Free Person, Builder

During the Jim Crow era, Boykin and his crew of Black builders and brick masons established a reputation for beautiful work, building countless homes across Sanford, in both Black and white neighborhoods. In addition, Boykin's crews built fences, laid sidewalks, moved houses, and built churches, schools, and commercial buildings that still stand today.

Julian Francis Abele (April 30, 1881 – April 23, 1950)
He was a prominent African-American architect, and chief designer in the offices of Horace Trumbauer.

Teri is a fervent advocate for exceptional architectural design within each community she has served. For over 20 years, she has thoughtfully and efficiently guided award-winning projects from pre-design through construction administration.

PIONEERING BLACK ARCHITECTS IN NORTH CAROLINA
Today there are many black architects in North Carolina but before 1970, there were few. It was tough enough for white women in a white-male-dominated profession, but for minorities it was nearly impossible.

Edwin Harris, Architect, is from Oxford, NC. "Edwin designs spaces with a belief that remarkable architecture has the faculty to enhance the lives of those who occupy it...

Photo: 20 people gathered at the Pigeon Multicultural Development Center last week to discuss an African-American history grant--

David Williston--(1868-1962) was the first professionally trained African American landscape architect in the United States. He designed many campuses for historically black colleges and universities, including Tuskegee University

William W. Smith is considered the first Black architect in the city of Charlotte.

Robert Robinson Taylor (June 8, 1868 – December 13, 1942) was an American architect and educator. Taylor was the first African American student enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the first accredited African American architect when he graduated in 1892. He was an early and influential member of the Tuskegee Institute faculty.

Gaston Alonzo Edwards was born on April 12, 1875, in Chatham County, North Carolina. Edwards was the first Black architect licensed in North Carolina. Edwards died in Durham (Durham County) on October 5, 1943.

The George Matthewson House, Tarboro, Edgecombe County

Photograph of a Black family living in Craven Co. NC. Possibly in New Bern. Year unknown. Names not known yet.

Halifax County’s experience with the construction of its Rosenwald schools was the polar opposite of Edgecombe’s. To erect Halifax’s schools, the county’s Board of Education engaged a skilled African American builder, Cary Pittman (1880-1951), who due to his work ethic, community associations, and beliefs raised high-quality buildings.

The Milliken cabin was built after the Civil War by a former slave named Bob, who had been purchased from the Fayetteville slave market.

John W. Winters, Sr. (1920-2004) became Raleigh’s first African American city councilman and one of the first African Americans elected to the state Senate since Reconstruction.

Oliver Nestus Freeman (1882-1955) Wilson, North Carolina

Architect Willie Edward Jenkins (1923-1988) was born in Wake County to Willie and Emmaline Jenkins; his father died when he was small; and his mother worked as a seamstress.

Elizabeth City, North Carolina: Mr. Elisha Overton, (1852 to 1911), carpenter and brick mason.

Raleigh, North Carolina: Over 130 enslaved African American men built and maintained the North Carolina State Capitol between 1833 and 1865.

Raleigh, North Carolina: Over 130 enslaved African American men built and maintained the NC State Capitol.

Alfred Wheaton
He was born around 1807, his date of death is unknown. The year is unknown when Alfred married his wife Olive Wheaton.

Joe Welcome (ca. 1774-1859) was a multi-skilled enslaved Black man who was hired out to make his slaver, Josiah Collins, money. He was skilled as a bricklayer, stonemason, and plasterer.

Danita Brown was the first Black woman certified to practice architecture in North Carolina. She received her license in 1990.