The Bull City Is Growing

Durham is growing.

I would like to nominate that previous sentence for understatement of the year.

On average, 20 people a day are moving to Durham and even more are taking jobs in the Bull City. The Bull is booming. There are both pros and cons to this. Changes occurring in Durham are unprecedented compared to anything in Durham’s history dating back to 1701, EXCEPT the influx of newcomers.

Before Durham was Durham, it was home to the Eno and Occaneechi tribes. From there colonial exploiter John Lawson called the area the “flower of the Carolinas,” a drunkard with a side hustle of doctoring gifted the NC railroad an acre, and a series of unBULLievaBULL events unfolded making Durham. Durham’s history can turn the most agnostic individuals BULLievers.

Durham’s history and existence are because of folks moving here for opportunities. Post Civil War Durham was one of the few cities in the South making money. The Bull City was one of the few places in the entire U.S. that African-Americans could make good, even great, money, even during the Jim Crow Era. It’s not that racism didn’t and doesn’t exist here; it’s more that it’s always taken a backseat to money. Funny thing happened during all of this; in working together folks got to know and like one another despite the color of their skin. They say money is the root of all evil, but in Durham, it was the root for strong race-relations.

But here’s the thing… what’s happening now is NOT like what has happened since 1701. An estimated 7,000 people moved to Durham last year, but there were over 9,300 evictions filed during that time. None of that is simple.

So how do we keep Durham, Durham in the face of such drastic changes in our population and thus culture?

We actively choose to.

We welcome newcomers in a way that clearly says, “this is who we are and what we value. You get that and you with that, welcome home. You are seen. You are loved. You matter.”

This Bull City History Bit was made possiBULL by our Community Partner Chrysti Peek.

​Sponsored Content.

The Bulls of Durham 1st Edition *Special Reserve

$50.00 - $60.00

Sold out

Signed, first print copy of "The Bulls of Durham" living history book. Projected book launch is April 10th, 2019, Durham's 150th Anniversary. This purchase includes your book and support for the project.

"The Bulls of Durham" living history book blends Durham's rich history with stories and perspectives of our city's greats that are continuing to build upon that history. And in this way, this is the story of Durham, North Carolina through the bulls' eyes.

Learn how a city that literally started from a tobacco seed in the ashes of the Civil War grew into the best city on earth. Discover how a stolen bull brought about a history shifting, global tobacco empire; and how 150 years later that relates to a British mustard company having beef with Sheila. #NotSorry

Find out the backstory to how the now hippest, foodiest, tech-hub of the South also gave rise to the bullpen, billboards, branding and baseball cards. Delve into our city's strong Black history that proves "Do It Like Durham" isn't a passing trend and will give you a profound sense of reverence walking down Parrish Street. 

Best of all, see the common thread that runs through the stories of teachers, politicians, business owners, hip-hop artists, painters, activists, historians, architects and the real Bull City OG's. Hint: it's the BULLief that in Durham anything is possiBULL.  

Welcome to Durham the incrediBULL place where grit meets grace. Here all you have to have is a dream and faith the size of a tobacco seed, because well, tobacco seeds build global empires, not mustard seeds. 

Project book launch date: April 10, 2019 - Durham's EXACT150th Anniversary.

Cover Art by DeCario Allen.

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Tasty Tuesday Feature

$150.00 $100.00

Get your incrediBULL Durham based food and/or beverage business in front of 1000s of Bull City enthusiasts and be a Bulls of Durham Supporter at the same time.

*Can use this as a Tasty Tuesday or Thirsty Thursday. You've got options.*

Have your business featured on The Bulls of Durham Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Share up to 10 photos of your incrediBULL crew, business or self in action. We'll work with you to create a caption that shares who you are, why you're awesome, what problem you solve for your customer, why you love Durham and which bull in the Bull City is your favorite. Because Durham.

• Must have both an Instagram and Facebook account for your business to link the promotion to.
• No risky-business :::wink wink::: as the young bulls read our social media posts.
• Must be based in and serve the Bull City.

Terms and conditions apply. We reserve the right to decline service to companies/organizations/individuals not in line with our brand.

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