Building a Neighborhood: The Oakwood Project

Building a Neighborhood: The Oakwood Project


Oakwood is one of Raleigh, North Carolina’s oldest neighborhoods and was the first neighborhood in the state of North Carolina to receive “historic” designation. Over its 140 year history, Oakwood has undergone tremendous change.

Last year, when another life-long resident passed away, the neighborhood lamented that we had never captured her story. This project originated from that desire: to capture the important stories of cherished neighbors before they were gone.

However, in the process of capturing these stories, this project has grown into something more: a way to recognize and celebrate the individuals who worked hard to revitalize a community that nearly became a super highway; a way to learn and teach history; a way to build and strengthen the connections in our community; and a model to inspire community development advocates in their work to transform urban neighborhoods that are in decline.

To view this work, visit: http://www.oakwoodproject.org/


  • What makes us care? It's not about statistics. It's about using individual stories to create that connection, that empathy. - Nicholas Kristof, New York Times

    Once we have a face, a picture, and details about a person, we feel for them, and our actions and money follow. - Dan Ariely, Duke

    Forget about Powerpoint and statistics. To involve people at the deepest level, you need stories. - Harvard Business Review

    We have evolved to tell and respond to stories for learning about and developing relationships with the people around us. - Steven Pinker, Harvard

    Why does our brain seem to be wired for stories? The ability to read motivations and intentions enables not only our understanding of stories, but more crucially, the comprehension of real-life situations--an undeniable evolutionary advantage. - Jeremy Hsu, Scientific American Mind

    Students with more exposure to stories have stronger social and empathy scores. - Kevin Oatley, University of Toronto

    Tell me a fact and I'll remember it for a day. Tell, me a good story and I'll remember it forever. - Anonymous

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