A City for All – The James R. Mapp Legacy
In 2010, the state of Tennessee named the James R. Mapp State Office Building in honor of Mr. Mapp to recognize his lifelong achievements and to honor over 70 years of public service to the state and local community – most notably through his leadership with the NAACP.
In 2016, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga had purchased the building and rededicated it in Mr. Mapp's honor to insure that its students, faculty, and citizens Chattanooga remember the past challenges while striving to become a beacon of hope for all in the 21st Century.
In 2017, Local leaders and family members of Pioneer Civil Rights leader James R. Mapp gathered on east Martin Luther King, Jr. boulevard today to dedicate a new street in his name. To view the news video double click on below link.
Continuing the Legacy
Today, a loyal following of civic leaders, citizens, family, and friends are working to institutionalize the legacy of this humble servant who always expected more of himself than he did of others. While the beautiful building atop the hill overlooking Martin Luther King Boulevard is a tremendous honor, Mr. Mapp’s life-long example of decent-mindedness in the face of racial injustice – including the bombing of his home – is one that must be perpetuated for the ages.
Mr. Mapp's legacy was shared for almost a half century with his wife, confidant, and fellow activist, Viola Martin Mapp, as they navigated the turbulent and sometimes treacherous era always with a sense of hope and optimism knowing that history would ultimately be on their side.
As Mr. and Mrs. Mapp fought against the racial segregation and injustice of their time, they were always looking to the future with a simple desire to open doors of opportunity that would allow their eight children to pursue the American Dream on an even playing field without any special treatment.
Today, those children are successful adults who have entrusted Chattanooga's Bessie Smith Cultural Center as curator for the legacy of this native son.
