Reverend Gerald D. Kisner and other stakeholders cut the ribbon at the new U.B. Kinsey Educational & Community Center.

PHOTO COURTESY OF U.B. KINSEY EDUCATIONAL & COMMUNITY CENTER

Staff Report

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Over 100 community members joined the Tabernacle Learning Center (TLC) Board of Directors, elected officials and parishioners from the historic Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church at the Soft Opening and Ribbon Cutting ceremony for the new U.B. Kinsey center Educational & Community Center, located at 720 Eighth Street in West Palm Beach on Wednesday, August 2.

Festival style calypso beats welcomed visitors as they entered the center’s magnificent rotunda. The skillful Steel Drum Band of Faith’s Place Center for Arts & Education dazzled guests with Caribbean renditions of popular tunes; while a Tabernacle Youth Choir trio added to the entertainment.

Remarks were given by Reverend Gerald D. Kisner, TLC Board Vice Chair; Keith James, West Palm Beach District 4 Commissioner; Cassandra Kinsey Scott and LaVoise T. Smith, TLC Board Chair.

Attendees had an exclusive first look at the $5 million, 10,000-sq. ft., two-story center, the first of its kind in the Northwest District thanks to a generous contribution from North Palm Beach residents Jeff and Lynda Jacobs.

The center’s architectural style is compatible with the historic church and features a dome that symbolizes a beacon of hope when illuminated at night.

“We are excited that the U.B. Kinsey Educational & Community Center will be another light upon the hill, bringing hope and the alleviation of suffering to a neighborhood that has long been neglected,” said Reverend Kisner. “We prayerfully envision a center with innovative programs and vital services that can bring about positive transformation in the lives of young people, adult(s) and senior residents in the Northwest community and beyond.”

Named for longtime Palm Beach County educator, Ulysses Bradshaw Kinsey, the center will offer modern classrooms, a school library, after-school tutoring and mentoring, senior programs, a large community room for civic meetings and a complete kitchen. It was constructed by D & D Constantakos, Inc. of Jupiter.

For more information about U.B. Kinsey Educational & Community Center and how to donate or volunteer, contact LaVoise Taylor Smith at 561-267-4929 or email lavoise@msn.com.