Rosenwald Schools | Trail of History

Summary

This video highlights the legacy of a Rosenwald school in Grier Heights, emphasizing its transformation from a historic, deteriorating building to a thriving community center. Through renovations supported by public, private, and corporate funds, the center continues to uplift the neighborhood. It provides educational programs, including adult literacy, pre-GED courses, and early childhood literacy activities. The video underscores the lasting impact of the Rosenwald schools in providing African-Americans access to education and how this building continues to serve as a source of pride and empowerment for the local community.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Rosenwald school in Grier Heights is a historic building, now on the National Registry of Historic Places, that was renovated to preserve its original architecture.
• 😀 The restoration of the building was made possible through $600,000 raised by corporate, private, and public donations.
• 😀 The renovation focused on maintaining the historical architectural details, ensuring the building's legacy is respected.
• 😀 The Grier Heights community takes great pride in the school, with local residents contributing to its preservation and continued use.
• 😀 Jonathan Belton, a former director of the Grier Heights Community Center, spoke about the strong legacy of craftsmanship by the community's bricklayers and masons.
• 😀 Although the building was initially used as a school, its current purpose is to uplift the community by offering adult literacy and pre-GED courses.
• 😀 The Fill My Cup nonprofit program plays a key role in offering educational programs for adult learners in the community.
• 😀 Local organizations such as the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Discovery Place, and Community School for the Arts collaborate on early childhood literacy programs like 'Get Ready with Words.'
• 😀 The 'Get Ready with Words' program is aimed at children 18 months to five years old, helping them prepare for kindergarten by building literacy skills through songs, storytime, and hands-on activities.
• 😀 The Grier Heights Community Center serves as a hub for empowerment, offering educational opportunities to improve the lives of local residents and support future generations.
• 😀 The legacy of the Rosenwald schools and the collaboration between Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald had a significant impact on African-American education and the fight for equality in the United States.

Q & A

What is the historical significance of the Rosenwald school in Grier Heights?

The Rosenwald school in Grier Heights is historically significant as it was part of the initiative to provide quality education to African-American children in rural areas during the early 20th century. It represents a major educational advancement for the African-American community, especially in the segregated South.

How did the renovation of the Rosenwald school in Grier Heights come about?

The renovation of the Rosenwald school was made possible by raising $600,000 through a combination of corporate, private, and public support. The renovation focused on preserving the historical architectural details of the building while updating it for modern use.

What was the primary goal of restoring the Rosenwald school building?

The primary goal of restoring the Rosenwald school was to preserve its historical and architectural integrity, ensuring that it remained a source of pride for the Grier Heights community while continuing to serve educational purposes.

Who played a key role in the renovation of the Grier Heights Rosenwald school?

Don Gately and other community leaders were key in driving the renovation of the Grier Heights Rosenwald school. They emphasized the importance of returning the building to its original Rosenwald architecture, maintaining pride in the community's heritage.

How did the community view the Rosenwald school in Grier Heights before its renovation?

Before its renovation, the Rosenwald school in Grier Heights was in a rundown condition. Despite this, the community held the building in high regard due to its historical value and the pride it represented for local residents.

What did Jonathan Belton emphasize about the Grier Heights community and the Rosenwald school?

Jonathan Belton emphasized the pride the community had in the Rosenwald school, noting that many men in the area were skilled bricklayers and masons. Their work on the building left a lasting legacy, with the architecture remaining strong even after many years.

What educational programs are currently offered at the Grier Heights Rosenwald school?

The Grier Heights Rosenwald school now offers adult literacy and pre-GED courses through the nonprofit program, Fill My Cup, as well as early childhood education programs like 'Get Ready with Words' to prepare children for kindergarten.

What is the goal of the 'Get Ready with Words' program?

The 'Get Ready with Words' program aims to prepare children ages 18 months to five years for kindergarten by expanding their language skills through songs, stories, science activities, and art. The program also helps build home libraries by allowing children to take books home.

How does the Grier Heights Community Center serve its community today?

The Grier Heights Community Center serves as a hub for educational empowerment, providing programs that help individuals of all ages improve their literacy skills, achieve educational milestones, and work towards a better quality of life.

What broader impact did the Rosenwald schools have on American society?

Rosenwald schools, including the one in Grier Heights, played a critical role in the fight against educational segregation in the United States. They provided African-American children with access to education, which helped create opportunities for future generations and contributed to the dismantling of segregated schools.