Dates for Comments on African American Monument at State Capitol Extended into April and May | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory is encouraging citizen participation in four additional public hearings in coming weeks to offer feedback on a new monument on State Capitol grounds to commemorate the achievements of African Americans. Governor McCrory's recommendation to construct the monument was endorsed by the North Carolina Historical Commission and the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission. The sessions will take place over four Tuesdays in Winston-Salem, Asheville, Wilmington and Raleigh.

    "The construction of this monument has already garnered widespread support and feedback from throughout the state," said Governor McCrory. "These additional hearings will allow more people to play an active role in helping the state recognize the contributions African Americans have made to North Carolina."

    "We have had such wonderful, passionate input from citizens across the state," said Secretary Susan Kluttz of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. "The ideas have been varied and inspiring. We realized we needed to extend the public hearings to even more cities to ensure we were giving everyone the opportunity to give their input."

    Earlier this year, Governor McCrory and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announced four public hearings that occurred throughout the state during the month of March. The additional public hearings that have been added will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the following locations:

• April 12 at St. Phillips African Moravian Church and Heritage Center in Old Salem, 911 South Church St., Winston-Salem;
• April 19 at the Asheville YMI Cultural Center, 39 Market St., Asheville;
• April 26 at St. Stephen AME Church - Sloan Chapel Annex, 501 Red Cross St., Wilmington;
• May 3 at the State Capitol, One E. Edenton St., Raleigh

    "This is a first in the history of our state and I am proud of Governor Pat McCrory for his support of an idea that is long overdue," added Secretary Kluttz.

    The Historical Commission joins the African American Heritage Commission in seeking to fully represent the diversity of North Carolina's history. Those backing the proposal commend the work of the North Carolina Freedom Monument Project and seek to complement, not supplant, its ambitious plan for a public art project two blocks northeast of the Capitol.

    The planning committee will consist of three members of the North Carolina Historical Commission and three members of the African American Heritage Commission, and led by Historical Commission Chair Millie Barbee.

    Individuals or groups wishing to voice opinions or support the new monument are invited to the four public hearings or can visit www.ncdcr.cov/monuments-feedback to provide feedback.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov