Wright Dunbar, Inc. News

2007 Walk of Fame Inductees Announced

Dayton- Dr. Irwin M. Abrams, Charlotte Reeve Conover, James A. Parsons, Jr., Judge Walter H. Rice, and Sister Dorothy Stang have been announced as the newest class of inductees for the 2007 Miami Valley Walk of Fame. Since 1996, the Walk of Fame has recognized people from the Miami Valley who have made outstanding personal or professional contributions to the community, nation and world. Arts/Culture, Education, Invention/Innovation and Sports represent a few of the fifteen Walk of Fame categories. More

Wright-Dunbar receives "Preserve America" Grant

Washington, DC- Wright Dunbar, Inc., representing a collaboration of Dayton area organizations interested in cultural heritage tourism, received a 'Preserve America' grant from First Lady Laura Bush in the amount of $70,000. Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. More

First Lady Laura Bush visits Wright-Dunbar

On Wednesday, September 16th, First Lady Laura Bush visited the Wright Dunbar Business Village and toured the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. Congressman Mike Turner invited the First Lady to tour the facility, which will benefit from a Preserve America grant. Senator Mike DeWine also attended the tour. Preserve America is a White House initiative geared toward promoting and protecting our nation's significant resources. The Preserve America grant will fund a 'Heritage Connectivity and Implementation Strategy' that will demonstrate the economic impact(s) of connecting the cultural heritage sites in the region and offer specific recommendations, one or two of which will be implemented. The strategy will offer recommendations about how the Dayton community can maximize its tourism potential by strengthening connections among existing sites. More

2006 Walk of Fame Inductees Announced
10th Anniversary Celebration
"Celebrating 10 Years of Service to the Community"

Dayton- Tom D. Crouch, Lewis B. Gunckel, Paul Katz, Fritz and Dolores Russ, and Charles Thomas have been announced as the 2006 inductees to the Walk of Fame. Since 1996, the Walk of Fame has recognized people from the Miami Valley who have made outstanding contributions to the community, nation and world. Arts/Culture, Education, Invention/Innovation and Sports represent a few of the fifteen Walk of Fame categories. More

Celebrate the 5th Annual Wright-Dunbar Market Days presented by Standard Register, Saturday, June 17th

Back for its 5th year, this family friendly festival will be held Saturday, June 17th from 12:00am-9:00pm in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village, located along W. Third Street between Broadway and Williams. Wright-Dunbar Market Days will feature live music, children's activities, food and craft vendors, and the Healthy Lifestyles area sponsored by Premier Health Partners. More

Don't Miss Urban Nights in the Wright-Dunbar Village - Friday, May 19th

Dayton- Enjoy a journey into the past as you relive the 'good times' from the historic W. Fifth Street experience at Urban Nights on Friday, May 19th from 5:00-10:00pm. This evening will highlight the culture and history of W. Fifth Street, the African American entertainment district that attracted such notable entertainers as Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington in the 1940s and 1950s. Join us at the 'Urban Nights' event as we remember famous W. Fifth Street places such as the Classic Theatre, the SWATS Club, the Palace Theatre, Cox's Drug Store, the Owl Club and the Greasy Spoon. Admission is free and the event takes place in several venues along W. Third Street between Williams and Broadway in the historic Wright-Dunbar Business Village. More

YMCA to Open a Neighborhood Development Center in the Wright-Dunbar Village

The YMCA will open a Neighborhood Development Center in the Wright-Dunbar Village as part of the 'New Opportunities Campaign' to bring YMCA programs and facilities closer to children and families throughout the Dayton community. The Wright-Dunbar YMCA Neighborhood Development Center will be located in the historic Hoersting-Holtman building in the heart of the Wright-Dunbar Village just east of the Willis 'Bing' Davis Studio and EbonNia Gallery. The Center is scheduled to open in fall of 2006 and will feature aerobics rooms, stationary equipment, free weights, locker rooms and a multi-purpose area. More

Grassroots Greater Dayton, Parity, Inc., and Wright Dunbar, Inc. present:

Professor John A. Powell is an internationally recognized authority in the areas of civil rights, civil liberties, and issues relating to race, ethnicity, poverty and the law.More

'Holidays in the Village' is a Treat for the Whole Family

Celebrate the holidays in one of Dayton's most interesting historic neighborhoods- the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. Kids will love the holiday scavenger hunt, games, the 'little angels' gift shop, Holiday Ornament making, and breakfast with Santa. Parents will love the Holiday Market Bazaar, gift wrapping, and Holiday Karaoke Café. The festivities kick off on Sunday, December 4th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at the corner of W. Third Street and Broadway.More

Afternoon Tea with Katharine Wright

Go back in time and visit with Katharine Wright, sister of the famous Wright brothers, as she relates stories of Wright family Thanksgiving celebrations. Enjoy a snack and beverage and make special Thanksgiving crafts to take home. More

Don't Miss Urban Nights in the Wright Dunbar Village- Friday, October 14th

The Wright-Dunbar Business Village is the place to enjoy local art and celebrate fall. Come and enjoy live music, community art displays, and live art demonstrations on Friday, October 14th from 5:00pm-10:00pm. Admission is free and the event takes place in several venues along W. Third Street between Williams and Broadway in the historic Wright-Dunbar Business Village. More

Five people inducted into the Miami Valley Walk of Fame

Suzanne Bassani, Iula Carter, Col. Dean E. Hess, Lloyd Lewis, Jr., and Rev. Edward Puff were inducted into the Miami Valley 'Walk of Fame' on Friday, September, 30th in Dayton, Ohio. Since 1996, the Walk of Fame has recognized people from the Miami Valley who have made outstanding contributions to the community, nation and world. Arts/Culture, Education, Invention/Innovation and Sports represent a few of the fifteen Walk of Fame categories. More

Wright-Dunbar Hosts Dayton's Visionaries

The Wright-Dunbar Business Village hosted "A Summer Gathering of Visionaries" on Thursday evening inviting Dayton's top visionaries to envision the possibilities in the district. The organization used the event to present its vision and garner support for funding the revitalization of the area.
More

"READ & RISE: A TRIBUTE TO BESSIE COLEMAN" TO FEATURE DR. MAYA ANGELOU AND MS. OPRAH WINFREY

Epic Event at the Schuster Performing Arts Center
to Benefit Wright-Dunbar Business Village
More

Don't Miss Wright-Dunbar Market Days 2005. It's Back and Bigger than Ever!

Dayton-Back for its 4th year, this family friendly festival will be held Saturday, June 25 from 10:00am-8:00pm in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. Sponsored by Reynolds and Reynolds and Fifth Third Bank, Wright-Dunbar Market Days will feature live music, children's activities, food and craft vendors, and the Healthy Lifestyles area in partnership with the National Urban League Young Professionals. More

Minneapolis' National Search Ends in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village

Willis "Bing" Davis was selected from a nationwide contest for a new public art piece that will serve as the gateway to the north side of Minneapolis. The Minneapolis "Art In Public Places" worked with community groups and the Obsidian Arts to develop the John Biggers Seed Project, a major new public artwork. The piece will honor the legacy of the life of master artist Dr. John Biggers and his 'Celebration of Life' mural. More

Idotha 'Bootsie' Neal Returns to the Wright-Dunbar Area as Executive Director of Wright Dunbar, Inc.

Judge Walter H. Rice will introduce Idotha 'Bootsie' Neal to the community as Executive Director of Wright Dunbar, Inc. at a press conference held March 14th at 10:30am at 1109 W. Third Street (parking is available in front of the building on W. Third Street). Neal was instrumental in beginning the revitalization efforts in the Wright-Dunbar Village. More

Wright Dunbar, Inc.'s Allen Elijah Named a Top Ten African American Male by Parity, Inc.

Congratulations to Allen Elijah, who was named as a 'Top Ten African American Male' by Parity, Inc. This 14th year old program is held annually during Black History Month and honors outstanding African American males in the Dayton area. More

City Helps PriMed Open Physicians' Office in Wright-Dunbar

The Dayton City Commission recently approved a Development Agreement with Premiere Integrated Medical Associates (PriMed) to assist with the company's renovation of office space in the Wright-Dunbar Village neighborhood. More

Edison Elementary School Named a Neighborhood School Center

Dayton Public Schools in association with the Dayton Foundation and the Brother Raymond Fitz Center for Leadership and Community, recently announced Edison School as one of five elementary schools that will become the center of neighborhood redevelopment. The neighborhood school center concept is a growing national trend, and has become one of the initiatives of Dayton Public Schools' strategic plan to facilitate school reform. More

Celebrate Valentine's Day in Wright-Dunbar Business Village

Visit with Katharine Wright, sister of the famous Wright brothers, as she explains the secret of Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 12, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. More

Wright-Dunbar 'Holidays in the Village' coming Saturday, December 4th and 5th.

The holidays will be in full swing in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village on December 4th and 5th. Bring your family to enjoy 'The Wright Family Christmas,' an interactive holiday party. Visit with Katharine Wright as she writes her Christmas cards, and create your own holiday ornaments just like the ones hanging on the Wright Family Tree. More

Director of the National Park Service, Fran Mainella and Representative Mike Turner visit the Wright-Dunbar Business Village.

Director Mainella and Representative Turner toured the Wright-Dunbar Business Village and viewed the revitalization progress that has occurred since Director Mainella's visit two years ago. More

Walk of Fame

Since 1996, the Walk of Fame has recognized people from the Miami Valley who have made outstanding contributions to the community, nation and world. Wright Dunbar, Inc. is pleased to host this year's Walk of Fame ceremony honoring the 2004 class of inductees: George Cooper, Barrett Green, Clark Haines, John and William Sherman, and Jean Woodhull. More

Construction in Wright-Dunbar Business Village to begin

In association with the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park, Wright Dunbar, Inc. has been working with the City of Dayton on a Planned Development to construct a $1.2M parking project for the commercial corridor of the Wright-Dunbar Village. More

Reconciliation: Word and Song An Evening Event to Honor Wyatt Tee Walker

An evening of music and spoken word honoring Wyatt Tee Walker. Dr. Walker has a well established record as a civil rights leader, theologian, author, musician and cultural historian. His life's work has placed him at the forefront of the civil rights struggle, both here in the U.S. and abroad. He is being honored by the United Theological Seminary and by the Walker Fellows that have studied in his name. More

Wright-Dunbar Market Days Brings Legacy to Life

Once again, the Wright-Dunbar Business Village provided its citizens with a glimpse of history both past and in the making.

The Third Annual Wright-Dunbar Market Days Festival, which took place on June 26, celebrated the revitalization and legacy of the historic Wright-Dunbar Business Village. Approximately 5,000 Dayton residents arrived at the festival, which featured live music and entertainment, food and merchandise vendors, and of course, a host of other activities for the children. More

Four Seasons Garden Club awards Wright-Dunbar landscaping enhancement grant

The Four Seasons Garden Club has awarded Wright Dunbar, Inc. a grant to enhance landscaping between the entrance of the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and the parking lot planned for this area. The landscaping will be designed to welcome visitors and draw them to the park entrance. Wright Dunbar, Inc. and the National Park Service would like to thank members of the Four Seasons Garden Club for their gracious support of revitalization in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village.

Wright Dunbar Market Days and Time Flies are coming back to the Wright-Dunbar Business Village in June

Awarded "Best Special Event" by Downtown Ohio, Inc.,Wright-Dunbar Market Days is back for its 3rd year as the festival celebrating revitalization in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village 'Time Flies'- the popular interactive educational adventure will return to the Wright-Dunbar Village for Wright-Dunbar Market Days. This lively program attracted thousands of visitors to the Village last July. K12 Gallery for Young People will also return for a second year, artists from the K12 Gallery will work with children in a "Make and Take" art tent. This popular activity encourages young artists to design create their very own works of art to take home for further inspiration. More

Statewide Preservation Conference will be held in Dayton, May 18-20

Dayton will welcome people from across the state to share their ideas and information at Heritage Ohio and Downtown Ohio, Inc.'s statewide conference. Join people from across Ohio to learn about preservation and downtown revitalization issues and share examples of best practices. The conference is headquartered at Downtown Doubletree Hotel and all sessions will occur in or around the downtown area. Please visit http://www.heritageohio.org/9213_HeritageOH_Brochure.pdf for more information.

Construction Activities Planned for Wright-Dunbar Area

The following information is a brief update on construction activities slated to take place in the area bounded by West Fourth, South Broadway, Mercer, and South Williams. The area was marked by Haley-Dusa Engineering earlier in the week (3/18/04). City of Dayton Sewer Maintenance anticipates starting work this week to improve mains and install new laterals on West Fourth, South Broadway and Mercer. More

WDI Executive Director elected to the Board of Advisors of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Mr. John E. Moore, Jr. of Dayton, Ohio has been elected to the Board of Advisors of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Mr. Moore will serve as advisor to the national nonprofit preservation organization for an initial three-year term. More

National Park Service 'Speaker's Series' to Feature Tuskegee Airman

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in conjunction with the Engineers Club of Dayton is pleased to present Lieutenant Colonel C.I. Williams, USAF (retired) as a guest speaker on Thursday, March 25 at 7:00 pm. The title of his presentation is "The Tuskegee Airmen: A Brief History." A reception at the Engineers Club will follow. More

K12 Artists-in-Training Create Murals for the Wright-Dunbar Business Village

Dayton-Student artists from the K12 Gallery for Young People have designed and created an 11 panel mural for the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. For the last two months, students have created brightly painted images of turn-of-the-century Dayton. Streetcars, a ragtime piano player, women in big hats, and Model T's appear in vibrant colors across the 5x5 panels. The temporary mural will enliven a currently vacant building at 1031-45 W. Third Street, the corner of Williams and W. Third Street. More

Wright-Dunbar Village Project Earns Nationals Planning Award from HUD

The City of Dayton has been notified that the Wright Dunbar Village revitalization project has been selected to receive the 2004 HUD Secretary's Opportunity & Empowerment Award by the American Planning Association (APA). The prestigious award recognizes the comprehensive preservation and redevelopment efforts that have occurred in Wright-Dunbar Village and the adjacent historic innerwest neighborhoods. More

Wright Dunbar Village Welcomes MLK Marchers

On a frigid cold morning, marchers commemorating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. made their way down West Third Street, the street that also bears the name of the famous civil rights leader, en route to their final destination in downtown Dayton for the annual MLK Rally. More

Wright Dunbar Village Business Hosts Local High School Students

Local village business owner and internationally acclaimed artist, Willis "Bing" Davis conducted a presentation and art workshop for students from Trotwood Madison High School at his art studio located in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. More

Wright Dunbar, Inc. to Receive $1M in 2004 Federal Budget for the Continued Revitalization of Historic Buildings along W. Third Street.

Wright Dunbar, Inc. is pleased to announce that $1M has been included in the 2004 federal budget for the continued revitalization of historic buildings in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. The United States Senate approved the final budget on Thursday, January 22, 2004. The budget will now go to President Bush for final approval. More

Congratulations to Wilcon Construction Corp. and Rogero Buckman Architects, Honored for Excellence in Masonry in the Wright Dunbar Village

Wilcon Construction Corporation and Rogero Buckman Architects have received recognition for their outstanding work in masonry on the historic buildings of the Wright Dunbar Business Village. This preservation award was presented by the Masonry Institute of Dayton. More

WDAO Family 13th Annual "Love Feast" Gift to You on Christmas Day

Dayton, OH- The WDAO Radio Family is once again excited to invite the Dayton and Miami Valley Community to its 13th Annual "Love Feast: for anyone who may be lonely or hungry on Christmas Day." WDAO is a Wright-Dunbar Business Village neighbor and has been in the Village for over 5 years. More

University of Dayton Students from the Brother Raymond Fitz Center for Leadership and Community study the neighborhoods along W. Third Street

After an intensive, semester-long course investigating the W. Third Street area, students from the University of Dayton made a comprehensive presentation of their findings at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center. Over 75 people gathered to learn from the students. More

The Dayton Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Club Meets in Wright Dunbar Business Village

The Ambassador Club of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce held their holiday meeting at the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center in the Wright Dunbar Business Village. The Ambassador Club promotes the Chamber by reaching out to existing members to inform them of Chamber initiatives and activities. This group helps to keep the Chamber strong through membership retention. More

The holidays have officially arrived in the Wright Dunbar Business Village

Students from Dayton View Academy contributed their artistic talent to the Hoersting-Holtman building in the Wright Dunbar Business Village. Led by their instructors Mrs. Tudor, Mrs. Morton, Mr. Harmon, Ms. Roberts and Ms. Cole, students sketched out design concepts and worked in teams to create their vision. More

The Wright Dunbar Business Village Community will Meet to Discuss Crime Prevention in the Wright Dunbar Business Village with 3rd District Police Officers.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November at 10:00am and it will take place at Smokin' Joes at 1153 W. Third Street. More

Dewine, Voinovich announce $1.637 million for Dayton Aviation Park

U.S. Senator Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) announced that they have helped secure more than $1.6 million for the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park in the final Interior Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2004. The bill has passed both the House and Senate and will now go to the President for his signature. More

Senator DeWine Visits Dayton's Wright Dunbar Business Village

Senator DeWine (R) visited Wright Dunbar, Inc., the organization that is leading the revitalization effort in the Wright Dunbar Business Village on Friday, October 10. DeWine met with Executive Director John E. Moore, Jr. and discussed issues relating to downtown revitalization. He also toured many of the newly renovated commercial buildings. More

Smokin' Joes Café Expansion occurs in the Wright Dunbar Business Village

Joe Black will officially opened the doors to his new restaurant on Wednesday, September 24. Formerly focused on a successful catering and carry-out business, Joe was encouraged by his customers to open a sit-down restaurant. More

Welcome Subway Sandwiches!

Subway Sandwich Shop officially opened in the Wright Dunbar Business Village on Wednesday, July 23. The store welcomed record crowds with sandwich makers quickly moving people through the line. Commissioner Idotha Bootsie Neal was on hand encouraging others to purchase even more sandwiches. More

Incentives Offered for Businesses to Locate in the Wright Dunbar Business Village

Monday, July 21- A small business incentive program has been launched in the Wright Dunbar Business Village, brought forward by the City of Dayton, CityWide, the Chamber, and a consortium of banks. More

Dedication of the Wright Family Home

Visitors to the Wright Dunbar Business Village can now explore an interpretive representation of the Wright Family Home at the corner of 7 Hawthorne and Fourth Streets. More

Stanley A. Lowe, Vice President of Community Revitalization Department of the National Trust for Historic Preservation visits the Wright-Dunbar Business Village

Lowe made a visit to the Wright-Dunbar Business Village, a National Main Street program, Monday June 9th. Lowe met with employees from Wright-Dunbar Inc. Later he toured the area getting a preview of the work going into the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park, which opens June 27th at 2pm, from park superintendent Larry Blake. Lowe seemed impressed and pleased with the work that has been done and that work which is going on in the area. More

Opening Soon

On Friday, June 27 at 2:00pm the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park will celebrate the opening of the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, the Aviation Trail Visitor Center and Museum, and the Paul Laurence Dunbar State Memorial. More

Tuskegee Airmen Tribute Parade

Join us in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village to cheer on original members of the Tuskegee Airmen and other community groups in a parade sponsored by the Rockin' Jammers Drill Team and Drum Corp. and the Dayton Black Cultural Festival. Meet at the corner of W. Third and Williams at 10:00am on Saturday, July 12 and get in on the fun.

Hipple Cancer Research Center Teams Up with the Dayton Fire Department for Market Days in the Village

Hipple Cancer Research Center will offer PSA testing and coupons for free mammograms to eligible participants from 11:00am-3:00pm both Saturday and Sunday of Market Days in the Village. In addition to Hipple, the American Cancer Society will provide health information. More

Neighborhood Clean-Up

Help clean-up the Wright-Dunbar neighborhood and the Wright-Dunbar Business Village in preparation for this summer's exciting events. Meet in front of 30 S. Williams at 8:00am Saturday, June 21. Questions? Call Tony Sculimbrene at the Dayton Aviation Heritage Commission, 225-7705 ext. 271.

Wright Dunbar, Inc. Receives Preservation Award

The Montgomery County Historical Society presented Wright Dunbar, Inc. with one of its prestigious "Preservation Awards" at its annual meeting in May. Eric Cluxton, Chair of the Wright Dunbar, Inc. Board of Trustees accepted the award on behalf of the organization. More

Safari Interiors

The ribbon was cut for the grand opening of Safari Interiors on September 25. Store owner David Raimey brings an eclectic collection of African, Asian and Folk Art, jewelry and custom upholstery services to his shop in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. Authentic African artifacts as well as items crafted by local artisans give customers the opportunity to find that perfect gift - for themselves or others. More

Bing Davis Studio and Gallery

Internationally acclaimed artist and educator Willis "Bing" Davis officially opened the doors to his studio and gallery located in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. 200 people gathered to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony on December 4, including Mayor Rhine McLin students from the Dayton Academy. More

'Christmas in the Village' Brings Community Together

Holiday spirit filled the air at the annual Christmas celebration in the village that took place on December 8. Revelers of all ages met at 4th and Edwin C. Moses and walked down West Third Street singing carols along the route. More

National Award Commends the Wolf Creek Neighborhood and ISUS

Improved Solutions for Urban Systems, Inc. known as ISUS, received the "Gold Award" from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for its work in the Wolf Creek neighborhood. The Wolf Creek neighborhood is directly north of the Wright-Dunbar Business Village and has long been involved in revitalization efforts of the area. More

Essay Competition Honors African Americans in Aviation and Space Science

All students in grades 1-12 and undergraduate college students are invited to participate in the 19th annual ASALH/DLAMC-DEA Essay Contest. This contest is sponsored by the Dayton Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the Doris L. Allen Minority Caucus, and the Dayton Education Association. More

Area High School Juniors Get Excited About Urban Revitalization

Dayton area students learned about urban revitalization and the exciting opportunities in the Wright-Dunbar Business District at the History and Current Issues/Media Day, a program designed for the Junior Leadership Dayton Program. Sponsored by the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA of Greater Dayton, the program brings together 55 high school juniors from 15 high schools to develop communication and community leadership skills. This particular session focused on developing an appreciation for the Miami Valley's unique history and diversity. More