Christopher Newport University and Old Dominion University are among the best colleges in the Hampton Roads area. They boast beautiful campuses that top the charts for their picturesque views. These lands, however, once belonged to a vibrant African-American community and were unlawfully usurped. The irony is that these same African Americans were often not invited to the universities that their homes once stood on. This act of racism was done to destroy the middle-class Black communities that once existed and to further prevent any African Americans from reaching that status. This seizure was done through eminent domain. Eminent domain was the largest form of removal of African American homes, a reality that was often dubbed "Negro removal" by famous authors such as James Baldwin. Even those who later found better housing were still robbed of a community and culture that once existed. 

In 1963, Christopher Newport University was looking to expand its campus. There were many places the school could have been built on. However, there was one particular area that drew the attention of the Newport News City Council: Shoe Lane. The Shoe Lane community consisted of about 20 Black families. It was a vibrant and tight-knit community that consisted of teachers, dentists, and engineers in the area. Shoe Lane, however, was located right next to a prominent white community. In the "fear" that Shoe Lane would invite more African Americans, the Newport News City Council seized the area from the African Americans using its most powerful weapon: eminent domain. The city paid about 20% less than the value of the property, essentially robbing the African American homeowners of their community and a chance to find better housing. 

Many, including CNU professor Phillip Hamilton, believe that this was a move "to remove the Black community here." This was entirely the case. As the campus continued expanding into the homes of African Americans into the 70s, the university claimed it would not be using eminent domain to acquire the land and continued to purchase the remaining homes through "traditional" sales. However, it was found that at least one of the homes purchased in 2005 used eminent domain as leverage, contradicting the university's previous claim. 

Today, only five Black households exist in the area—surrounded by sorority and fraternity houses. The only recognition of the community that once existed is a plaque that enrages the African American families that still reside on Shoe Lane, honoring William Walker Jr. Walker was a real estate developer, president of the local NAACP chapter, and served on CNU's board. The plaque, honoring "Walker's Green"—the strip of land on which Walker's home once existed—mentions that Walker had "initially opposed" the college expanding into Shoe Lane. Although this is true, the plaque omits an essential detail: Walker, being the representative and the voice of the Black community, had never updated them about the school's intentions and even urged them to compromise. In addition, Walker reassured the residents that they "would always be assured" of a buyer for the homes, one resident recalled. Although the plaque recognizes Walker "as a staunch supporter of the school," Walker, according to VPM, was far from a hero to the residents of Shoe Lane.

These images show the drastic expansion into the homes of the African Americans who lived on Shoe Lane. By 2023, there are only a handful of the original residents remaining. 

Christopher Newport University is not the only university that has used eminent domain as leverage to rob minorities of their homes. During its late '60s expansion, Old Dominion University (ODU) had its eyes set on Lamberts Point: a predominantly Black neighborhood. The first phase of the expansion drove out a majority of the residents; the families were handed a mere $200—around $2,000 today—for relocation costs. Even if the residents fought back, with some residents claiming that the neighboring white communities were better locations for the university's expansion, Old Dominion University continued using eminent domain as a threat to drive out the residents of Lamberts Point. 

ODU, however, has recognized its historical wrongs—to an extent. According to the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism, students of color have increased from 21% to 54% in ODU's enrollment in the past three decades. ODU has also awarded over $300,000 in scholarships to 137 students from Lamberts Point and nearby neighborhoods. In addition, the school has conducted free summer camps for children from Lamberts Point. Although these actions do not undo the historical wrongs, they are major strides in giving the residents of Lamberts Point the recognition they deserve. 

ODU has been actively trying to recognize and right its historical wrongs in a variety of ways. Other universities such as the University of Virginia and the University of Georgia have awarded scholarships to the descendants of those whose homes were acquired through eminent domain for the building of the university. CNU, however, has done nothing but set a plaque—one that infuriates the remaining few original residents. 

Although not in Newport News, many Black leaders have called for reparations. Despite the City of Newport News having over 40% Black residents, just 7% of CNU's students are Black. CNU, in addition to admitting more Black students, should establish scholarships for those from the Shoe Lane area or who once lived there. The residents of Shoe Lane do not hold any resentment towards CNU. However, according to VPM, "they feel like strangers on the land where they should belong." It is far too late to undo the actions but it is not too late to recognize the families that the land was taken from. Christopher Newport University's official history states that the land was donated by the city, without mentioning how it was acquired. Acknowledging that the land was unlawfully usurped, and recognizing the families is just the first step in the process of taking accountability for CNU's controversial history.