of Black Culture
Storytellers
As one of Durham’s oldest non-profits, we are dedicated to our mission: to lift up stories of African American figures, both current and historical, creating a more comprehensive picture of the American experience.
Dr. Aaron McDuffie Moore incorporated DCL as a nonprofit in 1918, following five years of functioning as a community service organization within old White Rock Baptist Church, located in the Black section of Durham called Hayti.
new era for the Durham Colored Library!
Please join us as we celebrate a
In January 2026, after careful consideration, the DCL entered into a formal partnership and merger with the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Duke University. The collaboration, known as DCL at Duke, will continue the DCL’s century-long mission to preserve, share, and uplift stories of Black life in Durham, and will provide an enduring foundation for the Rubenstein Library’s community engagement and outreach efforts. A new Advisory Committee will advise and guide the program. The Mellon Foundation has committed funding to support the program’s first three years while Duke and DCL establish sustainable, long-term support.
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Read the full press release.
Please contact us with any questions.
Initiatives
Our Current
From the beginning DCL has always worked to address vibrant economies, resiliency, justice, equity, and inclusion. We continue to focus on these core values within all of our initiatives. DCL manages three projects that inform and engage both children and adults in understanding more about African American history and culture that is often absent from mainstream educational materials.
Merrick Washington Magazine
The Merrick Washington Magazine Initiative, founded in 1952, collects and presents news articles relating to African American culture, current events, and history to a sight-challenged population. It was created with those in mind who do not readily have access to Braille or large print editions of major publications.
Techies4Tomorrowâ„
DCL’s newest project is designed to improve academic preparation of young African American students with the goal of increasing their motivation and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) school subjects and ultimately careers. Improving educational attainment has long been known to reduce poverty and improve the health of individuals, their families, and entire communities.
The Moore Biography
Aaron McDuffie Moore: African American Physician, Educator, and Founder of Durham’s Black Wall Street is the biography of the founder of the Durham Colored Library, published in 2020 by UNC Press. DCL promotes the book through author book talks and presentations that inform the community about his important work and how his impact is still being felt throughout Durham and the state of North Carolina.
Our
Supporters
We are grateful for the local organizations, people, and groups that support DCL!
of DCL
Thank you for your Support
We thank you so much for your engagement and support! As an entirely volunteer-run organization, your donations help us continue our important work of lifting up the stories of African American figures, increasing access to STEM education for African American youth, and producing our magazine and other publications.