Reid Street Community Center

Sponsors of the Interstate Classic.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 20 September 1941.

Five Black businesses in the 500 block of East Nash Street took out a joint ad welcoming fans to the 1941 Interstate Classic — North Carolina College for Negroes (now North Carolina Central University) vs. South Carolina State College.

After the game, Johnson’s Happy Pals were playing a dance at Reid Street Community Center.

Record crowd expected at football game.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 20 September 1941.

In the fall of 1941, North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central) and South Carolina State squared off at Wilson’s Municipal Stadium, which is now called Fleming Stadium. Black Wilson was a-buzz!

B.W.A. Historical Marker Series, no. 21: Reid Street Community Center.

In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.

We been here.

REID STREET COMMUNITY CENTER

Dedicated Dec. 1938. Expanded in 1950s. Social and entertainment hub for 50+ years. Acclaimed swim team. Venue for nationally famed gospel, R&B, and soul acts.