The Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park was established in October 1992 to honor the landmark May 17, 1954, U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down racial segregation in public schools. At the heart of the park is Monroe Elementary School, one of four segregated schools for Black children in Topeka, Kansas.

Built in the early 1800s, the African Meeting House is one of the nation’s oldest historically Black churches and a cornerstone of Boston’s Black history. Nestled in the Beacon Hill neighborhood, this modest yet powerful space served as a house of worship, a school, a gathering place, and a hub for activism.

Honoring the first Black military aviators in U.S. history, this site tells the story of the brave men who broke racial barriers in World War II aviation. The museum, housed at Moton Field, where the pilots trained, features restored aircraft, flight gear, and firsthand accounts from the airmen themselves. As of February 2025, Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy is the last surviving member of the original 355 Tuskegee Airmen.

Established in 1752, the plantation has since been transformed into a powerful museum committed to preserving the true history of slavery in America. Unlike many plantation tours that gloss over the brutal realities of the past, Whitney Plantation puts the voices and experiences of enslaved people at the forefront, offering a unique look at their lives.

A symbol of Black excellence and generational wealth, Villa Lewaro was the home of Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made Black woman millionaire. Built in 1918, this grand estate wasn’t just a lavish home—it was a statement. At a time when Black Americans faced severe economic barriers, Walker’s success in the haircare industry allowed her to create a legacy that inspired countless entrepreneurs.

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Once a safe haven for Black travelers, the Lorraine Motel became the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968. Now, it houses the National Civil Rights Museum, chronicling the movement’s history.

Long before jazz became the heartbeat of New Orleans, Congo Square was where enslaved Africans and free people of color gathered to keep their cultural traditions alive. Located in what is now Armstrong Park, this historic site was a rare space where African music, dance, and spirituality flourished despite the oppression of slavery.

It is considered a mecca for Black music, comedy, and culture. From Ella Fitzgerald to Lil Wayne, countless legends have graced its stage, making it one of the most legendary venues in Black entertainment history.

No list would be complete without the National Museum of African American History and Culture, located in Washington, D.C. The museum covers centuries of Black history, from the transatlantic slave trade to modern-day activism. Its powerful exhibits feature Harriet Tubman’s shawl, Emmett Till’s casket, and artifacts from the Black Panther Party.

Stretching across 15 states, this historic trail connects over 100 sites that tell the powerful story of Black Americans’ fight for justice and equality. From the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring the legacy of a movement’s most iconic leader, to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where marchers faced brutal opposition on Bloody Sunday, each stop offers a glimpse into the resilience, sacrifice, and progress of the civil rights era.