Thursday, March 28, 2024

History Makers to Show at Schools Across 28 States

historymakers1*As the country endures tense discussions around race relations related to police shootings and the presidential campaign, the Back to School With the History Makers program is even more important this year, as we bring strong African American role models to schools and to the youth as examples of success in the face of challenges.

400 “HistoryMakers” will go “back to school” in 51 cities and 28 states across the U.S., featuring notable guests like:

The Back to School With the History Makers initiative kicked off this year Sept. 30 in LA, and will continue throughout the year, providing teachers with additional special guests in the classroom, teacher training and other resources such as The History Makers Digital Archive that will help educators offer a more comprehensive look at African American history in the United States.

The goals of Back To School With The HistoryMakers program are to put Black Leaders (our HistoryMakers) in direct contact with young people all across the nation and to:

  • Encourage commitment to student achievement, parental involvement, increased test scores, high school graduation, and successful college entry and matriculation.
  • Respond to the Obama Administration’s call for service in a real and meaningful way.
  • Bring African American leaders into schools to see things firsthand and speak to and hopefully motivate students directly.
  • Bring additional resources into the public school systems such as The HistoryMakers digital archive (thmdigital.thehistorymakers.com) of oral history interviews.
  • Raise awareness of the achievements of accomplished African Americans in their local communities.

The program began in 2010 with 200 HistoryMakers in 107 Schools in 50 Cities in 25 States. In 2011 the program more than doubled – bringing 458 HistoryMakers into 286 Schools in 112 Cities in 35 States. Since 2011 we have been able to maintain the same level of commitment year to year.

Participating HistoryMakers ranged in age from 40 to 100 years old and represented a diverse range of professional backgrounds; from artists, musicians, and business leaders to politicians, religious leaders, and scientists.

Participants included Senior Advisor to President Obama Valerie Jarrett,  Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, former Ambassador Andrew Young, rapper Common, and singer Florence Larue.

Strong relationships have been established between HistoryMakers and the schools they visit.

Dr. Julius Wayne Dudley donated books to the libraries of each of the three schools he visited (one in Atlanta and two in Boston), as well as 2008 Presidential Campaign memorabilia so that the students would be “continually inspired to do more with their lives.”

Bobby Sengstacke donated some of his art to the Perspectives Calumet High School of Technology in Chicago, IL.

Jim Alexander donated some of his prints to the Tyner Academy in Chattanooga, TN.

Ambassador Andrew Young donated Kindle Readers to Jean Childs Young Middle School in Atlanta, GA.

 

 

 

 

source:
Amrita Balachandran
Amr@thehistorymakers.com

 

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