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From left, James ‘Jim’ Vigeant, Sasha Finch, Janis Allen and Theodore Holmes stand in the Jackson Ward home in which Roland J. “Duke” Ealey’s legal documents were discovered.

From left, James ‘Jim’ Vigeant, Sasha Finch, Janis Allen and Theodore Holmes stand in the Jackson Ward home in which Roland J. “Duke” Ealey’s legal documents were discovered.

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Tease photo

A Jackson Ward Journey

Unearthing the history and legacy of civil rights attorney Roland J. ‘Duke’ Ealey

When my wife, Sasha Finch, and I purchased the 1880s East Clay Street building on Jan. 4, 2012, it had been dormant for more than 10 years. Plywood covered its outside window and inside the level of disrepair was undeniable. A fire on the second floor had caused considerable damage to much of the property. Yet something drew us to this building. We saw beauty in this wonderful old brick structure. For five years we worked steadily on the property’s exterior, rebuilding damaged brick walls while preparing the interior for its eventual renovation.