Debate isn’t just for politicians or lawyers—it’s something you’ve probably done with friends when deciding what game to play. At its heart, debate is about listening, making strong arguments, and learning how to disagree respectfully.

In 1898, Wilmington, North Carolina had a thriving Black middle class, a multiracial government — and then a white mob overthrew it. Armed. Organized. Violent. This was no riot. It was a coup.

From towering peaks to sandy shores, North Carolina’s geography has shaped its history, economy, and culture. The state’s three regions—the Mountains, the Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain—tell the story of settlement, community, and resilience.