ryant High School held a program in Love Auditorium Jan. 24 to educate students on Black History Month and leave them                   with "words of encouragement."

This is the first time the high school has had an assembly to commemorate the month. In the past, the library has set up displays and individual teachers have created projects or led discussions to celebrate..

This comes after Bryant Elementary School honored the first three African American graduates in Bryant's history - class of 1966.

 

Bryant Elementary recently hung a sign displaying the graduates' names in the school’s cafeteria and hosted a reception Nov. 17, 2017. The graduates also were honored during a Bryant Hornet football game this past season.

The plan for the assembly started with Vice Principal Dondre Harris, who said having an event was always in the back of his mind. He approached Principal Dr. Todd Edwards, and both men felt the school needed to recognize Black History Month.

They decided to host the event in January so that it could lead the way into February - Black History Month.

Harris said he wanted the assembly to acknowledge that past generations went through hardships and were still able to succeed.

“I wanted to give (students) something that opens their eyes, and give them the idea (to) not be shut off from anything,” Harris said.

 
Harris lead and planned the event. Near the beginning of the school year, he asked Bryant varsity dance team members Nyla Velley, Llyz Cortes, Kyndle Kelly and Chaterica Fletcher to come up with a performance to be showcased during the event. 

Closer to the assembly, he contacted students and invited speakers. 

He said he received tremendous support from the students. Though some were hesitant about speaking in front of their peers and faculty, their parents were on board.

The event started with the Pledge of Allegiance and featured guest speakers, a song performed by students Kayla Scott and Miracle Terry and a poetry reading accompanied by a dance routine.

 

Because of limited seating, each grade attended at different times.

Jodi Morris, a ranger at the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, spoke at all four programs. She talked about the 14th Amendment, Brown vs Board of Education and Plessy vs Ferguson. She said that history books mainly report the same narratives, and that everyone should be a part of writing history and sharing stories from every perspective.

Chris Robinson, a University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduate, told students that he is joyful, because in spite of circumstances placed against them, African Americans have excelled.

“We have made considerable strides, but we still have a way to go,” Robinson said. 
 

He is currently the Recruitment Director at UAPD.
 

Harris and Edwards want the program to be an annual event, and said that as long as they are both at Bryant, they will continue to establish the event.

 

Various BHS departments have planned assignments that relate to Black History Month throughout February.