An archeological survey conducted at the base has identified 121 possible graves, shedding light on a burial site where many Black families were laid to rest during the era of segregation.

According to base officials, ongoing research and surveys will continue through 2024 to explore the possibility of more graves within the area. The confirmation of the cemetery's location has evoked mixed emotions among the base personnel. 2nd Lt. Laura M. Anderson, a public affairs officer at the United States Air Force MacDill Base, expressed both a sense of solemnity and closure, stating, "Rediscovering Port Tampa Cemetery means we can now pay our respects to those who have been laid to rest here and know that they are no longer a forgotten part of history."

The first clues regarding the presence of the cemetery were provided by researchers at the Tampa Bay History Center in 2019. Historical records dating back to 1939 indicated the rough location of the Port Tampa Cemetery. Rodney Kite-Powell, a historian at the Tampa Bay History Center, utilized this information along with maps from that period to pinpoint the likely location within the MacDill Air Force Base.

Subsequent investigations by base officials in 2020 revealed that the cemetery was located near the Tanker Way gate inside the base. In 2022 and 2023, a non-intrusive archaeological survey was conducted, leading to the identification of 121 likely graves in the presumed area of the African American cemetery.

The discovery has been met with profound significance by the Black community. Yvette Lewis, president of the NAACP Hillsborough County Branch, expressed the importance of this find, stating, "Some people didn't even know that they had ancestors that were in some of these graves located in the cemetery. So that right there is a sigh of relief, that we located the missing or the stolen African American cemeteries."

Efforts to comprehensively explore the area will continue throughout this year, with the research team utilizing ground penetrating radar, cadaver dogs, and historical records. The results of these efforts are expected to be available in mid-2025.

In 2021, a memorial service was held at MacDill Air Force Base to honor those buried in the cemetery. Furthermore, a memorial was dedicated on-site. Lieutenant Anderson stated that the base will collaborate with community stakeholders to determine future actions regarding the memorial for Port Tampa Cemetery following the expanded search.

Yvette Lewis believes that the land where the graves were found should be cleared and transformed back into a cemetery. She also advocates for the installation of a plaque that highlights the significance and history of the burial site, emphasizing the need to rectify this part of history.

The rediscovery of the Port Tampa Cemetery offers an opportunity to acknowledge and honor the lives of those who were previously forgotten. As the investigations continue, both the base and the local community seek to ensure that the memory of this significant African American cemetery is properly recognized and respected.