Fairport High School’s Black Student Union creates Black History Month display

Posted Date: 01/22/2024

Every year during Black History Month we recognize Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Junior; people whose actions and activism changed the world in such a profound way that it would be a disservice not to highlight them. This year, in addition to those three great names, the Black Student Union at Fairport High School wanted to highlight some lesser-known revolutionaries, inventors, scientists and athletes.

The Black Student Union created a display on the second floor of FHS with the names and photos of 13 people. Frederick Douglass is there, but so is Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander – the first female African-American lawyer. Did you know that J. Ross Moore invented the electric clothes dryer? Or that Fritz Pollard was the first Black head coach in the National Football League?

The project was a learning experience for members of the BSU, who were hearing some of these names for the first time.

“It’s giving credit where credit’s due to people who they might not know or maybe you do know, and just like taking the time to see that it’s there and visible. And I think it means a lot to the students of color at the school,” said Jada Crocker, BSU President.

“It makes us feel even better that we helped make it and put it together and [BSU members are] even telling their friends about it too,” explained BSU Vice President Myles Palmer.

Each person highlighted on the Black History Month board is also being featured on the morning announcements. Members of the BSU are already planning to put up another display next year.