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A Dream Deferred

A Brief History on Orange Mound

Political Representation... or

lack thereof

Social Impact

Michelle Obama names Orange Mound a "Preserve America Community"

Community Strength

The final central inquiry that I researched was the parallels of Orange Mound’s social and political atmosphere that can be drawn from the early to mid-1900’s and today. During the early years of Orange Mound’s existence as a community, residents lived in the Crump political era, suppressed by the carefully designed Democratic political machine that used voter suppression tactics, like ‘herding’ at the polls. Today, local officials like Tami Sawyer and Britney Thornton advocate for local legislation and organize grassroots efforts to combat these discriminatory tactics.

When I initially began my research, it was based on the presumption that in some way Orange Mound was a neighborhood with a receding quality of life, primarily due to poverty and crime. After conducting my research on Orange Mound, its founding and the community actions that have led to its current state, I recognize that Orange Mound is a thriving community. The neighborhood experiences nuanced issues that are not unique to its zip code. Orange Mound has made significant changes to its community and to the country through its commitment to progress and community. Through continued efforts to combat blight, crimes of proximity, and development challenges, Orange Mound will continue to be a historical pillar of Black excellence in America.

The tight-knit community of Orange Mound has historically shown resilience and solidarity, fostering a unique cultural identity.

Tyler Glover, Mayor of Orange Mound

Commerical Appeal, 1932

Orange Mound Senior Citizens Council, 1979

Economic Progress

My Thesis

Understanding Orange Mound in a historical context

Originally, I began my research with the idea that Orange Mound was not thriving in the way that it was originally intended as a community, because of crime. Since my research, I've found that Orange Mound faces challenges that every predominantly Black neighborhood in America has faced due to a historical structure of political and economic racism. In reality, Orange Mound is the blueprint for a community that inspires volunteerism and activism.

In his book, “African American Life and Culture in Orange Mound”, Dr. Charles Williams writes, “The Orange Mound community as a distinctive social entity can be understood only within the larger context of the status of African Americans in Memphis, Shelby County, and Tennessee, as well as in American society.” The socioeconomic position of Orange Mound within the larger context of Memphis can be understood by taking a look at the political and racial atmosphere in Memphis, specifically between the years of 1920 and 1940.

Over the past 50 years, Orange Mound has consistently fostered a spirit of advocacy and resiliency.

Pictured: Britney Thornton of JUICE Orange Mound

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