The journey of African-Americans in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, is remarkable for its legacy of triumph over adversity, tenacity amid trials, and joy for life even as "second-class citizens."

After the Civil War, the slave system was quickly replaced by Jim Crow laws and segregation, confining blacks to a specific place in society and putting limits on how much they could progress.

But instead of despairing, blacks in Mecklenburg County carved out shadow communities that were a source of pride and provided opportunities that led to amazing accomplishments. From the black neighborhoods and institutions emerged civic and political leaders. During the era of civil-rights struggles, these remarkable individuals helped topple the longstanding laws of segregation that separated the races and limited opportunity for blacks in the region and beyond.

These stories, many told in the voices of those who lived them, provide insight into how Charlotte and Mecklenburg County evolved and the contributions blacks made to the area's prosperity and growth. They also illuminate present-day issues of race, class, and politics. This rich, vibrant culture lives on in memories, and in the remarkable archival and family photographs showcased in the book.