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Grahamtown Center in Forest City is extremely busy this summer with camps, college students helping with different programs, explained Kisha McDowell, executive director of the Grahamtown Center. She spent some time talking about the summer and what lies ahead regarding new housing in the area.
Summer camp concluded recently as 12 students participated. Campers were taken to the creamery and to Big Bottom Farm in Harris to see the cows and observe how the milk is processed.
"We have a 3D Printer so they made name tags using Tinker Cad and they made pudding, tacos, waffles and donuts," McDowell said.
Students from APP State are at the Center two days a week and are also working with the Comprehensive Community Development (CCD)Team to help develop a plan that will cause Grahamtown to be a thriving community once again, McDowell explained.
" They are working on projects such as Community Land trust, heir property and developing a database with the demographics of Grahamtown to help us better apply for grants," McDowell said.
The CCD Planning Team consists of UNC Charlotte, UNC Chart (Center for Community Heritage and the arts), Carson Dean Consulting, Silo Architectural Firm, NC State University, Housing Assistance Council, App State Students, Objectechne Studios, and the Grahamtown community members.
The community leaders are also busy working on an ongoing plan to address the vacant and abandoned lots in town.
The CCD Team is working on effective to ways to acknowledge the culture, history and legacy of the community and the families that have lived here.
"We are working to fill the abandoned spaces, work with heirs to clean up lots and to rebuild," McDowell continued. "We are working to provide affordable housing, create green spaces, provide economic development and truly change the stigma of 'Dodge City' and the Grahamtown area," she said. There are also plans for Pocket Parks throughout town.
Funding has been received from Appalachian Regional Commission to develop the plan and McDowell is looking to others to help implement the plan.
"This will not be done quickly unless we have investors and developers, but we will keep chipping away at as many projects as we can each year," she said.
McDowell's goal is to have a plan to build four duplex affordable homes.
"We want to make a difference and to make homes affordable and we want to see the town 'more walkable'," McDowell said.
"We've gotten the people on board now and we want people to know we are a safe environment and that this area is not a high crime area as some might believe," McDowell continued.
"Grahamtown is a safe community and we have not had any problems. Our neighbors appreciate and respect our programs and properties," she said.
Her role as executive director of the Grahamtown Center is all about "community culture," to bring it back to the Black community that culturally "is ours," McDowell said.
McDowell simply loves what she does, she loves the community and she hopes "others will join us in the process," she added.
Recently McDowell and other partners in the community hosted the Juneteenth Community Celebration & Grahamtown Team marking the 20th anniversary celebration. Games, food, music and special guests gathered throughout the day at Hardin Park.
Back 2 School Bash Aug. 1
On August 1, McDowell and the Grahamtown Team are playing an important role in the Back 2 School Bash to be held at the Park on Pavilion Square (POPS) from 10 am until 2 pm. The event open to the public will offer games, inflatables, free school supplies and community resources to the attendees.
Free hot dogs, chips and Icees will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.
She is asking anyone interested in donating to the Back 2 School bash to call her at 262-989-8982 or information at 828-289-3380. Sponsors, donations and participants are all needed.
The Grahamtown Team has three programs:
Community Revitalization & Development
• Homeowner Assistance Program - helping with urgent minor repairs
• Streetscape Development
• Housing Development - building single & multi-family housing
• Dignity Housing - Renovation of 9 homes for low-income families seeking to become homeowners
• Developing walkable paths
Health & Wellness
• Food Pantry
• Community Feedings
• Community Garden
• Community Resources
• Outreach Programs (Black History, Juneteenth, Community Connections, Christmas Dinner)
Youth Programs
• STEAM Fun Day - Programs
• Youth Summer Camp
• Gardening Activities
Current Project
Comprehensive Community Development Plan -This is a partnership between Grahamtown and the following partners in their areas of strength and expertise.
• UNC Charlotte
• Silo Architectural Firm
• UNC Charlotte CHart (Center for Community Heritage & the Arts)
• APP State - Rural Planning
• App State - Student Interns - Comm Land Trust Projects / Heir Property
• NCSU - efficient housing development / population mapping
• Foothills Regional Commission
• Carson Dean Consulting
• Objectechne Studios - Design Technological Youth Space Center
• Appalachian Regional Commission - Funder
Housing Assistance Council
"Altogether we are working to develop a plan to revitalize the Grahamtown Community, to clean up abandoned lots, work with heirs to clean up their properties, clean up abandoned projects and so much more," McDowell said.
Another Summer Camp in July
Chaz McDowell, founder of H&L Foundation, a Rutherford County-rooted nonprofit focused on youth leadership, mentorship, workforce readiness, and community empowerment, is hosting another summer camp, July 13- 17.
"This summer, we will be launching our "Stride for Greatness: Power & Purpose Leadership Camp" for teens ages 14-17 at Grahamtown Community Center," Chaz said.
The program will expose youth to: Leadership & Mentorship, CPR Certification, Workforce Readiness & Mock Interviews, AI & Virtual Reality Technology, Financial Literacy & Entrepreneurship, Culinary & Trade Skill Experiences, Self-Mastery & Personal Development.
Chaz was raised in Forest City and graduated from East Rutherford High School in 1999. He attended Norfolk State University on a football scholarship.
"It has always been important to return home and invest into the next generation," Chaz said.
