Grant Street Documentary Screening
A Sacred Night on Grant Street: Thank You
On Saturday, April 18th, we witnessed something powerful.
To the hundreds of neighbors, friends, partners, and supporters who joined us—thank you. Your presence at the documentary screening meant more than words can fully capture. What took place was more than an event; it was a moment of collective remembrance, gratitude, and renewed vision for what is possible in the Grant Street Community.
We gathered to honor the lives and legacy of the Grant Street Ladies—Ms. Brenda, Ms. Diane, Ms. Pam, Ms. Vivian, and Ms. JoAnne—and to celebrate the faithful leadership of Bishop Clarence Laney, Jr.. Together, their witness tells a story that stretches across generations—a story of staying when others left, of holding on when systems tried to erase, and of believing in the worth and future of this neighborhood even in the face of disinvestment.
Because of their leadership, this community is rooted, resilient, and still becoming.
We also want to extend deep gratitude to those who helped shape the evening itself. Thank you to Justin Reid, the filmmaker behind this project, whose care and creativity brought the story of Grant Street to life with such depth and beauty. Thank you to Jarvis C. McInnis, who served as our host and guided the evening with wisdom and presence. And thank you to Shaun Gill, who grounded us through her reading and reminded us of the deep connection between place, memory, and home.
Throughout the evening, we were reminded that the history of Grant Street is not simply something to look back on—it is something we are actively living into. The stories shared in the documentary are not just about the past; they are an invitation. An invitation to steward what has been entrusted to us. An invitation to build with care. An invitation to continue the work.
There was a sacredness in the room—a sense that we were standing on holy ground, surrounded by a cloud of witnesses both seen and unseen. We laughed, we reflected, and for many of us, we felt the weight and beauty of what it means to belong to a place with such deep roots.
We are also deeply grateful for the partners and sponsors who made this event possible, including BLK South, Durham Community Land Trustees, and Rotary Club of Durham. Your support helped bring this vision to life and created space for our community to gather in such a meaningful way.
To everyone who made this night possible—our elders, our partners, our volunteers, our donors, and each person who showed up—thank you. Your presence is part of the story now.
And to the Grant Street Ladies and Bishop Laney: we honor you. We thank God for you. And we commit to carrying this work forward with the same courage, vision, and love that you have shown us.
The story of Grant Street is still being written.
And on April 18th, we turned the page together.
Ward 3 Council Member, Chelsea Cook talks about her time at the Grant Street Documentary premiere in her announcements. April 20, 2026.
