By Keely David-Walker, Courtney Anderson, and Coi BradleyDunbar 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…