Men 2 Be launches fundraiser to restore historic Attucks High School as community center

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – LaDessa Lewis, president of Men 2 Be, a local nonprofit is leading a cause to save and restore the abandoned Attucks High School in Hopkinsville. The organization announced on social media they are raising money to transform the old school into a community center.

“We know it’s a big project, but right now, we need the community’s help to make the building safe and secure,” said Lewis. “We want to establish a secure and welcoming community center that will serve as a hub for recreational activities, educational programs, and various community services.”

Attucks High School is a former school facility in Hopkinsville that was built in 1916 and served as the first public school for black students in the area. In 1988, the school closed and ceased operations leaving the building to deteriorate.

As you drive by the large building, you can see the idle years take a toll on its exterior. The campus is littered with broken windows, faded lettering, boarded up doors, and graffitied walls. Lewis shared they are trying to raise $700 for 48 wooden boards and wood screws to get started. As owners of the school, the organization dreams the building can be transformed into a place to serve everyone.

Lewis told Christian County Now that once the fundraising goal has been met, the group will hold community forums to gather input on how the center can best serve the community’s needs. Following these forums, Lewis plans to seek grants to start phase one of the project which is the gym.

“In addition to the gym, the center will feature a kitchen, providing opportunities to feed and support community members. This will enable us to offer meals and nutrition programs, further enhancing our ability to serve the community. The center will also include classroom settings for our “Men 2 Be” meetings,” said Lewis. 

Although the project is expected to run into the millions, Lewis said it is crucial for the long term benefits it will bring to the community. For more information and updates visit Men 2 Be on Facebook.