The New Kinfolx Corner

A Beloved Tradition Gets A Modern Makeover

By Sundi Rose

The lore of Kinfolks Corner is built right into the fabric of the history of Columbus. Many of us drive past it every day, and almost every single one of our parents or grandparents has a story about it. The actual building is at the intersection of 10th and Front and has deep roots for the African American community in Columbus. What started as a place for slave auctions turned into a general store where people of all generations could gather and tell their stories, share their troubles, and prop each other up when they needed it.

According to the Columbus Black History Museum, Black people would travel from as far away as Hurtsboro to pass through and do business at Kinfolks Corner. Sometimes taking a train or coming in on farm equipment, people would use this as a meet-up point for family gatherings and it was known to be lively, welcoming and full of an exciting energy that made everyone feel at home.

Image credit, Sherricka Day

The brick and mortar building serves mostly as a historical marker these days, and it’s meant only to be appreciated from the outside. It is part of the Columbus Black Heritage tour and has an official marker that reads, in part: “From the 1840s, this building stood among others of its type at this historic downtown intersection. Known traditionally as “Kinfolks’ Corner,” the area was the meeting place for generations of citizens from Columbus and neighboring Alabama counties.” It also famously made its way into the novel, Member of the Wedding, by Columbus native, Carson McCullers.

While the building and all it held in the past has become extremely important to our shared spirit, it has recently received a more modern makeover. Sherricka Day has revived the spirit of Kinfolk’s Corner and created a digital space on social media, Kinfolx Corner. This latest incarnation serves as a safe place to share stories, tell truths, and foster support for the Black community in Columbus.

Image From The Columbus Black History Museum Archives

Although there may not be an actual corner to hang out on anymore, you can visit the Facebook page to leave a comment, a memory, or even read about some of the notable moments that happened in and around this famous meeting spot. The mission statement of the reboot reads, “Kinfolx Co. tells the story of the African American experience in Columbus, Ga. It’s the modern spinoff of Kinfolks Corner, the physical space where black people got together back in the day. The goal is to connect our past history with the present.”

Day brought that sentiment back to life because “those were the days when people were generally interested in each other and their wellbeing” and she hopes the virtual platform will “introduce followers to people known and unknown in our community. It teaches about places and events that made an impact on our lives today. And it shares the lives of people present in our community.” Employing technology to keep the past alive is a clever way to keep younger generations and those not from Columbus originally plugged in.

Image Credit, Sherricka Day

This endeavor is more important now than ever before because of how fractured and divided our country has become. The idea of creating a place on the internet for love and support may seem futile given the current state of social media, but Day believes the new Kinfolx Corner can really make a difference. The virtual Kinfolx Corner recently posted the stories of Jessie Slayton and Will Miles, two Black men who were murdered by an angry white mob in the middle of town, in broad daylight. The short post marks the anniversary of their death, serving as a reminder that in order to be better, we have to know better.

Also on the new Kinfolx Corner, you might find profiles of remarkable community leaders, old black and white photos, announcements, encouraging words, and a lot of comments about how much Kinfolks Corner, and now Kinfolx Corner, means to people. It has quickly become a place to connect people, but it also feels like a family reunion.

When I asked Day about what she wants the legacy of the revived Kinfolx Corner to be, her answer was all about coming together. She said, “Kin is about family, whether family is a blood relative or a close friend. It’s about community. Our community is divided down the middle because of race, social status, and economics. Kinfolx Co. is a means of connecting us, sharing stories so that we can understand one another. Again, it’s about learning and appreciating one another.”

Sherricka Standing in front of the original, Kinfolks Corner

photo by Tony Pettis

Honoring what came before is about understanding how to be better going forward, and the legacy of Kinfolx Corner will be one of inspiration and encouragement for those who need it the most. Day said, “We have to stop hiding from the past or hiding it from others. I want to leave a legacy of truth and transparency. Some stories are painful. Some are not. But they all are influential in the shaping of Columbus. And they should all be told."

The response to the new Kinfolx Corner’s social media presence has been outstanding. With likes and shares climbing every day, it has become a source people use to connect, but also to learn and to teach. Day remarks about the sort of feedback she gets and says it’s mostly positive, ranging from gratitude for sharing the content, to nostalgia, to answering a call to action. Kinfolx Corner is well on its way to becoming just as important to this generation as it was to the previous one.

If you haven’t yet, head over to Kinfolx Corner’s Facebook and give it a like. While you’re there, take a moment to browse the pictures, read the comments, and listen to the impact it is having, even in the short time it’s been reenvisioned.