Several local civil rights heroes recently spoke to Hall Fletcher Elementary School 4th and 5th graders about their experiences and about how today’s youth can help nurture community.
During the past few weeks, Hall Fletcher 4th graders have been researching biographies of national civil rights icons, as well as local heroes. This includes Al Whitesides, who during his high school years was one of the early members of ASCORE (Asheville Student Commission on Racial Equality), a peaceful movement responsible for the integration of both the schools and the Asheville business community. Most recently, Mr. Whitesides became the first African American Buncombe County Commissioner.
Speakers also included Deborah Miles, Executive Director of the Center for Diversity Education (CDE). Over the years, CDE has educated many in our community and developed travelling exhibits about the history of Asheville and the different cultures we share. CDE has kindly lent the Hall Fletcher library several posters detailing the history of the civil rights movement in Asheville. These posters, along with the biographical research brochures created based on student’s civil rights research during last month’s Black History Month, will serve as a backdrop to the speaker presentations.
Yetta Williams, a teacher at Hall Fletcher Elementary School, also spoke to students. She is one of the five younger community change agents who are building on ASCORE’s foundation that were honored at the CDE 20th Anniversary Celebrations with the 2042 ASCORE Leadership Awards. She is noted for building multi-ethnic dialogue through participation in Building Bridges of Asheville and through international connections. She was a member of the delegation of North Carolina teachers who were part of the “Teachers to Singapore & Malaysia” professional development program.
All three speakers spoke about what local students can do to promote better relations among all members of our community, including the opportunity for middle and high school students to participate in the Me2We two day summer conference program on June 22-23, 2017.
For more information, please contact Beverly McBrayer, Hall Fletcher Library Media Coordinator at 828-350-6404.
(Written by Beverly McBrayer, Hall Fletcher.)