The Wake County Housing Justice Coalition is in opposition to the redevelopment of Shaw University (rezoning case number Z-59-22) as it would remove the historic landmark that protects the campus, the students, and the Black community from land theft by monied, white supremacist interests to create luxury condos and other commercial development. This also effectively erases the Black history and culture of the land going forward.

Currently, Shaw University refuses to produce a master plan before the redevelopment case. By doing so, it keeps us in the dark on how much potential grant or tax money they are going to take from us. This is also why the remainder of Prince Hall District, one of the last remaining historic Black districts in Downtown Raleigh, is being targeted for its proximity to Shaw University and is in danger of being stolen and erased. Before the city votes on the case, Shaw University must articulate exactly what their master plan is, so that the public can assess if the taxpayers’ investment is viable or not.

Furthermore, Shaw University is currently directly violating the civil and human rights of the Muslims by denying them their freedom of religious practice. The City of Raleigh should not be aiding and abetting in the further perpetuation of the denial of the right to worship of any religious groups, in this case, committing anti-Muslim actions with passing of the redevelopment plan.

It should also be noted that Mack Paul, the attorney for the applicant Dr. Paulette Dillard (President of Shaw University), has a very long, documented history of donating to and supporting Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin's election campaigns, which should lead to question as to whether this is purely a business relationship or a direct conflict of interest: https://cf.ncsbe.gov/CFOrgLkup/ReportDetail/?RID=201728&TP=ALL

For reasons stated above, we the community demand that the Raleigh City Council votes no to Z-59-22 on Shaw University. If the Raleigh City Council truly intends to be anti-racist and anti-bigoted, this council must vote no to Z-59-22 until Shaw University ensured ample, open, and transparent opportunity for the local taxpayers in Raleigh to come to the table to review, comment on, and approve a potential master plan that will truly benefit the Shaw University’s students as well as the overall HBCU cultural legacy, rather than opening the place up for white, capitalistic exploitations.