Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

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African American Album Volume 2

1971 - Fire at Chambers Auto Repair Shop

January, 1971 - The auto repair shop of the father of civil rights attorney Julius Chambers is burned down.

  • This is the beginning of another wave of violence against civil rights attorney Julius Chambers. 
  • In 1965 and 1966, Julius Chambers' house and car had been bombed. 
  • Julius Chambers is the attorney for the Swann case, pushing for the desegregation of the school system.
Date of Event:
January 1, 1971

1971 - Fire at Law Office of Julius Chambers

February 4, 1971 - The law office of Julius Chambers is set on fire.

  • This is the third arson suffered by the Chambers family in six months. 
  • Photos show  Firemen still at the scene the following morning and Chambers’ law office.
Date of Event:
January 1, 1971

1970 - Supreme Court Hears the Swann Case

October 1970 - The Supreme Court hears the Swann case.

  • The Charlotte -Mecklenburg School Board has appealed the Swann case, the court decision that has forced them to integrate. 
  • In his first appearance in the Supreme Court, Charlotte attorney Julius Chambers argues for the plaintiffs. He has been working on the Swann case since 1965. 
  • Photo shows Julius Chambers in his office.
Date of Event:
October, 1970

1970 - Charlotte Mecklenburg School System is Integrated

September 9, 1970 - Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system is integrated.

Date of Event:
September 9, 1970

1970 - Black and White Police Officers

September 1970 - First pairing of a black and a white police officer as partners.

  • Black policemen had received full status in 1949.
  • In 1970 black policemen are paired with white partners for the first time.
Date of Event:
September, 1970

1970 - Second Ward High School is Demolished

July 1970 - Second Ward High School, the first high school for black children in the county, is demolished as part of urban renewal.

Date of Event:
July, 1970

1970 - New Friendship Baptist Church is Dedicated

July 5, 1970 - Rev. Colemon Kerry, Jr., leads the dedication of the new Friendship Baptist Church on Beatties Ford Road.

Date of Event:
July 5, 1970

1970 - House of Prayer on McDowell Street

June 20, 1970 - The House of Prayer on McDowell St. is torn down as part of urban renewal in Second Ward.

Date of Event:
June 20, 1970

1970 - Kerry Defeated in School Board Election

Rev. Colemon Kerry, Jr., pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, is defeated in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board election by anti-busing opponents. He was the first and only black member to serve on the board, having been appointed in the late 1960s to fill a vacancy.

Date of Event:
May 2, 1970

1970 - New Year's Dinner with Anita Stroud

January 1, 1970 - New Year's Dinner with Anita Stroud. Anita Stroud continues her work serving New Year’s Eve dinner to "her children."

Date of Event:
January 1, 1970