Association Created

Land for the African American Cultural Garden at its present site
was dedicated at last on October 23, 1977. The ceremony next to
the St. Clair exit on Martin Luther King Drive was attended by hundreds of supporters and diplomats representing multiple African Nations. The Garden concept and site now had the support of key local decision makers, including County Commissioner George Voinovich, who gave the keynote address.  Booker Tall’s group initially planned to honor six widely renowned African Americans who also had roots in Ohio or had a major impact in Ohio: Richard Allen, Garrett Morgan Sr, Jesse Owens, John P. Green, Jane Edna Hunter,  and Langston Hughes.  In 1985, the Cleveland Plain Dealer Sunday Magazine reported that 4 bronze plaques for the Garden had been created but were placed in storage for safe keeping. In addition, Booker Tall commissioned sculptor Ed Parker to create a bust of John P. Green. Unfortunately, these items were never installed. The Garden lost a champion when Mr. Tall passed away in 1994.