Clara Miles
Clara Miles
Clara Miles (1917 - 2004)
Clara Miles helped lead the way to end segregation in Columbia. At a time when housing opportunities were limited for African Americans, Mrs. Miles' work helped establish Columbia's Fair Housing Ordinance. This led to the establishment of the Miles Manor subdivision in 1959. A marker on the African American Heritage Trail commemorating her work and that of the ten families that built the subdivision was dedicated on June 24, 2021.
"It was a significant achievement at that point in time, back in the '50s, to get the middle-class neighborhood up and running because of local discrimination, red lining laws and non-support from banks and financial institutions." James Whitt, Chair of the African American Heritage Trail Committee. (African American Heritage Trail Committee)
Outside Resources
In honor of Clara Miles (Video: City of Columbia Channel)