The Merrick-Moore Community: A Legacy of Resilience, Heritage & Empowerment

The Merrick-Moore Community, originally the Millie Rone Hall Estate on the Roane Plantation, runs along Cheek Road (which was “Fish Dam Road”). The community was officially developed by V.F Pope and H.L Noell in 1947, with the first Black family to purchase land and build a home in 1940.

Many of the first residents to purchase lots and build were veterans of WWII who were released from the duty of service between 1945 – 1946. There were many families who purchased multiple lots, most being brothers, sisters, parents and others who had come from farms before the war.

The Merrick-Moore Community takes its name from the high school (now elementary school), which was built in 1950 and is named after John Merrick, a successful businessman and founder of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, and Dr. Aaron McDuffie Moore, the first Black medical doctor in Durham and founder of the Lincoln Hospital.

The Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation exists for charitable and educational purposes. It is the corporations charge to improve the overall quality of life of the poor, underprivileged, and disenfranchised by strengthening the bonds amongst its residents, which include but not limited to providing a forum for the sharing of information, promoting activities/events, fulfilling the community needs and through enhancing the homeowner’s property values.

The core values of the organization are community service, activism, teamwork, loyalty, respect, and trust. All in all The Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation takes pride in maintaining a Legacy of Resilience, Heritage & Empowerment!

Questions, Talking Points & Time Stamps:

• 14:15 What does Merrick Moore mean to you?
• 26:16 What all is involved in fighting for community reform?
• 30:23 Discuss the significance and history of Merrick-Moore High School
• 41:11 Discuss your ongoing projects, their importance, your progress and goals
• 1:02:45 How do you handle the stresses of community advocacy?