African American Heritage

With more than 30 historic and cultural sites, plus an array of year-round events and celebrations, North Carolina's capital city area is rich in African American heritage with landmarks in education, business, medicine, religion and more.

North Carolina Highway Historical Markers Related to Black American History

Berry O'Kelly School
Begun 1910. Early Negro teacher training school. Named for benefactor. Later used as elementary school. Closed in 1966. 514 Method Rd.

John Chavis
Early 19th century free Negro preacher and teacher of both races in North Carolina. Memorial park 200 yards east. East St. at Worth St.

James H. Harris (1832-1891)
Union colonel; legislator; member 1868 convention; a founder of Republican Party and Union League in North Carolina. Person St. at Davie St.

Charles N. Hunter
Black teacher, writer and reformer. Principal, Berry O'Kelly School; a founder, N.C. Industrial Association. New Bern Ave.

Edward A. Johnson (1860-1944)
Politician, businessman, philanthropist, author and educator. First black to publish a N.C. textbook. West St. at Lenoir St.

St. Augustine's College
Founded in 1867 by the Episcopal Church as a normal school for freedmen. Since 1928 a four-year college. Edenton St. at Tarboro Rd.

Shaw University
Founded 1865 by Baptist missionary Henry Martin Tupper. Chartered 1875; named for benefactor Elijah Shaw of Mass. South St.

James H. Young (1860-1921)
Colonel of black N.C. regiment in war with Spain; edited Raleigh Gazette; legislator. Person St. at Lenoir St.

Annual African American Heritage Events

MLK Holiday Celebration -- Mid-Jan
MEAC Basketball Tournament -- Early March
Strengthening the Black Family -- April
Legislative Black Caucus -- June
Ligon High School Reunion -- July 4 Holiday
"Amistad" Outdoor Drama -- Late July
Washington High School Reunion -- Labor Day Weekend
Kwanzaa Celebration -- Late Dec.
Berry O'Kelly School Reunion -- Late Dec.

Click here for more African America Heritage, Black History & Historic Sites.