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GREENSBORO — The Greensboro Four made a name for themselves 48 years ago at a Woolworth’s lunch counter.

Today those names are posted on four N.C. A&T dormitories, as a reminder to current students to live their legacy and continue the fight for equal rights.

"I believe in you," said Franklin McCain , one of the Greensboro Four, addressing the students at the 48th Sit-In Anniversary Celebration on Friday morning. "If it is done, I have no question in my mind who is going to do it. It is going to be you."

McCain, Ezell Blair Jr. — now known as Jibreel Khazan, Joseph McNeil, and the late David Richmond, refused to leave the lunch counter at the Woolworth’s on Feb. 1, 1960, sparking a nationwide movement for integration. They were A&T students at the time.

A&T board of trustees Chairwoman Velma Speight-Buford  said the four buildings in Aggie Village were named for the men at the request of students.

Long-time Greensboro doctor, George Evans , also was awarded the 2007-2008 Human Rights Medal at the annual breakfast.

Evans is the eighth person to earn the honor — given to people who have worked to correct social injustice.

The octogenarian was a doctor in Greensboro for 47  years and delivered more than 3,000  babies, A&T Chancellor Stanley Battle  said.
"Sometimes we are constantly chasing dreams that don’t exist," Battle said. "We don’t pay attention to the contributions of regular people. ... This man is a giant."

Evans served as chairman of Mayor David Schenck’s committee on human rights, which helped to desegregate local businesses.

"I wish I had the words to describe how thankful I am," Evans told the crowd.

Friday morning’s packed event also featured keynote speaker the Rev. William Barber II,  president of the North Carolina NAACP.

Barber said the  four took simple lunch counter seats and turned them into seats of sacrifice and struggle.

"We must continue to learn from this history so we know what we must do in the time before us now," Barber said.

He urged students and other attendees to come to the "Historic Thousands on Jones Street," an anti-poverty, anti-racism march that will be held in Raleigh on Feb. 9.

"It’s your time now," Barber told students, "because if there hadn’t been a sit-in, there wouldn’t be an A&T like this now."

Student government President David Street  said he is glad to walk in the footsteps of Barber and the Greensboro Four.

"But I hope and pray my footprints will prepare those who walk behind me for something special," he said.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com.