Cyclists circle around the Memorial to James Cates. Cates was killed outside the UNC Student Union in 1970, in a still unsolved murder. It wasn't until 2022 that UNC agreed to display a memorial plaque
Cyclists circle around the Memorial to James Cates. Cates was killed outside the UNC Student Union in 1970, in a still unsolved murder. It wasn't until 2022 that UNC agreed to display a memorial plaque

This Sunday I participated in the Black History Bike Ride, held by Triangle BikeWorks. Triangle BikeWorks is a nonprofit organization that empowers youth through cycling. Started in 2010 by Kevin Hicks, their original goal was to teach leadership and life skills to black and brown youth. They do this by engaging the youth in cycling programs that grow the mind and body and challenge them on yearly cross country bicycle rides that have connections to black history. Today’s ride will take us on a trip past historical locations in Carrboro and Chapel Hill. I will share photos of some of the stops, but not every one we visited. We were joined in the ride by E. Preston Lewis, Jr. The new executive Director.

The ride started at YouthWorx and Kevin went over the route and safety protocols

Cyclists gather at the ride starting point at Triangle BikeWorks headquarters on Main Street in Carrboro. Founder Kevin Hicks explains the route and how the ride will operate to attendees.
Cyclists gather at the ride starting point at Triangle BikeWorks headquarters on Main Street in Carrboro. Founder Kevin Hicks explains the route and how the ride will operate to attendees.

We rode to the Lincoln Center, which was Chapel Hills black-only high school from 1951 until 1966. There is a large plaque that names the students who attended classes.

At the Lincoln center, Kevin Hicks explains the significance of the school in Chapel Hill Black History. It was the back high school until 1966.
At the Lincoln center, Kevin Hicks explains the significance of the school in Chapel Hill Black History. It was the back high school until 1966.

The ride rolled to the Pit on UNC campus to stop at a plaque commemorating the death of James Cates, a Chapel Hill resident who was murdered outside the UNC student union. Ironically, Cates was planning on attending a dance to improve race relations. It took UNC 50 years to erect a plague to commemorate the racial killing.

Cyclists circle around the Memorial to James Cates. Cates was killed outside the UNC Student Union in 1970, in a still unsolved murder. It wasn't until 2022 that UNC agreed to display a memorial plaque
Cyclists circle around the Memorial to James Cates. Cates was killed outside the UNC Student Union in 1970, in a still unsolved murder. It wasn’t until 2022 that UNC agreed to display a memorial plaque

Next, the ride went to the Peace and Justice Plaza, dedicated by the town in 2009. Formally a courthouse, and now the post office, the Plaza honors the thousands of Chapel Hill citizens who have organized for social justice in Chapel Hill.

The ride stops at the Peace and Justice Plaza
The ride stops at the Peace and Justice Plaza

Next up was a visit to the Chapel Hill Nine Marker. Placed in 2019, the marker commemorates the nine black teenagers who bravely sat at a lunch counter at Colonial Drug store. They were arrested for trespassing. The Chapel Hill Nine include: William Cureton, John Farrington, Harold Foster, Earl Geer, David “Dave” Mason, Jr., Clarence Merritt, Jr., James “Jim” Merritt, Clyde Douglas Perry and Albert Williams.

Along Franklin street, the rides stops at the memorial to the Chapel Hill Nine
Along Franklin street, the rides stops at the memorial to the Chapel Hill Nine

After a trip to the Hargraves Community Center, the ride stopped at the Elizabeth (Libba) Cotten Mural on Merritt Mill road. Painted in 2020, the mural commemorates Libba Cotten, a self taught musician, an influential folk and blues performer who is known for the song “Freight Train” and a Grammy award winner.

The next stop is the Libba Cotten Mural on Merritt Mill Street
The next stop is the Libba Cotten Mural on Merritt Mill Street

The last stop on the ride was a visit to a Mural that honors African American Community Leaders. Painted in 2021, the mural black civic leaders from Carrboro and Chapel Hill. Depicted on then mural are

  • Valerie Paige Foushee, North Carolina State Senator
  •  Addie Robinson, director and founder of Holmes Day Care at Hargraves Community Center
  • Nurse Adelia Compton, the first Black employee for the Town of Chapel Hill
  • Barbara Booth Powell, Chapel Hill Town Council, educator, and politician
  • Bynum & Susie Weaver, artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs
  • Howard Lee, the only Black mayor of Chapel Hill and the first Black mayor in the South
  • William D. Peerman, championship winning coach, mentor, and educator and the first Black head football coach at Chapel Hill High School
  • Rev. Dr. J.R. Manley, former pastor of the Rock Hill-First Baptist and Hickory Grove Baptist Church and community leader
  • Walter Riggsbee, HVAC builder and entrepreneur
  • Dr. L.H. Hackney, pastor and founder of the first Black high school
  • Thurman Atkins, developer and entrepreneur
Near the end of the ride, Kevin stops at the mural depicting historic black leaders in Chapel Hill
Near the end of the ride, Kevin stops at the mural depicting historic black leaders in Chapel Hill

Here is a map of the ride!

Route of the ride
Route of the ride

John Rees lives in Chapel Hill. He was, until very recently, a member of the Chapel Hill Planning Commission and former chair. He serves on the board of the Bicycle Alliance of Chapel Hill, and is also...