Ribbon-cutting to mark opening of Cairo African American Heritage Trail welcome area
KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
CAIRO, Ill., (KBSI) — A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled Friday to celebrate the opening of the new African American Heritage Trail Welcome Area in Cairo, organizers announced.
The event will take place at noon at 1401 Washington Avenue. The project was led by Arrowleaf in partnership with community stakeholders and funded through the Healing Illinois initiative, a collaboration between the Field Foundation of Illinois and the Illinois Department of Human Services.
The drive-through welcome area is designed to highlight Cairo’s cultural legacy and its role in America’s racial history. It features a two-sided pedestal-style display with panel space dedicated to the NAACP Alexander/Pulaski Counties, the Cairo Heritage Foundation and the Cairo Historical Preservation Project. While landscaping and construction are complete, panels with historical and educational content will be installed following the ceremony.
“This project is more than a destination—it’s an invitation to connect with Cairo’s history in an open, accessible and evolving way,” Arrowleaf CEO Sherrie L. Crabb said in a statement. “It reflects the power of partnership and the importance of truth-telling as a step toward healing.”
Future expansion plans include benches, public artwork and additional interpretive features. Stakeholders will also maintain a five-slot literature rack on-site for distributing brochures and educational materials.
Friday’s program will include remarks from Arrowleaf and stakeholder organizations, a ribbon-cutting with key distribution to partners and a reception with refreshments.
More information about Arrowleaf is available at myarrowleaf.org
