NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – As the 125th anniversary of the 1898 Wilmington Massacre and Coup d’état approaches, the New Hanover County Office of Diversity and Equity is collaborating with numerous community partners for events that will commemorate the milestone and foster a dialogue on addressing racism.
The calendar, which features more than 25 engagement opportunities, starts October 18 and runs through November 28.
“Talking about an event like the massacre and coup d'état that took place in Wilmington 125 years ago is not easy, but it’s also necessary as part of the healing process,” said Chief Diversity and Equity Officer Linda Thompson. “We are very excited to see a wide variety of events taking place throughout the community, including forums for discussion, documentary screenings, performances and more. There are plenty of ways to get involved and learn about local history and its impact that is still being felt to this day.”
On Thursday, November 9, officials from New Hanover County, the City of Wilmington and other community organizations will gather at 9 a.m. for a wreath-laying ceremony at 1898 Memorial Park. Later that day, local clergy from around the area will host a community luncheon featuring keynote speaker Reverend Dr. Hanna R. Broome of the Central North Carolina Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church. Tickets to this luncheon will be available at the Diversity and Equity website starting October 23. The luncheon will be followed by several evening events, including a screening of “Wilmington on Fire: Chapter II” at the downtown Public Library from 6-8 p.m.
Bishop William Barber, former President of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP, will join local historian Dr. Bertha Todd and others as part of an 1898 Symposium from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, November 11 at Williston Middle School. The event is free and open to the public.
A full calendar of events for the 1898 commemoration can be found at Diversity.NHCgov.com/1898.