First ever Party on Pierce Street planned [Video]

The historic Pierce Street neighborhood is set to host its first-ever Party on Pierce event, celebrating the third anniversary of the Pierce Street Community Garden on Sept. 28. The event is free and open to the public.

The event also plans to showcase the neighborhood’s deep-rooted African American history with live performances, walking tours and unveiling new museum exhibits that honor prominent African American figures from the Pierce Street Historic District.

Ghislaine Lewis, executive director for the Pierce Street Gateway, said the new exhibit will feature Pierce Street luminaries on historic markers in the neighborhood, including educator Frank Trigg; Dr. Robert Walter “Whirlwind” Johnson, founder of the American Tennis Association Junior Development Program for African-American youths; as well as C.W. Seay, community leader who served as a principal, professor and City Council member. It will also include tributes to Ota Benga, a Mbuti man who was featured in an exhibit …