Post by Marc LeVine on Feb 23, 2007 10:54:09 GMT -5
Diversity education is woman's passion
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/21/07
BY JOSEPH SAPIA
FREEHOLD BUREAU
FREEHOLD — As a black woman raising a family in predominantly white Manalapan, Andrea McPherson looked outside of town to find a more diverse life.
"As the children got older, it became difficult to find cultural activities for them," said McPherson, 43, who with her husband, Owen, 46, has three children — sons Jonathan, 16, and Alexander, 12, and daughter, Courtney, 11. "These are black kids who live in Manalapan. I didn't want to drive to New York all the time."
McPherson, who immigrated from Guyana in 1970, found what she was looking for about nine years ago in a building once housing a segregated school, the Freehold Colored School. It later became the Court Street School and, now, is the Court Street School Education Community Center.
The Court Street School's current building was built about 1920, borough historian Kevin Coyne said. In 1948, the state Constitution banned segregated schools, Coyne said.
"Court Street School is (now) open to everyone," McPherson said.
The not-for-profit center provides various youth programs, such as those for public speaking, reading, building and sailing model boats, and musical jam sessions.
Other programming has been related to Black History Month and Kwanzaa, the winter celebration of African heritage.
Generally, adults and youth taking part in Court Street events come from the Freehold-Manalapan-Millstone area, McPherson said.
"We're really trying to get the message out (about the center)," McPherson said. "It's a place for everyone."
McPherson joined the center's board of trustees about eight years ago. She is now vice president.
"She's very interested in people, community and, especially, activities that'll benefit the community," said Lillie Hendry, board president. "She's a terrific community worker and person."
McPherson has brought in new blood to the Court Street School, Coyne said.
"What I was really struck by is she has no real connection to the place (Court Street School), but it captured her imagination," Coyne said. "That's the way institutions survive — they find people outside of their orbit. I was surprised by her devotion to this institution."
Recently, the center's 15-member board had six vacancies, McPherson said. The center needs working board members, along with people bringing in educational and cultural programs, McPherson said.
"I would like to see the building in use more," McPherson said. "I would like to see it be not just a hobby haven, but a cultural haven."
Earlier this month, the center sponsored Wendel White's exhibit of photographs on black Israelis.
"Working with Ms. McPherson on the exhibition at the Court Street School has been a completely professional experience," White said. "She really made me feel welcome and supported.
"Although we had only spoken over the telephone before I arrived with my work at the school, she made me feel at ease right away," White said. "She approached each aspect of the installation with a calm professionalism that simply made the process smooth, efficient and quick."
Not surprisingly, the center, according to McPherson, needs money. Most of its $30,000 annual budget goes to maintain the building, McPherson said.
"We need a benefactor — "Donate some money to us,' " said McPherson, laughing.
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/21/07
BY JOSEPH SAPIA
FREEHOLD BUREAU
FREEHOLD — As a black woman raising a family in predominantly white Manalapan, Andrea McPherson looked outside of town to find a more diverse life.
"As the children got older, it became difficult to find cultural activities for them," said McPherson, 43, who with her husband, Owen, 46, has three children — sons Jonathan, 16, and Alexander, 12, and daughter, Courtney, 11. "These are black kids who live in Manalapan. I didn't want to drive to New York all the time."
McPherson, who immigrated from Guyana in 1970, found what she was looking for about nine years ago in a building once housing a segregated school, the Freehold Colored School. It later became the Court Street School and, now, is the Court Street School Education Community Center.
The Court Street School's current building was built about 1920, borough historian Kevin Coyne said. In 1948, the state Constitution banned segregated schools, Coyne said.
"Court Street School is (now) open to everyone," McPherson said.
The not-for-profit center provides various youth programs, such as those for public speaking, reading, building and sailing model boats, and musical jam sessions.
Other programming has been related to Black History Month and Kwanzaa, the winter celebration of African heritage.
Generally, adults and youth taking part in Court Street events come from the Freehold-Manalapan-Millstone area, McPherson said.
"We're really trying to get the message out (about the center)," McPherson said. "It's a place for everyone."
McPherson joined the center's board of trustees about eight years ago. She is now vice president.
"She's very interested in people, community and, especially, activities that'll benefit the community," said Lillie Hendry, board president. "She's a terrific community worker and person."
McPherson has brought in new blood to the Court Street School, Coyne said.
"What I was really struck by is she has no real connection to the place (Court Street School), but it captured her imagination," Coyne said. "That's the way institutions survive — they find people outside of their orbit. I was surprised by her devotion to this institution."
Recently, the center's 15-member board had six vacancies, McPherson said. The center needs working board members, along with people bringing in educational and cultural programs, McPherson said.
"I would like to see the building in use more," McPherson said. "I would like to see it be not just a hobby haven, but a cultural haven."
Earlier this month, the center sponsored Wendel White's exhibit of photographs on black Israelis.
"Working with Ms. McPherson on the exhibition at the Court Street School has been a completely professional experience," White said. "She really made me feel welcome and supported.
"Although we had only spoken over the telephone before I arrived with my work at the school, she made me feel at ease right away," White said. "She approached each aspect of the installation with a calm professionalism that simply made the process smooth, efficient and quick."
Not surprisingly, the center, according to McPherson, needs money. Most of its $30,000 annual budget goes to maintain the building, McPherson said.
"We need a benefactor — "Donate some money to us,' " said McPherson, laughing.