Black History Programs Held at Hempstead Hall
Both the Hope Public Schools and UAHT held events in honor of Black History month on Thursday (2-15). The Hope Magnet Program presented “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Inspiring the Future” at Hempstead Hall. Both programs featured the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
“Hey Black Child” was performed by Trinnity Martin and “Wade in the Water” by Arianna Lockett.
Next there was a “Who am I?” section. This had presentations from Clinton Primary, HAPS, Beryl Henry and Yerger with power through sports, public service, and leadership. Figures portrayed included Kobe Bryan, Booker T. Washington, Aretha Franklin, Coretta Scott King, Nelson Mandela, George Washington Carver and many more.
There was a Voices of Victory section presenting women that made a change. These included Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Oprah, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin.
The Beryl Henry Elementary Choir sang “Glory” and “Stand Up”
In “African American Education in Hempstead County”, James Artis portrayed Henry Yerger and Principal Kendrick Jones portrayed Dr. Roy Turner.
The UAHT program started with “A Time to Learn, A Time to Remember”. This featured the history of Yerger as well as questions with the Yerger Alumni Association President Alma Mae Flenory and moderated by Ms. Amber Cisneros. Ms. Cisneros asked Ms. Flenory of Yerger and its history. Covered was the first class (1886) and last class (1969), the only female class (1943) and the culture of prayer and patriotism. Also mentioned was Kitty Lester, a famous graduate.
The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Patsy Hughey, Assistant Professor at Louisiana Tech University. She is a graduate of Lafayette County High School. Dr. Hughey has degrees from SAU, Henderson State University, and Arkansas State University. Over her 30-year career, she has held key roles in educational leadership including superintendent, principal, classroom teacher, professor and federal program coordinator. She addressed challenges related to low enrollment.
Dr. Hughley spoke about Carter Woodson. Woodson didn’t feel the month should be treated as separate but rather as universal history. Dr. Hughley spoke about social justice and what its principles are such as access to food, education and shelter as well as participation. She talked about the importance of supporting minority run businesses.
Dr. Hughley also quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with “Our Lives begin to end when we become silent”.
There was music by Corinth First Baptist Church Choir.
The closing remarks were made by Dr. Christine Holt, UAHT Chancellor