The legacy of Willis “Bill” Graves Jr., a groundbreaking civil rights attorney known for his relentless fight against racial housing discrimination, was honored this month with a new marker on the North Carolina Civil Rights Trail.
The dedication ceremony took place at 814 Oberlin Road, the location of Graves’ birthplace. This location now serves as the statewide headquarters for Preservation North Carolina. Marked during Black History Month, this event celebrated both Graves’ contributions and the broader impact of African American leaders in the civil rights movement.
A Pivotal Figure in the Fight Against Racial Housing Discrimination
Born in Raleigh in 1890, Graves attended Saint Augustine’s University and Shaw University before earning his law degree from Howard University in 1919.
His distinguished legal career flourished in Detroit, where he famously collaborated with Thurgood Marshall on the landmark Supreme Court case Shelley v. Kraemer in 1948. This pivotal ruling invalidated racially restrictive housing covenants. It marked a significant victory in the fight against systemic housing discrimination and laid the groundwork for subsequent civil rights achievements, including Brown v. Board of Education.
“This marker serves as a tribute to a man whose legal battles reshaped American history,” said Benjamin Briggs, president and CEO of Preservation North Carolina. “His work continues to inspire us today.”
Graves’ efforts were instrumental in dismantling institutional barriers that prevented African Americans from owning homes in certain neighborhoods, significantly advancing the cause of racial equality in housing. His legacy is a potent reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the essential role that legal advocacy plays in achieving justice.
The dedication ceremony drew an audience that included members of the Graves family, community leaders, and local historians. Following the marker unveiling, attendees toured PNC’s headquarters in the historic Graves-Fields House and the adjacent Hall House.
The new marker is part of the North Carolina Civil Rights Trail, an initiative spearheaded by the N.C. African American Heritage Commission, designed to highlight key figures and sites pivotal to the civil rights movement. The William G. Pomeroy Foundation funded the sign.
With this new addition to the Civil Rights Trail, North Carolinians and visitors alike will have the opportunity to reflect on the immense sacrifices and triumphs of those who fought for justice and equality.
This article sources information from Shaw University.
