Welcome to Beloved Community- The Set, rich in history full of opportunity

In 1935, Delray Beach’s City Council adopted Resolution #146-35, designating The Set as the “Negro Settlement”, though freed enslaved Africans, and Black folks from the Caribbean (largely Bahamian and later, Haitian) had settled in Delray Beach before the City was even incorporated, dating back to 1894. Today, The Set remains home to the majority of Delray’s Black population. This strong and resilient community is well known for its historical roots of justice advocates, multi-generational legacy families, civic and social engagement. Institutional and private-led redevelopment efforts threaten residents’ ability today to maintain homesteads in an area Black people were once restricted to. So, residents and strategic partners are challenging deficit narratives and building collectives of ownership to save our BELOVED COMMUNITY.

The community’s brand – The Set – was chosen by a community-led rebranding initiative to celebrate the determination of early settlers (like the 1894 West Settlers) to build a community for Black people. The name is a reflection of a term used by many HBCU’s for the campus gathering area (FAMU for example). And in the days of Jim Crow laws of segregation, Black citizens had to be west of 3rd Avenue before sunset – Delray Beach was also a Sundown Town.

The Resolution

The West Settlers African American Community Established

The Set In Acres

Neighborhood Associations in The Set

The West Atlantic Redevelopment Coalition Established

TRANSFORMATION PLAN

The Set Transformation Plan is a community-led and informed updating of historical planning documents covering over 30 years of neighborhood improvement plans for The Set. It uplifts the community’s vision: “The Set shall become a place of opportunity, resiliency, inclusion, and wellness through equitable policies and development, strategic partnerships, and the power of community leadership.” The plan prioritizes people over profit and focuses on building community wealth through ownership, power, and pride.

Young population – Average age is 34 vs. 44 for the City
67% of residents are active participants in the workforce.
Majority of businesses in The Set are micro or small businesses employing 20 employees or less.
The Set has a high number of self-employed workers – particularly in the Specialty Contractor sector.

The Set has a 54.7% homeownership rate – close to the City rate.
The Set has an intergenerational history of community activism.
The Set is a tight-knit community where residents know their neighbors.
The Set's branding Initiative recommended celebrating The Set’s culture and history to attract and retain residents and businesses.

THE SET TRANSFORMATION PLAN

ELDER'S TABLE

The Elder’s Table is an intergenerational organizing table started decades ago by The Set’s legacy activists, some of which include Alfred “Zack” Straghn, Commissioner David Randolph, Josh Smith and others. The table convenes weekly to this day and is open to any and all who wish to “be in the know” about the community. On any given Thursday morning, you will find the community’s organizers hearing from or calling in the City’s Police Chief, City Manager, local pastors, elected officials, nonprofit organizations and the community’s residents and innovators – meeting with The Elders for guidance, history, support, or just to break bread and share in a moment of their gracious wisdom.

NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE

The Set Neighborhood Alliance is a civic association of the subdivided blocks that make up the The Set community. Established in 1997, The Alliance focuses on civic engagement, resident leadership development, and community education to support The Set and the vision for the community as identified in The Set Transformation Plan. The Alliance is composed of volunteer representatives, Neighborhood Presidents and Block Captains representing The Set and neighboring Black communities to the west.