African-American leaders will be going to schools all over the country Friday to make a statement about the importance of inspiring children and calling on them to commit to excellence.
The event is part of The Historymakers program, the nation's largest video oral history archive which features thousands of interviews from both well-known and unsung African-American heroes.
The program will head into schools nationwide, including Jacksonville's Lavilla and Douglas Anderson Schools of the Arts on Sept. 27.
Norma White, International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, will be speaking to students at Douglas Anderson.
As a high-achieving role model, White said she hopes to get students to commit to doing the best they can.
"They can make an impact," White said. "Whatever their goals, commit to achieving those goals."
During White's 37-year career, she was the first female in the Florida A&M University Marching 100 band, the first female band director in Jacksonville and district instrumental musical coordinator.
White was also assistant principal of curriculum at Ribault High School, and has spent the last two years as coordinator of the magnet program for both Ribault and Raines High School.
She served as president of the local chapter of Gamma Rho Omega, then regional director of the south Atlantic region. In 1994, she became president elect of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and international president in 1998.
The Historymakers hopes to expose students in various schools around the country to people who have made an impact.
By preserving and sharing the stories of thousands of African-Americans, the Historymakers are helping to enlighten millions of students in order to refashion a more inclusive record of American history.
For more information, visit TheHistoryMakers.com.
