Maggie L. Walker was the first woman to charter a bank in the United States.

African American Trailblazers

African Americans are integral to the history of the Richmond Region, and according to the 2000 U.S. Census, make up almost 30 percent of the Region. Blaze your own trail through the Richmond, Va. as you learn about some of these early African American historical sites and figures.

Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site - Honor the life of Maggie L. Walker, the first woman to charter and serve as president of a bank in the United States, at this National Park Service site. The site includes her residence of 30 years, restored to its 1930s appearance, and a visitor center detailing Walker's life and the Jackson Ward community in which she lived and worked.

Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church - This Jackson Ward church was organized in 1867 by the Rev. John Jasper, a former slave and nationally-celebrated preacher, who is best known for his 1878 sermon "De Sun Do Move." His sermon, later delivered more than 250 times including before the entire Virginia General Assembly, was an attempt to prove through biblical references that the sun revolves around the earth.

Jackson Ward - Visit this 40-block neighborhood and one of the Region's National Historic Districts. Known as the "Harlem of the South" from the 1920s through 1960s, Jackson Ward can be explored on foot or by bus through tours offered by the Valentine Richmond History Center. Don't miss the Bill "Bojangles" Robinson statue, located at the site of Richmond's first traffic light, which was donated by Robinson for the community's safety.

Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia - View artifacts and objects that illustrate the history of African Americans, with a focus on Virginia.