Black Communities Are Using Mapping to Document and Restore a Sense of Place

When historian Carter G. Woodson launched Negro History Week in 1926—later evolving into Black History Month in 1976—his mission went beyond celebrating famous Black figures. He wanted to reshape how America saw and valued the contributions of all African Americans.

Yet, history often highlights well-known figures while overlooking the powerful ways entire Black communities have fought for freedom, dignity, and recognition. One of the lesser-known tools in this struggle? Maps.

For generations, Black Americans have used maps to challenge racism, document injustices, and affirm the value of Black life. From the Underground Railroad’s secret routes to the Green Book’s travel guides for Black motorists during segregation, mapping has been a tool of both survival and protest.

Our team has been working on the Living Black Atlas, an educational project that uncovers the often-overlooked history of Black mapmaking in America. This initiative showcases how Black communities have creatively used mapping to tell their own stories, reclaim their spaces, and advocate for justice.

Today, communities are engaging in restorative mapping—a process of reclaiming and documenting Black history through interactive maps, storytelling, and digital tools. These maps not only preserve the past but also shine a light on Black spaces that have been erased or ignored.

By exploring the Living Black Atlas, you can see how mapping continues to be a form of resistance and empowerment for Black Americans.

📍 Explore the project and uncover this hidden history.