NHC Commissioners name January 20th as National Day of Racial Healing

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County Commissioners gathered for their first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday.

One of the first items that was on the agenda was a proclamation from the County’s Commission on African American History, Heritage, and Culture, recognizing the Tuesday following MLK Day as a National Day of Racial Healing.

A similar item was approved last January, with Commissioner Dane Scalise voting against it.

On Tuesday, Scalise again opposed the proclamation and even wrote a substitute proclamation in support of individual dignity and respect.

He said the county needs to stop supporting so many different resolutions and proclamations.

“I would certainly prefer for us to get out of the high-volume resolution/proclamation business because they rarely advance our statutory responsibilities as local elected officials,” Scalise said.

The proclamation was passed by a 4 to 1 vote.