June 12

Arts & Humanities Lecture: “The Rebirth of West Southern Pines: One of NC’s First African American Townships.”  Presented by Kim Wade & Vincent Gordon. – 2 pm

The new West Southern Pines Cultural Arts Center is now open for the whole community. Join us and hear about its two-year battle for ownership, valued connection to the past, and the vision of its future programs. Speakers Kim Wade and Vincent Gordon will not only give insight into the past, but will share plans to create another sustainable business economy for the West Southern Pines District Overlay.

In 1923, West Southern Pines (also known as “Jimtown”) was one of the first African American townships on the east coast to form their own local government and create  a sustainable business economy.

One year later, those same pioneers funded the Rosenwald school that is now the West Southern Pines Cultural Arts and Business Center.

Wade is currently a Professor at Sandhills Community College, President of the West Southern Pines Civic Club, Planning Board Member with Town of Southern Pines, former West Southern Pines Economic Development Task Force Board Member, Board Member of the Weymouth Center for Humanities and Arts, Co-founder and Moore County Representative for Sandhills Cooperation Association a regional non-profit organization that promotes generational wealth and entrepreneurship in marginalized communities. Gordon is a retired Army Lt. Colonel currently serving as Board Chair of the Southern Pines Land and Housing Trust. With the vision and drive to continue what was set by the organization’s initial vision of developing the organization with experience and integrity, Gordon and his Trust recently obtained ownership of Southern Pines Primary which is now the West Southern Pines Center for African American History, Cultural Arts, and Business.

Free Admission/Registration Required

See weymouthcenter.org for our most recent COVID-19 protocols and requirements.