N.C. A&T Enters Partnership to Establish Civil Rights Museum - International Civil Rights Center and Museum - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and Sit-In Movement Inc - Brief Article

Black Issues in Higher Education, July 19, 2001

GREENSBORO, N.C.

History was made at the Woolworth's Five & Dime Store building at 132 South Elm Street in Greensboro, N.C., in 1960 when four North Carolina A&T State University students sat down against segregation.

A new chapter in the building's history began last month when a collaborative agreement was signed between the Sit-In Movement Inc. and N.C. A&T. The new partnership will accelerate the development, progress and opening of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum. Strategies will focus on staff training, fundraising, communications, interns, faculty support and loaned staffing support.

Sit-In Movement Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c3) operation, was established in 1993 by Guilford County Commissioner Melvin "Skip" Alston and Greensboro City Councilman Earl F. Jones.

"Since 1993, we have had one mission, and that mission was and still is ... to make our dream for the International Civil Rights Center & Museum a reality," says Alston, chairman of the board of directors for Sit-In Movement Inc.

"Due to our mission, history and desire to enhance the museum project, we recognized that A&T could play a significant role with Sit-In Movement Inc.," says Chancellor James C. Renick.

A&T freshmen made history on Feb. 1, 1960, by starting America' s Sit-in Movement at F. W. Woolworth in downtown Greensboro. Dr. Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair Jr.), Dr. Franklin Eugene McCain, Dr. Joseph Alfred McNeil and the late Dr. David Leinail Richmond requested service at the segregated lunch counter more than 40 years ago.

David Hoard, A&T's vice chancellor for development, and university relations, will become chief executive officer of the museum project.

"This is a unique opportunity for all involved," says Hoard. "We are working together to open a Civil Rights Center & Museum that will document some of America's greatest victories. The International Civil Rights Center & Museum will highlight history and will positively affect economic development downtown as a tourist attraction."

Renick along with Obrie Smith, president of the N.C. A&T University Foundation Inc., will serve in two board positions reserved for A&T appointees with the Sit-in Movement Inc.