He notes that several cities, such as Dallas, have “topped” their interstates — think of Kanawha Plaza, above the Downtown Expressway, as an example. In Richmond, he said, we might cover the portion of interstate highway that cut off Jackson Ward from Gilpin Court. The space could be filled with art and memorials to the lost community, and include mixed income housing and — most importantly — a social enterprise area to create black-owned businesses as a means to circulate wealth in low-wealth communities.

“Richmond has a tortured history,” he said. “It’s a history that cries out for redemption and what better way to start the healing process than to rebuild what was lost, to restore the wealth that was stolen, and for the rest of us to stand in solidarity with those who have suffered and to use our influence and resources to make whole what was stolen or destroyed.”

Black individuals and black communities victimized by this history will not come close to being made whole until America expands its notion not only of what reparations is, but what needs to be repaired.