5 Unexpected Ways OBX Honors Diversity

By Jen Ruiz — Oct. 03, 2022

OBX is home to a wide-ranging culture, visible in women and black owned businesses and in community celebrations such as Pride Fest.

When I pick a place to visit, diversity matters to me from the start. As a Puerto Rican female traveler, I look for destinations where I can feel both protected and genuinely welcome. Before visiting the Outer Banks, I had enjoyed Durham, North Carolina, which made me hopeful about coming back to the state.

What surprised me was that OBX is not newly embracing diversity because it is popular to do so. The area has a centuries-long record of people pulling together across perceived differences. Storms, pirates, and supply shortages created shared challenges, and residents often found common ground in facing them.

That legacy is still remembered today, with attention to the many voices that shape this community. Here are 5 unexpected ways, past and present, that the Outer Banks celebrates diversity.

In 1896, Capt. Richard Etheridge, left, and his crew at The Pea Island Life-Saving Station. Photo: US Coast Guard

The nation’s only all-Black lifesaving station

During the 1800’s, shipwrecks were a constant part of the Outer Banks story. With a shifting coastline and the occasional dangerous pirate, 18 lifesaving stations were eventually constructed along the shore.

One of those stations stood apart and became historic. Under the command of Captain Richard Etheridge, the Pea Island Lifesaving Station became the country’s first lifesaving station staffed by an all-Black crew.

Captain Etheridge ran his station with exceptionally strict standards, and it became one of the strongest in the nation. He understood that there could be no mistakes, not only because lives depended on their work, but also because an all-Black crew faced far greater scrutiny.

Those lifesaving stations eventually became part of what is now the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1996, Etheridge and 6 surfmen who served under him were posthumously awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal by the U.S. Coast Guard. More African American Heritage stories are part of the Outer Banks’ history.

The Underground Railroad’s Outer Banks connection

The Outer Banks had an important role during the U.S. Civil War. When ships were delayed in the water, they could not carry goods to Europe or return with ammunition. After Union soldiers strategically captured Roanoke Island and Hatteras Island, thousands of escaped slaves came to join them.

North Carolina became the site of the first Freedman’s Colony and served as the first stop on the Underground Railroad, a place that represented freedom for people making the journey. Guided by the Light of Freedom, men, women, and children found a renewed sense of hope in the Outer Banks.

Today, the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site includes an engraved granite marker honoring the Freedmen’s Colony. The marker is also part of the North Carolina Civil War Heritage Trail and National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

Minority and women-owned businesses

OBX has a diverse past, and its present is just as rich. I noticed many small businesses led by women or minorities. During my flight with OBX Airplanes, LLC, our pilot Jenny Hawk was not only the company’s co-owner, but also flew us while 7 months pregnant. Watching her confidently handle a biplane brought Rosie the Riveter to mind.

I saw another example of women thriving in a traditionally male dominated field at OBX on the Fly, a fly fishing shop in Manteo. There, I watched a woman fly tying, skillfully creating artificial bait intended to attract big game.

Most mornings started early for me, so I often went to Fresh Fit Cafe for breakfast because they open at 8am. Each visit, I noticed someone who seemed to be preparing healthy food in the kitchen while also running the business. I later found out she was Tungaa Gawlinski, originally from Mongolia and co-owner of the café. Her goal was to build a dining concept around locally sourced, non-processed ingredients, similar to the food she was raised on. It became my favorite breakfast stop, especially because the meals worked for my partner’s dietary restrictions.

For another memorable meal, El Shaddai Chicken deserves mention. It is the first Mexican Peruvian restaurant in the Outer Banks, open for lunch and dinner, and serves favorites such as arroz chaufa and ceviche.

Outer Banks Pride Fest

When I arrive in a new city, I look for rainbow flags as a sign that different people are welcomed rather than treated with suspicion or hostility. I was glad to learn about Outer Banks Pridefest, an annual September festival celebrating the LGBTQ community and allies.

The celebration runs as a 3-day event with a drag show, parade, sunset booze cruise, vendors, and live entertainment. Pridefest has continued since 2011 and takes place on the Manteo waterfront. This year's official pride festival will be held Saturday, September 9th, 2023, from 1-7 PM at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Pridefest itself is not ticketed, is free and family-friendly, and some events during pride week do require tickets. Event information is available at https://www.obxpridefest.com/

Seasonal workers from around the world

At the Sanderling Resort, the doorman was Jamaican. At the Blue Point restaurant, the waitress was from Armenia. I did not expect North Carolina to be where I found such a blend of languages and cultures, but OBX draws workers from around the world during the summer vacation season.

Hearing many different accents and seeing a wide range of skin tones made me feel at home. I liked speaking with staff members, hearing how they came to the Outer Banks, and learning why they returned year after year.

If diversity adds the spice to life, the Outer Banks turned out to be far more well-seasoned than I expected.

Author

Jen Ruiz writes Jen on a Jet Plane, a solo female travel blog focused on exciting destinations, budget travel ideas, and inspiration for future adventures.