An Evolution of Listening and Learning
The Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership was created as an office in 1996 under the direction of President Keohane. Established as Duke’s first official vehicle for engagement with Durham, the work initially included twelve neighborhoods with direct proximity to East and West Campus and recognized the mutual benefit of communication and connection among those areas.
In 2008, the DDNP Office became a sub-unit of the Office of Durham and Regional Affairs and continued working with neighborhoods around identified areas. Between 2018-2020, the Office of Durham and Regional Affairs, DDNP, and Duke Community Service Center merged to form the Duke Office of Durham and Community Affairs (DCA).
The legacy of the office’s origin continues to be honored through the DDNP Collaboration. Many of these neighborhood associations have been partners since 1996. In 2020, two additional neighborhoods were added to the group as a result of the University playing a specific role in housing and community development priorities in those areas. It was essential to add these groups in order to hold high level conversations accountable to on the ground experiences.
Partnering with our Neighborhood Leaders
Today, the DDNP focuses on a network of 14 partner neighborhoods, gathering and collaborating regularly with neighborhood association leaders based on their collective interests and issues. This network grounds our neighborhood and housing work in the experiences of individual community members and grassroots organizations. Through a consensus process that occurs every 2-3 years, stakeholders within these neighborhoods identify key needs and priorities that guide our work together. Those key needs and priorities are currently as follows: Cultural Heritage & Preservation, Environmental Justice, Housing Justice, Intra-Community Development, Neighborhood Networking, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Political Activism, Supportive & Safe Communities, and Traffic & Pedestrian Safety.
*Active Neighborhood Associations as of October 2023
- Burch Ave*
- Bragtown*
- Crest Street
- Lakewood Park*
- Lyon Park*
- Morehead Hill*
- Old West Durham*
- Southside*
- Trinity Heights
- Trinity Park*
- Tuscaloosa-Lakewood*
- Walltown*
- Watts Hospital-Hillandale*
- West End*
Community members in our 14 partner neighborhoods are eligible to submit community requests in alignment with the aforementioned key needs and priorities. Approved requests are funded using dollars generously donated via the Duke Doing Good Employee Giving Campaign. Learn more about funded projects and opportunities to give to the Neighborhoods and Housing Category.
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