Rooted Thoughts from the Heartwood Chapter 2: Carrie Martin on Honoring Black History and Unsung Heroes in Forestry Management

While history books often highlight broad movements, the heart of North Carolina’s forestry legacy beats in the quiet resilience of Black landowners and stewards. For generations, these individuals have navigated systemic challenges to maintain "heir property," manage timberlands, and protect the ecological integrity of our state’s forests.

This month, we celebrate the deep-rooted connection between Black heritage and the land, as we hear from our Board Member, Carrie Martin, from the Black Family Land Trust, an organization we are proud to call a partner.

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As we honor Black History, we pay homage not only to the well-known leaders whose names are recorded in history, but also to the many men and women in our communities whose work has gone unrecognized. The farmers & landowners who quietly held on to family land. The elders who safeguard deeds and pay taxes year after year. The mothers and grandmothers who preserve stories, faith, and tradition. These unsung heroes build legacies not for applause, but for survival, stability, and future generations.

Black history is rooted in commitment. Commitment to family, community, and unity in the face of adversity. It reflects a collective understanding that legacy is not accidental; it is intentional. Even when systems attempt to divide or discourage us, unity remains our strength.

And no matter who dismisses the value of our culture or questions its significance, we press on. We continue teaching our youth the power of black history, the beauty of black heritage, and the strength found in difference. We remind communities that diversity is not a weakness—it is a gift, a perspective, and a contribution that shapes this nation.

Black history is not confined to the past or just one month, it unfolds every day. In our leadership, service, and stewardship. By honoring those who are never publicly recognized, we affirm that legacy is built through commitment, sustained by community, strengthened by unity, and carried forward by generations who understand their worth and walk confidently in it.

Sincerely,

Carrie Martin