This nonfiction book for middle-grade readers shows artistic images about the history of an African American neighborhood in Fayetteville, North Carolina- its people, values, traditions and culture. All segments of the College Heights population (schools, university and community) came together to paint a one block long mural called the 'Wall of Honor'.
High school social worker Dorothy Fielder conceived the project for her at risk students who enjoyed trips. Rather than painting nationally known figures, they chose to honor the local heroes- people in their own neighborhood who lived good lives worth emulating. The artwork has been updated and maintained by the community for over 25 years.
The mural describes scenes of life and culture in Africa, the voyage through the middle passage, and enslavement in America. It shows people who organized to resist injustices of the Jim Crow era, and people in a multitude of professions who worked to sustain families, churches, and organizations. The mural profiles people who participated in building a strong stable community through education, hard work, faith, and unity.
Along with 20 full page images of the wall, this book provides the literary expression of the philosophy behind each wall panel. It tells the story of everyday heroes and heroines who may not be stars, but who plod through hard times -facing struggles, and overcoming challenges- for little recognition beyond their small circle.
This neighborhood mural project is a public reminder for the people who view it that you don't have to be a figure on the national stage to make a difference. We all have an important role to play in our own families, churches, organizations, and communities: to combine our forces to do positive things in the world. This book is the first of a series. Future installments are intended to expand on the biographies of the people depicted on the Wall of Honor, and add to it, with family members and neighbors submitting the stories of other people who have contributed to building a strong community.
Barnes, Donna Fielder: - My parents met at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Alabama. They made a home in Syracuse, New York where they raised me, my three brothers and my sister. I grew up enjoying school, sports, music, summer camp and summer travels. I earned a bachelor's degree from Stanford University in Human Biology. I work as a Medical Laboratory Technologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. I have been the family (and friend) photographer for many years and learned about layout from designing family photo books. Currently I live in Durham, North Carolina with my husband and daughter, and spend most of my free time line dancing.
Brown, Marian Tally Simmons: - I am a Fayetteville native. I attended Newbold Training School, Orange Street School, and graduated from E.E. Smith High School. My parents were not professionals, but were working class; however, they got it in their heads to send their only child to the most prestigious private college for Black women: Bennett College, in Greensboro, North Carolina. I took up the challenge and continued my education, receiving both M.M.E. and D.M.E. degrees from Indiana University, in Bloomington. During my graduate years at Indiana I began researching Black culture and the Black aesthetic. For twenty years I was Professor of Fine Arts at Florida State College, Jacksonville, Florida. My parents had sacrificed so much for me; my love and loyalty drew me back to Fayetteville in 1992 to be their caretaker. My father was going blind and my mother developing Alzheimer's. From this difficult time I wrote the book: "Grandma has Alzheimer's but it's O.K." After their deaths, I became more involved in the Fayetteville community. I received an 'Artists in the Schools' grant from the Arts Council, to introduce a program that traced the history of African American music. I spoke on panels; organized seminars; and facilitated workshops about the Black experience, Empowering women through Arts & Culture, Memories of College Heights & E.E. Smith High, and Alzheimer's.
Fielder, Dorothy Ellen Watkins: - I was born and reared in Penn Township, a rural area outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My family consisted of Mama, Poppa, seven brothers and one sister. After high school I was fortunate to attend Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Alabama, then I went on to earn a master's degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Presently, I am a retired widow, mother of five adult children, eight grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. Since 1982 I've worked in Fayetteville, North Carolina as a children's protective service worker and a school social worker at E.E. Smith High School. I enjoy developing programs that encourage, educate and inspire youth. I use strategies that highlight African American heritage, boost togetherness and unity, and increase participation of folk (young and old) in their community. I believe the Wall of Honor project expanded interaction among neighbors and bolstered a more positive sense of community.
