Press Release

CONTACT: RELEASE DATE: September 7, 2006

Michael L. Sampson

937-376-4944 x 117

Monument Dedication Honors 19^th Century Freedom Fighter, Black Nationalist, Major Martin R. Delany

Wilberforce, Ohio- Activities celebrating the dedication of a new monument erected at Massies Creek Cemetery near Wilberforce and a Historical Marker in honor of Major Martin R. Delany, will get underway at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 20th, at the cemetery, 2 and 1/2 miles east of the National Afro-American Museum off State Route 42, located on Tarbox Road. Immediately after the graveside ceremony will begin an unveiling of the Delany Historical Marker at the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center beginning at 11:10 a.m. to be followed by a reception at noon (see schedule of events below). The museum festivities will honor a man Abraham Lincoln once described as a "most extraordinary and intelligent Black man.”

Many consider Martin Delany to be a true hero and great American, but prior to the new monument his grave was marked with a small government issue military tombstone on which his name was mis-spelled. As inscribed on the marker, Martin Delany (incorrectly spelled Delaney) was a Major in the United State Colored Troops during the Civil War, but that is just one of many reasons he should be remembered.

Though Martin Delany descended from African royalty, his father was enslaved. His family fled their home in present day West Virginia after young Martin was discovered reading, an illegal activity for Blacks in that time and place. It was in Pennsylvania that Delany continued his education, which he soon put to good use in service to the African American community and the nation. As a leading abolitionist, newspaper publisher, author, physician, educator, army officer, judge, and social activist, Delany tirelessly fought for freedom and justice for African Americans. He frequently risked his life in his determined effort to improve the lives of people whose humanity and civil rights were denied. When all things African were commonly portrayed as primitive and barbaric, Delany took great pride in his heritage and the impressive history of his motherland that American textbooks ignored.

Martin Delany co-edited the abolitionist newspaper The North Star with Frederick Douglas. Following a meeting with President Lincoln in which he outlined his program for rapidly ending the Civil War, Delany was appointed a Major in the USCT, the highest-ranking Black officer in the Regular Army. He was a pragmatist who was always seeking to find or make a place where freedom, justice, and opportunity would prevail. Because of his leadership, great courage and sacrifice, Martin Delany should be accorded his place as one of the most important figures in 19^th century American history.

The National Afro-American Museum, inspired by the interest and passion of Chief Curator Dr. Floyd Thomas decided that an appropriate monument needed to be erected—not only to honor Martin Delany, but also to educate the public about this marvelous Renaissance man. The museum organized a campaign to build a monument and stories in the media stimulated some initial donations.

It wasn’t until Sharon Howard, Executive Director of Community and Public Relations at WDTN, TV-2 learned of the project, along with her colleague, producer Chuck Duritsch, that a concerted effort was initiated to inform the public and fund the monument.

Through the persuasive efforts of Howard and Duritsch, Ginny Strausburg, Executive Director of the Dayton Power and Light Foundation, was inspired by the mission of the project and came on board as the major corporate sponsor.

The fund-raising effort was joined by social and civic organizations, as well as private individuals from across the country. Finally, the financial goal was achieved and Piqua Granite, a local monument company long involved with the project, designed and completed the stone. Featuring black African granite and a large engraving of Major Martin R. Delany, the monument is truly in the spirit of Delany.

The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center is located at 1350 Brush Row Road in Wilberforce, Ohio, 1/2 mile west of State Route 42 North, adjacent to Central State University. For more information on the October 20th activities, call 937-376-4944 x 115 or 113.