Remembering and preserving the past for future generations is a worthwhile necessity. The City of Atlantic City is rich in tradition and history among the African- American community. The 2nd annual African American History Trail tour brought together many of the city's most influential historians to honor the accomplishments of past generations.

Held on Wednesday, February 20, 2002, this year's tour, aboard a Philadelphia Trolley and Transit bus, traversed the city and visited the many historic African- American sites that remain in Atlantic City. A special emphasis was put on the history of black firefighters and police officers in the city, in the wake of the events of September 11, 2001.

Local historian Sid Trusty acted as the tour guide, while many other residents provided their personal input. Trusty displayed a historical African American exhibit at Fish Heads restaurant, located on the corner of Arctic and Kentucky avenues. Marvin Beatty, a former city firefighter, spoke about the first African American firefighters and the day-to-day dilemmas that they faced.

Other significant attendees on this day were: Sharrone Brown-Jackson, Atlantic City Fine Arts Commission; Gail Kostinko, curator, Atlantic City Library archives; Ida Jones, re-enactor, Ladies of the Civil War 3rd Infantry Regiment; Karlos LaSane, Claridge Casino Hotel; and Nicky Vallee, WMGM TV-40. After the tour ended lunch was served at the Second Baptist Church, compliments of Bruce Williams from Brewster's Global Cafe on Arctic Avenue.