Celebrating Black Heritage: Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza Stands Strong Against Cultural Heritage Threats

(Special to The Dallas Examiner) – Washington, D.C. – Amid increasing efforts to limit the teaching and commemoration of Black history nationwide, community leaders, local officials, artists, and national preservation advocates gathered on May 30 to celebrate the first anniversary of the Sojourner Truth Legacy Plaza. “Sojourner Truth’s legacy as a Black woman championing women’s rights and racial justice has profoundly impacted us all,” expressed Lawana Holland-Moore, director of fellowships and interpretive strategies for the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. “Community artists and leaders united to create a tribute reflecting Truth’s inspiring work, realizing our vision of a gathering space for reflection and learning.” The plaza symbolizes steadfast resistance, remembrance, and the unmatched power of truth. It debuted on the 173rd anniversary of Truth’s famed “Ain’t I A Woman?” speech at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention. As Ohio's first commemorative site for a Black woman, this initiative emerged through collaborations with the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, Knight Foundation, United Way of Summit and Medina, and others, standing as a community tribute to American history's essential voices. The plaza features a notable statue of Truth, crafted by Akron's esteemed sculptor Woodrow Nash, alongside murals by local artists and...