As a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement marks its 66th anniversary, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is set to honor a historic act of student activism. In 1960, four freshmen from the university took a bold stand against segregation by sitting at a “whites only” counter at Woolworth’s in Greensboro.
This courageous protest by the A&T Four—Jibreel Khazan (formerly Ezell Blair Jr.), Franklin McCain Sr., Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond Jr.—not only desegregated the local lunch counter but also sparked a wave of sit-ins throughout the southern United States.
Each year, the university pays tribute to these trailblazers, and this year’s commemoration is themed “Rooted in Legacy: Impacting Generations.” The event will feature a breakfast and a panel discussion that includes Frank McCain Jr., the son of Franklin McCain Sr., along with other notable graduates.
Following the morning program, participants will proceed to the February One monument on campus for a wreath-laying ceremony to honor the legacy of the A&T Four. The event is free and welcomes public attendance.
