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DURHAM – Parrish Street, also known as “the Black Wall Street” is credited with jump starting Durham's business district and propelling members of the black community into the forefront as innovators and leaders.

The four blocks in the heart of Durham served as a beacon of opportunity during the early 1900s.

"It drew both white folks and African Americans who came, who started businesses like the Dukes, John Merick, Dr. Moore,” said Barbara Lau, Chair of the Parrish Street History Committee. “People were creating themselves and creating new opportunities for themselves."

Dr. Moore is one of the men credited with creating a thriving business district for the black community.

"They were business people who had a commitment to this community and did a lot for the entrepreneurship," said Chuck Watts, Chair of the Parrish Street Advocacy Group and direct descendent of Merick and Moore.

With promise on the horizon, the pioneers of their time created North Carolina Mutual Plus Mechanics and Farmers Bank and institutions such as North Carolina Central University.

All the while, Watts says the segregation and tension of the era amazed people who visited Durham.

"Businesses on one side of the street that are 100 percent black and on the other side of the street the employees are 100 percent white," said Watts.

Documenting the history and heritage now hails with North Carolina Central's Andre Vann.

About 2 years ago, North Carolina Mutual asked Central and Duke universities to archive its records and showcase the vision of that era's community leaders.

"Lift the masses up by educating them and also by providing business opportunities where under the Jim Crow segregation, they were not as equally able to sort of rise,” said Vann. “So they provided a glimmer of hope and opportunity where it was quite dismal for others in other places."

Preserving the past and focusing on the future is now a top priority for members of the Parrish Street Advocacy Group.

"I think what needs to happen is that we need to continue to invest and invest more in places like Parrish Street and think about better ways to tell the story of Parrish Street and Parrish Street's amazing profile and success,” said Lau.

They are stories that will continue to transform Durham for many years to come.