Welcome to        THE DAVIDSON
Association

Our History

The Davidson Alumni Association was formed out of a Davidson School Reunion celebration held in 1979. The Alumni Association, under the leadership of Karl Lee Jenkins, was formed to preserve the heritage and school spirit of all Davidson meant to its former graduates and community. The Alumni Association had a desire to see the Davidson School Building, which was built in the early 1950’s and designated a historical landmark by the state of North Carolina on May 18, 2016, and has a rich history of educating students, once again find its place in serving the community. The Alumni Association established the Davidson Alumni Resource Center Incorporated as a non-profit organization and was registered with the state of North Carolina on April 5, 2011. The Davidson School Building was purchased by the Davidson Alumni Association from private donations in July, 2019. The non-profit was created to develop Davidson School as a “One Stop Shop” Resource Center to Empower, Engage, and Impact families, individuals, the community and surrounding areas. As the Alumni Association grew, the Vision began to expand to include quality of life issues for individuals and families. In 2020, Davidson Alumni Association became The Davidson Association. The name change, having dropped “Alumni”, allows us to become a more diverse and inclusive group working toward the original Vision.

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for the following events.

16

May

2023

6:00 p.m.

"Step" practice with Alpha's

location

Mt. Zion Baptist Church


18

May

2023

6:00 p.m.

"Step" practice with Alpha's

location

Mt. Zion Baptist Church


19

May

2023

6:00 p.m.

Rehearsal

location

Mt. Zion Baptist Church


20

May

2023

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Masters of Distinction Beautillion 


Mt. Zion Baptist Church


21

May

2023

TBA

Worship

location

TBA


3

June

2023

8: 00 a.m. - 12 Noon

Foothills Farmers Market

location

TBA


24

June

2023

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Junteenth Celebration


YMCA Track at 211 Cleveland Ave.


19

August

2023

10 AM - 1 p.m.

Annual Community Health Fair

location

Mt. Zion Baptist Church


 

Weekly

Starting June 3

8:00 a.m. - 12 Noon

Foothills Farmer's Market

125 S. Battleground Ave. 

Kings Mountain, NC


Foothills Farmers Market

Come shop at the new Foothills Farmer's Market of Kings Mountain!



Masters of Distinction

Vision

In keeping with the original intent of the school, our vision is is to have the school facility become a center of Hope and Empowerment through Education and Training, as a model of self-determination. We will preserve the heritage of Davidson Elementary School and implement sustainable programs for the community and surrounding counties.

Mission

The Davidson Association will Preserve, as well as Enhance the Historic Davidson Elementary School Building for the benefit of all.

Short-Term Goals

To raise funds to renovate and update the physical building in accordance with our 501(C)3 board.

To increase membership in the Davidson Association. 

Long-Term Goals

Encourage physical, emotional, and mental wellness. Promote healthy choices and good nutrition. Promote employment support and job placement. Promote self-sufficiency and improved quality of life. Provide an abundance of helpful resources to assist with needs.

Our Historic Timeline

1979

Davidson Alumni Association was formed

April 5, 2011

Davidson School was designated as a historical landmark

July 2019

Alumni Association Purchased the School Building from Cleveland County Schools

2020

Davidson Alumni Assoc. was changed to The Davidson Association

Collaborations

It is our objective to establish a collaboration network of agencies, schools, and organizations that will make a formal, sustained commitment to work together bringing available resources and services to the community.

Read more

Major Programs/Primary Activities

The major programs and activities we seek to promote are; Job Center/ Job Education, training and employment services. Small business development Youth activities (The Arts) After school programs GED classes Computer Labs Mentoring programs Adult Empowerment Programs Recreation Activities Promote community based programs that are family centered.

Read more

STATEMENT OF NEED

In order for our organization to carry out its mission, the school building our organization purchased is in dire need of major improvements. The building needs the entire electrical system replaced and brought up to code. The entire heating and cooling system need to be purchased and installed. The roof needs to be upgraded and gutters replaced. The plumbing, and flooring, need to be upgraded. The building has a solid structure of cinder block walls and cement floors. Windows have been broken and need to be replaced with the same type due to the building's historic destination. The Davidson School according to the architects drawing is facing close to one million dollars in needed repairs. (Neighboring Concepts, Charlotte) 10 years ago, the state of North Carolina closed the employment office in the city of Kings Mountain leaving residents to have to travel to another city for assistance in their job search and employment assistance. Kings Mountain youth have to travel to other cities for mentoring programs, which our community and city lack. There are many adults and seniors who do not have access to computers or who are lacking in the use of a cell phone or smartphone in the community. So much of what our society requires us to have access to. With the county's health department located in another city, it would be healthy for our community and city to have access to healthy living information and programs through our organization. With the rising cost of living due to inflation, food shortages, and their high cost, we look forward to continuing to give away boxes of food and other essential items for those in need in the community. The City of Kings Mountain is a diverse city of just over 11,400 residents. There are many seniors, families, and single-parent households in the city. Its population makeup is 73% white, 22% black, 1% Asian, and 1% other. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. The Davidson School sits in the heart of this diverse city.

Community Health Fair Gallery

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NC

Gallery

COMMUNITY CENTER PHOTOGRAPHS

North side of building

East corner of building

South side of building with windows

South side of building presently

Hallway doors tp outside

Restrooms

Classroom

Classroom

Telephone matrix

Gutter

Close up of south side

Hallway

Classroom

Inside wall

Facility when it was open

Gallery

Delivery of basket to school teacher

Alumni group at original school marker

Newspaper article

Alumni group at original school marker

Davidson alumni officers

Principal J. A. Gibson

Principal Davidson

Class Photo

Newspaper Article

Event Program

Historical Marker

Committees

Learn more about what we do

Healthy (well-being)
Wealthy (financial)
Wise (education)

Health Committee

The Davidson Association Health Committee has partnered with Cleveland County Health Department and Kintegra Health to provide our community with pertinent information on healthy eating and living a better quality of life. We are bringing awareness to mental health and chronic diseases that continues to hinder our every day lives. We are committed to serving our community by addressing issues of health inequality.