Black Lives Matter Principles at School-Wide Assembly

Students from Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES) wrapped up their observation and celebration of Black History Month on March 27, with a biographical performance and arts program at Model Secondary School for the Deaf.

Black Deaf activist Antines “NuNu” Davis was first to take the stage. Davis took the audience through the challenges and accomplishments of her life with humor and honesty. She described growing up with non-deaf parents in Baltimore, MD, and her frustrations with being in a majority-white school for the deaf where her classmates were kind but didn’t see her Blackness. She described her struggles as a college student. Then, Davis explained how she achieved success as the first Black Miss Deaf Minnesota (1991), and as a spokeswoman and activist for Deaf people of color.

Deaf students face a lot of hard times. Black deaf students, women, women of color still face a lot of oppression. But hardship makes you stronger. Take the hard times and use the strength to take risks, be brave.

The second portion of the program focused on Black Lives Matter values and the 13 principles. KDES students went on stage to dance, recite poetry, and present film projects they prepared over the course of Black History Month with guidance from Tara Miles, KDES performing arts instructor.

Dancers presented choreographed performances to celebrate Black empowerment. Other students presented film projects about equality, Martin Luther King's Dream, and an A-Z Story. Other performances included ASL Percussion and impromptu dance lesson to the song 'This Is America' by Childish Gambino.