What’s Right With Our Schools: Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, MLK Jr. Day
Today, history comes alive at the historic Bessie Smith Cultural Center.
Chattanooga Preparatory School and the Chattanooga Girls Leaderships Academy held an event honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Both schools hosted a student-led debate and a living wax museum.
Today, we take a look at how the discussion is just another example of What’s Right With Our Schools.
“We must understand that people can see, and people can hear. And people will believe that Martin Luther King’s dream is still alive. But will beg the question. “is it really alive”.
“Of course today is Martin Luther King Day, and in the last 5 years we’ve been able to partner with Chattanooga Boys Prep. To bring on this particular event, ‘Speak Like a King”. This year in conjunction with the Girls Leadership Academy, there’s a debate with the Chattanooga Prep, talking about is the dream still alive,” said Elijah Cameron, Director of Communication Relations and Development at the Bessie Smith Museum.
Ahmya Webster: “I want to speak directly on the Diversity Equity Inclusion policy since they are currently being rolled back. And that’s currently an issue in our government. And I also want to speak on systemic barriers, even everyday life for African-Americans,” said Ahmya Webster, a senior at the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA).
“72% of black Americans have experienced workplace discrimination.”
“It’s very inspiring for us here at The Bessie, to understand that these kids have done their research. And they have the confidence to get out here and talk about it,” Cameron.
“I think it’s a good time for students to really talk about and have conversations that could affect them in the future. Furthermore it allows them to have this scholarly debate amongst each other in a academic way,” said Della Taylor, an Assistant Principal at CGLA.
“I feel, in my opinion I think that we should not be picked out just because the color of our skin. We all the same and we all have the voice that we should be able to speak. And open to someone. And that’s it.”
Michael Howard: “I want our community to know that our kids are engaged. You know, it may it may come across that they
may be consumed with social media and all things Tik Tok. But that is not the case. Our young people are paying attention.
They are present. And they have something to say. So I hope you get to hear them, you hear the confidence in their voice,
you hear how proud they are to be able to articulate themselves in this type of manner,” said Michael Howard, the Dean of Fine Arts at Chattanooga Preparatory School.
“Hello my name is Margaret Annie Johnson. Known as Maya and Angelo. I am a poet, dancer, singer, and an influence in the black community and all around the world.”
“We have both of our Scholars I’m participating in the living wax museum,” said Howard.
“I refused to be drafted into the Vietnam War which led me of being stripped of my title.”
“When they are bringing some influential historical figures to life,” said Howard.
“I just feel like we get to see you know and experience and debate, and you know… yeah,” said Lauryn Thomas, a freshman at CGLA.
Lekecia Malone: “Well I think it is a great event. I’m so glad that the students were allowed to um learn about historical figures black historical figures. And after they learned it, they were able to convey the information that that they learned to the public. Cause, some of us may not even know who these historical um figures were. So I think it’s a great thing,” said Lekecia Malone, a Parent at Chattanooga State Preparatory.
“We are hoping we just hoping that everyone would get as much out of this as the kids have put into it. Because they’ve really worked hard to bring this this particular piece to the forefront,” said Cameron.
