Historic Markers are There to be Found, If you're Looking

                                               

Traveling around the country you might have seen markers in places that have some  historic significance. My own great grandfather, Luke Grady, was elected to the North Carolina State Assembly in 1885. The picture above shows the marker placed in his hometown. These markers are  significant, particularly in the south, where our accomplishments do not get the same attention as those of  whites.

You can find historic makers honoring a wide cross section  of African

                   
 American life, from Fredrick Douglas to John Coltrane. Many of these markers honor Black Civil War veterans, scientists, medical professionals, educators, inventors, and regular, everday people.

 If you know of someone, whether you are related to them or not, who you feel is deserving of this honor  you can petition to have a marker placed at the site of their birth, a town square, a park or, on a well traveled highway. You want the marker to be in a place where a lot of people will see it as a permanent reminder of African American achievement.   

After you have identified the person who you feel should be honored, the first step is document their service. This can be done from records at Black History & public museums, libraries, and state archives. So, you don't have to be a historian, but you should work with someone who is. Also, you will probably need the assistance of state and local officials to help with the application process. 

 Make it a family or community project and everyone will learn more about Black history, and other stories will be told. So, drive safely, and watch for those historic markers.