Voices from the Neighborhood: Honoring the History of College Hill

The Historic Black College Hill neighborhood has long been a beacon of resilience, faith, and community. For generations, its streets have echoed with the laughter of children playing, the wisdom of elders sharing stories, and the determination of people who have worked to uplift one another. Today, we share the voices of two College Hill neighbors, Dr. Linda Avila and Kezmond Pugh, whose experiences paint a vivid picture of where the neighborhood has been and where it is going. This narrative sheds light on places and people in close proximity – a reflection and acknowledgement of Black History here in Cleveland, TN, The City with Spirit. 

Preserving Memories Pre-Segregation: 1950s-60s

Dr. Avila fondly reminisced about a vibrant and happy childhood. The College Hill School was regarded as a neighborhood pillar, where she attended school from 1st-9th grade before segregation ended. The school served as a source of not only education, but enrichment and community care. She remembers the teachers being intentional and caring, sometimes strict, but ultimately a family because many of them also lived in the neighborhood and knew student families personally. That was the way the neighborhood was: tight-knit, safe, and built on trust. 

"We were a community; a real community. School was the anchor, church was the anchor. You could borrow eggs from your neighbor or sugar. You could leave your door unlocked and nobody would come in and take anything from you. That's why I care so much about that neighborhood that I grew up in." 

One of Dr. Avila’s fondest childhood memories is being crowned the first Homecoming Queen at her school in the fifth grade. “I remember the dress. It was a little white and green dress that my Mama and Aunt bought for me... That was the highlight of elementary school.”

As a child, Dr. Avila does not recall feeling the racial tension on the surface in the same way it has materialized in recent years, but she notes how it existed in a different way: “They didn't want us across town. We knew where our place was.” 

Though she and her family grew up quite poor, they were proud. Her mother worked hard and also benefited from other people’s kindness. Dr. Avila said they always dressed well when they went out, and as a child she never realized they were poor because her mother made sure that her children always felt secure and cared for. 

In her adult life, Dr. Avila prioritized academics achieving her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and then her Doctorate in Ministry, Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She now owns a neighborhood business called Neighbors United Counseling and Referral Services (NUCARS) which provides mental health services to the community. Dr. Avila’s faith remains a big part of her life, allowing God to call her into advocacy, ministry, and love for others. Churches have historically been another neighborhood pillar in College Hill, serving as meeting places for community events, social advocacy, and revivals. Today they are still regarded as such, though some houses of faith have become increasingly disconnected from the physical place of the neighborhood and nearby residents. 

The Aftermath of Urban Renewal in Cleveland, TN: 1970s

Pre-1970s, East Inman St. was a humble, yet bustling “mainstreet” for the College Hill Neighborhood. It used to have family-owned businesses, like “The Busy Bee”, a neighborhood restaurant that served soul food. There were other restaurants, small shops, and great places for children and families such as a local skating rink and a snow cone place. 

Shortly after segregation ended, urban renewal projects across the entire nation took place in the 1970s. What many viewed as a positive infrastructure initiative at the time, particularly those who were not members of historically marginalized neighborhoods, became one of the most devastating government-funded programs of its time for Black neighborhoods. Unfortunately, Cleveland, Tennessee was no exception. Dr. Avila remembers how a lot of promises were made and broken, which primarily hurt Black families and individuals. A federal highway project developed to run through the heart of College Hill decimated the infrastructure and displaced residents, forcing people to leave their community and lose their livelihoods. Although neighbors were promised that the area would be rebuilt, the funding never came to implement phase 2, leaving neighbors and their beautiful community largely devastated. Over the years, further disinvestment took place, removing manufacturing jobs from East Cleveland which led to the economic decline of more businesses and access to goods and services. This East Inman St. commercial corridor remains a central talking point for neighbors, with the negative impacts still physically evident today. Though there are still a few remaining family-owned businesses, The street is mostly lined with vacant buildings and places of businesses that detract from the commerce that residents need and desire.

Growing Up in College Hill Before the Turn of the Century: 1980s-1990s

When Kezmond Pugh was born, segregation had ended and urban renewal projects were complete. College Hill retained a tight-knit sense of community even beyond the College Hill School closing and the displacement caused by urban renewal. 

He recalls a very bright, happy childhood characterized by feelings of community and safety. A typical summer day for young Kezmond included waking early to go to the Rec Center which neighbors fondly called “The School House.” He said that he and his friends would take a small allowance and stop by Ms. Pauline Bradfords' house, nicknamed the "the cookie lady", and they would get a sweet treat. At some point they would make their way to Vest Grocery for a bologna sandwich or a hamburger. Afterward, they would go back to the school house for the rest of the day - learning and growing together. Kezmond recalls these as some of the most enriching times, The School House serving as a safe haven for kids to grow up. He said this is where he learned to sew, to sing, play the piano, take youth trips, and play sports. Later in life as an adult, Kezmond attended culinary school, which was largely inspired from his creative summers spent at The School House. 

“We had easter egg hunts, a group called black brothers that would go camping and fishing. I never did look outside of my neighborhood. But when people would say ‘Oh you live over there?’ I was like ‘Yeah what's wrong over there?’”

A Vision for the Future in Cleveland, TN: The 21st Century

Growing up, Kezmond didn’t feel some of the tensions he feels today. Racism lying under the surface, came out in a way he had not experienced before. 

“I didn't know racism here. I know what my grandparents told me used to happen… It wasn't until the protests that my eyes opened up. In 2020, it brought something out of people that I had never seen. But then on this side of the street you got people saying racial slurs, and this is the City of Spirit. That pushed me into community service… I can't ever go back to just being complacent and not challenging stuff." 

Kezmond led a group called Emancipate Cleveland in 2020 to advocate for a more equitable Cleveland. After leading protest efforts and advocating for racial justice, it was an intense time for him – he received death threats and would have to get security to take him home at times. Even through this trauma, he has dedicated himself to serving his community long-term. 

Dr. Avila added that everyone can advocate in their own ways and according to their abilities. “I can talk to individuals. To some of the pastors or some of the members; I joined the NAACP again. Some of them can come alongside us and see that we want our neighborhood to be beautiful.”

Kezmond and Dr. Avila hopes to see the sense of community revitalized in College Hill. It remains a culturally rich community with a diverse landscape of residents, including a rapidly growing Latino population. They believe the neighborhood deserves a community hub similar to what Kezmond had in the Rec Center or Dr. Avila in the College Hill School. 

“I don't have kids, but I want College Hill to be a place where kids can thrive like I did,” said Kezmond. “I learned how to be who I am through College Hill and these entrepreneurs and what I've seen growing up. It's just a beautiful place. I've been all over the world, but there's nothing like turning on Inman, knowing I'm safe, I'm home.” 

Linda and Kezmond are part of the College Hill Neighborhood Association and a 2-Year program called City Shapers, groups that are planning and implementing community engagement activities for neighbors. Neighbor connection and ownership is where thriving communities begin. Through their work and the community coming alongside them, College Hill will not be the neighborhood of the 60s, 70s, 80s, or 90s. But it can be restored into a beautiful, thriving place that meets the needs and dreams of the people who live there today and call it home.

Kezmond communicated the main dream that he hopes to see through: “My goal is to create a neighborhood where we work together… a community where we take care of each other. And I think each time we have something, it grows bigger and bigger.”