A Legacy at Risk
In the heart of Bethesda, Maryland, less than 10 miles from the U.S. Capitol, lies a neglected piece of American history—one that is being overshadowed by gentrification and commercial development. Covered in weeds and riddled with standing water, the site appears, at first glance, to be just another forgotten lot. But beneath its cracked asphalt and marshy ground lie the remnants of the Moses Macedonia African Cemetery—a sacred burial site for formerly enslaved people and their descendants.
Despite federal legislation aimed at protecting such burial sites, Black cemeteries across the United States remain vulnerable—largely due to systemic neglect, murky ownership rights, and aggressive real estate development. The situation raises an important question for both the public and private sectors: What happens when our drive for growth erases the roots of our history?
The Business of Burial: Why CEOs Should Care
While this may appear to be a local planning issue, the underlying implications run deep into corporate social responsibility (CSR), ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing, and long-term brand equity.
Reputational Risk
Companies that engage—directly or indirectly—in projects that displace or desecrate historic Black cemeteries face potential backlash from civil society, investors, and a growing base of socially conscious consumers.
Community Trust
Corporate developments on historically sensitive land can permanently damage relationships with the communities they seek to serve or employ, undermining DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives and local partnerships.
Compliance and Legislation
Although the African American Burial Grounds Preservation Act was passed, many developers and municipalities lack guidelines for compliance. Ignorance is not protection from litigation or public scrutiny.
The Site in Question: Moses Macedonia African Cemetery
A Hidden History Beneath a Parking Lot
Located near the Westwood Tower apartment complex, the two-acre site includes the Moses Macedonia African Cemetery, dating back to at least the mid-1800s. The land also encompasses an earlier burial ground for enslaved individuals—though no formal registry exists, oral history and archeological findings suggest hundreds of human remains are interred across the site.
In the mid-20th century, parts of the cemetery were paved over during the expansion of residential and commercial infrastructure. Today, many believe the parking lot behind Westwood Tower is constructed directly over unmarked graves.
The Human Cost of Gentrification
Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, president of the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition (BACC), has led the charge to protect the burial ground since 2016. Her activism began after learning from a community elder—who recounted playing among the gravestones as a child—that the land was a sacred resting place long before it was zoned for development.
The coalition has called for the return of the land to the descendants of those buried, and ultimately, the creation of a memorial or museum that honors their legacy.
“A dog cemetery would not be treated like this,” Coleman-Adebayo often says—highlighting the jarring contrast between how society protects the remains of pets versus people once enslaved.
An Ongoing National Crisis
This is not an isolated incident. Across the United States, hundreds of historic Black cemeteries are under threat. From Florida to Virginia, these sites are being lost to time, bulldozers, or bureaucratic ambiguity.
What’s causing the erosion?
Lack of federal enforcement: While the preservation act was a legislative win, enforcement and funding are minimal.
Vanishing records: Many Black cemeteries were excluded from formal city registries.
Gentrification and urban sprawl: Rising land values are incentivizing commercial use over preservation.
Solutions: From Policy to Partnerships
1. Corporate Intervention through Ethical Development
Developers and real estate firms can set industry standards by:
Conducting independent archaeological assessments before breaking ground
Creating heritage easements to protect historically significant land
Partnering with community groups for co-created memorial spaces
2. Philanthropic and CSR Engagement
Foundations and CSR divisions should fund:
Land repurchase efforts
Public education campaigns
Legal aid for community coalitions
3. Legislative Strengthening
Policy leaders must close gaps in the African American Burial Grounds Preservation Act by:
Mandating compliance audits
Offering federal matching grants for restoration
Establishing an Office for African American Heritage Sites
A Call to Conscience: Business and the Burden of History
Preserving sacred burial grounds is not just a community duty—it is a corporate imperative in today’s value-driven economy. For developers, investors, and CEOs, ignoring history is a costly choice—not just ethically, but reputationally.
The Moses Macedonia African Cemetery may lie beneath a crumbling parking lot today—but what rises in its place could either be a model of reconciliation or another monument to erasure.
