The Bulls of Durham Launches on Durham's 150th Anniversary

We did it! "The Bulls of Durham" launched on the 919th day of the project, which, by chance, is Durham's EXACT 150th anniversary of incorporation. 

​"The Bulls of Durham" living history book blends Durham's rich history dating back to 1701 with stories and perspectives of over 100 Durhamites that are continuing to mold and shape the city. Every interviewee was asked the same six questions, one of which was, “What changes would you like to see for Durham?” A pattern quickly emerged across the board over the two-year span of time the interviews were conducted: Less siloing behavior and more collaboration. The frequency and intensity of this answer only increased as time went on.

The fact is the Durham we all know and love is facing unprecedented changes. While the Bull City has always been a city of change and innovation, the changes that are going on in the Bull are unlike than anything that has happened in the 318 years our city’s recorded history. What now? Is “The Bulls of Durham” living history book a tome capturing the Durham we once knew?

Nah. We’re keeping Durham, Durm. If the Bull City can transform from a tobacco empire to a medical and tech Mecca, we can do anything. All it takes is faith the size of a tobacco seed and some grit. Time for that Bull City magic. Time to get to know your neighbors.

#ForTheLoveOfDurham your homework is to find someone in the Bull City who is the opposite of you in as many ways as possiBULL, interview them and submit that interview to TheBullsOfDurham.com. It is in the acts of seeking them, coming to the table with them and getting to know them that community is built.

Questions:

1. Tell us about yourself in relation to Durham. What do you do in Durham?
2. How long have you been in Durham?
3. What stands out to you the most about Durham?
4. What changes would you like to see in Durham?
5. What is the ONE thing you want people to know about Durham right off the bat?
6. Which bull in the Bull City is your favorite?

EXTRA CREDIT: What is an actionable takeaway from this interview?

How to submit your guest blog to TheBullsofDurham.com

• Email: Info@TheBullsOfDurham.com
• Subject Line: Durham 150 Guest Blog
• Attach your 800 to 1200 word blog in either the body of the email, as a word doc or as a Google doc. In either the intro or conclusion share how you found your interviewee.
• Include a photo of the interviewee. Snap one with your phone (with their permission) at the time of your interview.
• A 2 to 3 sentence bio about you.

Recommended Tools:

• Voice Recorder App by TapMedia - It’s free.
• Upwork.com to transcribe the interview. So much easier. Take the length of the interview in minutes times .85 to find out how much to pay for this service.

The goal is to build community. We're hoping to share 150 of these blogs in Durham's 150th year.

The Bulls of Durham (Preorder)

$29.00 - $39.00

"The Bulls of Durham" living history book. Launched on April 10th, 2019, Durham's 150th Anniversary.

"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 150th Anniversary.

Cover Art by DeCario Allen.

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