Chances are, there won’t be many who wouldn’t have heard the name Rosa Parks. After all, we do learn about the Alabama native and how her firm ‘No’ provided the spark for the civil rights movement in America in school. A few of you might have even looked up to her as your role model. And in an effort to keep her memory alive and honor all that she’s done for people of color, Macon, Georgia, has finally made a breakthrough.

Per Taylor Gilchrist of 41NBC, Macon-Bibb county leaders officially started the renovations of Rosa Parks Square. It was only a month ago that the Macon-Bibb Commissioners approved the $2.5 million project to renovate the park in downtown Macon. And now, nearly a decade of planning has come full circle.

Well, there is still a lot of work to be done. But at least, the construction is well underway. According to Alex Morrison, Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority Executive Director, the renovation will level the ground, making it more suitable for visitors. More importantly, it will have “a stage structure that will both front the park and towards city hall communicating the need for spaces for protests.” 

After all, that’s the main purpose of Rosa Parks Square. People have gathered in the park for a long time to peacefully protest. Back when the funds were allocated, Andrea Cooke, the Board Chair of the Friends of the Rosa Parks Square Board, described the park as a “place of empowerment.” She couldn’t have worded it better.

Macon County and the broader area have stood witness to the many civil rights activities over the years, spurred on by the woman who started it all. The addition of the new stage, Cooke believes, is the perfect way to honor the legacies of the park and other Civil Rights icons. The team aims to finish the project by next April.

But Macon isn’t the only one who had come forward with a tribute.

Detroit Pistons honor Rosa Parks during Black History Month

Detroit was lucky enough to be in the presence of Parks, as well. Two years after her historic bus protest in Montgomery, Rosa and her family had moved to Detroit. The move was born out of necessity, given the harassment and threats she received following the boycott. While the location may have changed, Parks’ goal remained the same. She continued her activism and remained there until her last days.

And as part of Detroit honoring Rosa Parks’ legacy, the Pistons joined hands with Rosa Parks Estate, Priority Health, and The Knight Foundation during Black History Month on her birthday in 2022. First up on their list was free transportation for Detroiters on February 4 and 7. Moreover, 500 jackets were gifted to bus drivers and staff from the Detroit Department of Transportation, which they had worn on the 4th. Furthermore, local artist Desiree Kelly collaborated to wrap the buses in Rosa Parks-inspired artwork.

That was not all. The Pistons, along with Rosa Parks Estate, created a special Parks merchandise. They donated a portion of the money they received from sales to the Rosa & Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development. Needless to say, it was the perfect start to Black History Month initiatives.

Although the “mother of the freedom movement” passed away on 24th October 2005, Rosa Parks continues to inspire. She serves as a reminder that sometimes, a firm ‘No’ is all you need.