On Thursday, June 29, 2023, James Weldon Johnson Branch of ASALH President Hazel Gillis, a member of the Duval County Public School African American History Task Force attended the African American History Summer Writing Institute Showcase to the public along with some members of the branch. Members Rodney L. Hurst, Sr., author and civil rights activist, Dr. David Jaimson, Assistant Professor of History, Edward Waters University and President Gillis have been participants in the program since it started in 2021 as the brainchild of the Deputy Superintendent and now Superintendent, Dr. Dana Kriznar.
The sixty plus students researched, developed, and prepared lesson plans for teachers to teach African American History in the classrooms. Assisting them were twelve teachers and ten interns. This year they prepared lesson plans on REDISCOVERING OUR COMMUNITIES Cohort 2023 as follows:
PHOENIX/SPRINGFIELD, RIVERSIDE, THE IMPACT OF I-95, FORT MOSE, FERNANDINA BEACH & HANNA PARK, MOUNT HERMAN, SUGARHILL, COSMO ARLINGTON, MAMDARIN, MOUNT ARARAT, AMERICAN BEACH, LINCOLNVILLE, AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE POST CIVIL WAR JAX, THE COLORED MANS RAILROAD, FREEDMANS BUREAU, MONCRIEF, BUFFALO SOLDIERS, SILVERTOWN, and LAVILLA.
The James Weldon Johnson Branch of ASALH members were impressed with the knowledge and presentations made by the students. The crossword puzzles passed out to be completed and turned in after visiting the booths were very in dept and educational. We look forward to inviting some students to present at our branch at a later date.
First row sitting down: students, Second row: Lloyd Washington, President Durkeeville Historical Society, Emanuel Washington, JWJ member, Dr. Yvonne Hicks, JWJ member,
Dr. Dana Kriznar, Superintendent Duval County Public Schools, Christine McNair, JWJ Chaplain, Hazel Gillis, JWJ President, Terry Roundtree, JWJ member, Juanita Powell-Williams, JWJ 1st Vice President, Sandra Thompson, Jacksonville NAACP Secretary, student, Third row: Dr. Reddick, Executive Director Duval County Public Schools, Khamil L. Ojoyo, JWJ Local Historian and Dr. David Jaimson, member, Edward Waters College African American History Professor.