Winston-Salem was created in 1913 when the City of Winston and the Town of Salem merged. Salem was established in 1766 by the Moravian Church as a devout religious community. The county seat of Winston was formed out of Salem in 1849. African Americans had no voice in the consolidation; however, these descendants of slaves built a legacy in a "separate and unequal" municipality in the 20th century. The thriving tobacco industry delivered swift progress for African Americans in the Twin City, placing them on the level of the "Black Wall Street" cities in the South. Slater Industrial Academy (now Winston-Salem State University) provided the educational foundation. WAAA radio gave the community an active voice in 1950. Winston-Salem's African American Legacy showcases the significant contributions through the lens of the city's historical cultural institutions.
Cheryl Harry is a cultural curator whose mission is engaging the community in the preservation and celebration of black heritage. She develops educational and outreach programming to spawn dialogue among people of all backgrounds and ethnicities. She is the director of African American programming at Old Salem Museums & Gardens. Images in Winston-Salem's African American Legacy are from local archives and private collections.