The Benson Museum of Local History’s Cultural Arts Advisory Board is accepting nominations for the 2026 Black History Month Celebration honoree. The museum aims to recognize an individual who has contributed to the African American community in Benson, North Carolina. Nominations are open to anyone who has had a positive impact on the town, including business owners, educators, civic leaders, volunteers, or others.
Nominations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Both online and paper forms are available. Online forms can be found on the Town of Benson website and Facebook pages. Paper forms are available at the Benson Museum of Local History, Mary Duncan Public Library, and Benson Town Hall.
The selection process will use weighted criteria. These include the nominee’s impact on the Black community (30%), contributions to Benson (25%), volunteer experience (15%), residency (10%), broader impact (10%), and community or political engagement (10%)…