GALLERY: 63rd anniversary of NCA&T Sit-Ins celebrated

Featured photo: L-R – One of the A&T Four, Joseph McNeil, stands with his son during the anniversary events.

All photos by Carolyn de Berry

Wednesday, Feb. 1 marked the 63rd anniversary of the NCA&T Four Sit-Ins at the Woolworth Counter in Greensboro.

From the university’s press release:

“The actions of freshmen Jibreel Khazan (formerly Ezell Blair Jr.), Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain Sr. and David Richmond on Feb. 1, 1960, prompted others to conduct similar peaceful protests against racial injustice in at least 250 municipalities across the country by the end of that month. Khazan and McNeil are the final surviving members of the Four.

McNeil – a retired Air Force major general who turns 81 next month – was joined at the event by members of his family, as well as family members of Khazan, McCain and Richmond for the program, “Embracing Our Past, Engaging our Present, Imagining Our Future.” Khazan was unable to attend.

The capacity crowd for the early-morning event included local and state dignitaries, faculty, staff, alumni, current A&T students – including February One Scholars – and students from the A&T Four Middle College at A&T, Bennett College and Dudley High School. In 1960, students from the latter two institutions, along with UNC Greensboro, joined in and continued the momentum of the sit-in until summer, when the chain store changed its policy nationally to guarantee equal access to its lunch counters.”