WWW.TRIANGLE TRIBUNE.COM The Triangle American Underground talks RIBUNE Black WallBy Latisha Catchatoorian Street TTHE TRIANGLE’S CHOICE FOR THE BLACK VOICE [email protected] DURHAM – The Bull City is known for its notable and historical African- American business presence. Parts of downtown is oftentimes referred to VOLUME 17 NO. 6 WEEK OF APRIL 5, 2015 $1.00 as Black Wall Street since it was one of the first places in America where blacks were financially and entrepreneurially prosperous. Clothing company RUNAWAY, in conjunction with American Under- ground at Main, hosted an open discussion about Durham’s history, busi- Spring football ness diversity, and the legacy of Black Wall Street. The event was part of HelpFest, an ongoing series at AU@Main “that fosters growth and problem- gets into gear solving within the entrepreneurial community.” with area HBCU “We’re setting the goal of building the most diverse technology hub (in the world) by the end of 2016,” said Adam Klein, chief strategist at Amer- teams. ican Underground. “We’re inspired to do that because of the city we live in. There’s a history of entrepreneurship in this city that’s rich.” During the 1900s, Durham blacks had the highest per capita income and the highest rate of home ownership in the country. W.E.B. Du Bois wrote a reflection piece on his visit to Durham titled “The Upbuilding of Black Durham. The Success of the Negroes and Their Value to a Tolerant and Please seeWALL STREET/2A Group Durham strives to project preserve provides cemetery free By Latisha Catchatoorian [email protected] furnishingsBy Latisha Catchatoorian RALEIGH – Oberlin Village [email protected] Cemetery is a century-old his- DURHAM – The Furniture toric resting place for many of Project of Durham helps resi- the city’s prominent African- dents furnish their homes. Americans. The interfaith ministry pro- Established in 1873 and lo- vides gently used, donated cated in the heart of Oberlin furniture free of charge to in- Village, one of the first black dividuals and families who subdivisions in Raleigh, it is have suffered furniture loss the burial site of an estimated or who are transitioning from 300 to 500 people. Now con- homelessness to housing. It cealed behind redevelopment collaborates closely with The and oftentimes overlooked Furniture Project of Orange completely, this hidden gem County and has helped over has unfortunately become 135 households in the past 15 overgrown and a bit dilapi- months. dated over the years. Washington Terrace residents and community members listen to plans for redeveloping the The FPOD serves clients Friends of Oberlin Village, a community. through social service agen- group recognizing the historic cies in the area like Interfaith importance of the cemetery, Hospitality Network, the Com- works on maintaining and munity Empowerment Fund, persevering the momentous Housing for New Hope and landmark. more. It houses all of its dona- “We’re just trying to be tions in a 4,000 square foot stewards and help keep the Changes for South warehouse space (at a re- cemetery from falling into dis- duced rate) courtesy of the repair again,” said Sabrina Regional Commerce Center. Goode, who led Friends of “Furniture is donated by Oberlin in one of its semi-an- people who have it and (it) is nual cleanups last weekend. Raleigh’s Washington given to people who need it. “My father, Robert Goode, It’s like Marcia (Owen, direc- used to do it (the cleanup) tor of the Religious Coalition with a couple of members for a Nonviolent Durham) from churches on Oberlin says, ‘There’s an abundance Road. After his passing, no- TerraceBy Latisha Catchatoorian communityreal emphasis of DHIC, our mis- the master planning by God,’” said Drew Doll, who body was actively doing it and sion, is to strengthen neighbor- works with the Furniture Proj- a lot of people didn’t realize [email protected] process and seek the hoods and families and offer ect. the cemetery was even here RALEIGH – Tarboro Road Com- input of area stakehold- them standard home ownership munity Center was packed with ers. opportunities; provide quality Please seeLUNCHEON/ 3A Please seeOBERLIN/ 2A people eager to give their input Warren cautioned that and affordable rental housing for on the future of Washington Ter- properties DHIC has de- families, seniors, and individuals race, a low-income housing com- veloped in the area in the with lower incomes; and, finally, munity in south Raleigh. past have taken time enhance the economic welfare of DHIC Inc., a nonprofit housing (some up to 10 years), and all the residents of DHIC commu- Push is on development organization based that a strong redevelop- Bid to nities.” in Raleigh, bought the property in ment doesn’t happen Areas of the Washington Ter- 2013 with plans to slowly rede- overnight. race complex, and the landscape to increase velop it over time, promising to “We need to know redistribute in general, are in desperate need maintain the community as af- where to start first, be- of redevelopment. While places fordable housing. cause this isn’t all hap- like the clubhouse are in good school “I hope those of you who are pening at once,” said NC sales condition, other areas are in a residents of Washington Terrace Maggie Connor of 1/1 Stu- state of disarray. know (that the team is) doing dio, an architectural de- DHIC invited residents and the vouchersBy Lindsay Wagner their best to maintain the proper- sign firm based in taxBy Emery P. Dalesio community to a public meeting to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ties,” President and Executive Di- Associated Press The Policy Watch disseminate more information on Flanked by scores of school- rector Gregg Warren said. “The Please seeTERRACE/ 2A RALEIGH –A legislative pro- children dressed in t-shirts posal for the state to take that read “Give Our Kids An away the local portion of sales Opportunity,” Rep. Paul Stam taxes highlighted two under- (R-Wake) told reporters that currents in Raleigh - the in- he wants to expand North creased clout of rural Carolina’s school voucher Republicans and their con- program fourfold beginning flicts with Gov. Pat McCrory. this fall, which would amount The state Senate is propos- to almost an additional 30 CIAA to Charlotte hospitality ing to strip away some of the million taxpayer dollars. revenues of vacation destina- Stam said he’d like to see tions like Dare County and between 8,000 to 9,000 stu- richer locales like Charlotte. dents take advantage of Op- industry: Treat patrons fairly Senators say the intent is to portunity Scholarships, which redistribute money from are taxpayer-funded vouchers Hotel’s bar gratuity was unauthorized use of league’s name some of the "haves" to help worth $4,200 annually that By Herbert L. White n’t mandate a similar charge for Cooper into possible violations of poorer, rural counties. That students can use toward tu- [email protected] sporting events such as the NCAA state law. Among the questions in should attack a problem that ition at private schools. The CHARLOTTE –The CIAA wants basketball tournament, Belk Bowl NCDOJ’s inquiry: When did man- has festered for decades - program currently allows for assurances that Charlotte’s hos- football game or NASCAR race agement decide to impose the urban centers growing in size about 2,400 students to re- pitality industry won’t take ad- weeks. surcharge, if it was imposed on and wealth while most of the ceive vouchers. vantage of its patrons during the “They see the CIAA as a high all patrons during tournament state lags behind, the bill's While lawmakers and advo- league’s basketball brand,” McWilliams said. “That’s week and whether similar fees sponsor said. cates expressed their hope for tournament. CIAA good and bad. They’re going to were levied for other events. "These inequities lead to a the voucher program’s expan- Commissioner market and manage however they “We continue to encourage any vicious cycle that forces rural sion, they did not unveil any Jacqie McWilliams see necessary to manage the consumers with information to counties to fund their public legislation to that end as they said the league is crowd. Our thing is we want you share about the fee charged by schools and basic infrastruc- wait for a state Supreme Court awaiting the re- to be fair on how you do that, not the Ritz to please file a consumer ture needs through sky-high ruling that will decide the con- sults of a probe just with the CIAA, but with all complaint with our office at property taxes," Senate Major- stitutionality of sending pub- launched by the events.” www.ncdoj.gov, or call toll-free ity Leader Harry Brown, R-On- lic funds to private schools N.C. Department Tournament fans who visited within North Carolina 1-877-5- slow, said. "Sky-high property that are virtually unregulated, McWilliams of Justice into the the Ritz-Carlton complained NO-SCAM (566-7222),” Noelle Tal- taxes in much of rural North beholden to almost no aca- Ritz-Carlton’s prac- about the “CIAA Service Charge” ley said. “We have received six Carolina create another major demic or governance stan- tice of charging an automatic 15 for services in its lobby during the complaints about the fee to date.” obstacle to new industry lo- percent gratuity during CIAA tournament, prompting the probe A major issue for the CIAA is Please seeVOUCHERS/ 3A by N.C. Attorney General Roy Please seeLUNCHEON/ 3A week. The hotel admits it does- Please seeCIAA/ 3A Index Follow The To subscribe: 919-688-9408 or Tribune on Editorial 4A Sports 1B Email: [email protected] Focus 6A Classifieds 4B Arts & Life 5B Religion 6B © 2015 The Triangle Tribune 2A NEWS/The Triangle Tribune Sunday, April 5, 2015 Changes ahead for Raleigh’s Washington TerraceContinued from page 1A hoodcommunity map that they are happy and a rich history.