These 3 sites in Macon are included in this new Black History Tour throughout GA & SC

Mark Rice
·2 min read
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Three sites in Macon are included in a new bi-state Black History Tour throughout Georgia and South Carolina.

The American Automobile Association announced this tour to celebrate Black History Month in February. The three sites in Macon that AAA features on this tour are:

  • Otis Redding Museum, 339 Cotton Ave. The museum tells the story of the iconic singer of soul music, who grew up in Macon and was only 26 when he died in a 1967 plane crash. But he left an enduring legacy that includes his foundation, which offers opportunities for youth to exercise their talents and expand their abilities.

  • Douglass Theatre, 355 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. This historic, 103-year-old venue played a significant role in the African-American entertainment scene during the segregation era. Redding, Little Richard and James Brown are among the renowned artists who performed there. Today, the theater hosts a variety of events.

  • Tubman Museum, 310 Cherry St. Dedicated to African-American art, history and culture, this museum is named in honor of Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave who became the “conductor” of the Underground Railroad, helping others gain their freedom.

The guide also includes sites in Atlanta, Columbus, Albany, Brunswick, Savannah, Augusta, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina.

Also in connection with Black History Month, AAA produced a free EV Road Trip Guide to educate drivers about electric vehicle ownership while exploring historic civil rights sites in Georgia and South Carolina.

Only 2% of electriv vehicle buyers are from Black or Brown communities, according to AAA.

AAA Georgia public affairs director Garrett Townsend mentioned two major concerns preventing drivers from switching to EVs:

  • Range anxiety, meaning drivers are concerned whether their vehicle will have enough charging power to get to their destination.

  • Lack of knowledge about EV infrastructure, meaning drivers don’t know where public charging stations are located.

“With the AAA EV Road Trip Guide, we’ve accomplished those two things,” he said. “We can really help people to appreciate, hopefully ease their fears, that they can go to these historical sites throughout the state of Georgia (by driving an EV).”

Part of the federal $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill Congress passed in 2021 includes $135 million for charging stations and EV infrastructure in Georgia.