Remembering Black Wall Street: Wall Street Juniors Present Black History Wax Museum

DURHAM, NC – Each year Wall Street Juniors youth, volunteers, and families come together to learn about notable African Americans in our history. The Black History Wax Museum is a free pop-up museum that offers knowledge, experience, culture, and resources to educate and engage individuals on impactful history that may be overlooked or unrecognized. In the most recent years, the organization has dedicated this special event to bringing awareness to communities about the founding members, and notable individuals of Black Wall Street in Durham, NC. 

Surprisingly, many families don’t know much about the success, wealth, and culture that took place during the early 1900s in the streets of Durham. Research shows that improved cultural awareness can add value to personal development. By using an ethnographic perspective, the Black History Wax Museum creates an equitable learning environment with the intention to increase the number of individuals exposed to the grass-root culture of African Americans in Durham, and the influence of economics, history, and community well-being. 

This cultural experience is open to the general public and hosted annually during Black History Month. The students who participate in the living museum are participants of the youth development department at Wall Street Juniors and are mentored throughout the process of researching and scriptwriting. On the day of the event, families and members of the community will gather to learn more about the trailblazers of success for Durham’s very own Black Wall Street. The event will be paired with fun interactive activities for the entire family, a pop-up shop spotlighting Black-owned businesses and financial resources for wealth-building strategies.

The museum is an experience filled with art, history, and the eminent culture of Durham’s Black Wall Street. By using photos, paintings, clothing, and music Wall Street Juniors take attendees back to the 1900s to experience a day in the life of the founding members of what we know today as Black Wall Street. While enjoying a visual representation of history, art, and culture, the attendees will learn about starting and operating a business as an African American in the early 1900s, what Black wealth looked like, and the impact the era played on the Durham we know and experience today.

The new exhibit, Legacy Lane will include individuals from Durham who transitioned before sharing their stories with the world. Now is the time to tell others who they truly were. Family members and friends will share their favorite memories with students leading up to the event. At the Black History Wax Museum, these amazing stories will be shared with the community on February 18th at POOF Training and Event Center located at 1100 N. Miami Blvd, Suite 601, in  Wellons Village Shopping Center. This is a free event, sponsored by the City of Durham, for the entire family.

You may register directly here, or by scanning our QR code found on the event flyer.  To learn more about Black Wall Street Juniors, click here.