Lower School Students Celebrate Black History Month
Sewickley Academy’s Lower School presented the African-American history of Sewickley during this week’s Monday morning assembly.
Grade 5 representatives Rinnie, Lakshmi, Ibrahim, Sally, Danny, and Ava, along with Jared, vice president of the African-American Awareness club in the Senior School, shared interviews and research with their audience.
They honored historian Ms. Bettie Cole (1923 - January 2016) by using her book, African-Americans in Sewickley Valley, to guide them through a look into the history of Sewickley. Ms. Cole researched and interviewed African-American families in Sewickley for over 20 years to compile amazing photographs and personal stories.
The Grade 5 student representatives stood with poise as they enthusiastically shared information on the first black church in Sewickley, St. Matthews African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, successful black owned businesses (the barber shop), the first community center for blacks during segregated times (Sewickley Community Center), and the rich military history of African-Americans in Sewickley (Tuskegee Airmen Memorial) from the mid-1800's and beyond.
In addition, they shared the legacy of Mrs. Joan James, the first African-American teacher at Sewickley Academy, who was voted “Person of the Week” (a Lower School staple during Monday morning assemblies) for her love of teaching, kindness, and passion for her students. She holds fond memories of the Sewickley Community, and still keeps in touch with her colleagues.
Our students were able to grasp the importance of preserving history through oral and written narratives, the reality of segregation, and the location of local historical landmarks through this presentation. As the director of diversity and service learning, it was wonderful to witness the students’ growth in understanding a larger Sewickley history.
Well done!
