Recapping the Incredible Living Black History Museum at Lenart Regional Gifted Center

If you were interested in learning all about the accomplishments of dozens of influential Black heroes, there would be no better place for you to visit than Ms. Korree Kiszkan’s second-grade classroom at Lenart Regional Gifted Center. Her students celebrated Black History Month by researching Black leaders for a Living Black History Month Museum. 

While Ms. Kiszkan has assigned this project in previous years, she added a new requirement this year: the museum was to focus solely on individuals who graduated from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Thus, students were also able to learn about postsecondary opportunities that may be options for them in the future. 

Ms. Kiszkan’s special education classroom assistant, Ms. Adia McCastle, attended an HBCU—North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University—and she gave a special presentation to help students learn more about the importance and significance of HBCUs. 

The students did a wonderful job paying homage to a diverse group of leaders across many industries. Learn more about their projects below. Each one of them shared a quote about what they learned!

Amazing Athletes 

“As a child, Wilma suffered from the polio virus. After being treated, she began to play sports and became really good at running track. In 1960, she won three gold medals at the Olympics and was named the fastest woman alive. This is amazing because, as a kid, she couldn’t run and play outside like the other kids because of her disease.” - Lauryn, who studied Wilma Rudolph 

“Charles attended Virginia Union University and then played in the National Basketball Association for 19 seasons. I loved learning that he was an MVP player because I was an MVP player on my basketball team, too. I enjoy Black History Month because I am able to show my passion for Charles through my project.” - Marcello, who researched Charles Oakley 

“When people think of Althea, I hope they don’t think of her as just an ordinary tennis player. Instead, I hope they think of her as someone who used her talents to change the world. I especially liked learning about how she won Wimbledon back-to-back, and, even though people tried to stop her, she kept on going.” - Amber Lauryn, who researched Althea Gibson 

Famous Figures 

“Spike’s real name is Sheldon Jackson, and he went to Morehouse College, just like his father and his grandfather. Now, he makes movies. Of all of his movies, I think I would like She’s Gotta Have It the best. I also know that he goes to a lot of basketball games, and he was even at the All-Star Game this year.” - Emery, who researched Spike Lee

“Keshia is a very famous actress who is known for her role on The Cosby Show. I found it interesting that she was nominated for so many awards at a young age. For example, at age 7, she was nominated for an Emmy Award. She graduated from Spelman College with a degree in sociology in 2001.” - Annie, who researched Keshia Knight Pulliam 

“The most interesting thing I learned about Oprah was how she found her best friend, Gayle King. Gayle worked with Oprah, and she was worried about getting home safely during a big storm. Oprah told her that she could come to her house, and they stayed up talking all night.” - Lucy, who researched Oprah Winfrey

Wonderful Writers

“Nikki decided to go to Fisk University, which is where her grandfather went to school. I learned that she has a dog and also has one son who is her only child. I like Black History Month because it celebrates Black people and everything they do, and how they made positive changes in their lives.” - Addison, who researched Nikki Giovanni 

“Toni went to two universities. She got her bachelor’s at Howard and her master’s from Cornell. She won more than 32 awards in her lifetime, including becoming the first female African American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. I loved learning that she even received an award from President Obama!” - Lillie, who studied Toni Morrison 

“Alice is actually still alive and lives in California. She went to Spelman College and was born in Georgia. Spelman is known for its traditional white attire. I found it interesting that Alice started writing poetry at the age of nine. Black History Month is fun because you get to express other people.” - Dylan, who researched Alice Walker 

Superb Singers

“I found out that Common was born in Hyde Park in Chicago. When he was young, he got a job as a ball boy for the Chicago Bulls. His HBCU is Florida A&M University. Now, he is a rapper and an actor. He also supports animal rights. I found it interesting that he was an actor because I’ve been in a movie before too.” - Laike, who researched Common 

“Anika is best known as being Tiana in The Princess and the Frog. I love Tiana because I feel like she is kind of like me. I would say she is kind like me. She is also honest and loyal. Anika received a Disney Legends Award in 2011 for playing Tiana, the first-ever African-American Disney princess.” - Autumn, who researched Anika Noni Rose 

“I learned so many cool things about Kimberly. She originally started as a country singer and even knows how to yodel. I also found out that she first learned piano and voice lessons from a man who worked behind the scenes with stage people. Her HBCU is Florida A&M University, whose mascot is the rattlesnake because they saw a lot of rattlesnakes on their campus.” - Kayleigh, who researched K. Michelle 

“Toni was an amazing singer, but I learned that she is known for so much more than that. One of her children has autism, so she began working with Autism Speaks. She was also diagnosed with lupus, but is still performing in shows in Las Vegas. I liked learning about her because I feel like she has done great things for the world.” - Annalise, who researched Toni Braxton 

Inspiring Inventors, Scientists, and Doctors 

“Lonnie is an inventor, entrepreneur, engineer, student, and scientist. I found it very interesting that he owns several technology development companies. He also attended Tuskegee University, which is an HBCU.” - Jeremy, who researched Lonnie Johnson 

“I loved learning that Katherine was a mathematician. She skipped first and fifth grade and started college at the age of 15. She used math to help build a spaceship for the first man on the moon. She also helped determine its flight path. It has been really cool to learn about all these people and dress up as them.” - Lydia, who researched Katherine Johnson 

“Dr. Hackett went to Meharry Medical College in Tennessee and Tuskegee University in Alabama. He had a wife and two kids, one named Winston and one named John. In 1916, he moved to Phoenix and started a hospital, which grew and grew. I liked that he was a doctor because my mom told me that I’m going to grow up to be a doctor.” - Cobe, who researched Winston Hackett 

Legendary Leaders

“Lillian became the first African-American female Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy. Not many people get such a high ranking, so I would definitely describe her to others as very brave and nice. I like that we get to celebrate people who are not often celebrated nationally during Black History Month.” - Lily, who researched Lillian Fishburne 

“Stokely was an activist for Black rights and helped a lot of Black people get what they deserved. What I found most interesting is that he went to Howard University, which is actually the school that my cousin went to. Sometimes I think that I might like to go to Howard for college too.” - Laila, who researched Stokely Carmichael 

“When I was learning about Kamala, I didn’t actually know that she was still alive and still Vice President of the United States. She was selected as candidate for Vice President by Joe Biden in 2020. She was born in Oakland, California. I like Black History Month because it shows us that everyone can be treated fairly.” - Gabby, who researched Kamala Harris