Blue Green

Joanne Green

Todd V

Photos courtesy of Joanne Green

The Howard Street Project is the work of Joanne and Blue Green, a husband and wife who live on Howard Street, and Todd V, an artist who lives in Stow. The Greens and Todd V had begun separate projects — with the Greens focusing on Howard Street history and Todd V looking at the jazz scene there — when they found out about each other’s projects and decided to combine forces.

Joanne Green said she’s always been a history buff, and when she and her husband moved into their home in 2004, she began researching the area.

“Wherever we bought a house, I would have done the same thing,” Green said. “It helps you understand your community and helps you be more committed.”

Howard Street was at one time the epicenter of activity in Akron, Green said. It featured retail businesses, restaurants and nightclubs. During the 1940s, a third of its businesses were owned by blacks, according to a history from the Cascade Locks Park Association.

By the 1960s, the area had become blighted and many buildings were razed to make way for state Route 59.

Today, the area is experiencing a rebirth, as the city and Metro Parks, Serving Summit County have maintained historic structures and the Cascade Valley Metro Park. The nearby Northside area features restaurants, galleries and other businesses.

“We want to tell the whole story and clear up some misconceptions today,” Green said. “We want to tell the history, but we also want to talk about the future and what’s going on now.”

Todd V said he first learned about Howard Street’s jazz history a couple of years ago and it intrigued him.

“It was something I stumbled upon,” he said. “I didn’t realize the history of that neighborhood. I do enjoy jazz music, so I thought, man, what an interesting story, especially knowing that some of the original guys are still playing around town.”

He said he has discovered some fascinating things about the area in his research.

“The thing that really blew my mind is that many of the great names that most people know played on Howard Street back in the day, people like Cab Calloway and Billie Holiday,” he said, adding that Akron was halfway between the jazz meccas of New York and Chicago.

He also found out the area was seeing the beginning of its own sound, he said.

“Unfortunately, it’s something that’s gone and lost forever,” he said.

As the Greens and Todd V get their research under way for the films, they are seeking people with stories, information and photos that can be shared.

“We are looking for people interested in sharing stories about Howard Street,” Green said. “Whether positive or negative or otherwise, we want to hear it all.”

The film crew may set up at a local library branch or go into people’s homes if they are willing, Green added. If people aren’t interested in being on camera, the crew can audiotape their stories, she said.

Photos or other documents will be copied and the originals will be returned, Green said.

She added the filmmakers would like to have the two films done by the end of this year. They have already talked with Western Reserve PBS about the possibility of airing the films once they are done.

In addition to seeking information, the filmmakers are accepting donations for the projects. Checks can be made payable to Standing Rock Cultural Arts (which is acting as fiscal agent for the project), with Howard Street Project in the memo line, and sent to 257 N. Water St., Kent, OH 44240.

“There’s a lot of history being lost every day as people move and as changes happen downtown,” Green said. “We’re committed to telling the history of Howard Street and how it ties into the history of Akron.”

To contact the filmmakers to participate, call (330) 573-3631 or go to www.thehowardstreetproject.com.