Sussex Academy students spread awareness about Black leaders

During Black History Month, students in the Sussex Academy Minds Matter club have worked to spread awareness about Black leaders whose contributions aren’t widely known and celebrated.

Seniors Melvin Harmon and Jenica Jean-Louis, and junior Amber Jennings said Black leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are typically recognized throughout February, but a large number of Black innovators go unsung.

To remedy the lack of knowledge, the trio recently designed and displayed a billboard in the cafetorium featuring Ruth Winifred Howard, the first African-American woman to obtain her PhD in psychology; Thomas Fountain Blue, the first African-American to head a public library; Katherine Johnson, a pioneer in math and engineering; and Hubert Harrison, a black journalist and social activist.

“Their achievements are impressive, but also scary because they weren’t that long ago,” Amber said, noting Beyoncé just became the first Black artist to win a Grammy for Best Country Album.

The work aligns with the Minds Matter club, Amber said, because when Black representation is prevalent, it leads to greater mental health.

Amber also created a Jeopardy-style game to play during Minds Matter club gatherings that includes questions on Black leaders, sayings and culture. At the end of the game, she asked contestants what they learned, and even teachers learned about people whose contributions to society they were previously unaware of.