‘Anything but a Slum’ at Black Police Precinct recalls Miami’s Overtown
An exhibition at the Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum sheds light on the cultural history of Overtown, a predominantly Black neighborhood in Miami, during the era of legal segregation. Titled “Anything but a Slum: Miami-Overtown Before I-95/395,” the exhibition runs through Friday, Nov. 1, offering an exploration of a community that flourished despite systemic challenges.
Curator Jordan Rogers explains that the exhibition was inspired by two main themes: the vibrant culture of Overtown and the impact of urban planning on Black communities. “Overtown was a site of pleasure for Black residents and tourists,” says Rogers. “I wanted to highlight both its cultural contributions and the consequences of automobile-centric development.”
Rogers says he delved into archives, following leads wherever they took him. “I spent several weeks collecting materials on the target time and place. The theme of Black leisure leapt out at me from the mountains of pictures and documents on my desk,” he recounts. This approach allowed him to uncover a rich tapestry of life in Overtown, highlighting how Black tourism spurred economic and cultural development in the area.
Using photographs, archival videos, audio recordings, and historical artifacts, the exhibition captures the essence of life in Overtown before the construction of I-95 and I-395 changed its landscape. Visitors will discover images and stories of celebrities such as Nat King Cole, Joe Louis, and Sam Cooke, who often visited the neighborhood and found a sense of comradeship among its residents.
“Overtown was a major place for Black celebrities to see and be seen,” says Rogers. “Black police officers played a leading role in creating a safe environment, allowing the neighborhood to flourish.”
Nat King Cole, a regular visitor, enjoyed relaxing at local Black luxury hotels, while Sam Cooke recorded a live album at the Harlem Square Club in 1963. The exhibition also explores Black Miami’s athletic culture, highlighting figures like fighters Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis, who both had significant ties to the community.
Curating the exhibition was not without its challenges. “I ran into considerable difficulty finding reputable historical sources for some topics. Oftentimes, informal sources would clash, or there would be glaring gaps – unanswerable questions – due to a lack of archived information,” he says. Despite these obstacles, Rogers persevered, consulting with history scholars and deepening his understanding of local history.
The Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum provides guided tours led by retired City of Miami police officers. Museum Director Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant emphasized the significance of the exhibit’s title, “Anything but a Slum,” and its importance for the community. “We wanted to look deeper into how Black residents balanced segregation and happiness,” says Cribbs-Lorrant. “This exhibit offers a closer look at the joys and challenges faced by Overtown residents.”
The exhibition addresses the impact of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 and the plans that routed I-95 through Overtown, which led to the displacement of families and businesses in the neighborhood. “The highway’s construction is a central tenet of the exhibition,” says Rogers. “However, I wanted to emphasize the good times that did exist in Overtown and the ways in which urban environments can be revised.”
Cribbs-Lorrant also shared insights into the exhibit’s significance for the museum. “The Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum is but a hop and a skip from the Miami-Dade transit line; walking distance to Culmer station and the 21 bus passes directly across the street from the museum’s front door,” he says. “We see the museum as a Welcome Station for those who will be using the many services that will be provided under the new highway or the Underdeck.”
The exhibit aims to bring awareness to the ongoing effects of urban renewal on Black communities. “The impact of Urban Renewal was destructive to many Black and brown communities around the country, and Miami-Overtown was no different,” says Cribbs-Lorrant. “This exhibit allows viewers to learn the history and reimagine themselves in that space.”
Rogers hopes visitors will leave the exhibition with a better understanding of Overtown’s history and a sense of hope for the future. “I hope Overtown residents, in particular, feel seen and heard through ‘Anything but a Slum.’ ” We have provided immersive and interactive components to give visitors a space for remembering the past and processing the neighborhood’s transformation over time.”
The exhibition also aims to reshape the collective memory and perception of Black neighborhoods, drawing comparisons with other prominent Black neighborhoods like New York’s Harlem and Greenwood in Tulsa. “All of these places were known for their vibrant cultural and economic ecosystems,” explains Rogers. “Miami’s reputation as a hub for Black tourism distinguishes it from virtually every other city in the nation.”
As Overtown experiences growth and redevelopment, the exhibition invites the community to engage in dialogue about urban renewal and its impact on Black neighborhoods. “Anything but a Slum” is a reminder of Overtown’s past and a call to action for a more inclusive future.
If you go:
WHAT: “Anything but a Slum: Miami-Overtown Before I-95/395”
WHERE: The Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum, 480 NW 11th St., Miami, FL 33136
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Through Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
COST: $10, general admission; $5, student/college (ages 7 – 21), senior; police/military, and free for children 6 years old and younger.
INFORMATION: (305) 329-251 or historicalblackprecinct.org
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