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Thurgood Marshall speaks in Charlotte with local NAACP leaders
Brown v. Board: May 17, 1954.
A.E. Spears and Stan Brookshire
March 1, 1962 - M & F Bank, NC's first black run bank, opens a branch at 101 Beatties Ford Rd.
Rev. Darius and Vera Swann
January 19, 1965 - The Swann Case is opened.
Attorney Julius Chambers represents the Swann family
April 20, 1971 - The Supreme Court upholds Judge McMillan’s order in the Swann case. 
Julius Chambers (right) and wife, Vivian, with Mayor Gantt.
August 12, 1984 - Chambers gets the key to the city.
Daddy Grace Parade Route, 9/13/1959
Each year on the second Sunday in September, hundreds gathered in Charlotte's Brooklyn neighborhood to experience the parade honoring Bishop C. M. Grace.
Daddy Grace Parade Route, 9/13/1959
Each year on the second Sunday in September, hundreds gathered in Charlotte's Brooklyn neighborhood to experience the parade honoring Bishop C. M. Grace.
The Myers Street building
Myers Street School was the oldest black school in Charlotte. It began in an old tobacco barn on 5th Street in 1882. The students and faculty moved into a new wood-frame building in 1887, located on land that had belonged to the Myers family. A new brick building followed in 1931.
1957 - Charlotte's All-Black Schools
CHARLOTTE - MECKLENBURG  ALL-BLACK SCHOOLS 1852 - 1968
February 11, 1990 - Human rights activist Nelson Mandela is released from prison by South African president F.W. deKlerk after 27 years. October 1990 - President Bush vetoes the Civil Rights Act.
Judge McMillan orders desegregation
April 23, 1969 - Judge McMillan orders the Charlotte school board to eliminate segregated schools.
A typical Rosenwald school building
From 1917 to 1932, Jewish philanthropist Julius Rosenwald donated millions of dollars to build schools for black children throughout the rural South. He gave half the money needed and required that the black and white community work to raise the other half.
July 1974 - The school board approves desegregation plan.
Rev. Cameron reclaims Genesis Park
July 18, 1994 - Rev. Cameron and activists reclaim Genesis Park. 
June 25, 1950 - Korean War Begins
The war has ended but unrest at home is just beginning. Visit this decade marked by the entrance of rock 'n roll and desegregation. Read about the infamous US Supreme Court Case, Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education, which outlaws school segregation by race.
Myers Street School, aka, the "Jacob's Ladder School"
In the late 1940s, Myers Street School was the largest elementary school in North Carolina for black children. The school was torn down as part of urban renewal.
Students on exterior staircase
Myers Street School In the late 1940s, Myers Street School was the largest elementary school in North Carolina for black children. The school was torn down as part of urban renewal. The site is now part of Metro School and the Aquatic Center.
May 1963 - Charlotte hotels and restaurants begin to desegregate.
During this turbulent decade, Charlotte's African Americans are active participants in the battle for civil rights. Urban renewal begins in earnest with the demolition of Charlotte's Ward neighborhoods.
South Brevard St., 400 block
  Select map image for a more detailed view   South Brevard Street (east side only) 1) 401 - Brevard Street Library