Triangle Tribune

SPORTS Hillside alum needs heart transplant VOLUME 13 NO. 44 WE WEEKEKOF OF SE PTEMBERPTEMBER 25, 25, 2011 2011 ONE DOLLAR THE TRIANGLE’S CHOICE FOR THE BLACK VOICE Partnership Black creating buying possibilities in SE Raleigh power By Sommer Brokaw grows THE TRIANGLE TRIBUNE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER RALEIGH - A partnership re- PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION cently announced between the Southeast Raleigh Assembly, WASHINGTON, D.C. – North State Bank and North African-Americans’ buying State Mortgage Company is de- power is expected to reach signed to make owning a home $1.1 trillion by 2015. This a reality for citizens of south- growing economic potential east Raleigh and throughout presents an opportunity for Wake County. Fortune 500 companies to SERA President/CEO Rita Anita examine and further under- Linger said the partnership will stand this important, flour- help people “live the dream” ishing market segment. through the Community Likewise, when consumers Homeownership Program at a are more aware of their buy- Sept. 15 press conference. ing power, it can help them North State Bank President make informed decisions Larry Barbour, North State about the companies they Mortgage President Ken Sykes want to support. and Sharon Moe, office manag- So says the State of the er at North State Bank’s down- African-American Consumer town office, were also present. Report, released Tuesday “Now that we’re in partner- collaboratively by Nielsen ship together, we’ll go with res- and the National Newspaper idents to the bank. We’ll go over Publishers Association. the pre-qualification informa- “Too often, companies tion with them,” Linger said. don’t realize the inherent “Even in a difficult economy, differences of our commu- we found out in the past year nity, are not aware of the and half or so that many south- market size impact and have not optimized efforts to de- east Raleigh residents are pay- PHOTO/ ing very respectable monthly velop messages beyond those that coincide with rental costs, and if they would Geneva ‘Mama’ Dillard (center) at Dillard’s Bar-B-Q’s final day as a restaurant last March. be eligible for a home, they’d Black History Month,” NNPA be able to afford a home; but Chairman Cloves Campbell many didn’t know the specifics said. “It is our hope that by of how to get a home. Also, the collaborating with Nielsen, most significant barrier was the we’ll be able to tell the down payment.” ADurham icon passes African-American consumer Sykes said they would help to story in a manner in which coach people through the businesses will understand. process in an informal, “user- Wanda Burton, her oldest daughter, said her moth- And that this understanding friendly” way so that they’re Dillard’srestaurantco-ownerGeneva er was also into fashion. will propel those in the C- not intimidated. “You never saw her when she wasn’t sharp,” she suite to develop stronger, “I think it was just natural for Dillard was no ‘trophy wife’ said. “She was always impeccably dressed.” more inclusive strategies a mortgage company to be in- Prior to her death, Geneva Dillard lived to see an that optimize their market volved to also support home- outpouring of support for the restaurant, known for growth in black communi- buyers in mortgage financing,” By Sommer Brokaw its southern home style cuisine and as a longstand- ties, which would be a win- he said. THE TRIANGLE TRIBUNE ing meeting place for the Durham community before win for all of us.” Nationally, the homeowner- it closed in mid-March. And she also saw the reopen- The report, the first of ship rate dropped from an all- DURHAM - Geneva Dillard, who co-owned Dillard’s ing of the restaurant as a catering/events center. three annual installments in time high of 69.2 percent in Bar-B-Q with her husband, Sam Dillard, died on Sept. Wilma, a former schoolteacher who took over man- a three-year alliance be- 2004 to 66.4 percent in the first 17 from complications from a stroke a week earlier. agement of restaurant after her father died, said her tween Nielsen and the NNPA, quarter of 2011, according to a She was 89. mom played an integral role in the family business. showcases the buying and study released by MBA’s “I was at her bedside at the Hock Family Pavilion, “She wasn’t a trophy wife,” she said. “She was much media habits and consumer Research Institute for Housing not only myself but also my brothers and sisters,” involved with my father’s legacy. She helped build trends of black people. America. daughter Wilma Dillard said. “It was just a complete that legacy, which can only be fulfilled with accept- Flanked by civic, business Despite the decline in the circle. Everyone had a chance to talk with her and love ance of community. My mother was able to work with and legislative leaders, housing market, Linger said on her and assure her that God was in control. She the public and make them feel like they were part of Nielsen and NNPA execu- homeownership is still valu- went home to be with the Lord.” our family.” tives spoke about the rele- Wilma recalls her mother mouthing the line: “I give Earlier this year, Geneva Dillard received the Spirit vance and importance of the information shared in the re- Please see PARTNERSHIP/2A myself away, so you can use me,” from the William of Hayti Heritage Legacy Award for Dillard’s Bar-B-Q. McDowell gospel song, as one of the last things she In 2008, she was honored with the Mahogany Dime port, and the fact that it will said. Award for Excellence in business and entrepreneur- be distributed in NNPA’s Dillard was born Jan. 3, 1922, in Goldston, N.C. She ship. 200-plus publications. graduated high school in 1938 and left Chatham Dillard’s funeral was Sept. 22 at Mt. Zion Christian “We see this alliance with Widespread County to pursue her college education at N.C. College Church on Fayetteville Street with a visitation at 11 the NNPA as an opportunity (now N.C. Central University.) During this time, she a.m. and memorial service starting at noon. Immediate to share valuable insights, met Samuel, a former Tuskegee Institute student who surviving members in addition to Wilma and Burton unique consumer behavior bias continues came to Durham seeking employment. The American are Allen Dillard, James Dillard, Kelly Dillard, sister patterns and purchasing Tobacco Company hired him in its heating and air Mozella McLaughlin and sister-in-law Alice D. Luster. trends with millions of read- conditioning department, but he was determined to “She was a member of the deaconess and mother’s ers,” Nielsen Vice Chair inAmerica go into business for himself. board, and a faithful member and a strong support- Susan Whiting said. “By The two married on Sept. 23, 1940. She enrolled in er and prayer warrior, and a strong encourager of sharing, for example, that DeShazor’s Beauty College after the birth of her sec- young people,” North East Baptist Pastor Wesley Elam African-Americans Marjorie Valbrun ond child, graduated and became a licensed cosme- said. “The impact that she and her family have had overindex in several key ar- AMERICA’S WIRE tologist. In 1964, she obtained her cosmetology teach- on the Durham community, their impact has been so eas, including television ing certification in 1971 from the state board and re- far reaching from teaching to encouraging young peo- viewing and mobile phone WASHINGTON - Recent public ceived teaching certification from the N.C. Department ple and families. This community will really miss her.” usage, we’ve provided a bet- opinion polls show that more of Public Instruction. “She will be remembered as a person that really loved ter picture of where the whites than African-Americans Samuel opened a neighborhood grocery store in 1945 her church and loved Jesus,” Wilma said. “She loved African-American communi- believe that the United States that eventually became Dillard’s Bar-B-Q restaurant. going to church socials and functions. She wasn’t a ty can leverage that buying has entered a “post-racial” era Geneva Dillard’s beauty shop was adjacent to the member of any organized social clubs, but the church power to help their commu- in which racial bias doesn’t ex- restaurant. Several years later, she accepted a teach- was her social venue.” nities. Likewise the informa- ist. But social psychologists and ing position at Piedmont Community College in She said her mother would also be remembered for tion literally points busi- experts on race relations dispute Roxboro. She taught there for eight years before ac- her sense of humor. “She would tell you your truth nesses in the right direction that, citing wide racial dispari- cepting a call to teach cosmetology at Durham High sometimes in a comical way,” she said. “She would for growing market share ties in education, unemploy- School during the onset of desegregation. In 1987, either be straightforward or comical, or she could and developing long-range ment, housing, health, wealth, she retired from Durham City Schools. combine the two, all to give you a message.” incarceration and other quality- See BLACK BUYING/2A of-life measurements as proof of persistent structural racism in American society. “It’s time for us to change our approach to polling,” said Dr. N.C. takes a bite out Gail C. Christopher, vice president for program strategy at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which promotes the welfare of children of childhood hunger and works to strengthen families and communities.

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