rich heritage steeped in tradition, activism, service, and innovation dating back to the foundation of Shaw University in 1865; and

Whereas, the labor of Black people in the military, government, and private sectors has been instrumental in shaping our society; and

Whereas, in the early twentieth century, Durham founded “Black Wall Street,” a nationally recognized business district propelled by African American businessmen including John Merrick, Dr. Aaron Moore, C.C. Spaulding, R.B. Fitzgerald, and W.G. Pearson that provided critical support to Black entrepreneurship; and

Whereas, the percentage of Black-owned businesses in North Carolina exceeds the national average; and

Whereas, African Americans in North Carolina’s government workforce serve in vital roles across state agencies and universities in service to the residents of the state and represent 30 percent of North Carolina state government employees; and

Whereas, the theme for Black History Month in 2025 is “African Americans and Labor,” as designated by The Association for the Study of African American Life & History, which sets out to highlight and celebrate the transformative impact of African American labor in the United States that has shaped the life, culture, and history of our nation;

Now, therefore, i, josh stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim February 2025, as “black history month” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this sixth day of February in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.