Publication Date
2025
Presentation Length
Poster/Gallery presentation
College
College of Education
Department
Education, Department of
Student Level
Undergraduate
SPARK Category
Scholarship
Faculty Advisor
Mary Ellen Pethel
SPARK Session
Poster: Belmont Social Justice Collaboration
Presentation Type
Poster
Summary
The construction of Interstate 40 through Nashville and Memphis in the mid-20th century was framed as progress but instead became a tool of displacement, disproportionately harming Black communities. In Nashville, the highway cut through the thriving Jefferson Street corridor, disrupting Black-owned businesses, cultural institutions, and social networks. In Memphis, the proposed route through Overton Park sparked legal battles, culminating in the landmark Citizens to Preserve Overton Park v. Volpe case, which set a precedent for environmental and community protections in infrastructure planning.
This research examines the racialized decision-making behind I-40’s placement, the legal and grassroots resistance, and the long-term consequences for Black economic and cultural life. Drawing from newspaper archives, peer-reviewed journals, and court records, this study highlights the parallels between the Nashville I-40 Steering Committee’s unsuccessful fight and Overton Park’s legal victory, revealing how race and political power shaped the outcomes. Ultimately, this work contributes to discussions on urban renewal, environmental justice, and transportation equity.
Recommended Citation
Clabo, Mallorie G., "Divided By Design: Race, Roads, and Resistance in Nashville and Memphis" (2025). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 321.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/321
