Rochester Black Scholars: ‘Progress is waiting beyond the struggles’
“This is your time!”
“You did that, Black Scholars!”
“Black Excellence!”
Speaker after speaker at Monday night’s Urban League of Rochester Black Scholars Ceremony at the Gordon Field House at Rochester Institute of Technology exhorted the few hundred scholars and a large crowd of parents, siblings, educators and supporters to celebrate not only the achievement of the scholars but its significance.
“I need you to wear that recognition, proudly,” said Urban League President and Chief Executive Officer Seanelle Hawkins to the Black Scholars, who were wearing black sashes created for the occasion. She and others spoke of the negativity that exists in media portrayals of young Black persons.
It’s important to remember, Hawkins said, that the Black Scholars recognition reflects “the community’s belief in you.”
“We hear you. We celebrate you,” Hawkins said. “We see you, Black Scholars.”
Among the many students heard, celebrated and seen were Jada Brooks and Elijah Evans.
Brooks is valedictorian at Rochester Academy Charter School and will attend St. John Fisher College to study pediatric nursing. She credited her success to her faith in Jesus Christ.
“It makes me feel accomplished,” Brooks said of the Black Scholars honor. Her advice to younger high school students who wish to follow in her footsteps; “Keep pushing and doing your best.”
Evans , a Greece Arcadia senior, is receiving a scholarship to run track at Central Connecticut State University, where he will study political science. Evans is a leading 400-meter runner in Section V and also participates in the long jump.
His recipe for success at Greece Arcadia? “Keep my grades up and stay with sports.”
Brooks and Evans are part of the 44th class of Black Scholars honored in the Urban League program, supported by several local companies. In all, tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships from local organizations and businesses were granted on Monday evening, helping the array of Black Scholars attend colleges nationwide and local ones including University of Rochester and St. John Fisher.
The Scholars were inspired first by a musical performance by four young men who make up the group WanMor, and later by keynote speaker Assembly member Demond Meeks, who told of how his mother and a series of mentors helped guide him toward a lifetime of success and meaning.
“Today I celebrate struggles and progress,” Meeks said. “I truly believe progress is waiting beyond the struggles.”
Barbara Mullen, Rush-Henrietta Central School District’s first Black woman superintendent, took the stage to speak directly to the female Black Scholars. She said she wanted to dispel the myth of “Black girl magic,” saying the female Scholars achieved their success through hard work and determination, not magic.
“You didn’t get here by waving a wand,” Mullen said, encouraging the Scholars to make their impact known as they move through life.
“School doesn’t have to be a place where you don’t feel seen or heard or validated,” she said.
Numerous Black Scholars from the previous 44 years were present at Gordon Fieldhouse. The Urban League urged past Black Scholars to reconnect in advance of the 45th annual celebration in 2024. Past Scholars may reach out at this email: ulrblackscholars@ulr.org
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct an error regarding Barbara Mullen's tenure at Rush-Henrietta Central School District. She is the first Black woman school superintendent in the district.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Urban League of Rochester Black Scholar Ceremony honors achievement
