Evanston’s Dawes Elementary School expanded programming for Black History Month this year by hosting an exposition Saturday, initiated by increased Parent Teacher Association participation among black parents.
Medill Prof. Ava Greenwell was among the group of parents who planned the African-American Expo, which was was sponsored by Voice of a Woman For Humanity, an international nonprofit organization aimed at decreasing deprivation and increasing educational opportunities in Africa.
Greenwell and fellow parent Maudlyne Ihejirika co-chaired the PTA’s Art Appreciation Committee, which was instrumental in providing the increased level of activity to the school during Black History Month.
Under the leadership of the Voice of a Woman for Humanity’s Cultural Education and Art Enrichment in Schools program, the students at Dawes this year started a letter-writing exchange with students in Nigeria.
The exchange, part of the social studies and English curriculum, is an attempt to expose students to the diversity of education around the world, Ihejirika said.
During the expo, the letters and collections of African art were on display in the hallways. The art included authentic African masks for sale and student work. Parents and students walked around before and after the programming viewing the students’ work.
The expo attracted an audience of nearly 200 faculty, students and guests to the school at 440 Dodge Ave.
“I hope it is the first of many to come,” said Lori Bell, parent of a Dawes second-grader.
In past years, the level of activity for Black History Month was not as elaborate as this year’s events, Principal Frank Miraglio said.
The expo was “much more of a celebrity showcase,” he said.
“It’s more live,” said Ryan Prescott, a 9-year-old fourth grader.
The program was hosted by Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell and WMAQ-TV (Channel 5) weekend anchorman Derrick Blakley.
Both Mitchell and Blakley encouraged students and parents of all races to discuss their heritages and promote a diversity of learning among families.
The program also included a performance by the Mandin Djalia African Dance Troupe, founded at Chicago’s Prologue High School.
The 10-member group presented several West African dances and also interacted with audience members, teaching students and parents the basic techniques of African dance.
