TERRE HAUTE, Ind (WTWO/WAWV) — February is Black History Month, the month-long observance is a chance to go beyond discussions of racism to highlight black leaders and accomplishments and that’s something that a group of Unity Leaders in Vigo County Schools are making a year-round thing.
The team of Unity Leaders are in their second year and are working to bring awareness to young minds.
“We are in a community of diversity,” said Ruth Clark, Behavior interventionist and Unity Leader at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School.
Unity Leaders are found in every Vigo County School.
VCSC’s Chief Diversity Officer, Matthew McClendon said that Unity Leaders bring awareness to diversity and inclusion through activities and lessons.
“They collaborate with their principals about different ideas,” McClendon said. “But also have conversations that need to be had. This week we talked about homelessness because diversity is about more than just race.”
During the month of February, the leaders have focused on Black History Month.
“You’re molding them to understand that ‘hey, it doesn’t matter the color of your skin, we’re still all human, we’re all supposed to get along,” Clark said.
And that’s a lesson Clark believes is something everyone can learn. Especially considering the history at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School.
“We’re also on the grounds of an elementary school that was called Abraham Lincoln,” Clark said. “This is kind of like sacred ground here. Abraham Lincoln was a school that was built in 1921, it closed in 1959 and it was a school that was built specifically for black students only. So, this is very special to us, we try to bring that culture here, so that our children are aware.”
“Giving voice to the voiceless. Even when it comes to diversity like I said before, it’s more than just race but also you have to talk about students with a disability, how do you feel about that? Do you feel like we could have more accessibility at this school, to have that conversation. So, I just think it’s growing with the conversations outside of just race is really great.”
Clark thinks the Unity Leaders are helping move the corporation in the right direction.
“I think it’s very important because of what’s going on in the world today,” Clark said. “There’s a lot of division among the world, there’s a lot of division sometimes even within our schools.”
Clark said students at Ben Franklin heard from a pastor on the history behind Black History Month. Students will also take part in a soul train dance and the school’s ‘Festivity of Colors.’ Some grades will also hear from an interactive storyteller, some will put on a wax museum. The school has also planned a soul food tasting for upper grades and field trips to important areas within the community.
