Kim Lue described a journey in seeing her son grow from a boy to man, and that journey now includes her son’s involvement in a building that will bear her and her mother’s name, Olivia.

Tyronn Lue, head coach for the Los Angeles Clippers, is a native of Mexico and the son of Kim and grandson of Olivia.

“I never dreamed in a million years,” Kim said about what would happen in her son’s life, adding that “God is good.”

On Saturday afternoon, Tyronn Lue was in Mexico for the dedication of the Kim & Olivia Lue Garfield Legacy Center that will be a center for various community activities. Kim and Olivia attended Garfield School. The building, acquired by C2C, stands at the site of the former Garfield School and a former credit union, on East Breckenridge Street.  

Kim said she was “overwhelmed” by seeing her and Olivia’s names on the building.

“It’s a blessing because a lot of people, a lot of kids, don’t come back to the community,” Kim said. “(Tyronn) keeps coming and doing things, and he’s a wonderful kid.”

Tyronn Lue told the Ledger that specific services have not been finalized yet for the building, which stands near Tyronn Lue Park, where a fireworks show was held Saturday night. 

A ceremony for the dedication was held at Second Missionary Baptist Church, on East Breckenridge Street, before the building’s dedication down the street. Around 200 or so people attended the event, which included a legacy walk, a symbolic walk to honor the daily journey to Garfield School, after the ceremony at the church.

At the ceremony at the church, several people spoke and several Mexico school district, city and chamber of commerce representatives were in attendance, along with former students of Garfield and C2C team and community partners. Among other highlights, attendees heard about the history of Garfield School, saw a tribute film and sang the school song. 

Garfield School was once an all-Black school whose origins date to 1800s according to “Mexico, Missouri: Our All-American City in the American Century.” Children from area towns attended the school, and during the ceremony at the church, DeAnn Gould, volunteer coordinator for C2C, provided a history of the school. 

Rita Jackson, C2C executive director, spoke about attending Garfield School from kindergarten through fourth grade and said she was a “shy, bashful individual.” She recalled the educators at the school and how she wanted to give back, and she appreciated Tyronn Lue for what he’s done for the city and residents and she was thankful for C2C having the opportunity to thrive.

“We look forward to the dedication of this new building to offer more opportunities for our youth,” said Julie Welch, assistant superintendent for Mexico Public Schools.

At the building dedication, Tyronn Lue thanked people for their part in the process, as well as expressing gratitude for his family. 

“Without y’all, this wouldn’t be possible,” he said.

Lue said the project was “a dream come true. It’s meant a lot to me.” He also thanked others, including his friends, and then a ribbon-cutting was held before people toured the building.