Save and revitalize the McCollum Hall
The Issue
On behalf of concerned residents, community stakeholders, advocates, and supporters, Growing Unified Development (GUD) respectfully submits the enclosed community petition concerning the future of the Dunbar Community Center, located at 2011 Blount Street, Fort Myers, Florida 33916.
The petition calls for immediate consideration of measures to preserve the Dunbar Community Center, prevent its potential closure, commercial conversion, or liquidation, and establish a sustainable nonprofit operating framework that returns the facility to a meaningful community-centered purpose.
Our proposal is rooted in the history and original purpose of the Dunbar community and seeks to build upon that foundation rather than abandon it.
Historical Foundations & Origins
The Dunbar community carries deep historical significance in Fort Myers. Named in honor of legendary African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, the surrounding neighborhood developed as an important cultural, economic, and civic center of Black life in Fort Myers during an era of segregation and restricted access to public facilities.
Community development in the area was driven by Black residents, entrepreneurs, property owners, civic leaders, and community builders who created institutions and commercial and civic anchors despite the limitations imposed by segregation.
Among those community builders was Clifford "Buck" McCollum Sr., whose work helped establish important commercial and civic foundations within the Dunbar community.
The history of the Dunbar Community Center must therefore be considered when determining its future.
2011 Blount Street — A Community Civic Anchor
The Dunbar Community Center at 2011 Blount Street represents an important community resource.
The facility's role as a gathering place, safe haven, educational resource, and venue for youth, athletics, community meetings, and neighborhood activities reflects the broader tradition of community self-development that helped build Dunbar.
For that reason, we believe its future should be considered in the context of the community purpose it has historically served.
Why Preservation Matters
This facility should not be viewed solely as a piece of real estate.
For generations, community institutions in Dunbar represented access to opportunities that were not always available through other public or private institutions. Community spaces provided places where residents could gather, organize, educate young people, develop leadership, participate in athletics, and build economic and social capacity.
The concern expressed through this petition is that closure, commercial conversion, liquidation, or significant mission drift could remove an important community resource from the neighborhood.
Preservation, therefore, should include not only the physical facility but also consideration of its community purpose, historical significance, accessibility, and potential to serve future generations.
Proposed Revitalization & Nonprofit Framework
Growing Unified Development proposes that the Dunbar Community Center be evaluated for transition into a sustainable 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating framework, subject to applicable law, existing ownership arrangements, governmental approvals, and the legal requirements governing the facility.
The objective would be to create a structure capable of preserving the center while expanding its community benefit.
1. Mission Realignment
The proposed revitalization would seek to reconnect the center's operations with its foundational community purpose while adapting programming to contemporary needs.
This could include educational, workforce-development, youth leadership, civic education, entrepreneurship, trade exposure, apprenticeship preparation, community workshops, and other programs designed to strengthen local residents and families.
2. Growing Unified Development
Growing Unified Development (GUD) would serve as the organizational entity proposing and developing the management framework.
Quiet Strength Development Institute (QSDI) would function as a program of Growing Unified Development, providing an avenue for implementing educational, leadership, civic, workforce, and community-development programming consistent with the revitalization plan.
QSDI is therefore not being presented as a separate legal organization from GUD.
3. Community-Based Governance
The proposed framework would include consideration of a properly constituted nonprofit governing structure with meaningful community representation, appropriate fiduciary oversight, financial controls, conflict-of-interest safeguards, legal compliance, and regular reporting.
4. Phased Facility & Program Revamp
The first phase would involve an operational assessment of the facility and existing programs.
A subsequent phased revitalization could include:
Youth leadership programming;
Trade and workforce-development initiatives;
Apprenticeship preparation and career exposure;
Educational and public workshops;
Civic leadership and community education;
Entrepreneurship and financial-literacy programming;
Athletic and youth-development activities; and
Community events and resource partnerships.
5. Financial Sustainability
A nonprofit operating model could provide access to eligible funding opportunities, including grants, philanthropic support, charitable contributions, corporate sponsorships, and other lawful sources of revenue.
To the extent permitted by the governing structure and applicable law, operational resources would be directed toward facility maintenance, program development, community outreach, operating needs, and long-term sustainability.
Community Request
Through the enclosed petition, community members are asking decision-makers to consider the following:
1. Prevent the unnecessary closure, sale, commercial conversion, or liquidation of the Dunbar Community Center.
2. Preserve the center's historical and community purpose while evaluating appropriate modernization and revitalization.
3. Evaluate a transition to a sustainable nonprofit operating structure capable of protecting the center's long-term community benefit.
4. Consider Growing Unified Development as the proposed organizational partner and management entity, subject to appropriate legal review, governmental approval, and formal agreement.
5. Develop a comprehensive revitalization plan incorporating youth development, workforce and trades programming, education, civic leadership, athletics, entrepreneurship, and other community-centered services.
6. Establish transparent governance and financial accountability so that the community can understand how the center is operated, funded, maintained, and evaluated.
Request for Formal Presentation
We respectfully request an opportunity to formally present this proposal to the Fort Myers City Council and/or Lee County Board of County Commissioners at the appropriate public meeting.
Growing Unified Development is prepared to present the complete management concept, nonprofit framework, historical preservation considerations, program model, operational strategy, financial sustainability plan, and proposed role of Quiet Strength Development Institute (QSDI), a program of Growing Unified Development.
We recognize that questions involving ownership, management, governmental authority, nonprofit status, property use, and facility operations require appropriate legal and administrative review. Our purpose is to initiate that process and provide a structured proposal for consideration.
The enclosed signatures demonstrate community interest in preserving the Dunbar Community Center and exploring a future that reconnects the facility with its historical role as a community resource.
We respectfully ask that this petition be received into the official record and that Growing Unified Development be given the opportunity to present its proposal.
Thank you for your service to Fort Myers, Lee County, and the residents of the Dunbar community. We look forward to working constructively with community leaders toward a sustainable future for this historic community resource.
Respectfully,
Anthony Whitfield
President
Growing Unified Development
Quiet Strength Development Institute (QSDI)
A Program of Growing Unified Development
Email: quietstrengthdi@gmail.com
Phone: 239-766-2066
Enclosure: Community Petition and Signatures
42
The Issue
On behalf of concerned residents, community stakeholders, advocates, and supporters, Growing Unified Development (GUD) respectfully submits the enclosed community petition concerning the future of the Dunbar Community Center, located at 2011 Blount Street, Fort Myers, Florida 33916.
The petition calls for immediate consideration of measures to preserve the Dunbar Community Center, prevent its potential closure, commercial conversion, or liquidation, and establish a sustainable nonprofit operating framework that returns the facility to a meaningful community-centered purpose.
Our proposal is rooted in the history and original purpose of the Dunbar community and seeks to build upon that foundation rather than abandon it.
Historical Foundations & Origins
The Dunbar community carries deep historical significance in Fort Myers. Named in honor of legendary African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, the surrounding neighborhood developed as an important cultural, economic, and civic center of Black life in Fort Myers during an era of segregation and restricted access to public facilities.
Community development in the area was driven by Black residents, entrepreneurs, property owners, civic leaders, and community builders who created institutions and commercial and civic anchors despite the limitations imposed by segregation.
Among those community builders was Clifford "Buck" McCollum Sr., whose work helped establish important commercial and civic foundations within the Dunbar community.
The history of the Dunbar Community Center must therefore be considered when determining its future.
2011 Blount Street — A Community Civic Anchor
The Dunbar Community Center at 2011 Blount Street represents an important community resource.
The facility's role as a gathering place, safe haven, educational resource, and venue for youth, athletics, community meetings, and neighborhood activities reflects the broader tradition of community self-development that helped build Dunbar.
For that reason, we believe its future should be considered in the context of the community purpose it has historically served.
Why Preservation Matters
This facility should not be viewed solely as a piece of real estate.
For generations, community institutions in Dunbar represented access to opportunities that were not always available through other public or private institutions. Community spaces provided places where residents could gather, organize, educate young people, develop leadership, participate in athletics, and build economic and social capacity.
The concern expressed through this petition is that closure, commercial conversion, liquidation, or significant mission drift could remove an important community resource from the neighborhood.
Preservation, therefore, should include not only the physical facility but also consideration of its community purpose, historical significance, accessibility, and potential to serve future generations.
Proposed Revitalization & Nonprofit Framework
Growing Unified Development proposes that the Dunbar Community Center be evaluated for transition into a sustainable 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating framework, subject to applicable law, existing ownership arrangements, governmental approvals, and the legal requirements governing the facility.
The objective would be to create a structure capable of preserving the center while expanding its community benefit.
1. Mission Realignment
The proposed revitalization would seek to reconnect the center's operations with its foundational community purpose while adapting programming to contemporary needs.
This could include educational, workforce-development, youth leadership, civic education, entrepreneurship, trade exposure, apprenticeship preparation, community workshops, and other programs designed to strengthen local residents and families.
2. Growing Unified Development
Growing Unified Development (GUD) would serve as the organizational entity proposing and developing the management framework.
Quiet Strength Development Institute (QSDI) would function as a program of Growing Unified Development, providing an avenue for implementing educational, leadership, civic, workforce, and community-development programming consistent with the revitalization plan.
QSDI is therefore not being presented as a separate legal organization from GUD.
3. Community-Based Governance
The proposed framework would include consideration of a properly constituted nonprofit governing structure with meaningful community representation, appropriate fiduciary oversight, financial controls, conflict-of-interest safeguards, legal compliance, and regular reporting.
4. Phased Facility & Program Revamp
The first phase would involve an operational assessment of the facility and existing programs.
A subsequent phased revitalization could include:
Youth leadership programming;
Trade and workforce-development initiatives;
Apprenticeship preparation and career exposure;
Educational and public workshops;
Civic leadership and community education;
Entrepreneurship and financial-literacy programming;
Athletic and youth-development activities; and
Community events and resource partnerships.
5. Financial Sustainability
A nonprofit operating model could provide access to eligible funding opportunities, including grants, philanthropic support, charitable contributions, corporate sponsorships, and other lawful sources of revenue.
To the extent permitted by the governing structure and applicable law, operational resources would be directed toward facility maintenance, program development, community outreach, operating needs, and long-term sustainability.
Community Request
Through the enclosed petition, community members are asking decision-makers to consider the following:
1. Prevent the unnecessary closure, sale, commercial conversion, or liquidation of the Dunbar Community Center.
2. Preserve the center's historical and community purpose while evaluating appropriate modernization and revitalization.
3. Evaluate a transition to a sustainable nonprofit operating structure capable of protecting the center's long-term community benefit.
4. Consider Growing Unified Development as the proposed organizational partner and management entity, subject to appropriate legal review, governmental approval, and formal agreement.
5. Develop a comprehensive revitalization plan incorporating youth development, workforce and trades programming, education, civic leadership, athletics, entrepreneurship, and other community-centered services.
6. Establish transparent governance and financial accountability so that the community can understand how the center is operated, funded, maintained, and evaluated.
Request for Formal Presentation
We respectfully request an opportunity to formally present this proposal to the Fort Myers City Council and/or Lee County Board of County Commissioners at the appropriate public meeting.
Growing Unified Development is prepared to present the complete management concept, nonprofit framework, historical preservation considerations, program model, operational strategy, financial sustainability plan, and proposed role of Quiet Strength Development Institute (QSDI), a program of Growing Unified Development.
We recognize that questions involving ownership, management, governmental authority, nonprofit status, property use, and facility operations require appropriate legal and administrative review. Our purpose is to initiate that process and provide a structured proposal for consideration.
The enclosed signatures demonstrate community interest in preserving the Dunbar Community Center and exploring a future that reconnects the facility with its historical role as a community resource.
We respectfully ask that this petition be received into the official record and that Growing Unified Development be given the opportunity to present its proposal.
Thank you for your service to Fort Myers, Lee County, and the residents of the Dunbar community. We look forward to working constructively with community leaders toward a sustainable future for this historic community resource.
Respectfully,
Anthony Whitfield
President
Growing Unified Development
Quiet Strength Development Institute (QSDI)
A Program of Growing Unified Development
Email: quietstrengthdi@gmail.com
Phone: 239-766-2066
Enclosure: Community Petition and Signatures
Supporter Voices
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on September 29, 2026