W&M Public Policy Continues Partnership on the Eastern Shore of Virginia

by Audra Nikolajski (Photo credit: Alex Bordin) | January 27, 2026

A crowd of community members, alumni, board members, and journalists gather outside the Impact Center, formerly Cape Charles Elementary, for a ribbon cutting ceremony. On January 19, Prof. Paul Manna, the Hyman Professor of Government and W&M Public Policy faculty affiliate, and Audra Nikolajski (MPP ’26) participated in the public grand opening of The Impact Center in Cape Charles, Virginia. The center is a revitalized building that formerly operated as Cape Charles Elementary School, a Washington–Rosenwald School that first opened in 1929. It educated Black children during the era of legally mandated segregation. It was fitting that the center’s opening took place on Martin Luther King Day.

For the past 17 years, Tevya Griffin, president and founder of the Cape Charles Rosenwald School Restoration Initiative, and a dedicated group of community members have worked to repair the building and transform it into a space for civic engagement and community growth.

From left: Elise McMath (Impact Center Director of Programming & Communications), Prof. Manna, Griffin, and Nikolajski in attendance at the grand opening.

Prof. Manna has collaborated with the initiative since 2023, which has included Master’s in Public Policy students. Their work has received ongoing support from donors to the W&M Public Policy Program.

For the current academic year, Manna and Nikolajski have extended the collaboration via a William & Mary Strategic Cultural Partnership Faculty Fellowship. That new project is developing a series of training modules to help Eastern Shore residents engage in public forums and organize their communities for meaningful change. These modules will be housed and used at The Impact Center. Nikolajski serves as a graduate assistant on the project, supporting the development of the modules.

This new historical marker sign was championed by the CCRSRI board and leadership. It was unveiled along with the building on January 19th. On MLK Day, more than 200 people came out to celebrate the center’s opening. That group included board members, alumni, supporters, partners, and community members. The day included an unveiling of a new historic marker for the building, the cutting of ceremonial ribbon, and speeches from CCRSRI board members, staff of The Impact Center, and other guests.

Dianne Davis, alumna of Cape Charles Elementary and board member of the CCRSRI, gave a speech detailing the history of the school and her time in attendance there. Audience members listened intently as speakers described the school’s original layout and the condition of the building after its closure. Black and white photos of the school’s auditorium juxtaposed with the restored floors, vibrant windows, and fresh paint perfectly illustrated a statement by Griffin, “If you’ve ever wondered what resilience looks like, it looks like this.”

Following the opening ceremony, Manna and Nikolajski spoke with attendees about William & Mary, the Public Policy Program, their work developing the training modules, and the larger partnership between the program and the center. The pair will return to Cape Charles in February to host focus groups for further discussion. Nikolajski and Manna at their table, prepared to speak with attendees about W&M, the partnership with the CCRSRI, and their ongoing training module development.

Throughout the event, the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was evident. The community came together for a shared purpose: honoring history while investing in the future. Dr. King inspired changemakers, and attendees left feeling similarly empowered. The Impact Center now stands as a space for those committed to making a difference.

“We in the W&M Public Policy Program are so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with and learn from the great leaders who envisioned and have now launched The Impact Center,” Manna said. “The sky truly is the limit for the center and our partnership.”