Monument Name
Empowering and Diverse Opportunities, Durham
Type
Subjects
Creator
City
County
Description
This bronze sculpture is the fourth in a series of six monuments on “Black Wall Street” in Durham. The monument features two bronze arches. The sculpture highlights the achievements of black entrepreneurs in the area to found black businesses, newspapers, and committees, as well as the election of African Americans to important positions in the city and county.
Image of the plaqueInscription
Empowering and Diverse Opportunities
Through strategic leadership and funding since 1935, Black entrepreneurs on Parrish Street are active participants in the founding of the Durham Business and Professional Chain, the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, Black newspapers in Durham and in the election of African Americans to the Durham County Commissioners, Durham City Council, and Durham School Board.Custodian
The City of Durham
Dedication Date
October 15, 2009
Decade
Geographic Coordinates
35.994960 , -78.899060
-
Series
Supporting Sources
Public Site
Yes
Materials & Techniques
Bronze
Sponsors
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Funds granted with the assistance of Representative David E. Price.
Monument Cost
$350,000
Nickname
The Parrish Street Sculptures
Subject Notes
The success black entrepreneurs in the Durham area is measurable not only financially, but through the accomplishments such entrepreneurs in creating black newspapers, and black business, such as North Carolina Mutual Life. Another major accomplishment of these local black entrepreneurs is the election of African Americans to important possessions in the city and county.
Location
The sculpture sits on historic Parrish Street, which is better known as “Black Wall Street.” It is part of a series of six sculptures that each commemorates important pieces of Durham’s history.
Landscape
This sculpture is in downtown Durham. There are a few trees close to the monument.
Former Locations
None
Post Dedication Use
This monument, and the entire series of Parrish Street sculptures, is part of a larger revitalization effort by the city of Durham.
Approval Process
With the help of Representative David E. Price, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development granted $350,000 to the City of Durham’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development for the Parrish Street Revitalization and Historic Commemoration Project.
Materials & Assembly Cost
The entire series of Parrish Street monuments cost $350,000.
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