Paul Laurence Dunbar Young Men's Leadership Academy | Preserving Stop Six History
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In honor of Black History Month, the Regional Black Contractors Association would like to highlight the remarkable collaboration of RBCA Members, and give our readers an inside look at how African American owned firms, can work together to achieve a common goal, that not only increases the capacity of black contractors but transforms the communities around us. The RBCA is pleased to announce that a prestigious group of RBCA members have joined forces to renovate the Paul Laurence Dunbar Young Men’s Leadership Academy in Stop Six, Texas. “We can expect a state-of-the-art school,” Superintendent Kent P. Scribner told Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The YMLA renovation and addition project honors the history of the Stop Six location, which has been the site of Fort Worth ISD education since 1927. In 1952, the present building opened as Dunbar Elementary-Junior High School. The two-story yellow and red brick structure eventually became the original Dunbar High School. The school was named after an African-American poet named Paul Laurence Dunbar. Dunbar was an influential American poet in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. As the first African-American to gain major praise for his poetry, Dunbar represents the beginning of one of America's greatest literary traditions. Paul Laurence Dunbar Young Men’s Leadership Academy (YMLA) was established in 2012 and is Fort Worth ISD’s first single-gender school for young men. YMLA offers students a preparatory curriculum beginning in the 6th grade. Upon occupancy of the building in 2012, minor renovations were performed on the facility to prepare for its inaugural class. The building, however, has remained largely in its former state. With the addition of a new class each year, the facility has reached its capacity in expanding all academic and athletic programs. (Smith,2019)
Due to the facility's expansion, it was decided that the existing YMLA facility would be renovated and expanded to meet the current and future needs of the academy. “After lengthy consideration, we came to realize the best place for a new YMLA is right where it has been all along,” Superintendent Kent P. Scribner said in the release. “We pledged to voters who approved our 2017 bond projects that we would utilize funds and resources in the most effective way possible for our students. This plan does exactly that.” The students of YMLA stated that their inspiration for the “Reimagination” of their building was a college campus, and with this inspiration in mind, the building area has been increased from 55,000 SF to 110,000 SF. The Building additions include a new stand-alone high school building and a 600-seat competition gymnasium. Included within the new gym is also a new band room, robotics lab, and engineering lab. (Smith,2019)
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“KAI is honored to be the architect and engineer for the YMLA renovation. I am passionate about all our educational projects and especially proud of our work on Paul Laurence Dunbar Young Men’s Leadership Academy because it’s in the heart of the Fort Worth Stop Six community. As a Black architect the ability to design spaces educating and influencing our children preparing them for leadership and just as importantly opening their eyes to opportunities in the architectural profession by showing them people that that look like them. The collective power of these young scholars is amazing and for KAI to be part of their academic journey is edifying knowing that these young men will change the world in ways that are still being formulated in their dreams.” – Darren L. James, FAIA, President KAI Enterprises
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Our partners at Fort Worth ISD and Procedeo selected Turner | Source JV as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for this outstanding project.
The exceptional Black Contractors involved in the renovation of the YMLA project are:
The 1950’s building is being reimagined with a new public entrance and facade along Wiley Street. Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Systems will be upgraded to current standards, and the existing classrooms are being reconfigured and repurposed into 21st-century learning environments. In addition to the Career and Technology Education facilities constructed in the new gymnasium, the existing building will include collaboration spaces and an expanded library to support the academic curriculum of the Academy. ("YMLA Additions and Renovations")
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‘As an African American Owned Business Leader in this community, I take pride in being able to collaborate with other like-minded businesses in the successful delivery of a historic project that will contribute to the educational and professional betterment of young, gifted, talented African American males. This new campus will allow them to enhance their learning while existing in a brand new state-of-the-art facility. This sets the stage for them as future leaders in our community and future fathers that will strengthen their respective family legacies’ – Trelaine Mapp, CEO of Source Building Group
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The Fort Worth ISD Young Men’s Leadership Academy project is a significant project that will not only impact the Fort Worth, Stop Six community, but the success of the Young Men who walk the halls of YMLA. Founded in the early 1900s by African-American pioneer Amanda Davis, this segregated community sat at the sixth stop on the Northern Texas’ streetcar route and became known for its successful black-owned businesses. This project truly embodies the importance of African American collaboration and growing the capacity of RBCA members throughout the region. From the Design team to the Subcontractors, there is an outstanding representation of black and brown excellence, that the students of YMLA will truly aspire to emulate. The goal of Young Men's Leadership Academy is to prepare young men for lives of responsibility and leadership in a globally competitive world. The students who graduate from the Young Men’s Leadership Academy will uphold the values of courage, honor, and acceptance of responsibility for their actions. The Young Men’s Leadership Academy is committed to training the leaders of tomorrow who will change their communities, the nation, and the world.
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Sources:
“Young Men's Leadership Academy Additions and Renovations.” KAI Enterprises, 23 Dec. 2020, kai-db.com/wor/fort-worth-independent-school-district-young-mens-leadership-academy/.
Smith, Diane. “Renovations at This Fort Worth School Will Preserve Its History.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2019, https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/education/article24620640.html.
"We Are Our Brothers' Keeper." Fort Worth ISD, https:https://www.fwisd.org/domain/334.Accessed 19 Feb.2021.
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