The Freedom Walkway honors the Friendship 9, a group of African-Americans who integrated the McCrory’s lunch counter in 1961, were subsequently jailed, and served time rather than pay bail to an unjust system. The design references the reopening of the court docket book in 2015, vacating their trespassing convictions. Curving brick patterns flow through the walkway, leading one on a symbolic journey. Ideas of hope, freedom, change, turbulence, and obstacles are integrated within the walkway. The walkway seeks to empower future generations to strive for equality and justice in their day and time. Collaborators: Juan Logan, Carrie Gault, and Sharon Dowell.
The Freedom Walkway was awarded a 2017 Merit Award from the ASLA Southeast Region, 2017 First Place, Cultural Diversity Award from the National League of Cities, 2018 First Place in Brick Design, Commercial from Hardscape North America, and a 2018 Silver Award in Landscape Architecture from Brick in Architecture.
