DENVER- Representation matters for cultural identity, self-love, and confidence. Alana Mitchel, Kaliah Yizar and Dahni Austin understood that deeply after a trip to Washington, D.C. with their teacher Kiara Roberts.
“Our kids are on the plane creating a proposal to present to our social studies department the next day,” explained Roberts.
The proposal and resolution was for their school, Martin Luther King Jr. Early College, to have more inclusive curriculum and books that reflect Black Excellence.
It’s been 564 days since their trip to D.C., 195 days since their resolution passed.
Although Alana Mitchel won’t be a part of the change she fought for in classrooms because graduated in spring 2021, she’s proud to see other students won’t miss out on their powerful history.
“I’m most excited that I’ll be able see positive things that my people did because I’ve never seen anything positive, it’s always: slavery, civil rights, slavery, civil rights – but there’s nothing positive there. Other than the growth that we had,” she said.