Page 20 - Delaware Lawyer - Issue 1 - 2024

FEATURE | ‘WALKING THROUGH THE DOOR AGAIN’
DR. DAVID WILK
Breaking ground on the redevelopment of 107c in 2021
well as other former students and their families, to research, curate and collect artifacts, memorabilia and photos for storytelling panels, displays, furniture and fixtures, and the overall experiential feel of the CDISE. Most amazingly, the team was able to get the names of ev- ery student who went to 107c from the 1920s to the 1950s on panels.
Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting
The culmination of 107c’s jour- ney was on December 14, 2022, when former students “cut the ribbon” on reopening their school (CDISE) and “walked through the door again.” Gov. John Carney officiated, was brought to tears by the enormity of the joy and gratitude from the students, and said he was “blown away” by the design and feel of the CDISE.
Programming, Impact and Outcomes Since Opening
The CDISE opened in January 2023, featuring programs designed to support schools, universities, govern- ments, public and private enterprises, and nonprofit organizations with the tools and knowledge to promote in- novation in diversity, social equity, in- clusive prosperity, cultural competency and social infrastructure. Programming activities at CDISE have included:
1) Bringing the history of 107c to Delaware school children and history curriculum.
2) Delivering programs that advance cultural competency and inclusive pros- perity.
3) Being a “safe” place for commu- nity conversations about contemporary social issues, inspired by the historic role of 107c in ending school desegregation.
4) Developing social infrastructure strategies that encompass education, healthcare, affordable housing, social justice, workforce development and hu- man flourishing.
transforming it into a multi-purpose facility containing 2,500+ square feet of space. FOHCS ceremonially broke ground on the redevelopment of 107c on December 14, 2021, with Gov. John Carney officiating the ceremony. A building permit was issued in January 2022.
In March 2022, thanks to the in- credible efforts of U.S. Sen. Tom Carp- er, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, the CDISE was awarded a grant from Congress (through the Department of Housing and Urban Development). This was the final piece of funding we needed to get the former 107c students to “walk through the door again.” Needless to say, FOHCS was ecstatic.
From the Schoolhouse to the White House
While the building was under con- struction, Congress passed Senate Bill 270 designating 107c as a National Park Service historical site under Brown. This major highlight of our mission was commemorated by six former 107c students visiting the Oval Office for the bill signing on May 12, 2022 with President Joe Biden.
The following quote from former 107c student and FOHCS Board Mem- ber Sonny Knott captures the emotion of the moment: “I truly do not have the wordsforhowmyheartfeelsinregardsto the school becoming part of the National Park Service. The school is very, very dear to us older students that went there.”
Telling the Story of 107c for Future Generations
Although we had spent lots of time reimagining the school into the CDISE, FOHCS realized the true magic of 107c is the students and families who lived the experience, because we had the privilege of getting to know them and learn from their memories and stories. Since 107c as a building had authenticity, we also had to create a plan to “tell the story” and create the full experience by focus- ing on the storytelling component. This effort was led by Lou Rosenberg and his team at Mitchell Associates on the tech- nical and creative side, and Dr. Lanette Edwards and her team on the historical, former students and community side. Dr. Edwards, Rosenberg and their team members engaged with Hilda Bulah- Morris (oldest living student from 107c and Shirley’s niece), Sonny Knott, as
18 DELAWARE LAWYER ISSUE 1 2024