As the Town of Carrboro explores the renaming of a street in town in honor of Braxton Foushee, below is a statement from the branch provided to Town staff at the Nov. 29 meeting of the Carrboro Town Council:
"The Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP enthusiastically supports the renaming of a street in the Town of Carrboro after Mr. Braxton Foushee.
The Carrboro Town Council has already designated Dec. 13, 2023, and every Dec. 13 thereafter, as Braxton Dunkin Foushee Day of Service in Carrboro. We feel a street renaming would further cement Braxton’s legacy in our community in a manner befitting his contributions.
Having a street in town named for Braxton Foushee would deservedly honor a life of service that began as early as age 15, when he worked to combat voter disenfranchisement, to his later work the local labor movement, advocating for equal pay and fair treatment for Black residents, and eventually, his election as the first Black member of the then-Carrboro Board of Aldermen in 1969.
Braxton’s service continues to this day in a variety of ways. He is an example that we, as a branch, feel like should be lifted up and have a light shined on in the community. Renaming a street in his honor is the perfect opportunity."