This month we’re celebrating Black History by acknowledging the countless contributions and beautiful impact that the black community has made in Durham. Here’s just a few:

• Durham’s Black Wall Street, a concentration of black wealth & enterprises in the early 20th century

• Pauli Murray’s trailblazing as a black & female lawyer, Episcopal priest, and activist

• The bravery of 7 black teens that organized the 1957 Royal Ice Cream sit-in

• Satana Deberry, Durham’s District Attorney who says “the end game is not convictions, the end game is justice”

That doesn’t even scratch the surface. Here’s a list of Durham’s Black History Month Events so that you can continue to learn about the contributions of black Americans alongside your community this month.

And while it is essential in honoring the black experience to read up and educate ourselves on the impact of Durham’s black neighborhoods, churches, businesses, & community leaders, we can’t leave it there. We’re also turning our celebration of Black History Month into action by using our buying power to support local, black-owned businesses. Why? Because ownership matters.  

In Durham in 2018, the Human Resource Commission reported that “for every 4.43 businesses owned by whites, there is one business owned by a black person, even though the population is almost 1 white person for every black person.” Black business owners experience barriers to entry & barriers to success, leading to inequitable outcomes.

Will you join us? Check out the list below of Durham-based, black-owned businesses that are a part of the ReCity Network. We’re honored to be friends and community partners with the folks on this list. Read about their businesses, read their personal stories, & support their ventures.