Willis M. Graves: The Color of Courage Biography-6
"Three-Time HBCU Alumnus Willis Graves Jr.
Honored with Civil Rights Trail Marker" ​
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Excerpt from the HBCU Buzz - Feb 11, 2025 - by Ashley Brown:
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The legacy of Willis Graves Jr., a groundbreaking civil rights attorney known for his relentless fight against racial housing discrimination, was honored this month with a new marker on the North Carolina Civil Rights Trail.​
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The dedication ceremony took place at 814 Oberlin Road, the location of Graves’ birthplace. This location now serves as the statewide headquarters for Preservation North Carolina. Marked during Black History Month, this event celebrated both Graves’ contributions and the broader impact of African American leaders in the civil rights movement.
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“This marker serves as a tribute to a man whose legal battles reshaped American history,” said Benjamin Briggs, president and CEO of Preservation North Carolina. “His work continues to inspire us today.”​
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Graves’ efforts were instrumental in dismantling barriers that prevented African Americans from owning homes in certain neighborhoods, significantly advancing the cause of racial equality in housing. His legacy is a potent reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the essential role that legal advocacy plays in achieving justice.​​​​​​​​​​​​
Oberlin: A Village Rooted in Freedom
​Click to view Preservation North Carolina's history of Oberlin Village, NC -- a post-Civil War Freedman's village -- and Oakcrest, the Graves' family home.​
