SOUTH TO AMERICA
A Seasonal Weekly Friday Podcast
South to America is a seasonal podcast inspired by Dr. Imani Perry's award-winning book of the same name. This podcast explores the richness, resilience, and cultural significance of the American South through the lens of African American neighborhoods and the transformative work being done within these communities.
With Dr. Perry’s gracious permission to use the title, and her blessing for this project, we’re thrilled to feature her as one of our future guests. While this podcast draws inspiration from her book, it is an independent project led by the founders of BLK South. Dr. Perry is not directly involved beyond her guest appearance.
Join us as we dive into compelling stories, thought-provoking discussions, and uplifting narratives that celebrate the South's sacredness and the efforts to reclaim its identity. Together, we'll explore art, justice, theology, and the rich tapestry of life that defines the sacredness of the South.
Season 1:
Durham, NC
Season one takes you to Durham, North Carolina—a city rich with history and resilience. We highlight local community builders reclaiming abandoned spaces, restoring cultural landmarks, and breathing new life into the historic place. Through conversations on faith, justice, and the power of place, we explore what it means to belong and how the South holds both our pain and our healing.
Latest Podcast Episodes
S1 E6: Rev. Breana Van Velzen
Rev. Breana van Velzen joins South to America to share their remarkable journey of faith, formation, and community-rooted ministry. From growing up in a multi-ethnic household to confronting harmful theologies, Breana opens up about discovering a liberating vision of God, their calling to ministry, and the sacred stories embedded in Durham’s soil.
S1 E5: Dr. Carl Kenney
In this episode, we sit down with Rev. Dr. Carl Kenney to explore faith, justice, and the power of community in Durham, North Carolina. From his journey as a pastor and journalist to his reflections on Black liberation, theological hypocrisy, and the legacy of Hayti, Kenney offers a bold critique of respectability politics and the misuse of theology as a tool of power. We discuss the necessity of reimagining faith as a force for freedom, the intersection of spirituality and activism, and how Durham’s story can inspire communities nationwide.
S1 E4: Reynolds Chapman
What does it mean to truly love your neighbor? In this episode, we sit down with Reynolds Chapman, Executive Director of DurhamCares, to explore how listening, pilgrimage, and rootedness in place can transform communities. From his personal journey into community development to wrestling with what it means to live in historically Black neighborhoods as a white family, Reynolds offers powerful insights on vocation, justice, and what it really means to follow Jesus in Durham, North Carolina.
S1 E3: David Crispell
What does it mean to build community in a place with deep history and even deeper wounds? In this episode of The Black South Podcast: South to America, David Crispell, founder of Jubilee Home, shares how he found himself in the heart of Durham’s historic Hayti District—not as a savior, but as a neighbor. From reclaiming an abandoned house on the city’s busiest drug corner to creating a hub for healing and reentry, David’s journey is a lesson in patience, presence, and the power of relationships. As Hayti faces increasing development pressures, he reflects on the challenges of preserving Black space in a rapidly changing city. Tune in for a candid, thought-provoking conversation on justice, dignity, and what it truly means to be a good neighbor.
S1 E2: Rev. Dr. Keith Daniel
Dr. Keith Daniel’s journey is one of faith, community, and economic empowerment. As the co-founder of Resilient Ventures, he is committed to closing the racial wealth gap by investing in Black entrepreneurs with scalable businesses. In this episode, Dr. Daniel shares how his work bridges the worlds of venture capital and community development, the challenges Black founders face in securing funding, and the deep connection between economic justice and faith. From his roots in the Black Church to his vision for collective wealth and flourishing, this conversation highlights the power of intentional investment, equity, and long-term impact.
S1 E1: Bishop Clarence Laney, Jr.
Bishop Clarence Laney’s story is one of faith in action. From leading Monument of Faith Church to serving the heart of Durham, his work is rooted in honoring Black Church traditions while pushing boundaries to stay relevant in today’s world. In this episode, Bishop Laney shares the transformative journey of Monument of Faith, including its bold decision to become an affirming church and how its theology has grown alongside its people.
DURHAM HISTORY
DURHAM HISTORY
The Hayti District in Durham, North Carolina, was once one of the most prosperous and self-sufficient Black communities in the United States, often referred to as the “Black Wall Street of the South.” Established by formerly enslaved people in the late 19th century, Hayti became a thriving center of Black business, education, culture, and activism.
Origins and Growth
Hayti was founded in the 1860s by freed African Americans who sought to build a self-sustaining community. It was named after Haiti, the first Black-led republic established by formerly enslaved people. By the early 20th century, Hayti had grown into a vibrant neighborhood that was home to Black-owned businesses, schools, churches, and social institutions. Many of its residents were part of the Black middle class, benefiting from employment opportunities created by Durham’s tobacco industry.
One of the most significant institutions in Hayti was North Carolina Central University (NCCU), founded in 1910 by Dr. James E. Shepard as the first state-supported liberal arts college for African Americans. The district was also home to influential Black-owned enterprises, such as Mechanics and Farmers Bank (M&F Bank) and North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, both of which provided crucial financial services to Black residents.
Hayti’s Economic and Cultural Significance
Black Wall Street – Hayti was part of Durham’s Black Wall Street, a hub of Black entrepreneurship that rivaled Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Greenwood District. Black-owned businesses, including hotels, restaurants, banks, and insurance companies, flourished despite the limitations of segregation.
Cultural Hub – The area had a rich cultural scene, with theaters, nightclubs, and jazz venues that attracted top Black artists.
Faith and Community – Churches like St. Joseph’s AME Church played a central role in civic and religious life, fostering activism and social support.
Urban Renewal and Decline
In the mid-20th century, Hayti suffered a devastating blow due to urban renewal projects and the construction of the Durham Freeway (NC Highway 147).
In the 1950s and 1960s, the federal government’s Urban Renewal Program was implemented under the guise of modernizing cities. In Durham, this meant bulldozing a large portion of Hayti.
Over 200 Black-owned businesses and more than 4,000 homes were demolished, displacing thousands of residents.
The freeway, completed in the early 1970s, cut through the heart of Hayti, physically severing what remained of the community from downtown Durham.
Despite promises of redevelopment, the economic infrastructure of Hayti was never rebuilt, and the neighborhood never fully recovered. Many displaced Black residents were unable to regain the level of prosperity they had before.
Legacy and Preservation Efforts
The Hayti Heritage Center, housed in the historic St. Joseph’s AME Church, now serves as a cultural institution dedicated to preserving Hayti’s history and fostering Black arts and education.
Ongoing community efforts focus on Black-led development, preservation, and historical recognition of Hayti’s legacy.
