RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina state officials joined historians and Black community leaders Wednesday under a sprawling oak tree in the heart of downtown Raleigh for the long-anticipated unveiling of the state’s first park honoring the African American struggle for freedom. Located between the state Legislative Building and the governor’s Executive Mansion, the new North Carolina Freedom Park stands as a beacon of hope for Black North Carolinians and a reminder of their contributions in the fight for freedom and equality, said park project co-chair Goldie Frinks Wells. Board members who helped created the park, including retired University of North Carolina history professor Dr. Reginald Hildebrand, said they hope it will spark civic conversations and encourage the state to face all of its history. The idea for North Carolina Freedom Park arose in 2000 when a group assembled by the Paul Green Foundation, a local humanitarian organization, first brainstormed ways to celebrate emancipation and freedom in North Carolina. Those discussion led to the formation of a non-profit tasked with planning and building a commemorative park in downtown Raleigh, according to the park website.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 23, 2023 18:37 UTC