While we celebrate historical black figures around the world during this Black History Month, let us not forget those heroes close to home. One of the outstanding individuals making history in Prince George's County, MD is Dr. Jerome Clark. Dr. Clark was the first Black Superintendent of Prince George's County Public Schools(PGCPS). One reason Dr. Clark was so successful was that he came up through the ranks. Prior to becoming Superintendent, he served as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Administrative Assistant to Area Assistant Superintendent, Area Associate Superintendent for Personnel and Deputy Superintendent. Dr. Clark was also the first Black Superintendent in PGCPS to be chosen Maryland's State Superintendent of the year.
Dr. Clark took the helm of PGCPS, 22 years after the Vaughns vs. the Board of Education desegregation case, but was the Superintendent when PGCPS petitioned the Court to be released from its long-standing oversight. At that time, there was little diversity in the leadership or supervisory positions. Dr. Clark was responsible for placing and promoting many qualified black leaders. His Oasis Community Volunteer's Model, giving students a place to get free after hours tutoring and assistance, has been used by Superintendents in other districts. Because of his initiative with "Communities Committed to Children", he was awarded a "Lifetime Membership" by the State of Maryland's PTSAA's. Dr. Clark was also instrumental in bringing a successful Black Male Achievement Program to our schools.
We salute Dr. Jerome Clark for his dedication to the students and community of Prince George's County. We will forever be proud of the first Black Superintendent of PGCPS.
Dr. Clark took the helm of PGCPS, 22 years after the Vaughns vs. the Board of Education desegregation case, but was the Superintendent when PGCPS petitioned the Court to be released from its long-standing oversight. At that time, there was little diversity in the leadership or supervisory positions. Dr. Clark was responsible for placing and promoting many qualified black leaders. His Oasis Community Volunteer's Model, giving students a place to get free after hours tutoring and assistance, has been used by Superintendents in other districts. Because of his initiative with "Communities Committed to Children", he was awarded a "Lifetime Membership" by the State of Maryland's PTSAA's. Dr. Clark was also instrumental in bringing a successful Black Male Achievement Program to our schools.
We salute Dr. Jerome Clark for his dedication to the students and community of Prince George's County. We will forever be proud of the first Black Superintendent of PGCPS.
In honor of Black History month: ASASP would like to solute some African Americans, highlight their historic innovations and contributions to the world.
Black History was spearheaded by the ingenious research and tireless efforts conducted by author Carter G. Woodson. Woodson penned one of the most influential novels dedicated to the African American experience “The Mis-Education of the Negro”. The novel earned him the title: “Father of Black History”. Following in the footsteps of W.E.B. Du Bois, Woodson was the second African American to earn a doctorate degree from Harvard University. Woodson dedicated his life and career to field of African American History and lobbied extensively to establish February to celebratory as Black History Month. Born in the state of Virginia in 1875, Woodson died on April 3, 1950, but his legacy and vision of Black History Month continues through all forms around the world. Woodson’s accomplishments and legacies are concreted in view at the University of Virginia’s Carter G. Woodson Institute for African American and African Studies, and the Woodson Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Black History was spearheaded by the ingenious research and tireless efforts conducted by author Carter G. Woodson. Woodson penned one of the most influential novels dedicated to the African American experience “The Mis-Education of the Negro”. The novel earned him the title: “Father of Black History”. Following in the footsteps of W.E.B. Du Bois, Woodson was the second African American to earn a doctorate degree from Harvard University. Woodson dedicated his life and career to field of African American History and lobbied extensively to establish February to celebratory as Black History Month. Born in the state of Virginia in 1875, Woodson died on April 3, 1950, but his legacy and vision of Black History Month continues through all forms around the world. Woodson’s accomplishments and legacies are concreted in view at the University of Virginia’s Carter G. Woodson Institute for African American and African Studies, and the Woodson Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Kamala Harris Becomes the First Woman and First Black US Vice President, 2021
In January 2021, Kamala Harris became the first woman and first woman of color to become vice president of the United States. Then-candidate Joe Biden had nominated Harris in August 2020 during the Democratic party’s “remote” national convention. Harris, whose mother immigrated to the United States from India and whose father immigrated from Jamaica, was the first person of African or Asian descent to become a major party’s vice presidential candidate—and the first to win the office.
In her victory speech in November 2020, Harris said that she was thinking "about the generations of women, Black women, Asian, white, Latina, Native American women—who throughout our nation’s history have paved the way for this moment tonight—women who fought and sacrificed so much for equality and liberty and justice for all.”
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-milestones?cmpid=email-hist-inside-history-2021-0201-02012021&om_rid=&~campaign=hist-inside-history-2021-0201
In her victory speech in November 2020, Harris said that she was thinking "about the generations of women, Black women, Asian, white, Latina, Native American women—who throughout our nation’s history have paved the way for this moment tonight—women who fought and sacrificed so much for equality and liberty and justice for all.”
Source: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-milestones?cmpid=email-hist-inside-history-2021-0201-02012021&om_rid=&~campaign=hist-inside-history-2021-0201
Freedom Summer, also called the Mississippi Summer Project, was a voter registration drive in 1964 aimed to increase the number of registered black voters in Mississippi. Over 700 mostly white volunteers worked with black people in Mississippi to fight voter intimidation and discrimination at the polls.
Freedom Summer volunteers endured violent resistance from the Ku Klux Klan and local and state law enforcement. The resulting news coverage of the sometimes savage beatings, false arrests and even murder brought international attention to the civil rights movement. Ultimately, increased awareness created about voter discrimination helped pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Freedom Summer volunteers endured violent resistance from the Ku Klux Klan and local and state law enforcement. The resulting news coverage of the sometimes savage beatings, false arrests and even murder brought international attention to the civil rights movement. Ultimately, increased awareness created about voter discrimination helped pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Black History Month, formerly Negro History Week, originates from the week long celebration created by Carter G. Woodson in 1926. Woodson’s work in creating Negro History Week is supported by his expertise as a historian, educator, publisher and scholar. His contributions paved the way for the month-long celebration that began in 1976. February became the choice for celebration because of Frederick Douglass’ and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays.
Holiday message 2019:
During the holiday season it gives you an opportunity to reflect on many things; family, health, relationships, work and life itself. At times, we get lost trying to balance everything that is meaningful to us and we forget about ourselves. Well, we remember you. We remember and appreciate your dedication and the sacrifices you make daily so that others may prosper.
On Behalf of the ASASP Executive Board and Staff, we would like to wish you and your family a very Blessed and Joyful
Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year!!
During the holiday season it gives you an opportunity to reflect on many things; family, health, relationships, work and life itself. At times, we get lost trying to balance everything that is meaningful to us and we forget about ourselves. Well, we remember you. We remember and appreciate your dedication and the sacrifices you make daily so that others may prosper.
On Behalf of the ASASP Executive Board and Staff, we would like to wish you and your family a very Blessed and Joyful
Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year!!
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