Gwinnett County officials on Monday cut the ribbon on the new Hooper-Renwick Themed Library, in partnership with the city of Lawrenceville, Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee and Gwinnett County Public Library Board of Trustees.
The library is the first themed library in the Southeast. It’s located at 56 Neal Boulevard in Lawrenceville.
The project revives and expands the 11,475-square-foot Hooper-Renwick School, which once served as the only public high school for Black students in the Gwinnett County school system.
The new, 27,327-square-foot themed library includes library amenities, community space and exhibits that showcase stories, accomplishments and memorabilia related to the school. Original elements of the building prominent in the final design include exposed rafters above the library portion of the facility, the restored façade of the school building and the original gym floor, which was repurposed as flooring in the upper-level exhibit space.
Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson says: “From the history of the school to the personal stories of Hooper-Renwick’s students and teachers, the Hooper-Renwick Themed Library showcases our forward-thinking approach to preservation. Today, we’re cutting the ribbon on a gateway to understanding, reopening a space for learning and inviting all to share in our hope.”
The project was inspired by the engagement of a group of local alumni and stakeholders who wanted to see the former school preserved, forming the Hooper-Renwick Legacy Preservation Committee in 2017.
Preservation Committee Chair Coni Brown, who was a student at Hooper-Renwick School before integration, says: “Hooper-Renwick has always been more than a building; it was a beacon of hope, education and pride for our community during a time when opportunity wasn’t always within reach for everyone. Preserving its legacy means honoring the sacrifices and triumphs of those who came before us. Today, it stands as both a symbol of resilience and a promise to future generations that their history matters.”
The project was funded using $18.8 million from the County’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax along with $1.7 million from the city of Lawrenceville, which also provided the 3.8-acre site, sidewalks, lighting and landscaping.
Lawrenceville Mayor David Still highlighted the collaborative approach behind the project. He says: “A tremendous effort was put forth by all parties to bring this vision to reality.”
Jackson EMC wins two national gold awards
Jackson EMC’s communication team has earned top national recognition in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Spotlight on Excellence Awards. The team received two Gold Awards for outstanding efforts to connect employees and serve members through impactful communication and engagement.
This year, NRECA honored Jackson EMC with two Gold Awards. The first recognized JEMClips, the cooperative’s employee newsletter, as the Best Internal News Publication. The second celebrated the cooperative’s New Member Email Campaign as the Most Innovative Use of Digital Engagement.
“These awards reflect our promise to provide super-personalized care — ensuring members and employees feel valued, informed and supported,” said April Sorrow, vice president of communication at Jackson EMC. “It’s an honor to see our team’s expertise recognized nationally for the way we tell our story and connect with the people we serve.”
These honors are the result of a team effort by communication staff members: Jewel Caruso, Karen Ewing, Lila Higginbotham, Wendy Jones, Dekotah Mathis, April Sorrow, Kerri Testement and Lauren White.
