BRYMO'S TAKE

On May 21, 2025, Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina signed a historic proclamation officially designating June 14 as “Igbo Day” in the state. The announcement, made public on June 12, marks a powerful recognition of the deep-rooted presence and enduring contributions of the Igbo community in North Carolina.

For over 50 years, thousands of Igbo residents—originally from southeastern Nigeria—have lived, worked, and built families across North Carolina. They have become integral to the state’s social and economic life, excelling in fields such as education, healthcare, law, technology, entrepreneurship, public service, and the arts. Beyond professional achievements, the Igbo people have demonstrated a strong civic spirit through volunteerism and community service—supporting women’s shelters, hospitals, food pantries, schools, and neighborhood cleanups, while also enriching public life through cultural performances and events.

The governor’s proclamation highlights not only their professional excellence and civic engagement but also the community’s unwavering commitment to preserving their cultural heritage. From language and folklore to music, dance, and food, Igbo traditions continue to thrive and are now being passed on to second- and third-generation immigrants. Central to this cultural preservation effort is the Igbo Day Festival Organization, a nonprofit established in 2022. The organization held its first large-scale cultural festival on July 10, 2022, and has since played a key role in organizing events that promote unity, pride, and intergenerational awareness of Igbo identity.

In honoring the Igbo community, Governor Stein’s declaration speaks to a broader vision: one that values multiculturalism and sees diversity not as a challenge but as a strength. The official statement reads, “Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2025, as ‘Igbo Day’ in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.”

With this proclamation, North Carolina becomes the fourth U.S. state to formally recognize a day for a Nigerian ethnic group—following similar recognitions in Minnesota, Texas, and New York. June 14 is now a day set aside to celebrate the Igbo people’s legacy of resilience, contribution, and cultural pride in the American South. It is a reminder that even as communities migrate, their stories, values, and heritage remain vital to the evolving American narrative. Minnesota, Texas, and New York have each taken earlier steps to honor Nigerian heritage through official proclamations and cultural observances.

Minnesota declared “Igbo Day” on August 13, 2022. The Minnesota State House of Representatives officially recognized the cultural, economic, and civic contributions of the Igbo people in the state. The day was marked by traditional performances, speeches by lawmakers and Igbo community leaders, and a flag-raising ceremony at the Minnesota State Capitol. This made Minnesota the first U.S. state to formally proclaim “Igbo Day.”

Texas recognizes “YorubaFest Day,” celebrated annually in October, typically around October 23. The Texas legislature, particularly in Houston and Dallas, acknowledged the Yoruba community’s cultural presence through resolutions and city proclamations. Events often include traditional Yoruba dress, drumming, cuisine, and community awards. Texas cities like Houston have also hosted the Yoruba Cultural Parade and the Egbe Omo Yoruba of North America conventions.

New York declared “Yoruba Day” on June 11, 2016, through a proclamation by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, who is now the Mayor of New York City. The proclamation honored the Yoruba people’s contributions to Brooklyn and the wider New York community in terms of business, culture, and civic leadership. Yoruba Day in New York is often observed with cultural showcases, art exhibits, and community gatherings, especially in boroughs with large Nigerian populations like Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.

Cultural exhibitions, traditional music and dance, educational programs, and public gatherings are expected to mark the first official Igbo Day in 2025, coordinated by the Igbo Day Festival Organization and community partners across North Carolina. Residents and supporters are encouraged to attend, participate, and celebrate a people whose journey has become an enduring part of the state’s history.

With North Carolina joining a growing list of states recognizing the Igbo community, June 14 is now officially set aside to honor the Igbo people’s legacy of resilience, cultural pride, and meaningful contributions to the American South. It serves as a reminder that even as communities migrate, their stories, values, and heritage remain vital to the evolving American narrative.