ROANOKE, Va. (WSET) — The City of Roanoke is set to honor Edward Dudley with a historical marker, commemorating the life and legacy of the nation’s first Black ambassador.
“Edward Dudley’s contributions to history, diplomacy, and civil rights serve as a shining example of Roanoke’s rich heritage and the extraordinary achievements of its people,” Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lee said in a statement Wednesday. “This marker stands as a permanent tribute to his remarkable life and work.”
A native of the Gainsboro neighborhood, Dudley served as U.S. ambassador to Liberia from 1949 to 1953.
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After leaving his post as ambassador, Dudley continued to practice law and served on the New York Supreme Court from 1965 to 1985, according to the National Museum of American Diplomacy.
“His contributions to civil rights and diplomacy left an indelible mark, both locally and internationally,” the city wrote in a statement.
The marker will sit at the corner of Gilmer Avenue and Gainsboro Road, and will be unveiled during a ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m.
City officials and community leaders will speak at the ceremony, while Edward Dudley IV — the son of the late ambassador — will offer remarks during a reception at the Gainsboro Branch Library.
Both events are open to the public.
