Embracing Partnerships: How William & Mary Partners with Local Non-Profits for Change
On March 22nd, Dr. Paul Manna, Isabelle and Jerome E. Hyman Distinguished Professor of Government, moderated a panel titled “Partnership Model for Historical Preservation that Empowers Communities” as part of the School of Education’s 15th Annual Lemon Project Spring Symposium. Speaking in conjunction with Tevya Griffin, Dianne Davis, and Matt Nwaneri (Government '23/MPP ‘24), the conversation centered around the partnership between the Cape Charles Rosenwald School Restoration Initiative (CCRSRI)一a local non-profit preserving Black history一and the William & Mary Public Policy Program. Both organizations not only recalled their involvement with the Cape Charles Rosenwald School, but also reflected on the lessons learned for future partnerships between nonprofits and academic programs.
Beginning with the history of Rosenwald schools and the CCRSRI, Tevya Griffin and Dianne Davis noted
how only 126 Rosenwald schools out of the 382 built in Virginia survive. Sometimes called Washington-Rosenwald schools to highlight Booker T. Washington’s contributions to Black education, these schools taught Black students during segregation. Dianne Davis, a 1962 graduate of the institution and CCRSRI board member, recalled the small classrooms with four teachers before being transferred to North Hampton High School.
After being turned into an eel factory and abandoned, the CCRSRI purchased the building for $275,000 to help unify and revitalize Eastern Shore communities. Raising $2.3 million dollars, the CCRSRI turned to Dr. Paul Manna, Dr. Alexandra Joosse, and MPP students in 2023 to clarify their mission, strategize goals, and bolster community engagement efforts. Deciding to facilitate community events and initiatives rather than create them, the remodeled school will host community college classes, workforce classes, events, and meetings to facilitate involvement. From this experience, Tevya Griffin and Dianne Davis reflected on the importance of clarifying values and goals to engage with board members, external organizations, and communities.
Speaking for the William & Mary Public Policy Program, Nwaneri and Dr. Manna emphasized how previous experiences with other organizations brought an outside perspective that guided their recommendations. For Nwaneri, his time working with The Village Initiative一a non-profit dedicated to social justice in Williamsburg and James City County一underlined the importance of youth involvement in the preservation of history. From previous experiences, Nwaneri felt that strong youth involvement would increase the CCRSRI’s success. Likewise Dr. Manna recalled how previous experiences with other educational institutions created a comparative advantage when working with board members. Although he emphasized the importance of approaching the project with humility and sensitivity, he recognized other skills developed over his career that brought a unique and insightful perspective to conversations. Using their skills to assist board members, Nwaneri and Dr. Manna hoped that they left more than they took while working on the project.
Looking to the future, the CCRSRI is hosting a soft opening in August and a grand opening in December to rally support for the unification and revitalization of eastern shore communities. Currently, the CCRSRI is looking for volunteers, donations, and support from community members. For individuals interested in getting involved, the CCRSRI’s website can be found here.