Dignity Justified, 1922 S Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Suite # 11, Winston-Salem, NC (2025)

03/21/2024

Hey everyone...Check out the Dignity Jusfied podcast episode: The Have Vans Will Travel Duo.
Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1661038/14738282-support-systems-of-forsyth-county-owners-courtney-and-gregory-james.mp3?download=true

Courtney and Gregory James have leveraged their passion for helping others with their mission to create a transportation company that addresses transportation challenges and barriers for underserved Forsyth County residents. As husband and wife, this awesome “have vans will travel duo” navigates their company, Support Systems of Forsyth County, from the S.G. Atkins Enterprise Center on MLK Jr. Drive in Winston-Salem, NC.

Taking advice from family members with expertise in transportation to steer their vision and then obtaining federal, state, and local funding sources--the business is now an award-winning transportation system, owning a fleet of passenger vans. Greater Winston Salem Inc. presented Courtney with the Truliant Small Business of the Year Award in 2023. Since this podcast recording, Support Systems of Forsyth County has received a $90,000 contract for the county’s Forsyth Rides program.

Continued success, Courtney and Gregory!

03/11/2024

I am happy to join the Triad Cultural Arts initiative to develop a Happy Hill Shotgun House Legacy Site to continue telling the story of Winston-Salem’s first planned Black Community. As TCA focuses on preserving these historic homes, we look forward to meeting with the community to gather stories, pictures, and related materials to tell the political and cultural history of the Happy Hill community, once known as Liberia. See you there!

11/27/2023

Cheryl Presents an Elegant Cultural History Experience

Harlem Nights, an Elegant Masquerade Affair, was a culminating event for the traveling exhibit, “Navigating Jim Crow: The Green Book and Oasis Spaces in NC,” held at the S.G. Atkins Enterprise Center. Indeed, Cheryl Harry presented a soulful celebration of the Harlem Renaissance era—you know, jazz, fashion, and community--while immersing guests in an appreciation of local history. Ladies wearing flapper and other elegant dresses, adorned with sequins, pearls, fringes, feather boas, and masks, and men perfectly suited with attention to detail, including tailored suits, ties, fedoras, and “watch out there now player” shoes gathered to honor the legacy of Victor Hugo and Green Book spaces.

Alan Younger announced his panache for fashion by declaring himself the best-dressed gentleman while showing how to wear a pocket watch with style as he challenged others to bring their styles to the stage. As MC, he guided the event with energy and humor and enhanced the welcoming ambiance. Meanwhile, unlike the illegal casino in the movie Harlem Nights (1989), the legal and experienced dealer at the blackjack table was Mr. Miles Harry. Vocalists included Iris Daye and Janice Price, accompanied by Kevin Strayhorn and Galvin Crisp. Guests were also offered portraits and raffle opportunities.

Attendees mingled in the mezzanine, examining information that explored the depth to which black Americans were required to scrutinize travel due to segregation’s white-only establishments and over 10,000 “sun-down” towns. A highlight included reviewing African American-owned WS business locations listed in the “Negro Motorist Green Book.” Attendee Randon Pender mentioned an undocumented WS haven, where a relative recalled making red, black, and green banners for its guest, Marcus Garvey.

These known and unknown destinations of hotels, restaurants, and beauty/barber shops affirm decades of entrepreneurial skills, determination, and community connectivity. As a business incubator, the S.G. Atkins Enterprise Center was a perfect hosting space for saluting the genius of entrepreneur Victor Hugo Green (1892–1960).

Hats off and feather boas and fringes to you, Cheryl Harry, for an outstanding Triad Cultural Arts event!

10/15/2023

See you there!

10/15/2023

Traveling Green Book Exhibit at The S.G. Atkins Enterprise Center, until Nov 18th

Cheryl Harry presented an exciting exhibition opening, starting with an introduction and salute to Harris' work provided by Carol Davis, Esq, and intriguing reflections from Senator Paul A. Lowe, Jr. regarding the exhibit's importance in understanding the overall dangers of traveling from the North to the segregated South.

Dignity Justified served as a volunteer for Triad Cultural Arts’ exhibition about Victor Hugo Green, a Manhattan mailman who, out of concern for the safety of African-American travelers, published a directory series listing businesses that would provide accommodations. Listings included hotels, barber shops, beauty salons, gas stations, and other businesses that welcomed the business of Civil Rights activists and leaders, migrant workers, families, celebrities, entrepreneurs --- anyone traveling while Black.

Given the indignities and dangers of the pervasiveness of racism and “sundown towns” during the Jim Crow era, listed businesses were called “oasis spaces.” Thus, the exhibit’s title is Navigating Jim Crow: The Green Book and Oasis Spaces in North Carolina. During 1938 and 1967, the Green Book listed 18 Winston-Salem locations.

Nationwide, community stakeholders and preservationists are interested in restoring buildings mentioned in the Green Book. However, in areas such as Winston-Salem, where no buildings remain, the Forsyth County Historical Resources Commission, in conjunction with the exhibit, created a pamphlet depicting WS’s Green Book sites to encourage those with memories of the businesses to contact them to share experiences. And wait…there’s more—online story mapping uses primary source materials, including deeds, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, and photography, to chronicle WS Green Book businesses and owners. It is a must-visit site, so find the work of Heather Bratland and Emily Jones here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/445478c7012f44ed9cb7cb281bdf725e

10/14/2023

Using Dr. Angelou's “Still I Rise” (1978) poem as inspiration, artists and galleries worldwide have created exhibitions to tell the societal stories of the struggles of women and targeted ethnic groups.

Regarding racism in America, in Greensboro’s International Civil Rights Center & Museum’s permanent gallery, “And Still, I Rise,” pays tribute to many individuals “who broke racially restrictive barriers.” In Winston-Salem, Bari Helms, Director of Library and Archives of The Reynolda House Museum of American Art, was mindful of the poem as she researched the lives of African American families who worked for the R. J. Reynolds To***co Company family from 1912 to the 1950s, with many living on a designated property section, Five Row. The exhibit, Still I Rise: The Black Experience at Reynolda, respectfully highlights the Five Row community and the crucial role these skilled work families played in addressing the needs of the Reynolds family, working as domestic staff, farmers, and construction workers.

Accentuating the exhibit is a must-see painting by Stephen Towns, who has beautifully depicted Flora Pledger and Lillie Hamlin based on a 1930 photograph of them as residents in Five Row. Find out more about the exhibition, running from Feb 22, 2022 — Dec 31, 2024, here: https://reynolda.org/museum/exhibitions/
Find the native Lincolnville, SC artist, here: https://www.stephentowns.com/work

09/28/2023

I’m Going In…

Jazz-- another African American development!
The High Point Museum has the piano that John Coltrane, known worldwide as the greatest saxophonist, played as a child. Although born in Hamlet, NC, Coltrane's family moved to High Point when he was three months old. With fundraising efforts, the museum purchased the piano from a NY auction house for $16,300. There are also displays about the desegregation of schools, with information on William Penn High, where Coltrane attended school.
I’ll wear my Coltrane Tee shirt from the 2003 John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival on my next visit. It's an annual big deal, generally around September, so remember to check it out.

09/28/2023

Heyyy Entrepreneurs… Check out the S.G. Atkins Enterprise Center!

So thankful for this place! Dignity Justified’s endeavors and successes result from having office space at this center, a business incubator under the S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation. As a first-time business owner, the Center has provided free certification training, financial and technical assistance workshops, and counseling opportunities. All that….in addition to a Women’s Business Center and having access to conference rooms, a computer lab, catering, and even a conference & events center. Full-scale range of services! A significant advocate for Dignity Justified has been Carol Davis, Esq, the Executive Director of the Atkins CDC. She has taken the time to foster entrepreneurial pathways for Dignity Justified, and I am truly appreciative!
Find out about SGACDC initiatives, programming, and events: https://www.sgacdc.org/enterprise-business-center.

Dignity Justified

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