“A Gateway to Understanding” — A Historic Moment for Gwinnett’s Black Community
On June 17, 2025, Gwinnett County reached a transformative milestone as county officials and community members gathered to cut the ribbon on the Hooper-Renwick Themed Library — the first library in the Southeast dedicated to honoring the legacy of a Black school. Built on the original grounds of the historic Hooper-Renwick School, once Gwinnett’s only school for Black children during segregation, this 27,000+ square-foot facility is more than a library — it’s a living tribute to resilience, education, and Black excellence.
What’s Inside the Hooper-Renwick Themed Library:
- A restored original gym floor and historic façade
- Multimedia historical exhibits celebrating the lives of Hooper-Renwick students and teachers
- State-of-the-art community spaces for learning, gathering, and storytelling
- Rotating displays and programs on Black educational history in Gwinnett
“This library is a gateway to understanding,” said Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson, Georgia-born leader and champion for equity in Gwinnett. “This is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a space where past, present, and future intersect — and where the Black story is not just remembered but centered.”
The opening of the Hooper-Renwick Library is a victory for cultural preservation and truth-telling in a time when Black history is under attack across America. In Gwinnett County — the most diverse county in Georgia — this landmark is a public acknowledgment of Black contribution and sacrifice, and a powerful step toward reconciliation and progress.
Visit the Library
Location: 56 Neal Blvd., Lawrenceville, GA
Hours & Programs: Check Gwinnett Public Library Site
Follow #HooperRenwickLibrary on social media for upcoming events and community stories.
Do you have photos or stories from your time at Hooper-Renwick?
We’d love to feature you. Send them to info@blackgwinnett.com.
Black Gwinnett Magazine – Telling Our Stories, Making Our History.
