By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
BI celebrates black history
BIBlackHistory3
Dancers from the Inspirations Dance Studio present a history of African-American dances Wednesday during Bradwell Institute’s Black History Month Program. - photo by Photo by Andrea Washington

BIprogram

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

A few hundred students packed into the Bradwell Institute gymnasium Wednesday afternoon for the school’s Black History Month program.
Students were entertained by dance performances from the Bradwell Steppers and members of the Inspiration Performance Studio, poetry readings from The Cider House, Inc. poets and songs of praise by the BI Praise Team.
Hinesville City Council member Charles Frasier educated students about the past and present work of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
He also highlighted Liberty County African-American firsts, including Earl Baggs' appointment to the Liberty County Board of Commissioners in 1967 and the 2002 appointment of John McIver as the LCBC Chairman.
Liberty County School Board Chairman Lily Baker presented students with a history lesson on the African-American experience during slavery and explained how that point in history impacts the present.  
“...African-Americans were taken from their homeland in shackles and chains. We were placed on a ship and brought to America to be slaves,” she said. “Our ancestors paid a very high price for the freedom that we have today, the freedom that you all enjoy at this moment being able to sit in this gymnasium.”
Baker also noted the missing history of African-Americans in school textbooks and curriculum.
“African-Americans were missing from the history books for many years and are still missing from some books,” the chairman said. “The teaching of African-American history and its legacy is as important to the African-American culture as celebrating Presidents Day to all Americans.”
Sign up for our e-newsletters