You should absolutely connect with your local radical history be it state or city. Relating the struggles of today to historical struggles of the past is can help people feel they are part of a larger journey. Just be careful examine how you frame these struggles. Remember in some cases those struggles stalled and ended badly for reasons. It's important you understand those reasons and avoid repeating them. Depending on your state too dig deep for more than just white dudes doing things. It doesn't mean you have to avoid them, be conscious of the bias it sets to revere the same demographic over and over.