The City of Lenoir City Council proclaimed February 2026 to be Black History Month in Lenoir. Mayor Joe Gibbons read the proclamation during Council’s planning retreat on Friday, Feb. 6.
Black History Month Events
The City of Lenoir’s Black History Month Celebration also starts this Sunday, Feb. 8, with a gospel signing at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center. All events are free to the public! Staff will also host a movie night, essay and poetry contest, and blood drive at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.
Gospel Singing
Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 @ 3:00 pm | Featuring Chosen, The New Gospel Messengers, and Freedom Celebration Community Choir.
Movie Night
Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 @ 4:00 pm | Featuring “Sarah’s Oil” (2025). Sarah’s Oil is the remarkable true story of eleven year old Sarah Rector, an African American girl born in Oklahoma Indian Territory in the early 1900s, who believes there is oil beneath the barren land she’s allotted and whose faith is proven right
Essay & Poetry Contest
Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026 @ 6:00 pm | Come watch local students show off their writing skills during the Black History Month Essay & Poetry Contest at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.
Blood Drive
Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, from 2:00 to 6:30 PM | The City will close out Black History Month with an American Red Cross Blood Drive. Give back to your community by donating blood in support of Black History Month
Black History Month Proclamation
WHEREAS, since 1976, every United States president has officially designated the month of February as national Black History Month to honor and affirm the importance of Black history throughout our American experience; and
WHEREAS, the United States joins other countries around the world in devoting a month to recognize Black history, including Canada and the United Kingdom; and
WHEREAS, the observance of Black History Month began in 1926, when Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and Minister Jesse Moorland sponsored the first national Negro History Week, which was celebrated the second week in February, and later in the 1960s as part of the Civil Rights Movement the observance evolved into Black History Month; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Black History Month theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations” marks the 100th anniversary of the first Black History Week founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926, encouraging reflection on a century of honoring Black History; and
WHEREAS, much of the City of Lenoir’s honor, strength, and success can be attributed to the diversity of cultures and traditions that are celebrated by the residents of this great City; and
WHEREAS, African-Americans have played significant roles and made lasting contributions to our City’s history and the history of North Carolina’s economic, cultural, spiritual and political development, while working tirelessly to contribute to every aspect of American society including business, education, politics, science, and the arts; and
WHEREAS, Black History Month is a time for all Americans to remember the contributions and legacy of those who helped build our nation, fought against prejudice to secure lives of dignity and opportunity for all of our citizens, advanced the cause of civil rights for all Americans, and strengthened our families and communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Joseph L. Gibbons, Mayor of the City of Lenoir and the City Council, do hereby encourage all residents to join me in honoring the many contributions made by African-Americans to our City, State, and Nation, and to participate in the many educational and inspirational events celebrating February 2026 as “BLACK HISTORY MONTH.”
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Lenoir to be affixed, this the 6th day of February in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-six.
Joseph L. Gibbons, Mayor