Financial and Professional Impact, Durham
This pedestrian-scale bronze sculpture is the fifth in a series of six monuments documenting “Black Wall Street” in Durham. The sculpture features a chain and gears. It highlights the significance of the investors in Durham, who made it possible for many professionals, including barbers, pharmacists, educators, and artists, to thrive in the Durham area.
Image of the plaque
Financial and Professional Impact in Durham
John Merrick's admonition, "Let us think more of our employment" guided the development of Parrish Street as the center city address of many ambitious bankers, doctors, lawyers, and accountants whose investments in a growing African American community made it possible for barbers and beauticians, pharmacists, nurses, architects, educators and artists to thrive in Durham.
The City of Durham
October 15, 2009
35.994960 , -78.899060
View in Geobrowse
"Black Wall Street Durham. Durham, North Carolina. Borne from segregation and exclusion, Durham’s Black Wall Street is now a living reminder of the city’s past." Sponsored by Visit North Carolina, atlasobscura.com, (accessed March 28, 2024) Link
Fitts, David L., Jr. “Sculptures Honor Parrish St., Durham’s 'Black Wall St.',” The Durham Voice, (accessed April 20, 2012) Link
Morgan, Fiona. "Honoring the Past, Facing the Future. Durham’s Parrish Street Moves One Step Closer to Resurrection," Indy Week, 01/24/2007, (accessed March 20, 2024) Link
North Carolina Office of Archives and History. "Durham's 'Black Wall Street'," 2003. Anchor. A North Carolina History Online Resources", (accessed March 28, 2024) Link
Pfeiffenberger, Sylvia. "Durham's 'Black Wall Street'." Joint Duke-NCCU course looks at the history and people of Parrish Street, today.duke.edu, January 25, 2007, (accessed March 28, 2024) Link
Yes
Bronze
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Funds granted with the assistance of Representative David E. Price.
$350,000
The Parrish Street Sculptures
This sculpture highlights the importance of Durham’s investors to the growing African-American community in the area. These investors were following the advice of John Merrick, who said “Let us think more of our employment.” Merrick was the founder of North Carolina Mutual Life insurance company
The sculpture sits on historic Parrish Street, which is better known as “Black Wall Street." It is part of a series of six sculptures commemorating Durham’s African-American history.
This sculpture is in downtown Durham. There are a few trees close to the monument.
None
This monument, and the entire series of Parrish Street sculptures, is part of a larger revitalization effort by the city of Durham.
With the help of Representative David E. Price, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development granted $350,000 to the City of Durham’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development for the Parrish Street Revitalization and Historic Commemoration Project.
The entire Parrish Street monuments series cost $350,000.
Know anything else about this monument that isn't mentioned here? If you have additional information on
this or any other monument in our collection fill out the form at the Contact Us link in the footer. Thank you.
