A Night Dedicated to Inspirational Discussion and Celebration
Uniondale Union Free School District recently held a Black History Month symposium at Uniondale High School. Titled “Before Me, With Me, Inspiring Me,” the night of inspiration invited attendees to a celebration with song, dance, spoken word, visual art, delicacies, crafts, ethnic goods and an African marketplace. Attendees were encouraged to dress in ethnic attire.
“We’re incredibly proud to be able to invite the community to Uniondale High School to celebrate Black History Month,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil. “Today, we honor Black leaders who helped to usher in an era of social, economic, political and educational justice, as well as those here in Nassau County who every day are continuing to inspire change and have an impact on our community.”
During the event, the District and the local PTA took a moment to honor former Board of Education Trustee Neville Georges and Hempstead Deputy Town Supervisor Dorothy Goosby. During Mr. Georges’ tenure on the Board, he played an integral role in forming the Board of Education’s Community Advisory Committee. He was also responsible for introducing a non-voting position on the Board for high school scholars to offer input and alternative views.
Ms. Goosby, elected in 1999, is the first Black councilwoman to serve on the Town of Hempstead Town Board. Ms. Goosby is an accomplished leader, adjusting the format of community and Board meetings to make them more accessible to residents and giving them a voice in their local government. Ms. Goosby has initiated numerous projects to make the Town of Hempstead cleaner and safer, such as resurfacing streets that had become cracked beyond repair, renovating neglected parks that were in total disrepair, and replacing street lights that were not up to standard.
Other events held by the Uniondale School District included screenings of the movies Woman King and Harriet. Uniondale High School’s Knight Shop also recorded a dedicated podcast episode to Black History Month, focusing the conversation on the connection between Blacks and Latinos in America.