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Approval of Truth Plaque Task Force’s Third Plaque- Toney and Nellie Strayhorn Homeplace
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is for the Town Council to approve the final text and location for the Truth Plaque Task Force’s third plaque project for the Toney and Nellie Strayhorn Homeplace.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Town Clerk
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Contact
CONTACT INFORMATION: Wesley Barker, Town Clerk, wbarker@carrboronc.gov <mailto:wbarker@carrboronc.gov>, 919-918-7309
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
__X_ Race/Equity ____ Climate ____ Comprehensive Plan ____Other
Council Direction Statement
The Truth Plaque Task Force continues to meet to explore additional installations of plaques that tell a broader history of Carrboro, which furthers the Town’s race and equity initiatives.
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Information
INFORMATION: The Truth Plaque Task Force was established in 2018 by Town Council, with the first plaque detailing the ugly truth of the racist history of Julian Carr, the Town’s namesake. This plaque was installed at Carrboro Town Hall. The Council approved moving forward with researching and writing additional plaques throughout town.
The Truth Plaque Task Force, at their March 13, 2019, meeting developed the following additional work items:
• Freedman's School/Hackney School (same general vicinity, both black schools)
• Carr Mill Mall
• Strayhorn House
• St. Paul's AME Church (same land donation from Quakers as Freedman's School)
• Lion's Park (off Fidelity St)
• TinTop
• 1913 Lloyd Mill (WWII Ammo factory)
• Black business district on main street
• Government (Bob Drakeford, Mike Nelson, Ellie Kinnaird)
The second truth plaque was approved and installed in 2020 for The Freedman’s School and St. Paul AME Church Land.
The Truth Plaque Task Force met in February 2023 to discuss the next truth plaque in Carrboro. The request for the next plaque is to highlight the Toney and Nellie Strayhorn Homeplace. Delores Clark, a Truth Plaque Task Force member, is a great-grandchild of Toney and Nellie Strayhorn, and the task force agreed for this to be the next installed plaque at the homeplace located at 109 Jones Ferry Rd. in Carrboro.
The proposed text for the plaque reads as follows: “Enslaved in Orange County, Toney and Nellie Strayhorn were one of the first Black families to settle in Carrboro. After purchasing 30 acres of land, they built a one-room log cabin in 1879, which has been added onto over the years. This home is a historic landmark and a testament to their faith, resilience, and determination to persevere.”
Ms. Clark and her family have agreed to the proposed language and location of the plaque.
An unveiling ceremony will be planned and advertised in the future.
Members of the Truth Plaque Task Force are:
Terri Bucker, Co-Chair
Lillie Atwater, Co-Chair
Mae McLendon
Braxton Foushee
Richard Ellington
Nicholas Graham
Rani Dasi
Luis Atwater
Delores Clark
Charles Alston
Nate Davis
Susan Romaine, Town Council Liaison
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT: The Town Council authorized an additional $5,000 of funding for FY23 for the Truth Plaque Task Force, with any remaining funds to be carried over.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION: The Truth Plaque Task Force recommends that the Town Council approve the proposed text and location for the next Truth Plaque.
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