Your Turn to Talk: The future of Historic Jefferson Street

The reimagining and redevelopment of North Nashville is at a crossroads.

While other areas of the city may be nearly blank slates for redevelopment, North Nashville boasts a vibrant history, thriving business district and a community deeply invested in preserving its culture and landmarks.

In this episode, we hear from local business owners and ambassadors from two organizations dedicated to thoughtfully guiding North Nashville’s redevelopment. The Jefferson Street Historical Society was created to preserve and protect the over eighty Black-owned businesses that call it home — while increasing the visibility and potential uses of the area. Meanwhile, the Jubilee Bridge Area Revitalization Project aims to enhance, memorialize, and activate the gateway connecting the westside to two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) – Fisk University and Meharry Medical College — as well as Historic Jefferson Street.

This episode was produced by Khalil Ekulona and Mary Mancini.

Guests

Moncheire’ Holmes-Jones | CEO of MOJO Marketing + PR; Founder, Jefferson Street Historical Society
Elisheba Mrozik | Owner, One Drop Ink Tattoo Parlour & Gallery; Member, Jefferson Street Historical Society
Jordan Harris | Owner, Alkebu-Lan Images; Member, Jefferson Street Historical Society
Fathiyah Suso | Founder and director of the World Africultural Community Project & Coordinator of the Jubilee Bridge Area Revitalization Project
Ed Henley | Founding principal of Pillars Development; Member, Jubilee Bridge Area Revitalization Project

Further Reading and Listening

• Sign up for the newsletter at historicjeffersonst.org
• This is Nashville | Diving into North Nashville’s artistic heritage, then and now
• This is Nashville | Exploring North Nashville history through art at Elizabeth Park
• WPLN | Nashville’s churches — and their land holdings — could boost affordable housing. Here’s how Metro wants to help.
• Urbaanite | Preserving Black Wall Street: Meet the Jefferson Street Historical Society
• WPLN | Nashville preservationists worry developers will tear down homes tied to Civil Rights movement
• Nashville Scene | The Elders of North Nashville