Black History Month in Hattiesburg

Black History And Heritage Attractions

Freedom Summer Trail

Explore the 1964 Freedom Summer Trail and audio tour on the 61st anniversary of the Freedom Summer movement. The 16-stop, self-guided driving tour begins at True Light Baptist Church, winds through historic downtown, and ends at the University of Southern Mississippi. Freedom Summer played a significant part in the Civil Rights Movement, and Hattiesburg was a “mecca” for activities and voter registration. Each stop has an accompanying audio component that allows you to hear about the Civil Rights Movement through stories told by those who lived it. Visit HBURGFreedomTrail.org for more information. Along the trail, look for important public art markers, like the memorial statues of Vernon Dahmer, large-scale murals, and hand-painted utility boxes.

Sixth Street Museum District

Take a trip to the East 6th Street Museum District! The district honors what once was the city’s historic African American cultural hub and features museums and historical buildings that honor the city’s heritage.

Experience Hattiesburg’s African American Military History Museum! The museum located in the museum district showcases the history and important role of the African-American soldier. The museum features exhibits portraying Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, and servicemen and women from the greater Hattiesburg area, including the first African American naval aviator Jesse L. Brown, and learn about African Americans’ contributions to the U.S. military from the Revolutionary War through now. The free, family-friendly museum is located in the last remaining USO Club designated for African Americans during World War II. Hear accounts of bravery and history being made when you explore the interactive exhibits, which include an audio tour, photo opportunities, and videos.

Smith Drug Company was once the heart of the Mobile Street commercial district. Smith opened its doors in 1925 and quickly became an all-important soda fountain and drug store for the community and Eureka High School Students. Now, the fully restored building is open on Saturdays as a malt shop and provides an introduction to the city’s African American history and position during the Civil Rights Movement.

Also located in the Sixth Street Museum District is the Historic Eureka School. This school serves as a focal point of history and heritage for African Americans in the Hattiesburg community. When it opened in 1921, it was one of only two brick high schools for African Americans in the state. The Eureka High School was constructed on the site of the first school in Hattiesburg for African Americans – “The red frame school on East 6th Street.” In the 1919-20 school term, a $75,000 bond issue funded the construction of a new building for grades 1 through 12. Check out the Generations Strong Outdoor Exhibit behind the building, which recently revealed the last panels in the series.

Coming soon to the museum district is the Oseola McCarty House Museum, honoring McCarty’s life and legacy. Following her retirement as a washer woman in 1995, Miss Oseola McCarty set up an irrevocable trust worth $150,000 at The University of Southern Mississippi to help worthy but needy students seeking an education. When others learned of her gift, hundreds of people in Mississippi and beyond made donations that more than tripled her original endowment. This museum is still under construction. You may also see a statue of McCarty at Southern Miss, near the center of campus and the Danforth Chapel.

Roots of Rock and Roll

Long before “rock 'n' roll” had a name, its sound was alive and echoing from a little studio in downtown Hattiesburg. As part of Mississippi, the state celebrated as the Birthplace of America’s music, Hattiesburg played a pivotal role in shaping the rhythm that would define generations.In 1936, two brothers—Roosevelt and Uaroy Graves—stepped into a room with a guitar, tambourine, and piano as the Mississippi Jook Band. What they recorded wasn’t just music. It was history.

According to The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll, it may very well have been the birthplace of rock and roll. "Their “Barbecue Bust’ and ‘Dangerous Woman’ featured fully formed rock and roll guitar riffs and a stomping rock and roll beat.”

That electrifying session laid the groundwork for an entire genre—one that would go on to shake stadiums, light radios on fire, and move generations to their feet. To put it simply –– rock 'n' roll is rooted in the blues of Mississippi.

Fast forward nearly a century, and Hattiesburg is once again turning up the volume. This time, it’s doing so with art that sings from the walls.

Learn more about Hattiesburg's longstanding history of Rock and Roll here.

Black-owned Businesses

Hattiesburg is proud to support our local Black-owned businesses, and we want you to be too! From independent creators to local business owners changing the game, below are just a few of our favorite Blac-owned businesses in Hattiesburg.

Want to see a full list? Check out our blog featuring all of Hattiesburg's Black-owned businesses

Inspiring Black Hattiesburgers

Oseola McCarty

Oseola McCarty (1908–1999) was an inspiring figure known for her extraordinary act of generosity. A washerwoman from Mississippi, she gained national attention in 1995 when she donated her life savings to establish a scholarship fund at The University of Southern Mississippi. Despite limited formal education, McCarty's selflessness impacted countless students, earning her recognition from the White House, United Nations, and Harvard University. Her story, highlighted by Oprah Winfrey and other media, continues to inspire acts of kindness and philanthropy.

Vernon Dahmer

Vernon Dahmer (1908-1966) was a prominent civil rights activist in Mississippi. As an NAACP leader, he fiercely advocated for voting rights and equal opportunities for African Americans. Dahmer's courageous stance against segregation and his efforts to register black voters made him a target of white supremacists. Tragically, he lost his life in a Ku Klux Klan firebomb attack in 1966. Dahmer's legacy lives on as a symbol of unwavering commitment to civil rights and the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

Roosevelt and Uaroy Graves

Roosevelt (1909 - 1962) and Uaroy (1912 - 1959) Graves were influential American blues musicians renowned for their innovative slide guitar techniques. Born in Mississippi, the brothers played a pivotal role in shaping the Delta blues genre during the 1920s and 1930s, resulting in timeless recordings that showcased their distinctive style. Together, they left their mark on the blues scene, influencing future generations of musicians causing Rolling Stone to call Hattiesburg the place where the "Roots of Rock & Roll" were grounded, The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll noted that their blues recordings “featured fully formed rock and roll guitar riffs and a stomping rock and roll beat.”

Jesse Leroy Brown

Jesse Leroy Brown (1926-1950) was a trailblazing African-American aviator and naval officer. Born in Mississippi, he overcame racial barriers to become the first African-American to complete U.S. Navy flight training. Brown served in the Korean War, flying combat missions. Tragically, he perished in 1950, becoming the Navy's first black officer killed in combat. Brown's legacy inspires as a pioneer who defied discrimination, opening doors for future generations of African-American aviators and earning posthumous honors for his courage and contributions to naval aviation.

Clyde Kennard

Clyde Kennard (1927-1963) was the first African-American student to apply for admission to the University of Southern Mississippi. He was denied not once but twice in both 1955 and 1959. Kennard was arrested in 1960 and sentenced to seven years in prison. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1962 and denied treatment until the NAACP and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. demanded his release. He died in 1963. Further investigations showed that Kennard had been framed, and years later, in May 2006, the Forrest County Circuit Court exonerated him.

Raylawni Branch

Raylawni Branch (1928 - ) is an American civil rights activist recognized for her pioneering efforts in the desegregation of higher education. In 1955, she enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi, becoming one of the first African-American students. Despite facing racial hostility, Branch persisted, contributing to the dismantling of segregation in Mississippi's educational institutions. Her resilience and commitment to equality mark her as a trailblazer in the fight against discrimination, leaving an indelible impact on civil rights history.

More inspiring Black Hattiesburgers can be found here

Don’t fret if you can’t make it to Hattiesburg during Black History Month. These attractions are open year-round, so plan a visit anytime. Head to the Hub City for a weekend getaway or a culture-filled trip, and don’t miss out on these historic stops.