About St. John Family Life & Fitness Center
The St. John Family Life & Fitness Center (SJFLFC, Inc.) is a vibrant community hub dedicated to enriching lives through programs that support physical wellness, lifelong learning, and community connection.
Located in a beautifully restored 1922 Rosenwald School, SJFLFC stands as a powerful symbol of African American educational history and resilience. Originally built to serve the local Black community during segregation, the school represents a broader movement that expanded access to education across the rural South. Today, SJFLFC preserves and shares this legacy while reimagining the space for modern community needs.
Now transformed into a multi-purpose center, the facility serves as a fitness space, community gathering place, event venue, museum, and resource library. It hosts health initiatives, educational programming, cultural events, and intergenerational activities designed to strengthen and unite the community.
Looking ahead, SJFLFC plans to evolve its programming and space to integrate a dynamic “Living Classroom” initiative encompassing multimedia, interactive technology within its museum, tailored cultural content for specific learner groups, and STEM based learning camps.
SJFLFC's long-term goal is to create a sustainable, community-led education hub that transforms a historic site into an active space for learning, storytelling, and cultural connection. Through intergenerational programs, oral history preservation, youth camps, and partnerships with schools and colleges, the Center will expand access to culturally affirming education while connecting past, present, and future.
As this multi-year initiative grows, SJFLFC will strengthen its role as both a center for community resilience and a regional leader in preserving Black history, advancing equity, and preparing future generations through innovative, experience-based learning.
Rooted in a legacy of education and empowerment, SJFLFC continues to carry that mission forward—nurturing the mind, body, and spirit for generations to come.
Board of Directors
SJFLFC is driven by a dedicated group of volunteer board members, donating their time and experience, and skills to further SJFLFC's historical preservation and community service missions:
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Rebecca Kinney – President
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Pastor Kelvin Hawkins – Vice President
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Madelean Hughes – Secretary
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Joyce Price – Treasurer
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Kimalee Dickerson – Director / Legal Advisor
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Lorenzo Dickerson – Director / Business & Technology Support Advisor
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Hilda Douglas – Director / Health Program Advisor
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Lewis Johnson – Insurance Advisor
Advisory Board
Member names
Non-Profit & Funding Structure
The St. John Family Life & Fitness Center (SJFLFC, Inc.) is a nonprofit, secular organization that operates through a combination of grant funding and charitable contributions. As a community-based organization, our programs, services, and ongoing preservation efforts are supported by public and private funding sources rather than commercial revenue.
SJFLFC is sustained through the generosity of grants, donations, and community support. Every program, event, and service we offer is made possible by individuals, partners, and funders who believe in preserving our shared history and strengthening our community.
This model allows SJFLFC to provide accessible, free programming while continuing to maintain and steward the historic site for the benefit of the community.