By Bonnie Newman Davis
From left: Torrey Smith, Marcus D. Williams, Penny J. Franklin, Kaci M. Easley and Joycelyn S. Harrison.–
The Dominion Energy and The Library of Virginia “Strong Men and Women in Virginia History” awards program has been among my favorite winter events for the past several years. The program, which Dominion launched 30 years ago, honors prominent African Americans, past and present, who have made noteworthy contributions to Virginia, the nation and their professions.
I enjoy the program for several reasons, which includes the chance to catch up with colleagues and friends during a reception before the official program begins, and listening to the honorees share their life stories that leave you inspired by the evening’s end.
Having once served as the biographer for more than two dozen of the former honorees recognized by the “Strong Men and Women” series, I feel intimately connected to each and every trailblazer recognized because their wisdom, passion for their work and communities and service to others help to continually motivate me.
This year’s honorees include Kaci M. Easley, who was the first African American to serve as director of Virginia’s Executive Mansion, Charles City County; Penny J. Franklin, community activist, Montgomery County; Joycelyn S. Harrison, chemical engineer and mentor, Hampton; Torrey Smith, Super Bowl Champion and philanthropist, Westmoreland County; and Marcus D. Williams, judge and civic Leader, Fairfax. More about each honoree can be found here: https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/changemakers/strong-mw-2020
“The Library of Virginia is pleased to partner with Dominion Energy again in 2020 to present the Strong Men & Women in Virginia History program,” said Librarian of Virginia Sandra G. Treadway. “The experiences and accomplishments of the men and women honored this year are inspiring, and it is wonderful to have this opportunity to share their stories with a wide audience.”
Just as inspiring as these amazing honorees are the high school students whose winning essays bring them to the downtown Richmond Marriott Hotel each year from various parts of the state. Each student winner receives a MacBook Air and $1,000 for his or her school. This year’s essay winners are Rebekah Bautista of Massaponax High School/The Commonwealth Governor’s School in Spotsylvania County; Jy’Mir Starks of Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake; Ilaria Cabell of Forest Park High School in Woodbridge, and Ava Seagle of Gate City High School in Gate City.
Dominion is always gracious in allowing news outlets to publish the student essays. Two of the essays are below. I felt great pride in reading them, and hope that you will, too.
(All of the essays can be found at this link: https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/strong-men-women-in-virginia-history/student-essay-contest/student-essay-contest-winners/)
Student Name: Rebekah Bautista, Grade 12
School: Massaponax High School/Commonwealth Governor’s School County/City: Spotsylvania County
It is extremely important to remember the bravery and resilience of African Americans. While suffering discrimination and severe disadvantages, African Americans have accomplished great feats; they deserve to be honored accordingly.
I have learned many valuable lessons from African Americans’ perseverance. For example, Rosa Parks, who inspired the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott, has taught me to boldly advocate for others. Harriet Tubman, who risked her life multiple times to lead slaves to freedom, has taught me to risk my comfort for the greater good. Dr. Alexa Canady, whose medical work has saved many lives, has taught me to fight past challenges in the professional and academic world. Henry L. Marsh III, a Virginia politician who made great contributions toward civil rights in Virginia, has taught me the importance of using education to help others. These are only a few African Americans who have made impactful contributions in America. From Garret Morgan, who invented the stoplight, to Henrietta Lacks, whose cells have led to life-saving medical breakthroughs, African-Americans have made countless contributions that benefit everyone. Therefore, African-American history is a part of American history and should not be absent from our collective narrative. With racism still prevalent, learning about African-American history can break down stereotypes and prejudices. Additionally, African-American children deserve to see themselves in their history classes. Representation fosters confidence, which contributes to good overall mental health and well-being.
While I have learned about African-American history through supplemental resources, I wish I could learn more in school. Not everyone has the opportunity to study African-American history independently, so the addition of more African-American history and culture into school curriculums will help alleviate this problem. African-American history IS American history, not just a mini, independent unit to be taught during Black History Month. Also, more funding should go toward local NAACP chapters and other organizations that promote this effort. These organizations do important advocacy and awareness work in the community, which is extremely important in fighting for equality and ensuring that African-American contributions are identified and celebrated.
African Americans have greatly contributed to medicine, politics, academia, the arts, athletics, and so much more. Learning about African-American history and culture reveals a history of strength, perseverance, dedication, and the resilience of the human spirit. As I enter the adult world, I intend to continue studying African-American history, amplifying their voices, and advocating for additional African-American history in school curriculums to ensure their histories and cultures are never forgotten.
Student Name: Jy’Mir Starks, Grade 12
Great Bridge High School County/City: Chesapeake
“All children borne in this country shall be held bond or free only according to the condition of the mother,” are the words of a Virginia law in 1662 regarding the descendants of slaves. This law was the mandate that kept the vicious cycle of subjugation that was slavery alive. It is also the birthright that has been continually ignored, for the mother of all children born within this country is the benevolent matriarch of liberty. The unrelenting devotion to liberty is the fuel that has incensed countless generations of Black people to challenge America to live up to its ideals.
The history of Black people within America is complex and difficult to comprehend, because for four hundred years they continue to defy a system meant to break them in every aspect. The Black struggle is characterized by perseverance. That perseverance is the most American virtue, because while some have grown indolent in maintaining the ideals of the Constitution, it is Black people who have never wavered. To study the Black struggle is to study what it means to be truly American. The strength of Hercules is required to endure four hundred years of atrocities, but the strength of Atlas is required to endure such horrors and fight for the justice of one’s self and others.
It is enlightening to see a people who have been reduced to chattel continue to smile. Throughout the four centuries of strife, there are numerous revelatory examples of beauty being born out of anguish. This lesson is vital to America, because even though Black people have been brought to levels of inhumanity, they continue to march forward. Their lamentations became the sweet, doleful sounds of jazz and blues. Their ire became the impetus for the Civil Rights Movement. Their jubilations became the blueprint for American expression in fashion, theater, and the culinary arts. Their pride became the resilience to never cave from the pressures of a society that loves their culture but hates them.
American history and culture are forever entwined with Black people. The only way to forget this undeniable fact is to willfully ignore it. To preserve the impact of Black people is to stamp out all ignorance and give appropriate credit for the originators and innovators of the culture. Education is a powerful tool that was used to oppress Black people; let it instead be the tool used to exalt Black people.
Bonnie Newman Davis
Journalist, Journalism Educator, Media Consultant
Executive Director, BND Institute of Media and Culture Inc.
bndimc.org
804 683-7203
