New Hanover School Board Rejects Black History Month Resolution in a narrow 4-3 vote, opting for year-round African American history lessons instead — a move the NAACP says sends a troubling message to students in Wilmington.
WILMINGTON, N.C. — The New Hanover County Board of Education voted against a resolution that would’ve formally acknowledged Black History Month. Instead, in a tight 4–3 split, the board approved a substitute motion promising year-round access to African American history lessons for teachers across the district.
But the NAACP isn’t buying that as a win.
In a pointed response, the organization said the board’s decision sends a “troubling message” to students — especially Black students — at a time when acknowledgment and visibility matter more than ever.
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Some board members argued the resolution wasn’t necessary. The district already provides resources and integrates African American history into classroom instruction. They said singling out one month might actually undercut efforts to incorporate Black history year-round.
Supporters of the substitute motion framed it as substance over symbolism — focusing on access to lessons instead of passing a formal proclamation. The NAACP is urging the board to reconsider its stance.
READ NAACP STATEMENT BELOW:
