The 2025-26 Board of Directors brings new energy and shared commitment to the mission. The board includes Susan Godwin as president, John Fitzgerald as vice president and treasurer, Clarice Hall-Black as secretary, and directors Ann Lemis, Gilbert Wright, Pam Williams and Vickie Graham.

“We step forward with deep gratitude for the legacy and foundational work of former President Shawn Graham, whose dedication, care and community spirit helped shape the heart of Hope Community as it stands today with more than 500 members,” says Godwin. “We honor his invaluable contributions and continue to build upon the strong foundation he helped cultivate.”

A milestone in 2025 is Hope Community’s deepened partnership with the City of Fairhope, which now holds the deed to the 14-acre Anna T. Jeanes property at South Section Street and Twin Beech Road. Hope Community will have a long-term lease, giving it the autonomy to grow and develop the land sustainably. Plans include a teaching farm and kitchen, community center, clinic, museum and nature trails.

 “Another vital reason to preserve and revitalize the Anna T. Jeanes School property is its rich African American history,” says Hall-Black. “In 1907, local founding African American families sold the property to the Board of Education. In 1913, Quaker philanthropist Anna T. Jeanes of Philadelphia established a school for African American students through the Jeanes Fund, created to improve educational opportunities for Black children in the segregated South.”

For more on the history of the Anna T. Jeanes School and other significant sites, Hope Community encourages exploring We Are Here, a digital and oral history project supported by the Alabama Humanities Alliance in collaboration with the University of South Alabama History Department.

Lorie Ward, chair of Community Development, says, "Hope Community looks to restore the property to its original purpose of growing food, providing education, and serving as a community gathering space, especially for Fairhope South residents."

Hope Community’s programming will continue to grow and strengthen its impact. Monthly community meetings will feature dynamic speakers and roundtable discussions to foster deeper relationships. Food Rx classes will offer hands-on, plant-forward cooking sessions led by chefs and health educators, making healthy eating accessible and practical.

Health fairs will provide free health screenings, educational resources and connections to wellness support systems. All are invited to the first-ever Hope Community Health Fair on March 29, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Anna T. Jeanes School property in Fairhope South.

Mobile Bay Maker’s Market, held the second and last Sunday of each month, will highlight local artisans and growers, with 80 percent of products required to be handmade or homegrown. Community clean-up days will bring residents together for collective care of the property, while Story Slam events will invite participants to share personal stories in a relaxed setting. The prison ministry outreach will continue providing hygiene items, undergarments and soft-covered Bibles to inmates at Mobile County Metro Jail.

“Hope Community has a place for everyone,” says Hall-Black. “You can run in a 5K, learn to cook, garden or compost, tell a story, donate or simply have a conversation with someone you might not otherwise meet. We allow people to grow together in their own time. When you engage with different perspectives—even if you disagree—you grow.”

Hope Community continues to evolve into a vibrant space where wellness, sustainability and connection thrive. And, this is just the beginning.

For more information or to get involved with Hope Community, visit HopeCommunityAL.org.