Educator, intellectual, and racial justice advocate, Octavius Catto is a notable figure in Philadelphia's history. Born to a prominent family in Charleston, South Carolina, the civil rights activist served as principal for the Institute for Colored Youth where, in 1864, he delivered a landmark commencement speech addressing the Civil War and racial inequality in school systems. Catto dedicated his life to the fight for emancipation and desegregation before being shot and killed in an election-day, anti-Reconstruction protest waged to dissuade blacks from exercising their political and voting power. On Tuesday the city of Philadelphia announced plans to honor the martyr with a public sculpture outside City Hall.

While the unveiling of Octavius Catto's sculpture is slated for late September, today the National Constitution Center is kicking off the first of many events to raise awareness of Catto's contributions to the city. According to Philly Mag, more than 100 teachers and several citizens are expected in attendance at the event to be held at The National Constitution Center on Thursday morning. In addition to these year-long educational and awareness events, The Octavius V. Catto Memorial Fund has partnered with the Philadelphia school district on an educational series incorporating Catto's story into public school curriculum. 

Octavius Catto was the truth, ya'll. His statue will be the first ever, in the city of Philadelphia, to honor an African American.