Black history in Brockton is marked by courage, achievement, and enduring community leadership. As the “City of Champions” developed through industry, migration, and struggle, Black residents helped shape the City’s social, economic, and cultural foundations despite systemic barriers. Early entrepreneurs such as James Atus, owner of Brockton’s first Black-owned business, embodied self-determination and economic progress in the early twentieth century.
Military service forms a powerful thread in this history. Lemuel Ashport served in the famed 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War, one of the first official African American units in the United States Army. Decades later, Orleanis Burton continued this legacy as the first Black man from Brockton to enlist in World War I, and the only Brocktonian to die overseas, representing profound sacrifice and patriotism. The five DeGrace brothers served our country honorably in World War II despite experiencing systemic racism throughout their service.
Brockton’s Black history also resonates nationally through Reverend Wyatt Tee Walker, a Brockton native who later became a key strategist in the Civil Rights Movement and a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The City’s identity as the “City of Champions” is inseparable from boxing legend Marvin Hagler. Raised in Brockton, Hagler became one of the greatest middleweight champions in history, symbolizing discipline, pride, and global excellence rooted in a local Black community.
Together, these figures reflect Brockton’s lasting legacy of service, leadership, and cultural impact. Watch the City’s Facebook page for more details on all of these pioneers and other interesting facts about Brockton’s Black history.