Through philanthropic works and business enterprises, Moore played a significant role in improving the standard of living of African Americans in Durham.

He also overcame racial discrimination, bridging the White and Black communities in Durham in addition to improving its healthcare and economy.

[2][3] Since the early nineteenth century, the Moore family, of African, Native American and European descent had owned land in Columbus County as free farmers.

Like his nine siblings: 4 boys and 5 girls,[2] Aaron Moore alternated between working on the family farm (during the harvesting and planting seasons) and attending the segregated county school.

Ambitious beyond farming, Moore enrolled in 1885 in the newly established Shaw University, a historically black college in Raleigh, intending to become a professor.

Dismayed by the antagonism, Moore withdrew from the campaign and settled for supporting candidates who served the Durham community's interest.

[13] In 1895 Moore began to invest in new black-owned businesses, to enable the community to develop its own skilled educated class and provide jobs for them.

[4] Through this work, Moore established strong relationships with significant figures such as John Merrick, with whom he would later found the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company.

[5][9] He also believed strongly that North Carolina Mutual was accountable to the Negro community, and that "to desert their policy holders was to discredit their people".

[2] The partnership between Moore, Spaulding and Merrick as President transformed North Carolina Mutual and Provident Association into a strong enterprise.

[17] Moore's most significant achievement was the Lincoln Hospital,[3] which contributed greatly to healthcare in Durham and improved life in the African-American community.

[3] By establishing the Lincoln School of Nursing,[19] Moore ensured a system to provide healthcare personnel for black Durham citizens.

Based on funding from both the black and white communities, the Lincoln Hospital was a symbol of racial cooperation and unity for a common purpose.

[23] Besides improving the rural school system for Blacks in North Carolina,[2] Moore also formed the Volkemenia and Shubert-Shakespeare clubs, which were created to provide African Americans with access to concerts, speakers and reading sessions.

The consequence is that a large percentage of them recruit the criminal class in the towns or remain in the rural districts as discouraged and nonproductive constituents...

Doubtless, the same discrimination is a common practice in all of the counties of the state in a greater or less degree.From 1914 until his death in 1923, Moore concentrated on improving rural schools for African-American children.

The Fund's contributions were based on matching monies raised by local communities, and also required a commitment by white-run school boards.

[21] Capitalizing on this high ground, he improved standards of living for the African American community in Durham and North Carolina through his contributions to education, healthcare and social enterprises.

To the disenfranchised African American community, "he emerges from the history of Black Durham as a Messiah moving quietly among the people, giving aid and comfort".

His partnership with the Euro-American community in social projects such as the Lincoln Hospital also served to forge stronger bonds between the two races.

The posthumous recognition was bestowed upon 29 individuals "whose dedication, accomplishments and passion have helped shape Durham in important ways.