GDS Welcomes Frank McCain Jr. as Black History Month and McLendon Speaker

On February 10, we were proud to welcome Frank McCain Jr., President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Greensboro, to Greensboro Day School. Mr. McCain spoke to middle and upper school students during our Black History Month assembly and returned that evening to Sloan Theater as the final speaker in our 2024–25 McLendon Speaker Series.

In addition to his role as a community leader in Greensboro, Mr. McCain is the son of Franklin McCain Sr., an American civil rights activist and one of The A&T Four, who staged the historic sit-in at the lunch counter of the Woolworth store downtown, now the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. 

During the upper school assembly, Mr. McCain was presented with a special gift: a watercolor painting by GDS alumna Margot Manning ’24 depicting the A&T Four on the day of the sit-in. Margot was inspired to create the painting after taking The History of Guilford County class during Winter Term last year. Andrew Simon ’27 and Kadin Crawford ’27, who also participated in the Winter Term course, presented the painting to Mr. McCain.

Later that day, Mr. McCain returned to Sloan Theatre to serve as our McLendon Speaker, where he spoke on what it means to be a constructive contributor in your community.

We are grateful to Mr. McCain for sharing his passion for serving others, making a difference, and inspiring our students and McLendon attendees with his powerful message.