Courtney Browen

There was also the threat of violence in the South, as Black people feared being targeted, lynched, harassed, and discriminated against. So oftentimes, in an effort to escape racial violence, they too sought out Detroit for a chance at a better life.

There was also the threat of violence in the South, as Black people feared being targeted, lynched, harassed, and discriminated against. So oftentimes, in an effort to escape racial violence, they too sought out Detroit for a chance at a better life.

But things didn't get any better, and on July 23rd, 1967, the Detroit police raided an unlicensed black-owned club located at 9125 12th Street. This initial raid led to some violence, which erupted in some of the worst riots the nation has ever seen. The 1967 Detroit riot lasted a total of five days, and it resulted in 43 deaths,

But things didn't get any better, and on July 23rd, 1967, the Detroit police raided an unlicensed black-owned club located at 9125 12th Street. This initial raid led to some violence, which erupted in some of the worst riots the nation has ever seen. The 1967 Detroit riot lasted a total of five days, and it resulted in 43 deaths,

the deaths there were firemen one police officer many innocent bystanders and multiple looters the detroit news referred to the ordeal as the street of nightmares with the ongoing violence including criminal acts like arson looting and violent clashes with the national guard one man who spoke with the detroit news stated quote we are sick and tired of the treatment we're getting

the deaths there were firemen one police officer many innocent bystanders and multiple looters the detroit news referred to the ordeal as the street of nightmares with the ongoing violence including criminal acts like arson looting and violent clashes with the national guard one man who spoke with the detroit news stated quote we are sick and tired of the treatment we're getting

We're going to show Whitey, if things don't change, we burn the whole damn city down." Ultimately, the riot accelerated the departure of White residents from the city in what would become known as the White Flight. These White residents would end up moving to the suburbs outside Detroit, and middle-class Black citizens also joined and left the city for a more stable home environment.

We're going to show Whitey, if things don't change, we burn the whole damn city down." Ultimately, the riot accelerated the departure of White residents from the city in what would become known as the White Flight. These White residents would end up moving to the suburbs outside Detroit, and middle-class Black citizens also joined and left the city for a more stable home environment.

But the damage was done. The city that had once thrived started to fall.

But the damage was done. The city that had once thrived started to fall.

Like many black residents who lived in the Jim Crow South during that time period, Nathaniel Boone Craft's family left the abuse and corruption of Mississippi in search of a better opportunity. And they ended up planning their routes on the east side of Detroit. Born in 1957, Boone witnessed the challenges faced by the black community during a time of economic decline.

Like many black residents who lived in the Jim Crow South during that time period, Nathaniel Boone Craft's family left the abuse and corruption of Mississippi in search of a better opportunity. And they ended up planning their routes on the east side of Detroit. Born in 1957, Boone witnessed the challenges faced by the black community during a time of economic decline.

His family members suffered multiple job losses and the persistent racial tensions in the once prosperous city of Detroit led to a fractured, dysfunctional childhood for him. From an early age, Boone didn't associate with the other neighborhood kids and he considered himself to be somewhat of a loner.

His family members suffered multiple job losses and the persistent racial tensions in the once prosperous city of Detroit led to a fractured, dysfunctional childhood for him. From an early age, Boone didn't associate with the other neighborhood kids and he considered himself to be somewhat of a loner.

While his mother worked to provide a stable home environment for her children, his father was away in the army and Boone found himself alone. He spent a majority of his time checking out the action happening around his neighborhood. He witnessed his mother and older siblings continuously struggling to make ends meet.

While his mother worked to provide a stable home environment for her children, his father was away in the army and Boone found himself alone. He spent a majority of his time checking out the action happening around his neighborhood. He witnessed his mother and older siblings continuously struggling to make ends meet.

Day after day, they worked full-time jobs, leaving early in the morning and returning home late in the day, tired, beat, and with only a small amount of pay. Boone knew from an early age that he didn't want that life, and instead, he used his free time to observe the others around him, to see how they moved. how they operated, and how they made their money.

Day after day, they worked full-time jobs, leaving early in the morning and returning home late in the day, tired, beat, and with only a small amount of pay. Boone knew from an early age that he didn't want that life, and instead, he used his free time to observe the others around him, to see how they moved. how they operated, and how they made their money.

At just nine years old, Boone would sit outside on his front porch with a friend named Germ, and the two would watch the comings and goings of a local drug house across the street. In his mind, Boone knew that the people there were making money inside of the house, and from a young age, he wanted a piece of that pie.

At just nine years old, Boone would sit outside on his front porch with a friend named Germ, and the two would watch the comings and goings of a local drug house across the street. In his mind, Boone knew that the people there were making money inside of the house, and from a young age, he wanted a piece of that pie.