Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek. According to 2009 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 73,069.
In 1954 the Brown v. Board of Education decision by the U.S. Supreme Court forced the then segregated schools of New Castle County to desegregate. However, the subsequent eleven school districts that were created in the county, including the Wilmington School District, soon became de facto segregated, as the Wilmington School District became predominately black, and the districts outside the city remained overwhemingly white. In response, the 1976 U.S. District Court decision Evans v. Buchanan implemented a plan by which students in Wilmington would be bused to attend school in the suburbs for certain grades, while suburban students would be bused into the City of Wilmington for other grades.
In 2002, Wilmington became what was thought to be first city in the U.S. to have its entire downtown area under surveillance. Also in 2002, the Wilmington Police Department started a program known as jump-outs in which unmarked police vans would patrol crime-prone neighborhoods late at night, suddenly converge at street corners and temporarily detain loiterers; photographing and fingerprinting the detainees. Along with apprehending anyone with drugs or weapons, it was thought that this program would improve the police's database of fingerprints and eye-witnesses for use in future crime investigations. Some citizens protested that such a practice was a violation of civil rights.
The city has one of the highest per capita rates of HIV infection in the United States, with disproportionate rates of infection among African-American males. Efforts by local advocates to implement needle exchange programs to combat the spread of infection were obstructed for several years by downstate and suburban state legislators but a program was finally approved in June 2006.
Wilmington has a very active and diverse ethnic population, which contributes to several very popular ethnic festivals held every spring and summer in Wilmington, the most popular of which is the Italian Festival. This event, run by St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, closes down six blocks in the west side of the city the second week of June every year for traditional Italian music, food, and activities, along with carnival rides and games. Haneef's African Festival celebrates the heritage of the African American majority in the city. Wilmington is also home to the annual Big August Quarterly, a historic event since 1814 celebrating African American religious freedom. IndiaFest is another cultural festival held in the city and is hosted by the Indo American Association of Delaware.
The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival is an week-long outdoor music festival held each summer in Wilmington's Rodney Square.
The Peoples' Festival is an annual tribute to Bob Marley, a one-time Wilmington resident. Started in 1994 to honor Marley, the event brings together Reggae and World Beat music artists, playing both original music as well as Bob Marley and the Wailers songs. The festival is held on the Wilmington riverfront each summer.
The Riverfront Blues Festival is a 3-day music festival in the Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park in Wilmington. The festival, which features prominent blues acts as well as artists from the local area, takes place each August.
Radio Stations
WVUD 91.3 FM Newark, DE Variety
WSTW 93.7 FM Wilmington, DE Top-40
WRDW 96.5 FM Philadelphia, PA Top-40
WPEN 97.5 FM Burlington, NJ Sports
WUSL 98.9 FM Philadelphia, PA Hip Hop
WPHI 100.3 FM Media, PA Hip Hop
WJKS 101.7 FM Canton, NJ Hip Hop
WIOQ 102.1 FM Philadelphia, PA Top-40
WPPZ 103.9 FM Jenkintown, PA Gospel Music
WDAS 105.3 FM Philadelphia, PA Urban Contemporary
WRNB 107.9 FM Pennsauken, NJ Urban Contemporary
Because Hispanics could be counted in other races, the totals above could possibly be more than 100%. If you would like a detailed listing of all ethnic groups in the U.S., please Click Here.
Famous African Americans from Wilmington, Delaware
A small percentage of the businesses listed on BlackCityInfo.com may not necessarily be black owned and operated but have received favorable reviews from users who have visited the establishment, or from the owners themselves who warmly seek out African American patronage.
BEAUTY CARE - BLACK HAIR SALONS - MULTICULTURAL
Amy African Hair Braiding -
2120 West Newport Pike - Wilmington, DE 19804-3721 (302) 994-0309
Ava's African Hair Braiding & Styling Salon -
8 East Lea Boulevard - Wilmington, DE 19802-2352 (302) 655-1983
Black Visionary Designers Barber -
223 West 8th Street - Wilmington, DE 19801-1734 (302) 888-2831
Day Spa by Tanya - Category: African American Spa - 2500 W 4th Street - Wilmington, DE (302) 622-8112
Edward’s Wellness & Skin Care Facility - Category: African American Spa - 1608 Marsh Road - Wilmington, DE (302) 479-9399
Exclusive Hair Braiding -
807 North Tatnall Street - Wilmington, DE 19801-1717 (302) 622-8843
Hawa African Hair -
807 North Shipley Street - Wilmington, DE 19801-1713 (302) 655-4470
In Da Cut -
1232 North King Street - Wilmington, DE 19801-3226 (302) 652-4292
Leimissa Hair Braiding -
903 North Orange Street - Wilmington, DE 19802 (302) 888-1284
Nene African Hair Salon -
3804 North Market Street - Wilmington, DE 19802-2216 (302) 764-0607
Quality African Hair Braiding -
903 North Orange Street - Wilmington, DE 19801-1640 (302) 655-6141
BLACK BUSINESSES - SERVICES - VENDORS ETC.
Haneef's Bookstore - Category: African American Bookstore - 911 N. Orange Street - Wilmington, DE 19801 (302) 656-4193
The Defender - Category: African American Newspaper - 1400 French Street, Wilmington, DE, 19802
DINING - CATERING
Club Ross & Soul Food Dining -
1835 West 4th Street - Wilmington, Delaware 19805-3419 (302) 655-2112
Evelyn's Soul Food -
1409 King Steet - Wilmington, Delaware 19801 (302) 655-3000
Fran & Ceil Family Soul Food -
4218 N Market St - Wilmington, Delaware 19802 (302) 764-4441
Bootless Artworks - Category: Production - 403 South Connell Street - Wilmington, DE (302) 887-9300 - (visit website)
Bootless Artworks announces auditions for the Delaware premiere of the award-winning musical, PASSING STRANGE
ROLES AVAILABLE ? Bootless needs to fill 3 roles to complete the all African-American cast of its production of Passing Strange. Open roles: NARRATOR (baritone age 30+)(ability to play guitar a plus); MALE 1 (baritone age 20 ? 40 with ability to move well); MOTHER (mezzo age 35 ? 50).
Club Quest The premier hip-hop dance club in downtown Wilmington.
1605 North Claymont St. - Wilmington, DE (302) 656-2442 - (visit website)
Club Ross: Soul Food / Nightclub Located in Little Italy on the corner of 4th and Lincoln.
1835 West 4th Street - Wilmington, DE 19805-3419 (302) 655-2112
Comedy Cabaret Known for hosting the most stand-up comediennes on the East Coast.
1010 N Union St. - Wilmington, DE 19805 (302) 652-6873 - (visit website)
Mystique Night Club
3421 Kirkwood Highway - Wilmington, DE 19808 (302) 999-9790
Red Room The club features trendy urban, Latin and hip-hop music and welcomes popular DJs from the New York music scene. 550 South Madison St. - Wilmington, DE (302) 571-8440
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