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 Mr. Joe Alston

Joe, a long-time resident of Northside, is known for the care with which he maintains his yard and the way he looks out for elderly neighbors on Lindsay Street.

 Mr. Michael Parker, Knott’s Funeral Home

Knott’s Funeral Home is located on N. Graham St. in the original building of the Bynum Weaver Chapel and Funeral Home, one of the oldest black-owned business buildings in the region. Michael, who lives just blocks away, has worked in this historic building for over 40 years. He readily dedicates…

 Mr. Russell Edwards & Family

Mr. Edwards gathered representatives from four generations of his family (in descending order) on the steps of his Northside home. A proud member of the male chorus at St. Joseph CME, here he reflects on the many changes in Chapel Hill/Carrboro that he has witnessed over the course of an abundant 90…

 Mr. Tommy & Mr. Jason Owens

Tommy, pictured here with his brother, Jason, is always looking out for others. Reflecting on his vision of community, he described a neighbor as “somebody who extends a helping hand to people no one else will.”

 Mrs. Betty Jones marches in a protest on Independence Day

A march on Independence Day, July 4, 1964, through downtown Chapel Hill.Mrs. Betty Jones, who was heavily involved in the movement, is pictured behind an American flag. She was a member of First Baptist, and was a flower lady near the old location of Bank of America by the Varsity Theatre.

 Mrs. Equashia Mumeen

There could not be a photograph more representative of the vibrant character of Equashia, who recently moved to Chapel Hill in the midst of struggle. She continues to fight for affordable housing for all.

 Mrs. Frances Hargraves

 Mrs. Frances Hargraves teaches students

Mrs. Hargraves talks to a group of students.

 Mrs. Marian Cheek Jackson's College Diploma

This is a scan of Mrs. Marian Cheek Jackson's diploma from St. Augustine's College in 1946.

 Ms. Belinda Caldwell & Ms. Katherine Council (Mama Kat)

At “Heavenly Groceries,” Mama Kat and Belinda, both lifetime residents of Chapel Hill/Carrboro and First Baptist Church members, offer food with a large serving of good humor and warmth. Mama Kat’s oldest daughter, Caroline, a leader of the local civil rights movement, moved to Canada to escape…

 Ms. Ceci Miller & Ruby

Ceci enjoys sitting outside of the Hargraves Recreation Center (finally completed in 1941to accommodate the first all-black Navy Band) with her friends often. She had never been photographed with her dog, Ruby. She is the proud mother of Paris Miller, a teacher and community activist, and the…

 Ms. Esphur Foster, Mr. Harold Foster, & Ms. Charley Mae Norwood

Still living in the house their mother had built 70 years ago, the Foster siblings have dedicated their lives to justice. Harold was a leader in the local civil rights movement; Esphur is a community historian known everywhere in North Carolina for her leadership at UNC’s law school; Charley is a…

Ms. Molly's Gift Shop

The building that houses Ms. Molly's Gift Shop and Walt's Grill has been owned by the Riggsbee family since 1944. At various points in time, it has been home to the Church of God of Prophecy and Lizzy Mae's Southern Kitchen. In the late 1990s, the restaurant became Walt's Grill with Ms. Molly's…

 Ms. Sharon Livingston & Ms. Virginia Medean

Sharon and Virginia wanted to have their photograph demonstrate what they believed it meant to be a neighbor in the face of rapid change locally and in their respective lives. Residents of public housing at the time this photo was taken, they reflected on how neighbors can often be more important…

 Ms. Stephanie Soulama, Stephanie’s African Hair Braiding

Stephanie, a native of the Cote d'Ivoire, is proud of the many hours she will spend with any one customer. She is concerned about maintaining a true community business and looks forward to local growth enhancing her own and neighboring, small business.

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Churches located in Chatham County, NC.

Music

The historically Black neighborhoods of Chapel Hill and Carrboro have a long and storied musical legacy. Music has played a tremendous role in practices of faith in the area going back to the 19th century and before. In a 2007 oral history, Mrs. Brenda Jackson pointed to the historical roots of…

Nate Davis

Nate Davis was born and raised in Northside and graduated from Chapel Hill High School. He stayed in the area and was drawn into working with youth by his mentor, Fred Battle. He went on to become the director of the Hargraves Community Center, dedicating his life to supporting young people in…

 Nate Davis - On his childhood, education, and school integration

This interview is part of an oral history project called Southern Communities: Listening for a Change: Mighty Tigers--Oral HIstories of Chapel Hill's Lincoln High School. The interviewes were conducted from 2000-2001, by Bob Gilgor, with former teachers, staff, and students from Chapel Hill, N.C.'s…

 Nate Davis - On the A.D. Clark Pool (clip)

 Nate Davis - On the B1 Navy Band (clip)

 Nate Davis - On the construction of Hargraves Community Center (clip)

 Nate Davis - On the Hargraves Community Center

Nate Davis remembers that during his childhood, the Hargraves Community Center as a safe space to hang out and play sports with friends, and now, after years of working first part time and then full-time for the Center, he is the director. Davis tells the story of Hargraves starting in the 1940s. It…

 Nate Davis - On the uses of Hargraves Community Center (clip)