Despite the obstacles due to the recent damage by Hurricane Helene, the “Cycle North Carolina Mountains to the Coast Tour” will still take place. On Saturday, October 12, some 900 riders will be welcomed to the George Henry White Center, where they will partake of refreshments, tour the center, and gear up for the next leg of their 7-day odyssey.
The 425-mile course has been amended, due to the damage from the storm. Over a 7-day period, cyclists will travel from Lenoir, instead of the previously planned start in Spruce Pine. Overnight stops in Statesville, Thomasville, Pittsboro, Benson and Elizabethtown lead up to the final day’ first rest stop at the Clarkton, NC community center, before that evening’s ultimate destination, Ocean Isle Beach.
“We chose the George Henry White Center as one of the stops to enable riders to learn about the history of one of North Carolina’s significant figures, and to see how his legacy continues to serve the people of his birth county,” said Tony Clark, spokesperson for Cycle North Carolina Mountains to Coast Tour.
“The Tour is more than a cycling event, it’s a chance to experience North Carolina’s rich heritage and natural resources. We have riders from all over the world coming to participate, and we hope to give them a fabulous experience of our scenic wonders, our warm hospitality, and our best resource—our people!”
With some 900 riders stopping at the GHW Center, volunteers from the local community are needed to hand out refreshments and share with visitors.
“This was a century-old farmhouse,” explains Dr. Milton Campbell, key donor and president of the Benjamin and Edith Spaulding Descendants Foundation which sponsors the center. “Volunteers and professionals helped transform it into a thriving community center that is changing lives for the better.”
George Henry White was born in Rosindale, during the time of slavery, and educated in Whiteville. Upon graduating, he worked on family land and distilled turpentine to pay his way to Howard University and taught in New Bern after graduation. Studying law on his own, he passed the NC Bar in 1879, then began a career both in private practice and was elected as a state solicitor, as delegate to the state legislature, and then in 1896, was elected to Congress, the only African American to serve during his two terms there.
As the winds of segregation and disenfranchisement swirled, he became the center of much of the rancor, and had the unique circumstance of losing most of his constituents while in office as the 1900 referendum took away the vote from North Carolina’s black citizens. He responded to the racially based politics of the time by taking the route of economic empowerment. He started a law firm, a bank in Philadelphia, a land development company, and eventually, founded Whitesboro, New Jersey, a place where black citizens could own land, houses, businesses and gain education. He built the Whitesboro School—which is still standing—to ensure every child could receive an education—deeding it to the township for one dollar.
After his death in 1918, his story was nearly forgotten until Whitesville journalist Ben Justesen became fascinated by his little-known story, and wrote five books about him, leading to a mini-documentary, American Phoenix, and then a North Carolina PBS production George Henry White, Searching for Freedom.
“The George Henry White Memorial Center continues his life’s work of uplifting people,” said Project Leader Vincent Spaulding. “Classes in Computer skills, Electrical skills, Nutrition, Fitness, Land management, Environmental practices, Starting and running your own business, and Health events—are helping folks live their best lives.”
“We have been able to support mental health and caregiver needs,” adds Dr. Milton Campbell. “Getting existing resources to the people who need them is a key part of our work.
“The George Henry White Center also promotes local history through exhibits on Black Inventors, and a library of North Carolina history,” explained programming coordinator, Carol Caldwell.
“We work together with local churches and colleges, with the public agencies and with amazing volunteers,” explained Ocie Jones, superintendent of the center. “We bring life-changing services to our neighbors. That might be a monthly “Meals on Wheels” distribution, or a great event like the Cycle North Carolina Mountains to Coast Tour!”
“Just like Mr. White, everything we do is to serve all people,” explained Ocie Jones. “Everyone is welcome.”
The event begins at 8 a.m. and will finish by 11 a.m.
To volunteer, call 910-445-0269 (leave a message if after hours.) Or go to the website: www.ghwmemorialcenter.com. The center is located at 731 Farmers Union Road in Clarkton, NC; (Search Google Maps by the name “George Henry White Memorial Health and Education Center” for accurate directions.)
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(Media are welcome. Please contact Kate Tsubata for details about video and camera set ups or to arrange interviews.)
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