Welcome to my home town the third largest city in North Carolina. A city full of history and forever growing. I lived in Greensboro from age 6–16. Everyone in our community was related to each other, according to my great aunts. We all attended the same church, went to the same schools and some of us still live in the community called Mt. Tabor today. Greensboro is a part of the "Piedmont Triad" area which also includes Winston-Salem and High Point. Of the three cities, Greensboro is the largest.
When I brought Rob to meet my parents, he had forgotten that Greensboro is historical in several ways but the one most noted is on February 1, 1960, when four African American students – Ezell A. Blair Jr. (now known as Jibreel Khazan), David Richmond, Joseph McNeil, and Franklin McCain – from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University sat at the segregated lunch counter of Woolworth's store. This lunch counter only had chairs/stools for whites, while blacks had to stand and eat. Although they were refused service, they were allowed to stay at the counter. This sparked sit–ins around the country. The original lunch counter and stools are now at the Smithsonian. There is even a street on that very corner named "February One ".
Greensboro was considered the center of the Southern textile industry, producing denim, flannel, and overalls. It is now the location of the corporate headquarters of the Honda Aircraft Company, P. Lorillard Tobacco Company, VF Corporation, AIG United Guaranty, Volvo Trucks of North America, RF Micro Devices, the International Textile Group, Market America, NewBridge Bank and Carolina Bank. Greensboro is also the "center of operations" for the insurance company Lincoln Financial Group. There are a number of colleges and universities in Greensboro, UNC-G, NC A&T, GTCC, Bennett College and a host of others. Also home to Robert McAdoo (NBA), Dolly Madison (Pres. James Madison's wife), Fred "Curly" Neal (Globetrotters), Vince Evans (NFL) and Ronald Perelman (Billionaire Investor) just to name a few.
The stores I shopped in as a child are mostly gone or either home to various restaurants and night clubs. Until recently, the oldest jewelry store, Schiffman's, was still located downtown in the same place on Elm Street. The library has moved over one block, BOA now occupies that space. The courthouse remains in the same place with adjourning buildings surrounding it. The Carolina Theater, where I went to the movies, built in 1927 is now a performing arts facility. The Coliseum still has the best entertainment from classical to farmer's markets. It is also home to "Dudley Senior High School which will play at the Inauguration Ceremonies on January 20, 2009. Not to mention this is my mother′s alma mater. She is so proud of her school.
My favorite places to shop are: Harris Teeter, Friendly Shopping Center and Sam′s Old Fashion Meat & Seafood Market. The Koury Convention Center is home to retail stores, the Sheraton, banks, restaurants and is located right at I40/85B and also known as the Four Seasons Towne Center.
Our Greensboro Part 2 Our Greensboro Part 3