Welcome to the Supporters of Durham 150 newsletter, designed to keep those interested in Durham’s sesquicentennial updated on all the planning activities surrounding the yearlong commemoration.

Celebrate the Diversity of the Durham Latinx Community

Over the last few years, Durham’s Latinx population has rapidly grown and made a positive, immediate mark on our thriving, vibrant community. While we pride ourselves on celebrating diversity all year long in Durham, September marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month (on September 15, specifically). Accordingly, we wanted to highlight a few upcoming events we encourage you to attend so that you can learn more and celebrate the diversity of our Latinx community.

On September 13, from 6-8 p.m., the Museum of Durham History will hold its opening reception for its “Nuevo Espíritu de Durham: New Spirit of Durham” exhibit. The last community exhibit curated for Durham 150, it will examine the growing Latino population’s diversity, challenges, triumphs, and future as a well-established part of the Durham community. It will be presented in both English and Spanish and explore topics such as immigration, building a community support system, developing resources and activism.

We’re thrilled FIESTA!, a Durham 150 Signature Event, sold out quickly! You can still join the waitlist to see the theatrical premiere of FIESTA! Quinceañera, a REEL SOUTH/PBS documentary made in Durham by the award-winning creative team of Nuevo South, Rodrigo Dorfman and Peter Eversoll. Latinx celebrity and activist La Pakis will emcee the event at Carolina Theatre and present a surprise quinceañera dance. Following the screening, attendees are invited to sample delicious free food from local Latinx restaurants as well as participate in arts and crafts activities. The event is presented by Nuevo South Media and is sponsored by Durham Technical Community College and the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin.

We also want to point out the many events on Durham 150’s event calendar, like Extravaganza LatinoAmerica: 150+20, a grant awardee that will gather artists from several South American countries on September 29 at the Durham Arts Council. We were thrilled to have so many impactful grant recipients working towards establishing a deeper foundation of resources and community tied to the sesquicentennial. We’ve also made sure that Spanish translation services will also be available at the Durham 150 Closing Ceremony Presented by Duke University and Duke Health.

Do You Have Tickets to the Closing Ceremony and Your Durham 150 Merch? 

In case you missed it, tickets for the Durham 150 Closing Ceremony are now on sale! We’re thrilled by the early response and interest in the culminating event that will take place on November 2 at DPAC. Tickets are currently available for either $15 or $30 (plus taxes and fees) at DPACnc.com or in-person at DPAC’s box office.

Shop the Durham 150 store (www.Durham150.org/store) to check out the selection of t-shirts, hats, magnets, and stickers available. If you’re a retailer interested in carrying Durham 150 merchandise, let us know.

Taking a Moment to Thank our Sponsors

In the last newsletter, we thanked E.T. Rollins, Jr. and the Frances P. Rollins Foundation for sponsoring the Historic Herald-Sun Photography Exhibit. Here, we’d like to take a moment to thank our Durham 150 Friends, individuals and businesses that have contributed to help make our sesquicentennial commemoration happen.

• Center Studio Architecture, PLLC
• Deborah and James Dobbins
• Edward Fulbright
• Andrew Janiak
• Leola Jenkins
• Laura Liggett
• Patrice Nelson in honor of Urban Ministries of Durham
• Kathy Silbiger
• Sister Cities of Durham
• Marcia Angle and Mark Trustin
• Jim and Babs Wise

As we recognize Durham’s past, present, and future with a year of events, activities, and community engagement, we thank all that have already contributed to Durham 150 this year.

You can find a full list of Durham 150 sponsors on our website.

Upcoming Durham 150 Events

There are a host of significant events coming up for people of all ages and walks of life. Many are free and designed to help us all learn more about Durham’s past, present, and future. Find a searchable listing of all events here.

Nuevo Espíritu de Durham: New Spirit of Durham
September 13, 2019
6-8 p.m.
FREE
Museum of Durham History
500 W. Main St., Durham, NC 27701

Foster Street Arts Festival For Entrepreneurship
Durham 150 Grantee
September 14, 2019
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
FREE
Foster Street/CCB Plaza
201 Corcoran St., Durham, NC 27701

DOCTA Tennis Everyone – Durham 150
Durham 150 Grantee
September 14, 2019
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
FREE
Southern School of Energy and Sustainability
800 Clayton Rd., Durham, NC 27703

FIESTA!
Durham 150 Signature Event
September 15, 2019
3-7 p.m.
FREE
Carolina Theatre
309 W. Morgan St., Durham, NC 27701

Tapestry Tours by Brown Hat Tours
Durham 150 Grantee
September 20 and September 27, 2019
5-6 p.m.
FREE
Major The Bull
237 Corcoran St., Durham, NC 27701

The Durham Arts Council’s 45th Annual CenterFest
September 21, 2019
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
September 22, 2019
11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
FREE
Downtown City Center

Worship Under the Heavens
September 21, 2019
5-8:30 p.m.
FREE
Durham Central Park
501 Foster St., Durham, North Carolina 27701

Art of Cool Festival 2019
September 27-29, 2019
$100-$350
Various Durham Locations

Gaspard&Dancers 10th Anniversary
September 27-28, 2019
7:30 pm
$25 general admission, $15 student
Duke University’s Reynolds Theater
125 Science Dr., Durham, NC 27708

Extravaganza LatinoAmericana: 150+20
Durham 150 Grantee
September 29, 2019
4 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
FREE
Durham Arts Council
120 Morris St., Durham, NC 27701

Historical Note

From Tobacco to Tortillas, an ABC News story reads … a stark homage to the progress Durham’s growing Hispanic community has made in the Bull City. The piece follows Roselia Flores, the entrepreneur who started Durham restaurant Super Taqueria in 2001, and supermarket La Superior in 2005. The supermarket employs 49 people and is supported by vendors from Mexico, Central, and Latin America. She secured grants and a loan from the historically black-owned Mechanics and Farmers Bank, and her success is a glimpse into the power of community-based support and empowerment that has been a common thread throughout Durham for generations, in all walks of life. Durham’s Hispanic community grew to approximately 36,000 people (about 14 percent of the city’s population) in 2010 and continues to flourish from diverse immigrant and domestic relocation origins. Host to a Latino-owned and run credit union that began in 2000 and organizations like El Centro Hispano since 1992, as well as numerous restaurants, businesses, and churches, Durham is progressing in exploring opportunities to integrate bi-lingual and intercultural values into city and county life.

Do you have a friend, family member or colleague who would be interested in receiving these Durham 150 newsletters? Let them know they can subscribe to updates on Durham 150 here.