By Keely David-Walker, Courtney Anderson, and Coi Bradley
Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Aug. 8, 2026 — For decades, West Ninth Street was more than a business district. It was the economic, cultural and social heart of Little Rock’s African American community. Black-owned businesses lined the corridor, while families lived, worshipped, attended school and built their lives in the surrounding Dunbar neighborhood. Together, West Ninth Street and the Dunbar Historic District formed a thriving community that became a symbol of Black resilience, entrepreneurship, and achievement.

That legacy changed dramatically with Urban Renewal and the construction of Interstate 630. Homes, businesses, and churches were demolished; families were displaced; and the physical connection between the neighborhood and its historic business corridor was severed. While many remember the loss of West Ninth Street’s businesses, the impact reached much deeper—it disrupted an entire community.

Today, the Beyond the Divide initiative is helping reconnect that history through storytelling, public art, educational programming, and entrepreneurship. Led by studioMAIN in partnership with community organizations, local leaders and the Smart Growth America Community Connectors Program, the project encourages residents and visitors to rediscover the significance of West Ninth Street while imagining its future.

For the Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association, however, the story extends beyond the business corridor.

“There is no Ninth Street without Dunbar, and there is no Dunbar without Ninth Street.” Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association

That guiding principle reflects the understanding that businesses flourish because of the neighborhoods that support them. The Dunbar community provided the homes, churches, schools, colleges, and customers that made West Ninth Street one of the most successful Black business districts in Arkansas.

For entrepreneur Tonia Grant, owner of Bag It Up Boutique, participating in Beyond the Divide meant becoming part of a much larger story.

Grant, who has operated her boutique for 19 years, said learning the history of West Ninth Street and the Dunbar Historic District gave her an even greater appreciation for the generations who came before her.

“Those before us paved the way for us,” Grant said.

She described the opportunity to operate her business on historic West Ninth Street as both inspiring and humbling.

“It feels amazing to have my business somewhere where the people before us paved the way for our community,” she said.

Grant believes initiatives like Beyond the Divide give today’s entrepreneurs an opportunity to build relationships, increase visibility, and inspire future generations of Black business owners.

“The new generation is coming,” she said. “This gives people exposure, allows them to meet new people, and helps make sure everyone hears your brand and your marketing platform loud and clear.”

Jewelry designer Krystal Bijoux shared a similar appreciation for the project’s mission. Known for creating handcrafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry inspired by art, nature, and personal connection, Bijoux said participating in Beyond the Divide reminded her that preserving history is ultimately about strengthening community.

“It was amazing,” she said. “There was so much Black history being shared. It was powerful and significant for our community.”

Learning about West Ninth Street’s history also deepened her understanding of what previous generations overcame.

“It reminded me that our community didn’t always have opportunities or places created for us,” Bijoux said. “It’s about bringing people together because, as a whole, we’re losing our sense of community.”

The project also created new opportunities for her business. Following her participation, Bijoux was featured in a television segment on KARK and said the experience helped her become more confident in promoting her work.

Looking toward the future, she hopes to see West Ninth Street once again become a vibrant destination where Black-owned businesses flourish, and community members gather to celebrate their shared history.

“I’d love to see it thriving again,” she said. “I want people to come out and support Black businesses.”

As an artist, Bijoux imagines creating jewelry inspired by the historic signs and buildings that once lined West Ninth Street. She believes those pieces could serve as wearable reminders of the neighborhood’s rich history while encouraging others to learn more about the community that shaped Little Rock.

Beyond the Divide has already increased awareness of West Ninth Street’s history while creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, artists, and community organizations. More importantly, it has encouraged conversations about the lasting effects of urban renewal and the importance of preserving the stories of the people who lived, worked, and worshipedw in the Dunbar community.

For the Dunbar Historic Neighborhood Association, preserving history means preserving both place and people. Revitalizing West Ninth Street and strengthening the Dunbar Historic District are inseparable goals because one has always depended on the other.

The story of West Ninth Street is not only about the businesses that once stood there. It is also about the neighborhood that supported them, the families who called Dunbar home, and the generations who continue working to ensure that legacy is never forgotten.

As Beyond the Divide continues to grow, it offers more than a look back at history. It invites the community to imagine a future in which entrepreneurship, preservation, and neighborhood revitalization once again work together—honoring the past while creating new opportunities for generations to come.