Carmel High School Display Highlights Black History

If you walk anywhere in Carmel High School, you cannot miss the TV-sized digital display screens that showcase school information and announcements. Throughout Black History Month in February the screens displayed stories about historical figures who may not be household names.  

The school’s Equity Club put together the Black History Month display so that students around the building could read the stories of six remarkable people. 

“We wanted to represent not just black activists, but those who are underrepresented,” said Lila Perez, a senior. “We hear about Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, but there are a lot of others we don’t hear about.”  

Lila researched and wrote about Phillis Wheatley Peters who is considered the first African American to have published a book of poetry.  

“I like literature and poetry and I thought it would be good to find out more about her,” Lila said.    

Emily Cardona, another Equity Club member, chose to write about Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, the first Black woman to receive a PhD for economics and a law degree.  

“Her story inspired me when I read it,” Emily said. “I do want to pursue law in the future. If Alexander can inspire me, I wanted to share that inspiration to others who view the slide.”  

Equity Club member Maggie Faloon said it was important to highlight those who do not receive the recognition they deserve in our textbooks, lessons, and daily lives. 

“I chose Dorothy Height as she was not only a civil rights activist, but a criminal justice anti-lynching and women's rights advocate throughout her life,” Maggie said. “She is one of the countless names usually forgotten when we learn about the Civil Rights movement even though her contributions were immense and significant.” 

When she was in the library, cafeteria or even the school hallways, Lila said she saw students stop to read the slides.  The Equity Club is going to look for more opportunities to highlight others’ accomplishments.  

“Our Equity club at CHS is doing their hardest to try to provide resources, help, and improvement to our building so that everyone can succeed regardless of who they are,” Emily said. “As students, we can reflect and understand what we can do to help improve our building, district, and community.”