WHEREAS, the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners takes pride in recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month, celebrating the many notable contributions that people of African descent have made to our community, state, and country; and

WHEREAS, African Americans have played significant roles in the history of North Carolina’s economic, cultural, spiritual, and political development while working tirelessly to maintain and promote their culture and history; and

WHEREAS,  in 1976, Black History Month was formally adopted to honor and affirm the importance of Black history throughout our American experience, which dates thousands of years and includes some of the greatest, most advanced and innovative societies that we can all draw inspiration from; and

WHEREAS, since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month; and

WHEREAS, the theme for the 2026 Black History Month, designated by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), is “A Century of Black History Commemoration”; and

WHEREAS, this theme marks the 100th anniversary of the first “Negro History Week,” established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926; and

WHEREAS, African Americans living and working in Hillsborough — from the time of legalized slavery to the present day — have shown a steadfast determination to live freely and equally and to press the town and the community to make manifest an equitable Hillsborough where race is not a determining factor of outcomes; and

WHEREAS, this observance presents a special opportunity to become more knowledgeable about black heritage and to honor the many black leaders who have played a part in the progress of our community;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mark Bell, mayor of the Town of Hillsborough, do hereby proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in Hillsborough.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused this seal of the Town of Hillsborough to be affixed this 9th day of February in the year 2026.

Mark Bell, Mayor