A Dream Not Deferred: The Mayfield-Ragland Center Rises Again in the Heart of Roxboro
In just under a year, what was once hailed as a miracle in the heart of Roxboro has reemerged stronger, bolder, and more vital than ever before. After months of silence, shadowy delays, slanderous remarks, and a tangle of bureaucratic missteps, the Mayfield-Ragland Center—powered by CJF America—is back, fully operational, and ready to serve.
The original ribbon cutting at the Harris Gardens apartment complex (a Roxboro Housing Authority community) was nothing short of historic. What began as an empty building transformed in a matter of weeks into a vibrant youth and community space, complete with a computer lab, drawing tablets, gaming systems, reading nooks, and “chill rooms.” Community leaders from far and wide came to celebrate the opening, with the then Roxboro Housing Authority Executive Director Felts Lewis described it as a miracle. But miracles, it turns out, sometimes face opposition.
The Setback and the Shift
What the public didn’t see in the months following the grand opening was a tide of resistance. Internal politics, misinformation, and administrative confusion attempted to stall the progress and tarnish the vision. But the vision held. Fueled by the unwavering commitment of the Courtney Jordan Foundation (CJF), the Mayfield-Ragland Center has officially relocated—now proudly planted in the heart of uptown Roxboro. This rebirth represents far more than just a change of address; it is a declaration of endurance and evolution.
The new location not only offers expanded facilities and accessibility, but is now equipped with transportation services to ensure youth and families from under-resourced communities across Roxboro can participate in the center’s life-changing programming.
More Than a Building: A Hub for Regional Transformation
The reopened Mayfield-Ragland Center is no longer simply a neighborhood initiative—it’s a regional command center for CJF America’s vast and growing network of community programming. It will serve as the flagship hub for initiatives including mentorship, educational programming, financial literacy, and workforce readiness. Its centerpiece this summer? The Durham Youth Alliance, CJF’s flagship seasonal program that’s currently undergoing a bold rebranding to accommodate more than 17 locations set to open by the end of summer.
Among those locations: Rocky Mount, Selma (Alabama), and Guaynabo (Puerto Rico), with additional launches planned across Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, and the rural outskirts of North Carolina.
“This center is more than just bricks and technology,” said Kristen Picot, CJF’s President of North American Operations. “It’s a promise—a promise to communities that have been overlooked, and to youth who have been underestimated.”
The Mayfield-Ragland Center is slated to offer not only its already-renowned coding certification program—complete with job placement and financial planning services—but also GED classes, entrepreneurial training, and mental health support.
From Church to Center: A Legacy of Love and Service
The story of the Mayfield-Ragland Center began with a pastor’s heart. Pastor John Lyon of House of Prayer Ministries in Durham was no stranger to the Harris Gardens community. His monthly services and shared meals planted the seeds that would later bloom into a full-scale community center.
Named in honor of RHA staffers Larry Mayfield and Jonica Ragland, the center was—and still is—a testament to what’s possible when faith, philanthropy, and fortitude converge.
Catching Up, Looking Ahead
As the center reopens, it invites the community to take part in a new chapter—not just in Roxboro, but across the Southeast. What was once deferred is now delivered. And as the saying goes, “Stay tuned for story time.”
Because this is only the beginning.
To learn more about the Mayfield-Ragland Center and CJF America’s work across the country, visit www.cjfamerica.org or mayfieldraglandcenter.org follow @CJF.America or @mayfieldraglandcenter on all major social platforms.