Five Pine Bluff schools will serve as National Institution Ambassadors over the next year, educating others about the history of African Americans in North America. Pine Bluff High School, Dollarway Robert F. Morehead Middle School, Watson Chapel Junior, and Senior High School and Pine Bluff Lighthouse Academy Public Charter School were chosen to serve as Institutional Ambassadors for the National Park Service’s 400 Years of African-American History Commission.
The commission was established to mark the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in 1619, who were brought to Point Comfort in the colony of Virginia. Students will engage in “Let’s Talk About Our Dream Writing A New History which is the signature program and national education initiative of the 400 Years of African American History Federal Commission. As ambassadors, the five schools will use three thematic focus areas, Breaking Barriers, STEMulating Freedom and The Future, and Take A Stand To Keep A Seat, during the academic year 2019-2020. All focus areas are points of discussion on African American pioneers.
“Pine Bluff High School recently hosted its first conversation on “Breaking Barriers” during the third-period social studies classes in the Little Theatre. Student conversations are designed to examining the difficult, complex, and often under told history of African Americans in the context of the U.S. Semiquincentennial anniversary (2026), improving student experiences and knowledge of historical facts associated with tragedies, triumphs, and trailblazing of African Americans in U.S. History, exploring ideas to break barriers, bridge divides, and write new history beyond 400 years, envisioning generous opportunities draw connections between history and today as the next generation of preservation specialists and other less known career goals.” -Rev. Jesse C. Turner, executive director. PBICVR is a national partner with the 400 Years of African American History Federal Commission.
Retired and active educators and individuals wanting to volunteer/mentor call 870.730.1131.
