This past Saturday evening, on February 15, Academic Magnet hosted a documentary showing about Liberty Hill, the neighborhood surrounding our school, to celebrate Black History Month. Partnering with the Liberty Hill Historical and Genealogical Society, Dr. Russell worked with AMHS student organizations to organize a special showing of the newly filmed documentary: “Liberty Hill: An Unpolished Jewel.” Preceding the viewing of the film, a 4:30 meet-and-greet was held in the key for the community to dine and connect with one another. The thirty-minute production detailing the history of Liberty Hill and the lives of its community members was shown in the Judith Peterson Lecture Hall at 6:00 pm. Magnet students, parents, teachers, and residents of Liberty Hill all came together to view the wonderfully crafted documentary and reflect on the history of this campus and neighborhood. This documentary was only made possible by the Historical and Genealogical Society partnering with an independent videographer, who interviewed the notable alumni and city figures and meticulously crafted the documentary to portray the lifestyle of Liberty Hill citizens and depict the ongoing changes to the community.

Mrs. Hester G. McFadden is the president of the Liberty Hill Historical and Genealogical Society as well as an alum of Bonds-Wilson High School, the high school that originally rested on Academic Magnet’s campus. After receiving her M.Ed. from the Citadel, Mrs. McFadden’s teaching career led her to win “Teacher of the Year” in 1986 at Hanahan High School and eventually to Wilimngton, NC, where she introduced African American History and Culture to her school and district’s curriculum.

Mrs. Condida Joy, the Vice-President of the Liberty Hill Historical and Genealogical Society, attended Liberty Hill Elementary School and Bonds-Wilson High before receiving a Paralegal Certificate from Trident Technical College and an Associate of Science degree in Legal Assisting from Tallahassee Community College. Her tireless social activism has led her to serve as the Past President of the Liberty HIll Improvement Council, the Past President of the People Action Committee, and a Past Candidate of the North Charleston City Council. Among other accolades, she has also been honored with a Mayor’s Certificate of Appreciation from the City of North Charleston as well as a Certificate of Appreciation from the South Carolina Senate.

Thanks to both of these accomplished women as well as Dr. Russell’s hard work, the Bonds-Wilson showing of “Liberty Hill: An Unpolished Jewel” was a successful and wonderful night for everyone involved.