The Mountains of Western North Carolina aren’t just seen — they’re felt. Each town and community carries its own heartbeat, its own story, and together, they form the spirit of the Mountains of North Carolina. We are proud to share the official proclamation by Governor Josh Stein recognizing October 2025 as “Rediscovering the Mountains of North Carolina Month.” We invite you to observe this month with us and celebrate the people, places, and traditions that make these mountains unforgettable. Ex

Laurel Mill, Franklin County, North Carolina.

How Black Activism Forced Military Integration" The story of the first Black Marines is not one of permission—it's one of pressure. In 1941, as America prepared to fight Nazi Germany's racist regime, the U.S. Marine Corps systematically rejected Black applicants. General Thomas Holcomb stated he would rather have 5,000 white Marines than 250,000 Black ones. The hypocrisy was stunning: fight fascism abroad while practicing segregation at home. Enter A. Philip Randolph, founder of the Brotherhood