Hard Bargain: Recent Episodes
Brooke
One of the oldest African-American neighborhoods in a small Southern town has been changing. Hear the history of Hard Bargain, a community striving to remain unified, and the problems gentrification present.
In the third and final episode, we hear about the hope for affordable housing in a planned neighborhood adjacent to Hard Bargain. City Administrator Eric Stuckey talks about the Hill property, as well as how Franklin has supported the Fuller Story project to share African-American experiences in public spaces. Pastor Scott Roley speaks on his frustrations with deep-seeded racism, and his hope for open-hearted examination. Derrick and Marquita Solomon share their hopes as well, for community renewal and a legacy of learning from the past.
Show notes:
City hosts neighborhood meeting, surveys residents on design options for Hill Property, Franklin Home Page
Franklin BOMA votes to amend Envision Franklin to allow affordable housing on the hill property, Franklin Home Page
After pause, Franklin moving forward with affordable housing at Hill Property, Williamson Herald
In Episode 2, we hear about the Hard Bargain Association's work and how the pandemic affected that mission. We also discuss how the failure of a measure to create a historic overlay zone led to increasing gentrification in the neighborhood, and what that means for residents.
Show notes:
Hard Bargain Association to cut ribbon on pocket neighborhood, Williamson Herald
Southern Living shines light on Hard Bargain Association, Williamson Herald
The Transformation of the American Dream, New York Times
Panelist: Overt racism is rare, but covert racism is there, Franklin Home Page
Gentrification on the rise: Alderman petitions to keep residents in homes on Natchez, Williamson Herald
Welcome to the neighborhood! Hard Bargain is a community of around 100 homes nestled on a hill near downtown Franklin, Tennessee. Founded by a former slave after the Civil War, it's one of the oldest African-American communities in the Nashville area. On this episode, we hear from Hard Bargain Association CEO Derrick Solomon about the meaning of home ownership, the history of the community, and some of the challenges residents face.
Show notes:
Williamson County Historical Society Journal, Volume 30-31, 2000, Rick Warwick
God’s Neighborhood: A Hopeful Journey in Racial Reconciliation and Community Renewal, Scott Roley
Hard Bargain Association website
Franklin: Tennessee’s Handsomest Town, a Bicentennial History, James Crutchfield and Robert Holladay