Legacy Impact Group (LIG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing educational development in rural communities across the Southeast, has officially acquired a significant property from Generation Church in Goldsboro.
Formerly known as Summit Church and originally First Assembly of God, this property once housed the largest auditorium in Wayne County, seating over 1,000 people at its peak.
Under the leadership of CEO Howard Sowell, LIG, in partnership with other support organizations like John Phan, Financial Advisor with Campanile Group, this acquisition marks a transformative step in expanding educational opportunities in Eastern North Carolina.
The site is set to become the permanent home of Wayne STEM Academy (WSA) , the region’s first STEM-focused elementary school. Serving families across five counties, including many military families from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, WSA is dedicated to fostering innovation and academic excellence among young learners.
To accommodate this vision, plans are underway for new facilities designed to support STEM education. The new campus will provide students with new resources, hands-on learning experiences, and an environment that nurtures future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
“When the Goldsboro community and the board of WSA approached LIG for support in opening their school we were excited to be a participant in bringing a STEM academy to the families of Wayne County and surrounding communities in eastern North Carolina,” said Howard Sowell, LIG. “We appreciate the opportunity to support the board, the administrative team and all their members’ untiring efforts to produce one of the highest performing schools in Wayne County.”
WSA’s Executive Director, Dr. Todd Forgette said, “This marks a significant milestone in our strategic growth, allowing us to expand our facilities and provide a permanent home for our K-5 program, with plans to grow into a K-8 academy. This expansion will enable us to serve more students, offer cutting-edge STEM education, and create a dynamic learning community that will benefit the entire county.”
Christina Watts, Board Chair at WSA said, “This paves the way for WSA to expand its impact, creating innovating and transformative learning spaces that will equip students with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.”
