Honoring the Greensboro Four

February is Black History Month, and Charles Aris is reflecting on important civil rights victories to celebrate the individuals who contributed to this fight.

63 years ago, just a few short blocks from our Greensboro headquarters, four North Carolina A&T students made a decision that sparked a movement. By March of 1960, peaceful sit-ins gained traction in 55 cities across 13 states, and dining areas began to integrate their lunch counters.

Learn more about historic sit-ins that occurred near you:

Greensboro, North Carolina: On Feb. 1, 1960, four young, Black men entered the F.W. Woolworth store in Greensboro and peacefully protested segregation by sitting at the whites-only lunch counter. This sit-in became a pivotal moment in history.

Charlotte, North Carolina: Hattie Ann Walker and her fellow Johnson C. Smith University peers sat peacefully at the Charlotte Woolworth’s lunch counter. This would be the first of many sit-ins that occurred throughout the city.

Tallahassee, Florida: Students from Florida A&M University followed the Greensboro Four’s lead and organized their own sit-in at the Monroe St. Woolworth’s that lasted over two hours. More sit-ins took place throughout the following weeks, and some led to arrests.

Nashville, Tennessee: More than 100 young, Black students staged the lunch counter sit-ins in Nashville during 1960. This movement went on for almost three months in the city and was one of the first organized desegregation efforts in the south.

Arlington, Virginia: Although Virginia’s governor passed three bills to prevent movements sparked by the Greensboro four, this did not hinder the spirit of Howard students who wanted to integrate lunch counters. Demonstrations in Arlington led to 21 lunch counters opening to Black patrons.

Baltimore, Maryland: The Baltimore sit-ins are often overlooked in civil rights history but nevertheless made an impact on the city. Morgan State students gathered at Read’s drugstore to show their stance, and the drugstore began serving all patrons, Black and white, within the same month.

Wichita, Kansas: The Dockum Drug Store had a strict policy for Black customers: they could order to-go but were prohibited from eating at the counter. Carol Parks-Hahn and Ron Walters would be joined by two fellow students every day for a month sitting at the counter and waiting to be served. This drove white customers away, and the owner eventually said: “serve them – I’m losing too much money.”

Marshall, Texas: In March of 1960, 13 students sat at the East Houston Street Woolworth’s and were told the counter was closed. They attempted again in April and were met with arrests, harassment and assault. The lunch counters in Marshall would not integrate and were eventually removed from the stores entirely.