On September 30, Dr. Jennie Stephens, CEO of the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation, based in Charleston, spoke with our students. She also fielded questions from our students.
Our school has a solid civics and understanding government component: we watch the news every day to stay abreast of current events. We invited Dr. Stephens to speak following the Highway 41 issue and its possible impact on the historic Phillips African-American settlement community. The interest in learning more about the heirs’ property issue evolved naturally.
This presentation was part of our annual Fall exploration of government and elections and culminates in our exit polling project on Election Day. Students also heard from candidates from various political parties, political scientists, and others. Talking with them enables our students to form their own opinions based on research and first-hand experience – key concepts in developing students who will think critically for themselves.
The Center is a nonprofit protecting heirs’ property and promoting its sustainable use to provide increased economic benefit to historically underserved families. Ms. Stephans has been with Heirs since its inception in 2005. She has spent over 25 years in the nonprofit field.
To learn more about Ms. Stephens’s work and the Heirs’ Property Preservation, visit their website at https://www.heirsproperty.org/.
