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

South to America 3/21/25 South to America 3/21/25

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.

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.