Princeville, the oldest town incorporated by African Americans in the United States, is struggling under heavy flooding from Hurricane Matthew. The N.C. African American Heritage Commission is initiating a drive to gather needed supplies for a community where the majority of homes are flooded and many have lost everything.
“My heart goes out to this community,” said N.C. Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz. “I applaud the African American Heritage Commission for identifying a need and working to solve it.”
Hurricane Floyd submerged Princeville in 1999, putting the historically significant town in jeopardy.
Primary needs have been identified as the following:
— handtools
— toiletries
— non-perishable food items
— cleaning supplies
— new toys and books for children
“As we keep those in impacted communities in our prayers we should also keep in mind that our fellow North Carolinians, in being displaced from their homes, are also displaced from their networks and communities,” said Dr. Valerie Ann Johnson, chair of the N.C. African American Heritage Commission and member of the N.C. Historical Commission. “The N.C. African American Heritage Commission, in soliciting donations for Princeville residents, is also supporting their efforts to remain a community. We urge those who can provide assistance in this effort to do so. Princeville is an important part of our state’s heritage as are communities across North Carolina affected once again by record-breaking floods.”
Donations can be delivered to the N.C. Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources lobby at 109 East Jones St. in Raleigh and at the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Historic Site at 6136 Burlington Rd. in Gibsonville.
For more information, please contact Michelle Lanier at (919) 807-6518 or michelle.lanier@ncdcr.gov.