Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School : The Importance of Black History Month

On February 28th, David Wronko’s Dream Academy and Yvette Elgart’s Chorus Veterans of Foreign Wars at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Asbury Park, NJ held a presentation with students in Ghana on the importance of Black History Month for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Importance of Black History Month presentation

Black History Month officially commenced in 1976 to celebrate the role blacks have played in United States history. The month celebration grew out of “Negro History Week” formulated by historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Other countries around the world also dedicate a month to celebrating black history.

Yvette Elgart’s chorus

The Black History assembly started with Yvette Elgart’s chorus singing a compilation of songs including “Lift Every Voice” by James Weldon Johnson, “Glory” by John Legend and Common,”Rise” by Andra Day, and “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson.

After songs from the chorus, the students in Ghana put on a presentation with their leader Papa.

Presentations

The presentation began with music from their culture with students performing with instruments, lead singers, and dancers. After the musical performance, Ghana students gave a news report on Ancient Egypt, Ghana’s history and culture, and The Black Panther movie.

Veterans of Foreign Wars

After the Ghana students presentation, the Veteran of Foreign Wars, Lou Parisi, Alfonso Freda, Wilbur V. Martin, and Robert A. Jameson spoke about the importance of black history month, focusing on the wrongs of racism, the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, desegregation, and world peace.

Mr. Wronko’s presentations

At the end of the presentation, history teacher David Wronko read two narratives by Tysion Murchison and Joseph Lopez-Barrios. Murchison’s piece noted his work with Parks, her compassion, and ended the narrative before her arrest for not giving up her seat on the bus prompting the infamous Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Lopez-Barrios’s piece discussed him assistantship with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how he had a job for him and preparing a great speech for King.

Finally, Mr. Wronko presented two presentations entitled Hope, Progress, and Ultimate Success highlighting the achievements of the likes of Jospeh Cinque, Salem Poor, Harriet Tubman, Tuskegee Airmen, and Malcolm X.

Every week Mr. Wronko’s Dream Academy holds sessions with Ghana’s Oiada International. The Academy provides enrichment and culture to both students locally and abroad.