WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The city of Winston-Salem is creating a digital archive of African American history.

The goal is to capture the memories of those who lived during segregation and the civil rights movement. Residents are invited to contribute to items of African American historical significance.

“Things that pertain to schools, businesses, professions, events, culture," said Wanda Allen-Abraha, Human Relations Director. "You name it. We're really just looking for items that are of those historical significances.”

They say the city had a unique history during segregation and Jim Crow.

“Many people don’t know that there were so many successes," said Annette Scippio, Eastward council member. "We had the largest African American transportation system in the world, which was the Safe Bus Company. We had several cab companies. We had cafes and many beauty shops. We had doctors and lawyers.”
 
The African American Heritage Initiative plans to have the archive open to public within the next few months.

You can submit digital items and find more information about the initiative here.