PRESS RELEASE
Wilson, NC (January 16th, 2021) – Community leaders, spearheaded by historian Lisa Y. Henderson, are eager to announce Lane Street Project, a community initiative dedicated to the restoration of three historic African-American cemeteries in Wilson, NC and to the preservation of our community’s culture and history.
Lane Street Project is calling for volunteers to join its Community Clean-Up Kick-Off as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and prepare for Black History Month. The Project’s bimonthly clean-up events at Odd Fellows Cemetery, 2100 Bishop L.N. Forbes St. [formerly Lane St.], will kick off Saturday, January 16, 2021, and continue Monday, January 18, 2021. Hours both days will be 9-11 AM and 12-2 PM. Community members can contribute by picking up trash, cutting and pruning weeds and vines, and sharing stories and oral history. Lane Street Project welcomes volunteers to bring hand tools, jugs of water, gloves and trashbags to help ease clean-up efforts.
“This is a unique opportunity to honor both our ancestors and an important historic community space,” said Henderson. These cemeteries were founded nearly 125 years ago, and have been neglected for half that time. These are our families, our people, and I’m hoping all of Wilson will work together to restore this sacred space.”
Lane Street Project hopes that volunteers of all ages and abilities will help to restore dignity and respect to the men and women buried in these cemeteries, both working people and some of Wilson County’s most prominent historic African-Americans. In addition to the physical work of clearing Odd Fellows cemetery of undergrowth, Lane Street Project invites community members to come share their experiences and perspectives on the project’s importance.
This historic cemetery clean-up is a prime opportunity for individuals, faith-based communities, and community organizations interested in an impactful way to participate in National Service Day and to support the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther Jr.
Participants must wear masks at all times, and this will be a socially distanced event. In addition, liability waivers will be required.
To learn more about Lane Street Project, please visit afamwilsonnc.com or @lanestreetproject on Instagram.
Oh Lisa, this does my heart good. I have to work, but I will be with you in spirit!!!!
There will be regularly scheduled clean-ups!
Where can we donate funds for the project?
That’s incredibly generous, and we thank you. We have not yet set up a 501c3, but if you feel comfortable, you can contribute via CashApp — $blackwideawake. All donations will be used to purchase supplies or tools. Again, thank you so much for supporting Lane Street Project.