Lexington community meeting planned to share designs for memorializing graves of formally enslaved people of African descent

A meeting will take place on Friday, July 12th at St. Stephen United Methodist Church to present the ideas and designs for ways to honor the graves of formerly enslaved people of African descent, located in the oldest section of the Lexington City Cemetery. 

Thus far, approximately thirty-two graves have been identified in a space that is 3,800 square feet with the potential for more. All of the burials predate the Civil War.

The meeting will share the progress of the committee which has undertaken the project and also discuss plans for the scope of the project including ideas of how to further fund and maintain the proposed memorial.

Thus far, suggestions from the community have ranged from the most basic need of upgrading the current makeshift memorial with something more prominent to the addition of landscaping, sculpture and reflection area from visitors. 

The community is invited to share in the fulfillment of this project by attending the meeting and helping to raise the funds required to complete this vision.

The spearheads of the project, Tyrone Terry, Judge Rosalind Baker and Rev. Dr. Arnetta Beverly will again take lead in explaining the progress of the project. Clarence-Vernon Hargrave has been chosen as the lead designer for the project and will present a visual presentation at the meeting. Officials from the City of Lexington will also be in attendance.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.