COMMUNITY INVITED TO HELP SHAPE FUTURE GEORGIA BLACK HISTORY TRAIL INITIATIVE
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The public is invited to take part in a powerful community conversation on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Greater Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church (3000 12th Ave, Columbus, GA 31904). The free event, titled Pathways to Preservation: Georgia Black History Trails, serves as an interest-gathering session to explore the potential creation of a Georgia Black History Trail Initiative.
This statewide collaboration—led by the Hamilton Hood Foundation, the Chipley Historical Center, and the National Religious Partnership for the Environment—will bring together grassroots organizations, historians, educators, preservationists, students, faith leaders, and citizens passionate about preserving and uplifting Black heritage across Georgia.
“This is the first step in what we hope becomes a transformative journey,” said Marva Copeland, CHC board member. “We’re here to listen, to learn from one another, and to begin exploring how we might collectively preserve and promote Georgia’s Black history in a meaningful, lasting way.”
The proposed trail will start in Harris County, where we have already been identifying Black history trail locations.
In addition to community members and local organizations, Georgia Humanities and Explore Georgia Tourism have confirmed their participation. Several museums and cultural institutions from across the state are also expected to attend, signaling growing interest and statewide support for this emerging effort.
Attendees will hear from organizational partners, participate in open dialogue, and help identify the people, places, and stories that deserve recognition and preservation. This is not the launch of a formed trail but rather a community-driven conversation to gauge interest, gather ideas, and build local partnerships that could lead to a future statewide initiative.
“Whether you're a local historian, student, community advocate, or someone with family ties to Georgia's past, your voice matters,” said Whitney Ligon, CHC treasurer and board member. “Our goal is to ensure that this potential trail is rooted in the voices and experiences of those who live the history every day.”
Event Details
Pathways to Preservation: Georgia Black History Trails
Saturday, June 21, 2025
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST
Greater Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church (3000 12th Ave, Columbus, GA 31904)
Free and open to the public
The Chipley Historical Center is located at 146 McDougald Ave, Pine Mountain, GA 31822, and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To learn more, call (706) 663-4044 or email aW5mbyB8IGNoaXBsZXloaXN0b3JpY2NlbnRlciAhIG9yZw==.
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Note to Editor: Images and interviews are available upon request.
About the Hamilton Hood Foundation
Founded by Yamona Pierce, the Hamilton Hood Foundation is a Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit committed to preserving and documenting culturally significant African American sites—especially cemeteries—through genealogical research, artifact preservation, and community education. Their mission is “to inspire and guide others on their journey of discovery through the preservation, documentation, and collection of historical and culturally significant spaces,” paying tribute to the “untold American story” through active preservation and public outreach.
About the National Religious Partnership for the Environment
The National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE) is an interfaith coalition—comprising the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Council of Churches, the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, and the Evangelical Environmental Network—mobilizing religious communities to address environmental stewardship rooted in faith. NRPE supports education, worship, advocacy, and sustainable action across more than 160,000 congregations nationwide.
About the Chipley Historical Center
Established in 1985, the Chipley Historical Center of Pine Mountain is a dedicated institution committed to the collection and preservation of historical documents, photographs, and the rich heritage of the local area. Its mission is to become the premier genealogy and history center in West Central Georgia. Housed within the original City Hall, a structure dating back to the early 1900s on McDougald Avenue, the center has been painstakingly restored, earning it a place on the National Register of Historical Places. The center welcomes contributions of historical significance, including old letters, photographs, land grants, deeds, diaries, newspapers, and more, with a focus on permanent preservation. The restoration of the old City Hall was made possible through the generous support of the community and various organizations. Ongoing support for the center's projects is garnered through direct donations, membership dues, and volunteer assistance. The center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. ET to 4 p.m. (Please check with the Center for holiday hours of operation).
This statewide collaboration—led by the Hamilton Hood Foundation, the Chipley Historical Center, and the National Religious Partnership for the Environment—will bring together grassroots organizations, historians, educators, preservationists, students, faith leaders, and citizens passionate about preserving and uplifting Black heritage across Georgia.
“This is the first step in what we hope becomes a transformative journey,” said Marva Copeland, CHC board member. “We’re here to listen, to learn from one another, and to begin exploring how we might collectively preserve and promote Georgia’s Black history in a meaningful, lasting way.”
The proposed trail will start in Harris County, where we have already been identifying Black history trail locations.
In addition to community members and local organizations, Georgia Humanities and Explore Georgia Tourism have confirmed their participation. Several museums and cultural institutions from across the state are also expected to attend, signaling growing interest and statewide support for this emerging effort.
Attendees will hear from organizational partners, participate in open dialogue, and help identify the people, places, and stories that deserve recognition and preservation. This is not the launch of a formed trail but rather a community-driven conversation to gauge interest, gather ideas, and build local partnerships that could lead to a future statewide initiative.
“Whether you're a local historian, student, community advocate, or someone with family ties to Georgia's past, your voice matters,” said Whitney Ligon, CHC treasurer and board member. “Our goal is to ensure that this potential trail is rooted in the voices and experiences of those who live the history every day.”
Event Details
Pathways to Preservation: Georgia Black History Trails
Saturday, June 21, 2025
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST
Greater Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church (3000 12th Ave, Columbus, GA 31904)
Free and open to the public
The Chipley Historical Center is located at 146 McDougald Ave, Pine Mountain, GA 31822, and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To learn more, call (706) 663-4044 or email aW5mbyB8IGNoaXBsZXloaXN0b3JpY2NlbnRlciAhIG9yZw==.
###
Note to Editor: Images and interviews are available upon request.
About the Hamilton Hood Foundation
Founded by Yamona Pierce, the Hamilton Hood Foundation is a Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit committed to preserving and documenting culturally significant African American sites—especially cemeteries—through genealogical research, artifact preservation, and community education. Their mission is “to inspire and guide others on their journey of discovery through the preservation, documentation, and collection of historical and culturally significant spaces,” paying tribute to the “untold American story” through active preservation and public outreach.
About the National Religious Partnership for the Environment
The National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE) is an interfaith coalition—comprising the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Council of Churches, the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, and the Evangelical Environmental Network—mobilizing religious communities to address environmental stewardship rooted in faith. NRPE supports education, worship, advocacy, and sustainable action across more than 160,000 congregations nationwide.
About the Chipley Historical Center
Established in 1985, the Chipley Historical Center of Pine Mountain is a dedicated institution committed to the collection and preservation of historical documents, photographs, and the rich heritage of the local area. Its mission is to become the premier genealogy and history center in West Central Georgia. Housed within the original City Hall, a structure dating back to the early 1900s on McDougald Avenue, the center has been painstakingly restored, earning it a place on the National Register of Historical Places. The center welcomes contributions of historical significance, including old letters, photographs, land grants, deeds, diaries, newspapers, and more, with a focus on permanent preservation. The restoration of the old City Hall was made possible through the generous support of the community and various organizations. Ongoing support for the center's projects is garnered through direct donations, membership dues, and volunteer assistance. The center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. ET to 4 p.m. (Please check with the Center for holiday hours of operation).
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