04/03/2024
I recently learned that prior to the Great Migration, my neighborhood was formerly referred to as the "Old Community" (98/99th - Columbus/CPW) and was home to 2,000-4,000 people of color. Residents like Marcus Garvey, Billie Holiday, and Butterfly McQueen were neighbors.
When “slum clearance” became the mantra of national, state, and local governments, this thriving community was declared a “slum” and wrecking balls moved in.