#BlackHistoryCLT
The Charlotte area is rich in African American history. Here are some internet resources we posted to Twitter and Facebook during Black History Month.
Leaders
- WTVI spotlights early business leader Thad Tate. Seen his statue on Little Sugar Creek Greenway?
- What leaders shaped Charlotte coming out of slavery? Read Janette Greenwood’s book Bittersweet Legacy.
- He pushed for justice: Dr. Reginald Hawkins remembered by one of CLT’s best writers today, Emiene Wright.
- In honor of the film,”I Am Not Your Negro” Wash Post shares essay on James Baldwin & Charlotte. And another essay in The New Yorker.
- History-maker Charles Jones co-led Charlotte sit-ins, later jailed during Freedom Ride.
- Nationally renowned Civil Rights lawyer Julius Chambers won key school & labor cases. 2017 book!
Places
- The power of place — remember what’s been lost, honor what survives today in Charlotte’s African American landscape.
- Segregation did not always exist. It was invented. Also — another essay about this history.
- Impressive young reporter Niema Abdulahi looks back at Charlotte’s Brooklyn. More history plus plans for Brooklyn’s future.
- “Good Sam” – 1st privately funded hospital for African Americans in NC – stood where Panthers Stadium is now.
- The JCSU/W.Charlotte High area — West Trade St & Beatties Ford Road — holds much history.
- Tough times for Excelsior Club, the historic landmark near Johnson C. Smith
- 813 black schools across NC— legacy of CLT’s Dr. George E. Davis & Rosenwald Fund. There’s a WTVI documentary film. And a story by UNCC’s Urban Institute.
- Early black Torrence-Lytle School is a landmark in Huntersville. Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission has in-depth documentation.
- Here’s a look back at the deep history of Charlotte’s Cherry neighborhood.
- Phil Freelon of Durham designed Charlotte’s Gantt Center…& Smithsonian’s new African American Museum!
- Pioneering black builder/architect W.W. Smith. And his mentor, brickmaker William Houser.
- Take a Black History drive – see these Charlotte landmarks.
- Food is history! Visit restaurants that serve food from African and African American traditions.
Battles
- Here’s a top-notch overview of Charlotte’s Civil Rights history from UNCC.
- Supreme Court’s Brown v Board anti-segregation decision had big Carolina roots. See exhibit at JCSU Library.
- Charlotte’s 1954 airport sit-in (one of the South’s earliest)opened dining facilities to all at Douglas Airport.
- Tommy Tomlinson profiles Dorothy Counts-Scoggins,1 of 4 black students to enter white schools here, 1957.
- One of the 4 originators of the Sit-Ins in Greensboro was Franklin McCain, later a longtime Charlottean.
- Podcast with one of CLT’s all-time most fascinating people: Civil Rights leader Charles Jones.
- Discover Rock Hill’s BIG role in U.S. Sit-In Movement. Film by national award-winning Steve Crump. There’s also a WTVI documentary.
- Freedom Riders jailed at CLT bus station 1961. John Lewis beaten in Rock Hill.
- A year before 1964 Civil Rights Act, Reginald Hawkins won end of segregation in restaurants, movie theaters.
- Jimmie Kirkpatrick desegregated Charlotte’s football Shrine Bowl. Impressive series by Charlotte Observer.
- Remembering 1965 – houses of 4 Civil Rights leaders bombed here.
- Supreme Court’s Swann v Mecklenburg (1971) was THE national precedent for school-busing-for-racial-balance. Book explores history, future.
- School inequality helped fuel 2016 Charlotte street protests.
- New book explores West Charlotte High history — and context of changing national policies on race and education.
- NC State students have created eye-catching on-line history of CLT school desegregation.
Art, Music and the Media
- Look back at nationally renowned artist Romare Bearden’s roots in Charlotte.
- Best known as CLT’s 1st black Mayor, Harvey Gantt created notable architecture.
- The first funk record was made in Charlotte? Yes! Here’s the story of James Brown’s Brand New Bag.
- Shout bands! Amazing trombone praise bands, United House of Prayer. Here’s some history:
- Golden Gate Quartet’s 1937-38 Charlotte recordings revolutionized gospel music – bringing in swing. Here’s their version of Swing Down Sweet Chariot — hot stuff starts at 1:00. Elvis was a huge fan – went to jam with the ‘Gates in Paris when he was in the Army.
- Wilbert Harrison came up in CLT’s Excelsior Club, made first national hit record of now-classic “Kansas City.” Was part of one of the leading music families in CLT’s United House of Prayer for All People. His much younger brother Zeb still heads a trombone praise band. Wilbert Harrison is buried in Pinewood Cemetery.
- Bea Thompson, 1st black female TV anchor here, 1980. Longtime radio host at WBAV, 2000-2016.
- Prince’s saxophonist Adrian Crutchfield grew up in Charlotte, lives here now!