Rationale
At my school, 97% of the population is African-American and 98% of our scholars live in low-income households (based on the percentage of students who receive free or reduced lunch).1 The Harlem Renaissance and the biographies of these two key contributors could be not only a source of pride, but also inspiration for our students. Marian Wright Edelman once said, “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” Many of my students are from communities that others would say “need improvement” as they attend a Title I and reside in one of the seven income based public housing areas that our school services. Despite their circumstances, these middle schoolers are eager to learn and work hard. These young learners are the epitome of possibility and hope, embodying resilience in the face of adversity and, like the artists of the Harlem Renaissance, possess vast potential for greatness.
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