In Knoxville, Tennessee attractions of interest include the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, a museum for research, preservation and display of Knoxville's African-American citizens' achievements from the 1800s; and Haley Heritage Square, home of the 13-foot bronze Alex Haley statue - the largest statue of an African-American in the United States. Chattanooga also has its own African-American museum. The Chattanooga African-American Museum has a reservoir of materials on almost any aspect of Black American history and effectively portrays African-American contributions to the growth of the city and the nation.

One of Louisville, Kentucky's top attractions is the Muhammad Ali Center, an international, cultural and educational institution that is guided and inspired by the ideals of Muhammad Ali as they relate to our individual lives. This non-traditional museum experience follows Muhammad Ali's steps to "personal greatness," which are goal-setting, training, motivation, and humanitarianism. In addition to the visitor experience, the Center includes educational classrooms and distance learning facilities, an orientation theater, an auditorium, an exhibit gallery, a library and archives, multi-function rooms for up to 300 people, a shop and a café.

The Afro-American Cultural Center (AACC) of Charlotte, North Carolina is a distinguished, 33-year old institution that preserves, promotes, and presents African-American art, history and culture through comprehensive programs and presentations in the visual arts, performing arts, and through innovative educational programs. A new 44,000-sq. ft. headquarters on Stonewall Street between South Tryon and College Streets is being designed as a four-story facility in the historic Brooklyn neighborhood - the center of Charlotte's Black community dating from the late 1800's until it was razed for urban renewal in the 1960s. This facility will be a key component in Phase One of Charlotte's Cultural Arts Facilities Master Plan.

The African American History Monument in Columbia, South Carolina is the first of its kind on any of the nation's statehouse grounds. It captures the rich history of African-Americans and their contributions to the state of South Carolina. Sculptor Ed Dwight of Denver, Co, modeled the monument after an African village built in the round. The center obelisk represents spirituality and is reminiscent of the pyramids in Egypt. At its base is a nine-foot bronzed ship icon with 336 enslaved Africans chained together in the bowels of the vessel for the trans-Atlantic voyage from their motherland to America.

New Orleans is known for its rich African-American history. For a small taste check out the historic Fauborg Treme neighborhood, the oldest urban African-American neighborhood in the country. Explore the area for the brilliant architecture as well as the great museums and restaurants. Other attractions of interest include the New Orleans African American Museum of Art, Culture and History and the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum.

In Arkansas, a trip to the Central High School National Park Site in Little Rock is an essential. This national landmark was the battleground for the Brown v. Board of Education decision that rocked the nation and changed the course of African-American history and politics.

The Southern United States is not the only place to explore African-American history. Throughout the country there are many compelling attractions that delve into our complex and diverse stories. The awe-inspiring National Underground Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio is one such attraction. This $110 million, 158,000-sq. ft. facility tells the story of the struggle to abolish slavery through interactive exhibits, galleries, and films. The Freedom Center's physical location in downtown Cincinnati is just a few steps from the banks of the Ohio River, the great natural barrier that separated slaves from free states. This gorgeous museum tells the dramatic story of the enslaved crossing over that river on their journey to freedom, assisted by men and women of all backgrounds who hated slavery and had created a secret network of escape routes that came to be called "the Underground Railroad."

Texas is another state that offers plenty of opportunities to bone up on your history. African-American visitors to Fort Worth will want to visit the Stop Six Historic African American Neighborhood. This African-American community was developed as the sixth stop of the Interurban train line. Originally known as Cowanville, Stop Six encompasses a number of early 20th century subdivisions with a range of housing forms and building types. The focal point of the community is the well-preserved structure of the Sagamore Hill Negro High School/Dunbar Junior High School. Built in 1924, the school has been in continuous use since its construction. The Bill Pickett Statue is another site of interest for African-American visitors to Forth Worth. This bronze statue commemorates the world famous Black cowboy Bill Pickett who is the first Black man inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame.

African-Americans visiting Detroit will want to check out the renowned Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. This world-class facility features a glass-domed rotunda and houses more than 300,000 artifacts and archival materials. The museum features seven exhibition areas, the General Motors Theater, 1 317-seat facility and a Museum Store. The African World Festival is Detroit's largest ethnic festival uniting people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds together to explore the African and African-American experience. This popular event, taking place during the third weekend of August, offers free music, a diverse artists market, international cuisine, exhibitions, and cultural activities for both children and adults.

Baltimore, Maryland also boasts an incredible assortment of heritage sites, attractions, and museums. Some attractions include the Black Soldiers Statue at the War Memorial Plaza, the Billie Holiday Statue and Royal Theater Marquis Monument, the Thurgood Marshall Statue, and the Wall of Pride, which memorializes Malcolm X, Sojourner Truth, Paul Robeson and Langston Hughes among others.

In California, Oakland is a center for African-American life and visitors to the city should look into the African American Museum and Library, the Ebony Museum of Art and the Museum of African American Technology Science Village. All three offer excellent cultural experiences unique to the city.


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