Alabama State University News April 25, 2014 E.D. Nixon Symposium Explores Montgomery’s Historic Jackson Street Corridor Participants in Alabama State University’s annual E.D. Nixon Institute for Research and Cultural Enrichment Symposium discussed the important and historic mutual relationships between the University and the residents of the nearby Jackson Street Corridor. The symposium was held on Thursday, April 24, at the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture at Alabama State University. Jackson Street is an iconic name in Montgomery’s African-American community. The street has earned recognition as a major traffic artery on what once was called the “east side” of town. Jackson Street is the north-south thoroughfare that begins near the Alabama State Capitol complex and terminates on the ASU campus. The proximity of the two areas is one of the factors that motivated African-American residents to build their homes throughout the area that we now recognize as the South Jackson Street Corridor. Charles Varner Jr., special projects research associate for the National Center, said the event honors the residents of this community who contributed to ASU’s success and offers a historical perspective of what it was like to live in the Jackson Street Corridor and to be a part of the ASU community. “These residents were those who, from time to time, came to the aid and rescue of Alabama State University during its most difficult times,” Varner said. “Up and down Jackson Street, there were business enterprises owned and operated by African-American citizens. Those of us who lived and worked in this area remember those were some of the most important structures in the black community. It almost brings us to tears when we pass by the street and see boarded up windows and doors.” President Gwendolyn E. Boyd, who also was raised in the Jackson Street Corridor area, shared fond memories of her old neighborhood. “When we look at the history of that great corridor, it’s one that was one of the most prestigious and popular places to live, to work, shop, have fun, to hear music or whatever it is that you wanted to do,” Boyd said. “I grew up in the shadows of the Jackson Street Corridor, so I know from firsthand experience the legacy. It was the place that civil rights history was made, so we are honored to be a part of this celebration.” The discussion, moderated by Varner, featured two panelists: Dr. Valda Harris Montgomery, a local author and historian who grew up on Jackson Street, and Samuel Jackson, a former resident of the Jackson Street Corridor. Historical Perspective With the downtown expansion in the early 1900s, African-Americans were gradually displaced from the business core of the city to the outer fringes. While the northern section of Jackson Street became populated with white residential homes and business, the southern expanse of the street gave way to black families and commercial establishments. Because of the distinct racial identities of the residents along the two sections of Jackson Street, the southern-most section of the street became identified as South Jackson Street, and the name has endured until this day. The history of important families, events and relationships made over the years is so intertwined with the history of ASU that the University’s relationship with Corridor families continues today. As Alabama State College (now ASU) struggled to survive under the rigid rules of societal segregation, the black citizens who lived along the South Jackson Street Corridor gave their full support to ASU, providing supplemental funding, event sponsorships, program participation and infrastructure improvements. Harper Councill Trenholm, who served as president of Alabama State College for 37 years, found a reservoir of strong support among residents within the shadow of the state-assisted institution. Through his leadership, the college established lasting relationships with the local community that have been mutually beneficial both to Montgomery’s black community and to ASU. Streets Within the Jackson Street Corridor The Jackson Street Corridor included an area of approximately four square miles. Along the north-south route of Jackson Street, it intersected with 14 side streets. Beginning at Upper Wetumpka Road, the intersecting streets included Madison Avenue, Monroe Street, King Street, Washington Street, Pelham Street, Bainbridge Street, Sharkey Street, Houston Street, Adams Avenue, Key Street, Brassell Street, High Street, Dericote Street, Grove Street, Hutchinson Street, Tatum Street, Tuscaloosa Street, Paterson Alley, Kathleen Street, Thurman Street and Roanoke Street. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2014meeting-form.html for the October 26-28, 2014 HBCU Library Alliance 6th Membership Meeting in Atlanta GA!