I’m in awe of Monica T. Davis‘ work in East Wilson and am so glad that national lights are shining on her.
Read the full madamearchitect.com interview here, and marinate on this:
Photographs
Drs. Barnes and Yancy lead battle for equal education.
Pittsburgh Courier, 4 February 1950.
The suit Dr. Boisey O. Barnes and Dr. Darcey C. Yancey filed eventually led to the construction of a new elementary school in East Wilson. Barnes died in 1956, and the school was named in his honor.
Lane Street Project: cars dash through the snow at Vick.
There was a time when spinning doughnuts over the graves in Vick Cemetery was commonplace. As the message spread that this is sacred space, and as the Cemetery Commission’s crews began to care for the grounds, this kind of desecration had become rare.
Unfortunately, someone has again disrespected our cemetery by driving vehicles wildly through the snow that fell over the weekend. I deeply grateful to Heather Goff and her crew, who discovered the tire marks. Concerned about damage, they plan to set up cones to block access to the cemetery’s surface until the snow melts.
The history of Saint Mark’s Episcopal.
The pastor and auxiliary officers of First Baptist Church hold homecoming in 1940.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 27 January 1940.
Lane Street Project: carrying memory by hand.
“To carry memory by hand.” Chris Facey (@coco.butter.shutter) is not only an extraordinary photographer, but a wondrous wordsmith. I am grateful that Lane Street Project speaks so profoundly to so many.
Williams-Sutton wedding in Wilson.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 25 January 1947.
——
- Mable Estelle Sutton — in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 716 East Green, rented for $14/month, Joseph Sutton, 61; wife Malissa, 60; children Beatrice, 26, James, 25, Fred, 23, Bruce, 19, Beulah, 17, and Mable, 16; and grandchildren Ivan, 8, and Geraldine, 7.
- Rev. Fred M. Davis
- Beulah Green — Beulah Sutton Green. In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 716 East Green Street, Malissie G. Sutton, 70, widow; daughter Rosa R. Jones, 39, hotel cook; grandson Harold Jones, 16, “house cleans”; daughter Beaulah Green, 28; and granddaughter Judy C., 4.
- Carolyn Barnes — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 913 East Green Street, city high school principal Edward M. Barnes, 44; city high school English teacher Odell W., 37; and daughter Carolyn, 8.
- Barbara Foster — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 801 East Green Street, county farm agent Carter W. Foster, 36; wife Estelle, 34; daughter Bobbie J., 7; and nephew Donnie Jones, 4.
- Deloris Haskins
- Willie Smith — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: shoeshine parlor manager McDuffie Smith, 51; wife Willie H., 53, city grammar school teacher; and mother-in-law Luvenia Hargrove, 80, widow.
- Ethel Hines
- Mrs. S.J. Satchell — Bessie Satchell.
- Mrs. E.M. Barnes — Odelle Whitehead Barnes.
- Mrs. Eddie Batts — probably, Elizabeth H. Batts. In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1203 Washington, Eddie Batts, 47, butler, and wife Elizabeth H., 43, cook.
- Walter Battle
Early Montclair, New Jersey, Y.M.C.A. leaders.
A retrospective on Montclair, New Jersey’s historic Washington Street Branch Y.M.C.A. featured photographs of Wilson-born pharmacist William H. Vick and his wife Carrie Dixon Vick.
W.H. Vick, seated in the wicker chair on the front row, above. Below, Carrie Vick, seated front row, left.
Montclair Times, 26 January 1978.
Lane Street Project: MLK Day of Service 2026 was amazing!
Lane Street Project continues to reinforce connections and build bridges across all kinds of gaps, one armload of sticks at a time. Despite yesterday’s cold, both new and veteran volunteers showed up to chip away at this year’s mound of tasks, mixing fresh energy and seasoned experience.
Said Derrick Ruffin of his interaction with Castonoble Hooks, Briggs Sherwood, and Dr. Judy Wellington Rashid, “I was given life twice today, and I’m so thankful to have been a part of this community event.”
Cass Hooks: “Today was historic, poetic, prophetic on so many levels! You had to be there to fully understand scope and depth of today’s meeting. Dr. Rashid is truly a blessing of insight and a wealth of knowledge that she so humbly shares to the benefit of all who listen. Honored to be a part of her team in this important work. We all made discovery through conversations that revealed connections that are truly remarkable! We all came to realization that our coming together is no accident! I am sure we will write our individual narratives; my belief is God showed us today we are in the right place at the right time! Dr. Rashid lead us into powerful prayer that was both inspiring and direct! God is with us! Our theme, “We care!,” on the fence in bold letters thanks to Jen Kehrer. We continue to fight the good fight! Our ancestors matter, we are the proof. Just begun to fight and that’s the truth! My name is Castonoble — the skinny, nappy-head kid from Ashe Street! The boy who never quit. Stopped school early, but never stopped learning. Armed with truths, lies now burning. Save our cemeteries!”
Our next clean-up days are during Black History Month, February 7 and 21. We’ll be focusing on clearing the floor of the woods as much as possible, chopping everything except daffodils and yucca. There’s a large section of tall, rough, dry weeds in the center of the cemetery that needs to be hacked down, as well as the area behind the Vick plot. Please consider joining us. All are welcome!
