Orange County Office of Civil Rights & Civic Life

06/12/2026

Join us tonight at our block party!

06/08/2026

Join us this Friday! We are excited to announce Tre. Charles and band will be playing at 7:00 p.m. Come enjoy an evening of live music, food, fun, and celebration as we honor Juneteenth together.

06/03/2026

Reserve a free ticket here...https://www.eventbrite.com/e/orange-county-juneteenth-2026-morning-gathering-tickets-1990563102825?aff=oddtdtcreator

Come Celebrate Juneteenth with us. Our first event is at 10am, followed by our block party that evening from 6-9pm. All are welcome, the event is free.

05/27/2026

Come Celebrate Juneteenth with us. Our first event is at 10am, followed by our block party that evening from 6-9pm. All are welcome, the event is free.

04/17/2026

We have extended the deadline.

Nominations for the 36th Annual Pauli Murray Awards and submissions for the Human Relations Student Contest are now open through Monday, April 20 at 11:59 p.m.

This extension gives our community more time to recognize the individuals, organizations, and young people working to build a more just and inclusive Orange County.

Submit a nomination:
https://www.orangecountync.gov/PauliMurrayAwards

Student Contest submissions:
https://www.orangecountync.gov/HRCStudentContest

If someone comes to mind, we encourage you to reach out directly or submit a nomination. Your voice helps ensure this work is seen and celebrated.

04/13/2026

Do you know someone whose work is helping make Orange County a place of greater belonging and justice?

Nominations are now open for the 36th Annual Pauli Murray Awards, and we are in the final days to submit. The deadline is April 15.

Each year, we recognize:
• An individual advancing civil rights or change work
• A business or organization creating belonging and opportunity
• A young person leading through advocacy or community action

Nominees do not need to live in Orange County, but their work must serve this community.

Submit a nomination: https://www.orangecountync.gov/PauliMurrayAwards

We are also accepting submissions for the Human Relations Student Contest.

Middle and high school students are invited to respond to this year’s prompt:
“How can writing, art, or advocacy be powerful tools for change in your generation?”

Students can submit an essay, poem, performance, or visual art. Prizes will be awarded to the top entries.

Learn more and apply: https://www.orangecountync.gov/HRCStudentContest

If someone comes to mind, consider reaching out directly. A personal invitation can make a difference, especially in these final days.

Help us recognize the people shaping a more just Orange County.

The Pauli Murray Award honors Orange County youth, adults, and businesses advancing justice, equality, and human rights in our community.

03/28/2026

Last reminder. The room is ready for you.

Color Me Bold is tomorrow. Doors open at 10 AM. Catered brunch, nine activity stations, a community mural, book giveaway, gift bags, and spoken word artist Nick Courmon performing three original pieces throughout the day.

FREE. All ages. No registration. Just come.

Passmore Center, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Saturday, March 28
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

If you’ve been on the fence, consider this your sign.

03/27/2026

Tomorrow. 10 AM. Passmore Center. Hillsborough.

Tomorrow, we gather to honor the women who carried that song. To color, create, connect, and be restored. With spoken word artist Nick Courmon setting the spirit of the room, we expect something meaningful.

Color Me Bold: Color-In Retreat is FREE and open to all. No registration required. Just show up.

Passmore Center | Hillsborough, NC 27278 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Women’s History Month 2026

03/27/2026

We are so honored to announce our featured spoken word artist for tomorrow’s Color Me Bold: Color-In Retreat.

Nick Courmon of NDC Poetry, L.L.C. will be joining us for three original performances throughout the day.

Nick is an international poet, spoken word artist, and workshop facilitator from Greensboro, NC, currently pursuing his M.A. in African American History at North Carolina Central University. His work has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, on NBC’s Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, and Button Poetry. He performed at the Inaugural Legacies of Lynching Gathering in Chapel Hill just last year.

Nick’s art lives at the intersection of Black history, ancestral memory, healing, and civic courage. That is exactly where we are meeting tomorrow.

Color Me Bold: Color-In Retreat | Saturday, March 28, 2026 |10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Passmore Center | Hillsborough, NC 27278

Free & open to the community. All ages welcome

Activity stations, a catered brunch, a community mosaic, book giveaway, and gift bags await. Come as you are. Bring someone you love.

Learn more about Nick Courmon at ndcpoetry.com

11/25/2025

🎬 COMMUNITY EVENT • December 10

Join us for a special film screening in recognition of Abolition Day!

We are screening Ava DuVernay’s powerful documentary “13th”, followed by a community discussion.

📅 EVENT DETAILS

• Wednesday, December 10
• 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
• Seymour Center, Chapel Hill

🎥 ABOUT THE FILM

“13th” explores the 13th Amendment’s impact on race, justice, and mass incarceration in America.
This documentary is essential viewing for anyone interested in understanding our criminal justice system and the ongoing fight for equity.

💬 AFTER THE SCREENING

Join us for a facilitated community discussion and light refreshments.

🆓 COMMUNITY EVENT

• Free and open to all
• Registration encouraged: www.orangecountync.gov/AbolitionDay

♿ ACCESSIBILITY

Accessibility requests: [email protected]
| (919) 245-2594

🔖 HASHTAGS

Join the Orange County Office of Civil Rights & Civic Life for a community screening of Ava DuVernay’s documentary “13th” in recognition of Abolition Day, commemorating the ratification of the 13th Amendment.  Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025Time: 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.Location: Seymour...