The Roanoker - January/February 2021 - 25

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" I want it to be my family home, " says Jordan, who's slowly
begun renovations, " not just for me, but to motivate people
of my age to do the same thing in this neighborhood. " -
Jordan Bell
Following his nose for history, Jordan
discovered that Gainsboro had once been
a thriving seedbed of business, art and
accomplishment, particularly for people
of color. Nearing the mid-20th century,
however, economic pressures and urban
renewal efforts slowly degraded the fabric
of the community, dividing or demolishing
large swaths of area homes.
Jordan was riveted by what he learned
... but it took the reactions of friends
and acquaintances to galvanize his
commitment to telling Gainsboro's story.
Announcing his plans to put down roots
in the neighborhood, Jordan was met with
skepticism: " Why would you want to live
there? " people asked him.
" It just blew me away, " says Jordan. " I
was like, you know what? I want to show
as many people as I can this beautiful
neighborhood ... I need to show people
what used to be here. "
Jordan began by giving a presentation
at the Gainsboro branch library, which

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turned into another presentation, then
another. Soon he was leading walking
tours of the community.
And in 2020, he finally got the chance
to put down long-term roots, purchasing a
120-year-old home on Gilmer Avenue that
had been abandoned for about a decade.
" I want it to be my family home, " says
Jordan, who's slowly begun renovations,
" not just for me, but to motivate people
of my age to do the same thing in this
neighborhood. "
When it came time to select a photo
for the Roanoker's challenge, the choice
was easy. A photographer friend snapped
Jordan in front of his favorite neighboring
home, which sits diagonally across Gilmer
from his own.
" That home was the former home of
Dr. James Roberts, and he's one of the
founding members of Burrell Memorial
Hospital, which is the first Black hospital
in southwest Virginia, " Jordan says. " Dr.
Roberts' next-door neighbor was Edward

I Heart SE's neighborhood
litter pick-up group,
by Sunni Purviance

Dudley, and Edward Dudley was the first
Black ambassador of the country. And then
Edward Dudley's next-door neighbor was
Oliver Hill, and Oliver Hill was a civil rights
attorney. So, those three homes represent
what Gainsboro produced. "
He can't help but admire Dr. Roberts'
special homeplace-and to recognize what it
truly symbolizes.
" It's a two-story home with a wraparound
porch, a beautiful front yard, and I think it
just shows what Gainsboro represents, " he
says; " elegance and beauty and structure and
strength and tenacity. "
It's the picture of a neighborhood he's
proud to call Home. I

JAN/FEB 2021 25
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