It’s official: Brooklyn Village Avenue replaces Stonewall Street

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Dozens turned up Thursday for the official unveiling of the new Brooklyn Village Avenue signs in uptown Charlotte.

The name replaces Stonewall Street, which honored Stonewall Jackson, a Confederate general who fought to preserve slavery.

“In order to move forward in unity, I think it is clear that we needed to dismantle the symbols of racism that still existed in Charlotte,” Mayor Vi Lyles told the gathering. “I take pride in the fact that we are now focusing on the positive and renaming this important city street to pay tribute to the thriving neighborhood that was once located in this area.” 

The new name honors Brooklyn Village, a historically Black neighborhood demolished by the city in the 1960s to make way for government and commercial buildings.

Today, Brooklyn Village is honored in various ways, from the newly named street to the Brooklyn Collective. 

In addition to city officials, several graduates of the former Second Ward High School also attended the unveiling.

Stonewall Street was the ninth and final street in Charlotte renamed under the work of the city’s Legacy Commission.