Move to change street name gets no motion by board

A movement to change the name of Randolph Street to Ida B. Wells did not fly, Tuesday, Feb. 22, at a special called meeting of the Holly Springs mayor and board of aldermen.

A series of two minute comments, both in favor and opposing the name change, ended with no support for the move by the board of aldermen.

Jim Knox, a member of the Historic Preservation Commission and resident of Randolph Street spoke first, but didn’t finish making his points because he was cut off at two minutes.

He said the city needs to develop Black historic sites to promote Black tourism and he suggested Memphis Street would be the best way to honor the world renowned civil rights and anti-lynching activist.

Memphis Street is a historic Black district running straight through the city and past Rust College, the old MI College, and near the historic Sims School campus and ICS Head Start areas.

“This helps develop and embellish what could be a major historic corridor that could see further development, more Black-owned businesses like Annie’s Restaurant, Copper Kettle, the Chicken Coop,” he said. “We should add, not subtract from our diverse history.”

Beth White, one of W.S. Randolph’s descendants said Randolph Street “means heart and soul to me.” He donated land for Hill Crest Cemetery, the Town of Potts Camp and to create the City of Holly Springs, she said.

Larry Rubin, a Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) worker in Holly Springs in the 1960s, recently moved to the city to live. He praised the open hearing on naming a street after Wells, saying he moved here because he believes the city is “moving toward a beloved community for all who live here.”

Rubin proposed a sign be placed below the Randolph Street sign as done in other cities who want to make a permanent honor. He said the sign would point out the transformation the city is making.

Rubin wants Memphis Street to be renamed to honor Wells because of its prominence.

Third, he proposed creating a commission to survey street names, place names, informative plaques and to make recommendations that would reflect the values of Holly Springs now.

District 1 supervisor Charles Terry said honoring Wells by naming Memphis Street from Martin Luther King Drive all the way to Gholson Avenue would have less impact on residents.

“Do what is going to create the less negative impact on citizens in Holly Springs,” he said.

Ivory Faulkner proposed naming Memphis Street to honor Wells. There would be better parking than on Randolph Street.

“I think she wants us to stand for what she stood for,” he said. “Put that in the Black business area and I think she would be proud.”

Dale DeBerry and his daughter LaKisha proposed compromise.

He praised the open and peaceful discussion.

“We are dealing in different times and people are trying to cling to their cultures,” he said. “We know we are going to be emotional. It would be nice to have a town hall meeting to be honest and open.”

LaKisha DeBerry, with wisdom beyond her years, spoke of history.

“History is everyone’s history, regardless of our perspective of each one’s history,” she said.

Rev. Leona Harris, curator of the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum, said, “We have to get to a point of working together and forget about these houses. We say she’s a great American. We couldn’t vote today if not for Ida B. Wells and Susan B. Anthony. The issue was to vote.”

Wayne Jones, a resident of Randolph Street since 2005, said he would like to see people working together for the name change of the street and explained why he thinks it is necessary.

“What had been under emphasized has to be over emphasized to be corrected,” he said. “If you understand history, you understand the need for us to come together to solve these issues,”

Former mayor Andre De- Berry said North Memphis Street was in a redevelopment project under the late Eddie Lee Smith’s administration.

Funds for the construction of the Multi-Purpose Building came from a 2 cent tourism tax. He said if Memphis Street would be eligible for more federal dollars, it should retain its name.

Or if renamed, the project would have to be resubmitted under the name Ida B. Wells. He proposed Spring Hollow Park be a continuation of the Ida B. Wells project.

The public hearing was closed.

Alderman Bernita Fountain asked if Memphis Street and the tourism tax are still receiving funding from the original redevelopment project.

DeBerry said if the project was to be extended, the project would have to be resubmitted under the Ida B. Wells name.

Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather expressed appreciation for the turnout.

Holly Springs born and raised, Merriweather spoke of a portion of Rising Star Road named to honor her father, who raised 12 children who graduated from Rust College.

“I as an African American understand the contributions of the shoulders on where we stand,” she said. “I understand history is important. I believe Ida B. Wells is not just a name. We need to go large with her name. I’m in 100 percent agreement for Memphis Street to be renamed as Ida B. Wells.”

Mayor Sharon Gipson spoke last of Memphis Street, which she said is named after the famous Egyptian city at the mouth of the Nile.

“Memphis Street was the Black Wall Street of Holly Springs,” she said. “It was beautiful.”

She called the names of the many Black business people - dentists, pharmacists and barbers.

“So Memphis Street does have a lot of significant people of color because it was home,” she said. “We understand the history is everybody’s history. But Randolph Street is the street located in front of the Ida B. Wells Museum.

“Ida B. Wells, whose spirit I embrace, would never go into the back door. We are in 2022 and still being relegated to the back door or compromise. History, we cannot change it. It is what it is. I agree his family (Randolph’s) does have feelings.

“If I am the only one who has to bend, there is no compromise. Being united, let us unite around Ida B. Wells as well.

“I agree with Alderman (Colter) Teel, we can disagree without being disrespectful.

“It is something we should do at these meetings. I love Holly Springs and we’re fighting for a better community, one that is inclusive, and to learn how to respect.”

Gipson called for the adoption of the ordinance to rename Randolph Street.

Fountain spoke.

“I came here tonight and spoke with Beth (White),” she said. “I am one who always wants to compromise.”

Fountain said she was just expressing an opinion.

Ward 2 alderman Andre Jones spoke.

“My opinion is street naming is a touchy subject,” he said. “The issue is much larger than renaming a street. Let’s try to look at it on a different avenue in terms of placing Ida B. Wells’s name somewhere. Memphis Street is not a bad idea at all.”

Gipson said she opposes Memphis Street because it is on the Black side of town.

“We have to be bold and courageous,” she said. “I encourage everyone on the board to pray and be bold and courageous like Ida B. Wells. We are in 2022. Our people have asked us to be bold and move forward.”

Merriweather countered.

“I feel it’s a major thoroughfare,” she said. “City hall is there. I love this part of the city. I’m trying to put clarity on this.

“I think the name Memphis Street is big and bold. This is 2022. It could have been done already, a bold step we are making in 2022.”

Gipson called for a motion three or four times. Aldermen remained silent

She said she would hold the third item on the agenda, a resolution to rename Spring Hollow Park in honor of Ida B. Wells.

Gipson called for a motion to close the meeting. Afterward groups of individuals remained to discuss their thoughts in clusters of threes, fours and fives while the thunderstorm moved off North Memphis Street.

The public hearing was held at the Eddie Lee Smith Multi-Purpose Center on North Memphis Street.