Lower school students celebrate African American Hall of Fame
In celebration of Black History Month, lower school students gathered in Bowen Cafetorium for the student-led African American Hall of Fame. Director of Diversity, Jennifer Pinkett-Smith opened the program, and senior Connor Carroll followed with an encouraging message about faithfulness. After Carroll’s message, each class or grade level shared about an influential African American or event that shaped and impacted American history. These included astronauts, poets, school integration, and many other notable individuals and events.
Pinkett-Smith explained that Carter G. Woodson established “Negro History Week” in 1926, and in 1976, Gerald Ford expanded the five-day celebration to Black History Month. February is Black History Month in honor of the birthdays of Frederick Douglas (celebrated on February 14) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12).
Following Pinkett-Smith’s introduction, Carroll challenged students to remain faithful in their hope for what may still be unseen. She referenced Moses’ faithfulness even when he did not understand what God was calling him to do, and guided by Hebrews 3:1-3, Carroll reminded students that we are “holy brothers and sisters who share in the heavenly calling.”
Carroll is a Wesleyan Evergreen, meaning she has attended Wesleyan since kindergarten. She currently serves as a peer leader and competes on the girl’s golf team. Next year, Carroll will attend Tulane University, and she has her sights set on law school following her undergraduate studies.
After researching various leaders and events, class and grade levels shared stories about African American astronauts, Ruby Bridges, and the Obama family, recited poetry by famous writers including Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and Alice Walker, and sang the Negro spiritual “Swing Low.”
Way to go, students!
To learn more about diversity at Wesleyan, please visit the diversity webpage. https://www.wesleyanschool.org/diversity
