Some of our programs have been intentionally learning during this Black History Month and have spent time learning more about trailblazers in the Black community. Our Sluggers program reflected and dialogued after watching the movie “42: The True Story Of A Sports Legend”, a biographical sports film about baseball player Jackie Robinson, the first black athlete to play in MLB.
The Vine after school program intentionally took time to learn about black artists, inventors, and creators during #BlackHistoryMonth like George Crum, Alma Woodsey Thomas, and Mae Jemison. Middle school youth spent time finding their favorite songs by black artists and explaining why they appreciated each of the song lyrics. Elementary school students watched videos and read books.
The students then applied their knowledge through art and science by making their own potato chip bags and flavors, creating their own color field picture, and built their own rocket ship. We are looking forward to learning more in the next few months.
La Semilla after-school participants have been learning and reading about Ruby Bridges. In 1960, she became the first Black student to integrate an elementary school in the South. Despite U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka Kansas ending racial segregation in public schools, some in the South resisted integration.
Ruby and her mother were escorted by four federal marshals to the school every day her first year. This is a great example of how young people can be history-makers.
