CARRBORO, NC -- The Town of Carrboro will recognize Saturday, Dec. 13, as Braxton Duncan Foushee Day of Service in Carrboro in his honor and for gratitude for his service to the town.
Residents are encouraged to learn and reflect on Carrboro’s Black history and perform an act of service.
Town Manager Patrice Toney has commissioned the Town’s leadership to volunteer on Monday, Dec. 8 at Inter-Faith Council for Social Service. She is also encouraging ongoing volunteering at non-profits that support education, mentorship, and life skills development for at-risk youth, all of which are a lifelong focus of Braxton Dunkin Foushee.
Find a comprehensive list of local non-profits at the following: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2972/Community-Partners
About Braxton Foushee
Braxton Foushee has dedicated over 55 years of his life to continuous service as an elected official, a member of a town advisory board and a community leader. He became the first Black member of the Carrboro Town Council in 1969, serving until 1981.
Since his teenage years, Foushee has devoted himself to serving others. Around the age of 15, he worked alongside Rebecca Clark, helping escort and protect older Black citizens to register to vote, breaking a national pattern of voter disenfranchisement. In 1961, he began to work with the local labor movement, advocating for equal pay and fair treatment for Black residents.
He has championed many issues that have directly impacted the Black community in Carrboro, including ensuring equitable access to paved roads, sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure. He worked tirelessly to fight injustices against Black residents by law enforcement, resulting in state agencies investigating and diversifying the Carrboro Police Department in the 1970s.
In March 2024, a street in Carrboro was officially renamed in his honor. E. Carr Street and W. Carr Street were changed to E. Braxton Foushee Street and W. Braxton Foushee Street by a vote of the Town Council. The previous namesake, Carr Street, was named for Julian Carr, a white supremacist and founder of the town's namesake.
In November 2025, Foushee received the honor of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is one of the most prestigious awards presented by the Governor of North Carolina. This high honor is reserved for those North Carolinians who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state.
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