“Our vision is to take the same core principles that made Carver successful as a school and expand them to lift the entire region — not just this community but to lift the entire region of eastern Wake County,” said Asa Bell, pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, N.C.-2nd District, on Friday March 17 stood alongside leaders from Wake County, Wendell and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. They gathered in front of the historic Carver School building to present a check for $2 million of federal funding toward the project.

“This project is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together across all levels of government and with our community partners to make a positive difference,” Ross said.

Ross said the project was a long-overdue investment in an under funded and under appreciated community.

“Wake County’s growing like crazy. We’ve got to make sure everybody grows in all parts of town,” said Wendell Mayor Virginia Gray.

When completed, the community center will offer classes and programs geared toward children and adults with job development services, performing arts spaces, areas for nonprofits, food security efforts and more. 

Bell said the community center will provide resources and support to promote a positive community image, reduce obstacles to success and reduce governmental dependence.

“We’re going to provide a continuum of support that will uplift entire communities and provide a holistic model of services that doesn’t simply address an emergency,” Bell said.

Bell recited a proverb: “If you give a man a fish he can eat a meal; if you teach a man how to fish he can eat for a lifetime.” 

“When a person learns to fish, entire communities are revitalized,” Bell said. “When a person learns to fish there’s a decrease in poverty. When a person learns to fish, there’s a stronger economy. And when a person learns to fish, there’s a legacy of success that is passed along to their children and to their children’s children.” 

The Carver School was a Rosenwald School, named for African American botanist George Washington Carver. Together with the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Bell said, the school served as an anchor and hub for the community.

“At the time the school was built people could be denied an education because of the color of their skin,” Ross said. “Carver School opened its doors to African American students. It represented the beating heart of Wake County, instilling the importance of education, community and service in its students.”

Wendell Town Manager Marc Collins said the project should be completed in about 18 months.

The Wendell Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Feb. 27 on a move authorizing Collins to negotiate a contract with Andre Johnson Architects on the project.

“We understand as a whole community that we’re not whole until we’re all together in one community,” Collins said.