Brick School Legacy, The

I came across this article as I was searching for my family history. I am eighteen years old. I am from Enfield, NC. I lived there until I was seven; my mama moved me and my siblings to Roanoke Rapids, NC, which is not that far from Enfield, and it is very rare that you find someone out of Enfield that is well known or successful because the town is so small and the education system is not the best it could be. Frankly, I believe that the needs of the town go unnoticed. It gave me hope and it put a smile on my face to share a similarity with Ms. Cofield. Ms. Cofield is definitely someone I look up to. She inspired me to inspire other little girls in Enfield to become successful.

I would love the opportunity to speak with you in detail about the Brick School and some information that I am looking for which connects the school with Sigma Gamma Rho's oldest chapter here in NC.

Thank you in advance.

I drove 301 N from Wilson to Enfield yesterday for Project SEED community health workers training at St. Paul Baptist Church. On my way into town I glimpsed an historic marker for Brick School on the opposite side of the street. It triggered a memory from my research of the NC Archives for post-civil war education in the south and brought me to this site today. Is your documentary still available?

Dr. Cofield,

I came across your documentary today and I enjoyed it tremendously. My grandmother, Audalene (Joyner) Parker graduated from Bricks in 1923. She always spoke very fondly about this wonderful school and for many years she was the secretary of the DC Brick Alumni Chapter. The education, friendships, and traditions of Bricks stayed with her until her passing in 1993; therefore Brick School's story is herstory and an important part of family history... We still have her diploma and graduation invitation! Thank you for your work in bringing this story to film and for posting it on the internet.

Also, it was a real treat to see Ms. Martha ( Martha Crenshaw Grant) a dear friend of my grandmother and our family captured in film attending the event in 1994. She talked about this event all the time and how she wished my grandmother could've attended. It was Ms. Martha who told me about Dr. Inborden and how Bricks was founded for years after my grandmother had passed and encouraged me to purchase Robert Greene's biography of Tomas Sewell Inborden.

Years ago I had heard that there were plans to restore restore a couple buildings and have a museum at the school site. Do you know if those plans are still underway?

Ms Willa Cofield had a major impact on my life. I came of age in the early 60's in Enfield, NC. I was a member of the original nine students who attempted to integrate the public library in 1963. That aborted attempt sent us scurrying to our shool paper advisor, Ms Cofield. The rest is history. She is the very embodiment of class, grace, and toughness. My whole life was shaped by that experience, and I came face to face with real courage that long, hot summer. I am still in touch with my mentor, and I am made more whole each time I speak with her.