GREENSBORO, N.C. — Around 242 years ago, there was a battle now known as the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. While many of the soldiers who fought in the battle were white, a recent discovery shows there were Black soldiers on the battlefield as well. 

What you need to know:

  • Greensboro Transportation Authority (GTA) honors Black patriots on bus wrap
  • Sage Chioma and Solomon Titus are descendants of Ishmael Titus, who fought in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse
  • The battle took place during the Revolutionary War

To give recognition to those who contributed to the battle, the Greensboro Transportation Authority (GTA) has put the names of 33 Black patriots on a bus to honor their service during the Revolutionary War. 

“It just seems as if everything is unfolding in the time frame in which it should, even though it's long overdue,” Sage Chioma, descendant of Ishmael Titus who fought in the battle, said. 

Chioma said this wouldn’t have been possible without her cousin Solomon Titus. 

Solomon has been researching his family’s legacy for 18 years. He’s happy that Greensboro has taken up the torch to give these men recognition. 

“To be recognized as a Revolutionary War hero, someone who fought for those that enslaved him, is remarkable in itself," Solomon Titus said. "I'm glad that our story is starting to get a little light.” 

Chioma said she enjoys walking in Guilford Park, and when she realized her ancestor fought there, a light bulb went off as to why she had a connection to the park. 

Ishmael Titus fought at Guilford Courthouse, Deep River and the Battle of Kings Mountain.

While Chioma is grateful for the bus wrap, she thinks more can still be done. 

“I would like to be able to point and say, 'here is where you can find the names for the monument of the 33 who served here and fought in this battle,'” Chioma said.