Cool Timeline
Big 4 High School Alumni
Big 4 Alumni Association of Forsyth County- To maintain the legacy of the four historically Black high schools, the alumni associations of Atkins, Carver, Anderson and Paisley combined their annual reunions in 1995 and began celebrating together. This event became known as “The Big 4 Reunion.” It includes a former..Read More
Chief Patricia Norris
Chief Patricia Norris 2004-2008 Patricia Norris was appointed Chief of Police in February of 2004. At the time of her appointment she held the position of Assistant Chief. Not only was she the second female Chief of Police, but she was also the first African American to be appointed. After..Read More
Lawrence Joel
The newly constructed Winston-Salem Coliseum is voted by the aldermen to name it after Lawrence Joel, a Black veteran who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism while serving in the Vietnam War.
Maya Angelou
In 1982 the global Renaissance woman, Dr. Maya Angelou, settled in Winston-Salem. This world renowned poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director swiftly became a part on the cultural landscape lending her name and support to many causes in the city including the National Black..Read More
Larry Little
Larry D. Little, Vivian H. Burke and Virginia K. Newell were elected to the Winston-Salem Board of Aldermen, and for the first time in its history, half of the members are Black. Dr. Little served the Winston-Salem citizens of the North Ward for eight years as an alderman, winning reelection..Read More
NC Black Repertory Company
The North Carolina Black Repertory Company was founded in 1979 by Larry Leon Hamlin. It is the first professional Black theatre company in North Carolina. The Company is universally recognized for its artistic and administrative achievements and its international outreach program, The National Black Theatre Festival. Larry founded the Theatre..Read More
Virginia Newell
Dr. Virginia Newell’s zeal for achievement and progress among African Americans has made her a trailblazer in the city. She was one of the first two African American women elected to the Winston-Salem Board Aldermen in 1977. During her 16-year tenure representing the city’s East Ward, Newell was known as..Read More
Vivian Burke
Vivian Burke the one of the first two African American women elected to the Winston-Salem Board Aldermen in 1977 and is the longest serving elected official in the City’s history. She served the constituents of the Northeast Ward proudly for 43 years. She is the first African American woman to..Read More
Mazie Woodruff
In 1976 Mazie Woodruff became the first African-American to be elected to the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, on which she served for 14 years. In 1997, when Woodruff died, she was known for standing up for those in need throughout the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community. In 1998, the City of..Read More
The Chronicle
The Winston-Salem Chronicle was established in 1974 by Ernie Pitt. The Chronicle was just the second African American newspaper in the city. The first was paper was The People’s Voice founded by former city alderman and founder of Russell Funeral Home, Mr. Carl Russell. It is through the legacy of..Read More