Governor Stein Proclaims Black History Month

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

2026

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, February 2026 marks “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” the national theme as designated by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, which sets out to highlight and celebrate the transformative impact of African Americans in the U.S. that has shaped the life, culture, and history of our nation; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Carter G. Woodson – widely regarded as the father of Black History – founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, first launched “Negro History Week” in 1926; North Carolina was one of the first three states to implement the new history week; and

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

WHEREAS, North Carolina served as home for countless noteworthy Black figures making significant impacts on our history, including Ella Baker, Maya Angelou, Thomas Day, Theolonius Monk, Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, John Chavis, Harriet Jacobs, George Henry White, Anna Julia Cooper, Julius Chambers, Michael Jordan, and countless others; and

WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly established in 2008 the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission to preserve, protect, and promote African American history, art, and culture for all people in addition to stewarding the North Carolina Freedom Park in Raleigh dedicated to the African American fight for freedom; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages people to observe Black History Month as an opportunity to reflect, rejoice, and work in community toward a brighter future as we continue to address racial injustices in our society today;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSH STEIN, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim February 2026 as “BLACK HISTORY MONTH” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

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 twenty-seventh day of January in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.