WS Chronicle

Noted Black people of the ‘50s and ‘60s defined East Winston and Downtown

To The Editor:

Thank you for your most recent piece about comparing Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and East Winston. I believe it is a noteworthy and valid comparison. 

East Winston and downtown Winston-Salem during the 50s and 60s were filled with successful Black people. 

There were lawyers like Richard Erwin, who later became a federal judge. Pharmacists like Rufus Hairston, who owned Rufus Hairston Drugstore.

Kate Bitting Reynolds Memorial Hospital, which had a nursing school. Women like Katherine Graham, Riby Woodward, Fannie Lee and my mother, Mildred Jane Holland Ewers, were graduates in their initial classes. All had employment opportunities at the hospital after graduation.

We had a Black-owned bus company called Safe Bus. We had Harris cab company as well.

Recreationally, we had Skyland Recreation Center and 14th Street Recreation Center. Both produced solid citizens at many levels. Ms. Minnie Harris was the longtime director. She was the best! We had Skyland School, 14th Street School and St. Benedict The Moor Catholic School. Each was a cathedral of learning and gave its graduates academic enrichment and hope.

Businessmen like Mr. Ed Joyner and Mr. Allen White were entrepreneurs with high standards and sound economic plans.

There were high schools, like Atkins High School, Carver High School, Anderson High School, and Paisley High School that opened our eyes to possibilities and purpose. Teachers like Mr. Earl, Mrs.Scales, Mr. Lash, Mr. Poe, Ms.Williams, and Mrs. Gaines were role models for us. The list of teachers is too many to mention. You were fortunate if you had an old school teacher. In East Winston, teachers were held in high esteem. We wanted to be like them.

Coaches like George Green, Ben Warren, and Clarence “Bighouse” Gaines were legends in Winston-Salem. Of course, there were many coaches during this period who were difference-makers. Apologies if I didn’t mention a coach who was instrumental in your development. 

Doctors and dentists like Dr. Malloy, Dr. Walker, Dr. Allen, my dad, Dr. Ewers, Dr.  Cromwell, Dr. Jordan, Dr. Smith and Dr. McKnight provided excellent healthcare for the residents of East Winston. Back then, they made house calls at all times of the day and night.

Our library, the East Winston Library, was a fountain of information for inquisitive minds. It was right across the street from Katie B hospital.  It is still there today.

The Black community produced ministers of the gospel who gave us spiritual guidance. Reverend Drayton and Reverend Pitts come readily to mind. My omission of others does not dilute their contributions or their teaching of The Word.

Happy Hairston, Carl Eller, Herman Gilliam and Ike Hill made it to the professional ranks as basketball players or football players. If I have omitted some, please forgive me. 

East Winston and Black Winston-Salem were dominant in moving the city forward to what it is today. I am proud of my upbringing on Rich Avenue in East Winston. 

James Ewers

New Orleans, LA

by way of Winston-Salem