This week on “Inside Voices,” join host Kevin “Kaze” Thomas for conversation with Aaron Nelson, secretary and CEO for The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, as they discuss Black business, working through issues as a community, and the task of leadership.
“We think of ourself as a liberal place — we always vote for the Democrat, that we don’t care who you marry or who you sleep with. But our history on race, it’s not one that we should be terribly proud of,” said Nelson. “Chapel Hill was not a leader in integrating its community. In fact, The Chapel Hill Board of Aldermen, as they were called at the time, voted not to integrate.”
Nevertheless, according to Nelson, Chapel Hill’s history does contain some aspects to “be proud of,” such as electing the first Black mayor of a non-majority Black city in the South. As attempts are made to move beyond history and into a better future, however, some things fall by the wayside.
“The change, I think, is if we want to take a longer look at history in a segregated South, there were Black businesses serving Black people, and there were white businesses serving white folks. When the white ambulance company wouldn’t pick up a Black kid who got hurt at the high school football game, and you had to send for the funeral parlors, a hearse, in order to take the kid to the hospital,” said Nelson. “When integration happened, I think that we did a poor job as many of those black businesses died out as white businesses began serving the Black community. So, we have had thriving Black businesses that serve the Black community, with barber shops and clothing stores and a few others. But what we’ve not done a very good job of is cultivating a culture of entrepreneurship.”
Listen below for the full episode, and check back next week for a new installment of “Inside Voices” on 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com.
“Inside Voices” is a platform dedicated to Black men and women, people of color and allies — and a place to share experiences, concerns and stories while working to find hope and optimism about tackling tough topics and discussions while finding constructive ways to talk about solutions. “Inside Voices” is hosted by Kevin “Kaze” Thomas.
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