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- Historic Marker Installation
In partnership with the Southside Joint Civic Association, we are fundraising to erect a historic marker to highlight Hickory Hill School; not only a beacon for education, but also employment, economy, voting and quest for a better life.
Hickory Hill School was founded as early as 1869, driving education and workforce development for over 100 years. As with other Tuskegee-Rosenwald schools, land was donated and the school was operated by African Americans for African Americans. The school expanded capacity to become a high school and eventually the County Training School in 1921. With NAACP attorney Oliver Hill, teachers were successful in a U.S. Court of Appeals case [Arthur M. Freeman, et al. v. County of Chesterfield School Board] countering discrimination in teacher salaries in 1948. James P. Spencer, a principal of Hickory Hill School and civil justice leader credited with leading the movement for teacher salary equalization, was also a founder of the Virginia Voters League.
- Ecology, Education & Service
We remember beyond history to encourage restorative land practice. At the African Burial Grounds in Richmond, the Heritage Tree Project, serves as a public demonstration of ecological reclamation and land agency for the landless, and as well as promote food security for shared community benefit.
- Smoke & Hickory
is the review of cannabis for bio-remediation and business development; exploring hemp in the context of sustainability, focused in the Southside district of Richmond. With strong agricultural and industrial roots, place presents opportunities to explore the soil and soul of community.