Where We've Been

Nestled between North Tryon Street and I-85 is one of Charlotte’s most infamous neighborhoods. While that is not the most accurate way to describe the neighborhood today, Hidden Valley’s recent past still hangs over the community. When development beginning in 1959, Hidden Valley was initially intended to house white middle class families. But with the destruction of neighborhoods like Brooklyn and the construction of freeways around Uptown carving up communities, many of Charlotte’s Blacks found refuge across the city. However, due to racism and lies, the influx of Black residents led to large swaths of the neighborhood’s white residents to move away; causing the city to ignore and neglect the neighborhood for decades. This neglect left Hidden Valley with a nationally bad reputation. But in recent years, things may be changing. With the completion of the Blue Line extension and the hard work of the Hidden Valley Community Association, the area surrounding Hidden Valley has seen more economic activity, develo

Rickey Hall and Ismaail Qaiyim join in for a discussion on the importance of community organizing in Black neighborhoods and other issues facing the west-side of Charlotte. Show Notes:  Housing Justice Coalition Facebook: Housing Justice Coalition CLT | Facebook  West Blvd Neighborhood Coalition: West Blvd NC – Neighborhood Coalition  Biden Administration looks to correct past destruction from Urban Renewal: Here's What's In President Biden's $2 Trillion Infrastructure Proposal | WFAE 90.7 - Charlotte's NPR News Source  Bloomberg - The Paycheck: Pay Check Podcast Episode 4: Wealth Inequities for Black American Home Buyers - Bloomberg  Upward mobility in Charlotte: Report Confirms Charlotte's Lack Of Upward Mobility, Offers Priorities | WFAE 90.7 - Charlotte's NPR News Source  Cost of housing in Charlotte: Affordable housing in Charlotte | wcnc.com  Who is buying Charlotte’s houses: Supply of Charlotte NC homes for sale shrinking rapidly | Charlotte Observer &n

Situated in Charlotte’s Second Ward, Brooklyn was downhill from Uptown. In the late 18-hundreds, the area was known as Logtown; a place where recently emancipated slaves took up residence. As the 20th began, the population was solidly African American. And It was not until the mid-1910s that Logtown would become generally known as Brooklyn. Brooklyn started to develop into a thriving, self-sustaining community. The neighborhood’s housing supply ranged from shanty towns to the grand homes of black professionals. Where Biddleville was centered around higher education and was an bordering area of the city, Brooklyn was the Main Street for Charlotte’s African Americans. Many important landmarks in the community include the Myers Street School (Charlotte’s first black public school 1886-1907), the city’s black YMCA, a Library for blacks, and much more. Sources: Charlotte Magazine – Memories of Brooklyn Charlotte Brooklyn History UNCC Brooklyn Story Fox 46 Charlotte Youtube – Charlotte’s Lost Neighborhood  Mec

Explore life a peek into what life was for recently freed blacks in the United States after the Civil War, what measures were passed to remove the chains of bondage and oppression. And how Jim Crow and racist tropes became ingrained in southern politics before the end of the 18th century. Visit www.WhereWeHaveBeen.com for more information and sources.  Music: RSPN by Blank & Kytt

Follow along as we explore the history and future of Biddleville; a neighborhood in Charlotte's historic West-end. See how Civil Rights icons changed Charlotte and how local residents are trying to deal with changing dynamics in the community.   Visit www.WhereWeHaveBeen.com for more information and sources.  Music: RSPN by Blank & Kytt

Explore the rich history of Biddleville; a neighborhood in Charlotte's historic West-end. From the very beginning to the middle of the 20th century, from movie theaters to lunch counter sit-ins.  Visit www.wherewehavebeen.com for more information. Music by Podington Bear

A brief history Charlotte. A city, while beautiful and progressive for it's region, still has a history that runs the risk of being forgotten. In episode two I map out some of the communities with rich history that will be explored.

Follow me as I explore the history behind some of Charlotte, North Carolina's oldest neighborhoods and how they have changed over time.