Thank you for your interest in this program. We recommend that attendees arrive early as seating is limited!
A note about parking: The Gregg Museum has limited parking. Carpooling or walking is strongly encouraged. Please view available parking options here as you prepare for your visit to the museum:
https://gregg.arts.ncsu.edu/about/visit/planning-your-visit/
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
5:30-7 p.m.
Gregg Museum of Art & Design
Join us for an insightful discussion exploring a pivotal moment in Raleigh’s social and retail history: the Crabtree Valley Mall Boycott, and a local store, Freedom Books, that served as a place of sanctuary. When Freedom Books opened, it became Raleigh’s Raleigh’s first African American bookstore. The discussion will be moderated by Ajamu Dillahunt-Holloway, an assistant professor of African American History and Public History at NC State and the grandson of the owners of Freedom Books.
This program is presented in conjunction with the featured exhibition, Community Stories: Sustaining North Carolina Black Heritage, which presents a series of vignettes exploring spaces of dignity, belonging, safety, and imagination within Black communities across North Carolina. Through a conversation with three key figures, this discussion will unpack the origins of the boycott of Crabtree Valley Mall, the role of the Freedom Books in the boycott, the leadership of Black youth, and the legacy of Malcolm X. From the front lines of the 1970s labor disputes, this talk examines how a shopping center became a stage for community power and political expression.
The program will kick off with a spoken word by Dasan Ahanu, a public speaker, organizer, curator, educator, poet, spoken word artist, educator, songwriter, and emcee, and loyal Hip Hop head born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is co-founder and managing director of Black Poetry Theatre, a Durham based theatre company that creates and produces original poetry and spoken word based productions.
Meet the Speakers- Ta-Letta Bryant, as a high school student in Southeast Raleigh helped lead the boycott. At present, Bryant is an attorney with the Midtown Legal Group.
- Niasha Fray played a leading role in the boycott of Crabtree Valley Mall. At present, Fray is a health equity researcher and action consultant.
- Morris “Duke” Freeman Sr. participated in the boycott and helped build a youth organization of Black youth in Southeast Raleigh after the boycott. At present, Freeman is the owner of Dukes Ice Cream and Dogs.
Following the conversation, attendees are invited to ask questions and explore the exhibition Community Stories: Sustaining North Carolina’s Black Heritage, which is on view from July 2, 2026 - February 27, 2027.
