South Lake Staff
Attended S.U.N.Y. Purchase University & Johns Hopkins University School of Education
Has been in the education field for 4 years
Ms. Hughes
My dad taught me how to play tennis when I was 3 years old.
I lost the first game in my first tournament.
I am an Olympic gold medalist and won the US Open twice.
My sister and I, Venus started an organization to help families in need.
Serena Williams
She was an American activist in the civil rights movement best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott.
Rosa Parks
At age 11, I founded #1000BlackGirlBooks, an international movement to collect and donate children’s books that feature Black girls as the lead character.
I wrote a book “Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You!”
Marley Dias
I was the first African American to become the president of the United States in 2008.
I earned a law degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
I Won the election to the Illinois State Senate in 1996,
I even won a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2004
Barack Obama
Attended Howard University
Has Been Teaching for 12+ years
Why does she teach? I want to motivate, encourage inspire greatness in all of our students and to be the next great problem solvers of the world. To build strong self efficacy - belief in oneself.
Mrs. Thorpe
I was an American professional basketball player
I played for the Los Angeles Lakers and the US Olympic team
I am considered the greatest basketball player of all time
I won 5 NBA championships and played shooting guard for my team
Kobe Bryant
At the age of 15, I refused to move to the back of the bus to give her seat to a white person — nine months before Rosa Parks did the very same thing.
I was arrested and decided to challenge the law of segregation (the separation of black and white people) in court.
The Browder v. Gayle was the court case I helped with was what made bus segregation laws in Alabama illegal.
Claudette Colvin
In April 2017, while at Harvard University, I was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate.
In 2015, I published a poetry book “The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough”, and in 2021, she delivered her poem "The Hill We Climb" at the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden.
Amanda
S.C. Gorman
In 1967, he became the first African American justice of the Supreme Court.
He was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1908.
He played a major role in the civil rights movement.
He worked as an attorney and fought to make changes to the injustices that the black community experienced.
Thurgood Marshall
Univ of Maryland, Towson Univ. Loyola of Maryland
Has been in the education field for 20 years
Why does she teach? It gives me joy to give children what they need to learn, grow, and be successful in their families and communities
Mrs. Spencer
I am 4’8”.
I was raised by my grandparents in Texas.
I began gymnastics at 6 years old.
I took 14 months off after the 2016 Olympics to allow her body to rest and recover.
I received a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Sports Award.
Simone Biles
I was an activist and fought for equal rights for women, minorities, immigrants, and the poor.
I was the first Black woman to serve in United States Congress
In 1972, I was the first Black woman to run for president of the United States
I started my career as a teacher
Shirley Chisholm
I has received dozens of awards and over thirty honorary doctoral degrees.
I had many talents: singer, songwriter, playwrite, and dancer.
I am fluent in 6 different languages.
I was the second poet to recite a poem at an inauguration.
I wrote two cookbooks.
Maya Angelou
I attended Howard University, right here in Washington D.C!
I have received many awards, including a Golden Globe Award, and Primetime Emmy Award.
Most people know me for playing Black Panther, but I also have played Jackie Robinson in the movie “42” and Thurgood Marshall in the movie “Marshall”
Chadwick Boseman
Attended Bowie State University
Has Been Teaching for 6 years
Why does she teach? I love kids and want them to be successful. I love when students have the "aha" moment!
Ms. Gooden
In 1947, I became the first Black American to be on a Major League Baseball Team. I played on the Brooklyn Dodgers.
I used my platform to fight for equality in all professional sports and aspects of American life.
When I retired from baseball in 1957, I became a businessman that supported the Freedom Bank, the first African American owned bank.
Jackie Robinson
He was the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
He helped organize the March on Washington.
He led a peaceful protest that helped pass the Voting Rights Act.
He wrote a children’s book series called March, which are memoirs of his life.
John Lewis
On November 14, 1960, I became the first African American child to integrate a white Southern elementary school.
I was escorted by my mother and four U.S. marshals to my new school because people were protesting and threatening my family and I.
I was the only African American student to attend my new school and many white families pulled their children out of school because they did not want integration.
Ruby Bridges
He is an American portrait painter based in New York City, who is known for his highly naturalistic paintings of Black people, frequently referencing the work of Old Master paintings.
Kehinde Wiley
I have been teaching at South Lake for 6 years.
I joined the educational field because I wanted to make learning fun and help students understand the concepts being taught.
I like to dance, dress up, work with 5th grade, and love the STEELERS
Ms. Bityeki
MIchael Jordan
She was born into slavery and did not get freedom until she was 28 years old.
She traveled to speak against slavery and to promote women’s rights to many people.
She spent her entire life working for freedom and equality.
Her speeches and books are still read today.
Sojourner Truth
I was a scholar whose dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people led to the establishment of Black History Month
I help to marked every February as Black History Month since 1976.
I started in 1926 to designate a time to promote and educate people about Black history and culture
I am called the father of Black History Month
Carter G. Woodson
He is an American artist and weaver. He is well known for his woven tapestries that explore African American identity.
Diedrick Brackens