Negro Durham Marches On: Remembering the Roots of Black Enterprise

There’s nothing quite like knowing the history behind why Black businesses played such a vital role during the Industrial Revolution, a story of strength, vision, and unity that continues to shape the world we build today.

Earlier this month, Steele Studios joined forces with Kee Zamastil, creator of Juke Joint: The People’s Party, for an evening of reflection and creativity. Together, we viewed the 1950s documentary “Negro Durham Marches On” a powerful tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit that once defined Durham’s vibrant Hayti community.

Originally filmed in 1948, this rare piece of history captures a moment when Black excellence thrived in the face of limitation. The film offers a glimpse into bustling storefronts, elegant social scenes, and business leaders who turned resilience into prosperity. Hayti stood as a living example of what could be achieved when community and commerce moved with one heartbeat a city within a city, rooted in purpose and pride.

For Steele Studios, revisiting this film was more than a history lesson, it was a reconnection. It reminded us that storytelling, creativity, and enterprise are woven together by the same thread: the courage to build where others doubted we could.

May we continue to honor those who paved the way, and carry their spirit into every vision we bring to life. Because as Negro Durham Marches On so powerfully shows, when community rises together, the world takes notice.