RALEIGH — Whether it’s business, housing, education, sports — you name it — when Black people are provided with the rules of engagement and a legitimate shot, they excel, Operation HOPE Chairman John Hope Bryant insisted during the Freedman’s Bank Forum Friday in Shaw University’s Estey Hall.
The forum, an annual event of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, highlighted what the administration of President Joe Biden is doing to increase economic opportunity for communities of color and spotlighted local success stories in and around Raleigh, which was home to one of 19 original Freedman’s Bank branches.
The Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company was established in 1865 to provide newly emancipated Black Americans with financial tools to safeguard their earnings, build financial security and generate family wealth.
Shaw University was established that same year to educate the same population.
“For African Americans, education was the route to the middle class,” Shaw University President Paulette R. Dillard, Ph.D., said. “We have been doing the work for over 158 years, and we have been doing the lift without the resources that go with the lift. But we’re not complaining.”
Not complaining but instead reimagining with The ShawU District, a transformational real-estate project that will preserve the institution’s history of progress while positioning it to take advantage of its prime location in downtown Raleigh.
The project is expected to merge education, business, retail and housing in an equitable way. Master planning for the district is underway. Shaw University stakeholders are providing input through a survey, and a July 16 in-person visioning session for alumni will be followed by future public-engagement opportunities.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo was featured at the forum. He highlighted the Biden administration’s efforts to deliver capital to underserved communities and the Treasury’s investments in Black financial institutions.
Gov. Roy Cooper was there and pointed to his administration’s priority of contracting with underutilized businesses.
“This economic growth should be shared by everyone, and that everyone has the opportunity to build prosperity in their communities,” Cooper said.
