At Kimberlin Academy for Excellence, learning about Black history doesn’t only occur in the month of February. Launching a Black History Matters project in January, 60 second-graders embarked on a mission to learn and teach others about notable Black heroes. The elementary schoolers read books, wrote research papers and produced public service announcements encouraging others to be like Thurgood Marshall, Aretha Franklin, Booker T. Washington, Pelé, President Barack Obama and many more influential role models.
Now, some of their PSAs are in the running for a People’s Choice Award in the annual Garland ISD Fire Reel Film Festival.
Kimberlin Academy teacher Kara Coker spearheaded the Black History Matters project. With the support and encouragement of her principal, Tammy Sullivan, Coker helped quadruple the availability of Black biographies in the campus library. She wanted her students to have access to as many books about Black achievers, dreamers and trailblazers.
Voting for the People’s Choice Award ends Friday, April 16. You can watch PSA submissions and cast your vote online at https://sites.google.com/garlandisd.net/peopleschoice/home.
Information and photos provided by Garland ISD.