News + Events

Students and Families Celebrate Black History Month

Families and students young and old are celebrating Black History Month at Martha O’Bryan Center!

Kindergarten and First Grade students at Tom Joy Elementary School (pictured above) created their own books inspired by the book “Marvelous Me!” They built up their reading, comprehension and communication skills while they shared with each other the special things that make them each unique.

Our Adult Education Class, volunteers and other residents took a guided African-American History tour at the Tennessee State Museum. Participants learned about early Tennessee African-American heroes, such as early pioneer, Abraham Bledsoe, about whom it was said: “Abraham Bledsoe lived to be old… a braver man never lived.” We have our own Miss Kenya to thank for such a great idea as well as our thanks to the Tennessee State Museum for providing students with an informative and enjoyable field trip!

And the Family Success Network combined our annual Share the LoveValentine’s Day event with a Black History Month Celebration. We sang the BlackNational Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and watched a documentary on Nashville’s unique history during the Civil Rights Movement. We discussed landmark events from that time, including the successful sit-in at the Woolworth’s on 5th Avenue—which ultimately forced the mayor to reverse Nashville’s policy on segregation. We remembered when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke in Nashville and said that he didn’t come to inspire the Civil Rights leaders of Nashville, but instead came to congratulate them and find inspiration himself. 

Thank you to our staff, families and students for these creative and unique ways to celebrate Black History Month!