On May 26, 2025, Hope Community’s President, Susan Fontaine-Godwin, and Lorie Ward, our Chair of Community Development, joined Lenise Ligon on Fox10 News. We discussed our work to revitalize what is currently known as Fairhope South through restoring the historic Anna T. Jeanes School. We also shared our transformative field trip to the Legacy Museum, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, and the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. Thank you to Lenise and Fox10 for allowing us to share about this experience and our organization.
Over sixty community members dove deep into the powerful history and ongoing human justice issues highlighted by these Equal Justice Initiative sites. We were especially honored to have Bob and Pam Zellner aboard the bus to share firsthand insights into Bob’s time as a freedom fighter in Alabama. We are grateful to our board member, Ann Lemis, chairperson of our Cultures Committee, who organized the trip for us which reaffirmed our mission: nurturing unity and relationships through food, healing, and education.
Returning from the Legacy Museum’s poignant narratives and the Sculpture Garden’s artful storytelling, we are inspired to bring these lessons home. We envision a future where our 150-year-old African American community in Fairhope thrives. From our teaching farm and kitchen to the heritage trails we’re developing, we’re committed to fostering conversations and actions that uplift us all. Together, we can heal, unite, and create a brighter future for Fairhope.
The trip reinforced that revitalizing Fairhope South is more than just restoring buildings. It is about restoring stories, honoring resilience, and creating a place where the past, present, and future are woven together. Through our ongoing projects and plans, we hope to continue promoting healing, community-building, and access to natural spaces, healthy foods, and educational opportunities.
