Mission of the project
Mission of the project
Embedded Files
This project is dedicated to honoring the historic Black communities that once thrived in Winston-Salem—communities whose resilience, culture, labor, and leadership laid the foundation for the city we know today. By highlighting their stories and contributions, we aim to preserve their legacy, recognize their impact, and ensure they are never forgotten.
Once a thriving center of Black-owned businesses, professional services, and commerce.
Mention the effects of urban renewal and displacement in the 1960s-70s.
Similar to Tulsa’s Black Wall Street.
Many Black families moved to Winston for jobs at Reynolds; it shaped Black migration and community development.
Black labor helped build the city's wealth, but workers faced harsh conditions and limited mobility.
Simon Green Atkins was a visionary educator and leader who founded Slater Industrial Academy in 1892, which later became Winston-Salem State University. Born to formerly enslaved parents in North Carolina, Atkins dedicated his life to uplifting the Black community through education, self-reliance, and empowerment. His work helped lay the foundation for East Winston’s growth into a thriving Black hub and created lasting opportunities for generations of Black students in the South.
Built in 1931 as a school for Black students during segregation.
Founded by Simon Green Atkins and still represents Black academic legacy.
Founded by Simon Green Atkins in 1892.
Grew into WSSU, a proud HBCU and major center for Black education and leadership development.
One of the oldest Black communities in NC, dating back to the 19th century.
Formerly enslaved people settled there after emancipation.
Site of resistance and cultural memory.
Inspired by Greensboro, Carl Matthews, a WSSU student, led sit-ins at downtown lunch counters.
WSSU (then Winston-Salem Teachers College) students joined in nonviolent protests demanding desegregation.
Larry Little is a civil rights activist, educator, and former Winston-Salem City Council member who has spent decades advocating for justice, equity, and Black political power. A native of Winston-Salem, Little rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s as a passionate organizer, influenced by the Black Power movement and local labor struggles. He co-founded the Winston-Salem chapter of the Black Panther Party and later served on the city council, where he became a leading voice for underserved communities. His work bridges grassroots activism and formal political leadership, leaving a lasting legacy in the fight for civil rights in Winston-Salem.
Faculty Support
Dr. Craig J. Richardson, Founding Director of CSEM, provided guidance and mentorship throughout the project. His leadership and commitment to community-based research helped make this work possible.
Project Credits
This website was developed with the support of the Center for the Study of Economic Mobility (CSEM) at Winston-Salem State University. The project reflects the dedication of WSSU students to researching, preserving, and honoring the powerful legacy of Black communities that helped build Winston-Salem.
Student Contributors:
Faith Kerr
Azeriyonna Simmons
Caridad Sturdivant
Cahlil William
Contact CSEM
Contact CSEM
The Center for the Study of Economic Mobility (CSEM)
Winston-Salem State University
601 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
R.J. Reynolds Building, Suite 109
Winston-Salem, NC 27110
Phone: 336-750-8714
Email: csem@wssu.edu
Questions?
Questions?
Contact csem@wssu.edu to get more information on the project
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