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While other parts of our community have begun to thrive and revitalize, East Kinston has struggled to get back on track. We’re working to change that.
Located in Eastern North Carolina, the small city of Kinston, once thrived as a bustling town rooted in textile manufacturing and tobacco, drawing visitors to its vibrant "Magic Mile" downtown and abundant cultural and natural attractions, including a lively music scene and scenic views of the Neuse River. However, over recent decades, a series of challenges have converged to impact Kinston's local economy, including the closure of key industries, recurring devastating hurricanes, and broader economic downturns, leading to disinvestment, declining morale, and population loss. Between 1990 and 2010, Kinston witnessed a population decline of over 16%, resulting in numerous vacant properties, notably in the downtown and surrounding areas.
Despite economic challenges, Kinston has harnessed its unique physical, cultural, and social assets to rejuvenate its economy. Led by both public agencies and community partnerships, initiatives like the African American Music Trail, a downtown sculpture park, Riverwalk, and an Arts District have transformed Kinston into a burgeoning cultural destination. In the past 10 years, private investments have revitalized the downtown, filling once-vacant historic buildings with new commercial enterprises. The city's industries have also seen growth, with expanded local employers and the buildout of the Global TransPark, an aerospace-focused industrial park, infusing new energy into the region.
East Kinston, an area just east of downtown and the focus of our work, has had more difficulty recovering in comparison to other areas of the city. East Kinston was hit hardest by recent hurricanes and struggles to regain its footing as we grapple with issues related to concentrated poverty and crime. This area, one of the main gateways into the city and downtown, could be characterized as dilapidated residences, abandoned structures, outdated and dense public housing, and poorly-maintained vacant lots. The neighborhood is also dramatically underserved by commercial enterprises, resulting in scarce employment opportunities and limited access to goods and services for local residents.
Despite its struggles, East Kinston is held near and dear to the heart of those of us with roots in the area. From the Adkin High School Walkout of 1951—featured in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture—to being the birthplace of funk music, few places can parallel the resiliency, cultural richness, and historic importance of East Kinston.
Kinston Teens, in collaboration with various community partners, is actively engaged in revitalizing East Kinston, aiming to foster social, economic, and environmental resilience in our beloved neighborhood. For the purposes of this project, Kinston Teens is focused on the area of our community located east of Queen Street (our city’s “Magic Mile,” in downtown, that dissects Kinston into an East and West), and south of Vernon Avenue (our main commercial roadway, that separates what is known as “up the hill” and “down the hill” in Kinston). This neighborhood is anchored by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard corridor in its heart, and flanked by the Adkin Branch to its east and Neuse River to its south. Formerly called the Kinston Teens Neighborhood Hub, we envision the East Kinston Neighborhood Hub being a catalyst for positive development and community building in our beloved neighborhood. We believe that the same community and economic development our city has had success with in other neighborhoods is also possible in East Kinston.
To view a map of our East Kinston Study Area Boundary, click here.