99% Invisible Soul City
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Apr 6, 2016 Explore the visionary idea of Soul City, a proposed self-determined community for Black Americans in the late 1960s. Delve into the profound impact of civil rights leader Floyd B. McKissick and his ambition to empower through economic opportunity. Discover the contrasting ideologies within the Black Power movement and the challenges Soul City faced, from infrastructure issues to media misrepresentation. Reflect on McKissick's legacy and the continued importance of recognizing influential yet often overlooked figures in history.
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Pioneers Build Soul City
- Soul City was built on a former tobacco plantation with hopes of growing to 40,000 in 30 years.
- Early settlers felt empowered by the opportunity to escape racial limits from cities like New York.
Infrastructure Without Growth
- Soul City built key infrastructure like a health clinic, swimming pool, and industrial incubator to attract residents and jobs.
- Despite these efforts, population and industry growth stalled, causing a development catch-22.
Name Shapes Perception
- The name Soul City was viewed as 'too black,' affecting public perception despite racial diversity.
- The project embraced black identity while being multiracial, challenging outside skepticism.