More Than A School

Told by members of the community and former students, “More Than a School” documents the story of Pine Grove, one of few remaining Tuskegee-Rosenwald Community Schools. Built in 1917 to educate African American children in the South during the Jim Crow era, the historic schoolhouse is now listed on America’s “Most Endangered Historic Places.”

Early deeds show Black land ownership in the Pine Grove community as early as 1872. The school operated from 1917-1964, serving 30-35 students at a time while also functioning as the hub for the broader community. During its operation, it enabled hundreds of students to launch successful careers in journalism, sports, the arts, law, science, ministry, education, business, and the military.

Former students and Cumberland County residents formed the Agee, Miller, Mayo, Dungy Family Association (“AMMD”) Pine Grove Project in April 2018, a non-profit dedicated to preserving the legacy of the school and the African American community it served.

Today, however, the school sits in the shadow of a proposed mega-landfill.

As of December 2023, permitting processes for the landfill are not yet complete. The AMMD Pine Grove Project and Cumberland community continue to organize and advocate to preserve their history while opposing the landfill.

Pine Grove is, and always will be, “More Than a School.”