FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hersick & Webster Creative Partners Awarded $27,128 Sappi Ideas That Matter Grant for Page-Jackson High School Tribute Exhibit Book
Martinsburg, WV, September 14, 2023 — Hersick & Webster Creative Partners is proud to announce that we have been selected as one of seven winners of the Sappi Ideas That Matter Grant for our project, the Page-Jackson High School Tribute Exhibit Book: Black Education in Jefferson County, West Virginia. This grant of $27,128, awarded by Sappi North America, recognizes and supports outstanding design initiatives that address pressing social issues.
The Page-Jackson High School Tribute Exhibit Book celebrates the profound impact of print design in addressing crucial societal concerns. Page-Jackson High School (PJHS) holds a special place in the history of Black education within Jefferson County, and the PJHS Tribute Exhibit is dedicated to preserving and honoring the remarkable accomplishments of its staff, teachers, and students.
Originally established in 1986 by the NAACP, the Tribute Exhibit is undergoing a transformative renovation. With the inclusion of companion materials and the Exhibit Book, which is based on A History of Black Education in Jefferson County, West Virginia: 1865-1966, compiled by James L. Taylor, a PJHS alumni and WVU Hall of Fame inductee (deceased 2021), viewers will be inspired to engage with history and contemplate their role in diminishing inequalities, ensuring access to quality education, and eradicating prejudice and discrimination.
In line with Sappi’s mission to utilize the power of trees and woodfiber to create a thriving and sustainable world, the Ideas That Matter grant program focuses on projects aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s winning projects span various vital issues, including restorative justice, diversity and inclusion, intergenerational engagement, education, urban segregation, and community building.
Laurel Webster, Partner and Director of Strategy at Hersick + Webster, expressed, “Celebrating the past through design is not just a creative endeavor; it’s a responsibility to honor the journeys that have shaped us and inspire change for a more equitable future. We are humbled and grateful for the Sappi Ideas That Matter Grant, which enables us to use our design expertise to bring the story of Page-Jackson High School to life and challenge perceptions about education and equality.”
The Ideas That Matter grant program has been a beacon of hope and positive change in the paper and packaging industry since its inception in 1999. Over the years, it has provided more than $14 million in funding to support over 500 projects that have transformed lives, communities, the environment, and the world.
The selection of grant recipients is made possible through the expertise of leaders in print design, packaging design, design education, and social impact. Judges meticulously evaluate creativity, implementation, intended impact, and overall design effectiveness during their online and in-person reviews, guiding grant allocations.
Hersick + Webster Creative Partners is deeply honored to receive the Sappi Ideas That Matter Grant, and we remain committed to using our design expertise to drive positive change, advance social causes, and contribute to a more equitable world.
For more information about our project and the Ideas That Matter grant program, please visit sappi.com/ideas-that-matter-2023-winners
About Hersick & Webster Creative Partners:
Hersick + Webster Creative Partners is an award-winning branding and placemaking agency with diverse project experiences and capabilities spanning 25+ years and five continents. Their work creates connections and amplifies the overlapping impacts of economic development, tourism, recreation, and public health. Hersick + Webster is dedicated to helping leveraging the power of creativity and innovation to make a meaningful impact on society.
Press Contact:
Laurel Webster
hello@hersickwebster.com
949.698.0805
