Feb2016

BLACK HISTORY MONTH
by David Volz
February is a time to reflect on the accomplishments
of the African-American community.
Many African-Americans have made substantial contributions
to the local community. Tameka King, for one, earned a Ph.D.
in educational leadership and is an assistant principal at Coral
Springs High School. She believes it is important to celebrate
the many cultures that are represented at her school.
“At Coral Springs High we make it a priority to celebrate all
cultures throughout the year highlighting certain ethnicities during
designated times of the year, such as Black History Month
in February. During February we highlight people of color who
have made significant contributions to our world during our
daily video announcements,” said King.
The bulletin boards surrounding the Media Center at the high
school are decorated to showcase the outstanding contributions.
The school holds a Multi-Cultural Show that attracts
over 700 visitors annually. In the Multi-Cultural Show students
illustrate their cultural ethnicities through dance.
“It is important to allow students to celebrate their cultures not
just in the sense of trying to understand what cultures they
bring with them, but also the hidden values that make their
worlds feel so rich regardless of their situations or circumstances.
While trying to understand the culture of people of
color, we also take time to understand the historical context of
the expression for people of color,” said King.
A graduate of Coral Springs High herself, King earned her
bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Florida State University
and her Ph.D. at Florida Atlantic University. She believes
coming from a strong family that valued education and work
helped her succeed.
There are many stories of success in the local African-
American community. Years ago, agriculture was the primary
industry in Broward County. Pompano, which later became
Pompano Beach, was a farming community when it was
founded in 1908. Hazel Armbrister, a member of the Pompano
Beach Historical Society and the president of the Rock
Road Restoration Group Inc., has studied the history of the
area and seen it develop.
“Years ago, people came from north Florida, Georgia, the
Carolinas, Alabama, and the Bahamas to work on the farms.
The land was fertile and word got out people could get work
here. Whole families would come and work on the farms,”
said Armbrister.
Eventually a vibrant African-American community developed in
eastern Broward County. Businesses, churches, civic organizations,
and schools were established. Segregation existed
and there were fewer educational opportunities available for
African-Americans as many had to spend part of the school
year harvesting crops. But eventually this changed. Blanche
Ely High School
was named after
a respected area
educator.
Remembering the Past
African-Americans Reflect on Their Contributions
Some prominent
African-American
leaders
include E. Pat Larkins, who served for many years as Pompano
Beach mayor and commissioner. Shortly after he died, a
community center was named after him.
Dr. Martin
Luther
King, Jr. is
honored in
Coral Springs
with a new
monument, the
first of its kind
in Broward
and Miami-
Dade Counties.
The monument, located
in front of the Northwest
Regional Library, was
produced by an artist
known as Dari. She
shares her feelings
Tameka King
on civil rights through
sculpture and painting.
The Lac Du Bonnet
Pillar, coral colored granite, stands for equality, freedom of
speech, unity, and democracy. The base is made of Mesabi
Black Granite. The Raven Black monument stands for the
Rainbow Coalition and King’s dignity, teaching, and strength.
Dr. Mark Gendal, chair of the Coral Springs Martin Luther
King Monument Committee, is pleased with the statue, which
was dedicated in January.
“This monument is a dedication by our entire community that
we, according to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream, will make
every effort to see each other not by the color of our skin, but
by the content of our characters.” P
14
FEBRUARY 2016