Located in the historic Hayti district of Durham, NC, the Grant Street Community is a living testimony to what happens when neighbors become family. Our roots stretch back over 100 years, on land first stewarded by the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation and other Indigenous communities of this region, and later shaped by Black families who, in the aftermath of slavery and sharecropping, built new lives grounded in stewardship, stability, and dignity. These homes were built with sacrifice and care, passed down through generations.
We remember a time when porches were gathering places, children played hopscotch in the yard, and everyone knew your name. From teachers and ministers to doctors and carpenters, and formerly enslaved people who built new lives on this street, Grant Street was full of leaders who shaped not only their families but the entire Durham community.
But urban renewal changed everything. Promises were made and broken. More than 4,000 residential homes and 500 businesses were torn down, and families were displaced. While some Black families with greater access to resources were able to leave, many others were left to carry the weight of what was lost. Today, only a small stretch of Grant Street remains—but so does our commitment. We are determined to preserve our heritage, renew our neighborhood, and share our story for generations to come.
Aerial photograph of Grant Street in the Hayti District, Durham, NC, circa 1955. USDA Aerial Photography. Courtesy of Duke University Libraries, Digital Collections.
Grant Street Documentary
The story of Grant Street is a story of people—neighbors, elders, and leaders who have shaped a legacy of resilience, care, and community. Watch the documentary to see the heart, history, and future of this historic Hayti neighborhood in Durham.
Get Involved
Volunteer
Join neighbors, residents, and community partners in caring for and investing in Grant Street. From park revitalization and community garden days to neighborhood gatherings and ongoing projects, there are many ways to lend your time and gifts. Whether you come once or stay involved long-term, your presence helps strengthen the life and future of this community.
Donate
Your support helps sustain the work of the Grant Street Community for the long term. Donations contribute directly to neighborhood projects, including home repairs for seniors and long-term residents, shared community spaces, and ongoing initiatives that support stability and care. Every contribution helps ensure resources remain rooted in the neighborhood for generations to come.
Events
Gather with us as we come together to celebrate, organize, and imagine the future of Grant Street. From monthly community meetings to special events like film screenings, workdays, and neighborhood celebrations, these spaces create opportunities to build relationships, share ideas, and participate in the life of the community. All are welcome.
Keep the legacy alive.
Your support helps preserve homes, care for longtime residents, and create spaces where neighbors can gather, grow, and belong.
From home repairs for elders to the community garden and neighborhood revitalization, every contribution directly supports the people and stories of Grant Street—ensuring this historic block remains a place of dignity, memory, and future possibility.