At the Inez Moore Parker Archives and Research Center at Johnson C. Smith University, are currently working on the Virtual Black Charlotte project, which will reproduce historic African American neighborhoods in Charlotte that have been destroyed by urban renewal policies in an augmented reality environment. The end products will include an experiential online exhibit and repository and a three-dimensional augmented reality mapping experience. The aims of the project are to tell history through the eyes of the communities involved, connect generations and narratives, and understand the impact of urban renewal and gentrification.

Tekla Johnson, Assistant Professor of African-American Studies at Clarkson University (former JCSU Electronic Resources Librarian)

Brandon Lunsford, University Archivist and Interim Director of Library Services

We explore racialized practices by the state of North Carolina and City of Charlotte with respect to the African American Community and structured our digital humanities project as a transformative action that confronts the past and seeks a new expectation of social justice and a human rights ethos in collaboration with impacted Community/ies.

These communities will be replicated through site-detailed schematic 3D modeling, and interactive interfaces where users may view 3D models based on historic photographs, and will be able to pan, zoom, tilt, fly over, and walk through lost streets, houses, businesses, schools, and churches in a first person point of view.

Graduate students, UNC Charlotte’s Department of Special Collections

Regis Kopper, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

The Duke University Digital Humanities Institute

The Levine Museum of the New South

Ms. Ely, Founder of the Second Ward Alumni House

The North Carolina Center for Film

Our Timeline
Year 1 2021-2022 Planning, Community Input & Research
Year 2 2022-2023  Build -Site is Operative