On Monday, February 9, 2026, the Goldsboro quilt was revealed and the Mayor of Sanford read a powerful proclamation about our past, present and future.
Founded in 1891 by William Clark, Historic Goldsboro was one of the first self-governing Black communities in the United States, a proud, thriving city with its own mayor, businesses, churches, and civic institutions. In 1911, Goldsboro was annexed by the City of Sanford through legislative action that dissolved its municipal charter, stripping the community of its independence and self-determination. For generations, that annexation left a lasting wound, a sense of loss felt deeply by those who built Goldsboro from the ground up and by their descendants who inherited its proud legacy.
The City of Sanford recognizes this history and, through the Pathways to Reconciliation initiative, seeks to honor what was lost, acknowledge past injustices, and move forward together in a spirit of respect, understanding, and unity. Through the city’s Race, Equality, Equity, and Inclusion (REEI) Advisory Committee (of which FEW-CUE member Virginia Poe proudly serves), partnered on the Historic Goldsboro Commemorative Quilt, a collaborative, community-driven artwork that preserves and celebrates the rich stories and legacy of Historic Goldsboro.
As part of the unveiling ceremony, Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff will acknowledge historic harms that impacted Goldsboro and offer an official apology through a proclamation that affirms the city’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation and unity. The descendants of Goldsboro’s founder were present Mayor Woodruff is the great-grandson of a man named D.L. Thrasher, who was Sanford’s Mayor in 1911 and helped dissolve Goldsboro’s charter.
This is just one example of the systemic local decisions that impacted the local Black community in multigenerational ways.
FEW CUE encourages you to attend Black History month events at your workplace or in town, make a visit to places like Eatonville or Goldsboro, read a book by Zora Neale Hurston, support Black owned business, and maybe make a trip to Luminary park in Paramore.