A new chapter for Lincoln Heights

ROANOKE RAPIDS — With $950,000 delivered by U.S. Congressman Don Davis, the Lincoln Heights Community can look forward to building a new community center with $2.2 million in project funds.

The presentation took place on March 27 next to the Lincoln Height Community Center at 34 Lincoln St., where dignitaries, officials and others attended.

Kimberly Mack, District Director for Davis of the 1st Congressional District in North Carolina, welcomed everyone. Mack said that their office received nearly 100 community project funding proposals, to which Rep. Davis was able to move for 15 of those.

Carolyn Battle, executive director for the community center and retired educator, gave remarks and said the check presentation was a big occasion for the area. Battle said it has been a dream to be able to build a community center.

“And God has helped us today to be able to do that,” she said. “And I’m so proud of the board and the men that came back to help us with this task.”

Chairman and Commissioner Vernon J. Bryant of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners provided remarks.

“God is good,” Bryant greeted everyone. “You know, what a great day for Lincoln Heights Community, Roanoke Rapids and Halifax County, and for the state of North Carolina and our nation.”

He praised Davis and Mack for their efforts to serve the area, including founding member and former center director Florine Bell. Bryant also recognized Mike Scott, who was the grant writer for the $950,000.

“Mike Scott is a great grant writer and does a lot for this community as well,” he said.

Bryant thanked everyone on behalf of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners.

Reginald Speight, NC state director with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, gave remarks.

“This is a great day,” Speight said. “I did not come here with a script because you don’t need a script when you know the impact that things are going to have. And I know what the impact is going to be here. That’s why this was a no-brainer.”

Scott said the whole effort was a team effort when three years ago, the Halifax County Board of Commissioners went forward and applied for a Community Development Block Grant. The $750,000 grant would be used for Lincoln Heights, which in the application, part of the funds would be used for the construction of a new community center, he said. Scott also mentioned that last year, Rep. Michael Wray (D-27) submitted an appropriations request to the General Assembly and was able to secure $500,000 in grants and aid from the state to be used for the new construction.

“And we’re very grateful for what Representative Wray did to further this project along,” he said.

Next, Rep. Davis gave remarks.

“It’s been a long time in the making,” the representative said. “But let me say when we talk about community, it’s these efforts that we’re able to bring communities together and right here, all of the efforts that’s gotten us here puts the unity in community.”

Davis said it is all about strengthening communities and the children’s future.

“This is about their future,” he said. “I mean, this is about holding on to a legacy, but embracing that legacy and propelling the very legacy through the next generation, for a brighter future.”

Davis put it into perspective and said he has heard many stories of people feeling left out of the process and forgotten, but it is important to have everyone’s voices heard, be seen and to tell their stories.

Davis revealed the $950,000 check, which, with the other funds, totaled $2.2 million toward a new community center.

Bell gave remarks and praised Scott for his efforts.

“Today, the Lincoln Heights community has made history by receiving a federal benefit grant of $950,000, marking a significant milestone and testament to its citizens’ patience, dedication, and resilience,” she said.

“It was in 1993 that the Lincoln Heights Apostolic Church’s visionary outreach program called upon the community to form the Lincoln Heights Community Development Coalition and the Lincoln Heights Community Development Center. Since that time, the vision has become a reality, thanks to John M. Rightmyer, who permitted the use of this building for the community center without financial obligation. Subsequently, on the 13th day of November 2007, Mr. Rightmyer donated the property to the Lincoln Heights Coalition Inc. He also aided in negotiating the purchase of 20 acres of land to build the new community center, a stone’s throw away on Branch Avenue.”

Bell said an extraordinary aspect of the center is that volunteers maintained its operation since its inception, beginning with the former Robert and Dorothy Fleming, Edna Lashley, and Battle.

“Thanks to the Halifax County Commissioners, the City of Roanoke Rapids, Mike Scott, Mr. Reginald Speight, Governor Roy Cooper, Representative Michael Wray, President Joe Biden, Congressman Don Davis, and many others who have vigorously and generously supported the development of this community,” she said. “Thanks to your efforts, this predominantly African American community is now rising from a century of poverty and degradation to having a boon in affordable housing, less crime, and a new community center. Let us pray for God’s continuing blessings on this community, its volunteers, and those entrusted as the stewards of the invested $2.2 million earmarked to address our housing needs and a new community center campus.”