On December 2, 2021, the 1901 Building Group presents the first The Front Porch of the season. The 1901 Building Group has been awarded a grant from the NC Humanities Council and the National Endowment of the Arts. The 1901 Building Group is a 501(c)(3) educational organization dedicated to preserving historical African American culture.

“The grant is for a series of stories and the series of the story called Come to the Front porch,” said 1901 Building Group President Choci Gray.

The Fall 2021 Front Porch is a tribute to Mr. Wilbur Croom. A 1950 graduate of historic Adkin High School in Kinston, Croom has traveled the world as a renowned musician and vocalist. Croom was selected as a charter member of the African American Music Trail of Eastern North Carolina. He has also served in the United States Air Force where Airman First Class Croom honed his musical skills while winning numerous awards as the best male vocalist. Croom retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1976.

“Front Porch created a stage, a platform for the whole community,” said Gray. “I’m proud about that.”

Gray and the 1901 Building Group will host the event from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the 1901 Building, located in the downtown historic district at 129 N. Queen Street in Kinston. The North Carolina Humanities Council is the title sponsor of the 2021-22 Front Porch series.

Per their website, the North Carolina Humanities Council serves as an advocate for lifelong learning and thoughtful dialog about all facets of human life. It facilitates the exploration and celebration of the many voices and stories of North Carolina’s cultures and heritage.

“The retelling of living history is so very important to our cultural history,” said Gray.

Gray hopes to offer live streaming of the event for those who want to attend but cannot. The Front Porch series will highlight key figures that impacted the history of Lenoir County.