Dunbar-Abrams Community Center: Difference between revisions

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The '''Dunbar-Abrams Community Center''' is a community center located at 2715 [[6th Avenue North Bessemer|6th Avenue North]] in [[Bessemer]] in the former '''Bessemer Colored High School''' building. The center's executive director is [[Tyrone Alexander]].
The '''Dunbar-Abrams Community Center''' is a community center located at 2715 [[6th Avenue North Bessemer|6th Avenue North]] in [[Bessemer]] in the former [[Dunbar High School]] building. The center's executive director is [[Tyrone Alexander]].


The high school was built in [[1923]] for Bessemer's African-American students. The first principal was [[J. B. Bickerstaff]], who shepherded the first graduating class, of seven students, who matriculated in [[1927]]. That fall, [[H. M. Shields]] took over the school. In [[1928]] a new name for the school, to honor the Ohio-born African-American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, was suggested by [[Pearl Blevins]].
The community center is currently housed in the school's gymnasium building, which has been converted into an auditorium with design assistance from Studio Ammons of Petersburg, Virginia.


'''Paul Laurence Dunbar High School''' began its football program in [[1931]] under coach [[Mule Knox]], who named the team the "Blue Devils". The school closed in [[1960]] after the construction of [[J. S. Abrams Elementary School|J. S. Abrams High School]].
The foundation is working on a program, "Dunbar-Abrams Vision 2000 Community HOPE", which would utilize the now-vacant classroom wing for education and business-development programs. A future phase will include a day-care facility. The foundation's long term goals include renovating housing and restoring neighborhoods in the community.


After decades of vacancy, the school building was purchased by the [[Dunbar-Abrams Alumni Association]], which raised funds and developed plans for a multi-phase renovation to transform the building in the community center to serve Bessemer residents.
The Alumni Foundation constructed a dental clinic on a corner of the campus, which is leased to the [[Sarrell Dental Clinic]], generating revenues for continuing maintenance and renovation of the school building.
 
The community center is currently housed in the school's gymnasium building, which has been converted into an auditorium. The foundation is working on a program, "Dunbar-Abrams Vision 2000 Community HOPE", which would utilize the now-vacant classroom wing for education and business-development programs. A future phase will include a day-care facility. The foundation's long term goals include renovating housing and restoring neighborhoods in the community.
 
==Principals==
* [[J. B. Bickerstaff]], 1923-1927
* [[H. M. Shields]], 1927-1934
* [[A. D. Shores]], 1934-1939
* [[J. T. Gaines]], 1939-1944
* [[Jennie Davis]], 1944-1945
* [[J. S. Abrams]], 1945-1959
* [[Walter Branch]], 1959-1960


==References==
==References==
* Nance, Ramkia (January 24, 2007) "Old Bessemer high school for blacks being renovated." ''Birmingham News''.
* Nance, Rahkia (January 24, 2007) "Old Bessemer high school for blacks being renovated." {{BN}}


==External links==
* [http://www.daafinc.com/ National Dunbar-Abrams Foundation Inc.] website
* [http://www.studioammons.com/architecture/#/dunbar-high-school-restoration/ Architectural renderings] at studioammons.com


[[Category:Community centers]]
[[Category:Community centers]]
[[Category:Former high schools]]
[[Category:2007 establishments]]
[[Category:1923 buildings]]
[[Category:6th Avenue North Bessemer]]
[[Category:Bessemer schools]]
[[Category:6th Avenue North Bessemer|2715]]

Latest revision as of 12:02, 22 August 2016

The Dunbar-Abrams Community Center is a community center located at 2715 6th Avenue North in Bessemer in the former Dunbar High School building. The center's executive director is Tyrone Alexander.

The community center is currently housed in the school's gymnasium building, which has been converted into an auditorium with design assistance from Studio Ammons of Petersburg, Virginia.

The foundation is working on a program, "Dunbar-Abrams Vision 2000 Community HOPE", which would utilize the now-vacant classroom wing for education and business-development programs. A future phase will include a day-care facility. The foundation's long term goals include renovating housing and restoring neighborhoods in the community.

The Alumni Foundation constructed a dental clinic on a corner of the campus, which is leased to the Sarrell Dental Clinic, generating revenues for continuing maintenance and renovation of the school building.

References

  • Nance, Rahkia (January 24, 2007) "Old Bessemer high school for blacks being renovated." The Birmingham News

External links

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