Durham’s Black Wallstreet: Finding Freedom Through Entrepreneurship

The exhibit was on display at the Karsh Alumni Center as part of the Capital Matters 2019 conference to create conversation around the gaps in opportunity for Black-led and women-led businesses—creating discussions around ways to begin action resolving these inequities.

Design Dimension, Inc. worked with the Cook Center team and exhibit writer Kimber Heinz to develop the exhibit experience. The modular form is designed around the key themes, sharing strong imagery of successful businesses from Hayti, Durham’s central Black neighborhood under segregation throughout the early to mid-20th century. The North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company was the first Black financial institution in Durham, situated on Parrish Street, the heart of Black Wall Street (1906). The exhibit explores successes, resiliency, struggle, destruction, and hope. Through interactive mapping of the changes in downtown Durham, interviews, and oral histories, visitors can take a deep dive into the history and decline of the Black businesses. The exhibit wraps by directing visitors to see the racial wealth gap that exists locally and nationally. Through a partnership with Duke University, the entire exhibit is available online to continue the conversation and connect resources for entrepreneurs through the Cook Center.

Enter the Exhibit - Durham's Black Wall Street