Documenting the American South

Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
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  • Monument Name

    Empowering and Diverse Opportunities, Durham

  • Type

    Sculpture

  • Subjects

    Historic African American Figures

    Industry

  • Creator

    Leah Foushee, Sculptor

    Michael Waller, Sculptor

    Alvin Frega, Sculptor

  • City

    Durham

  • County

    Durham

  • 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.

  • Inscription

    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.

    Image of the plaque

  • Custodian

    The City of Durham

  • Dedication Date

    October 15, 2009

  • Decade

    2000s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    35.994960 , -78.899060 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Supporting Sources

      "Parrish Street Advocacy Group," City of Durham, (accessed April 20, 2012) Link

      “Bronze Arcs: Empowered and Diverse Opportunities,” Main Street, Carolina: Historic Parrish Street, (accessed April 20, 2012) Link

      “Durham Unveils Parrish Street Sculptures,” City of Durham, (accessed April 20, 2012) Link

  • 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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