About
W. B. Wicker CampusSince 1927
Providing an education for the children of Lee County
The School’s History
Built in 1927 and first named the Lee County Training Center, the W. B. Wicker School is one of the oldest and most momentous educational institutions in Lee County. With almost a century of history behind its doors, this school stands as a symbol for American progress in both education and race relations.
Under the strong leadership of William Bartelle Wicker, this school welcomed African American children and allowed them to get an education they would have otherwise never received. Year after year, Wicker increased the black student population; and, in the late 60s, post-segregation era, the school was reaching its peak of more than a hundred student graduates annually. Due to Wicker’s dedication and hard work in furthering the educational practices of Lee County, the school was re-named in his honor to what is now known as the W. B. Wicker School.
The school ended up closing in the 1990s but was later restored by Brick Capital Community Development Corporation and its many partners, including the County of Lee, the City of Sanford, and Self-Help Credit Union. The newest addition to the school opened in 2019 to continue serving Lee County and keeping the legacy of William Bartelle Wicker alive. Â Brick Capital CDC Board of Directors and staff are elated to have had the opportunity to participate in the continued life of this historic educational center.
How We Helped
Brick Capital’s Contribution
In 2001, Brick Capital CDC worked in partnership with Lee County, City of Sanford, and a local community Advisory Group to restore the W. B. Wicker School, assist in financing 12 units of supportive housing, and repair the streets in the neighborhood. The City of Sanford received an award of 1.75 million dollars for the CDBG Revitalization Strategies (RS) for small cities through a North Carolina Department of Commerce grant. A local investment was needed as a match for the grant, so Lee County provided another $200,000. With this financial capital, Brick Capital CDC partners leveraged a 2.5-million-dollar loan at 1% from Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.
By November 2006, the redevelopment area gained the restored W. B. Wicker School (a historic Rosenwald School), which became the W. B. Wicker Business Campus, Central Carolina Lifelong Learning Center, a four-star childcare center, and the Sanford business suites. The blighted area was transformed for new use. In 2008, the National Council of State Community Development Association (COSCDA), the premier association advocating and enhancing the leadership role of states in community development through innovative policy development and implementation, presented its Sterling Achievement Award to the North Carolina Department of Commerce for their part in the restoration and redevelopment of the W. B. Wicker Business Campus. From 2006 to 2018, Brick Capital CDC owned and managed the W. B. Wicker Business Campus.
In 2018, Lee County purchased the W. B. Wicker School from Brick Capital in order return it to the Lee County Board of Education for an elementary STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) school. The new portion of the school opened in August of 2019, bringing the total student population to over 900. The Sanford community is extremely excited about the opportunities that the W. B. Wicker School will continue bringing to our children.