ArtsWave Showcase - A West End Slideshow

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We are so excited to kick off our Lost Voices of Cincinnati series with this episode that explores the rich African American history of Cincinnati. You can think of this episode as a kind of prelude of sorts. We go back, way back, to Cincinnati’s beginnings, and tell stories you’ve probably never heard.

In this episode we will explore how the black community of Avondale responded to religious and cultural shifts permanently changed the neighborhood both physically and socially.  After being pushed out of the West End,  African Americans purchased homes in Avondale and North Avondale...many of which continue to live there today. 

After basically being cut in half by the construction of Interstate-71 during the mid-20th century,  Evanston residents were the not only the victims of eminent domain, without neighborhood continuity, over time, mom-and-pop stores vanished and  storefronts were, and continue to be, vacant.

The theme of this episode is homeownership, black homeownership. Although the neighborhood has lost its business district, community members have thrived and remember the vibrancy that once existed.