As Black History Month drew to a close, Richard J. Bailey School brought the District’s monthlong learning and reflection to a powerful and fitting culmination. Legacy in Motion: A Celebration of Black Excellence placed students at the center of the celebration, joined by District leaders and local NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) partners in reflecting on the past, honoring the present, and looking toward the future.
Through thoughtful presentations, student speakers led the audience on a journey through the rich history and enduring contributions of Black Americans. They honored pioneers of the past while also highlighting modern-day trailblazers, including Yolanda Renee King, the granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr., who is already making an impact as a young activist. Students recognized the first National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman and celebrated the vibrant work of painter Alma Woodsey Thomas, whose colorful style inspired the mandalas that line the first floor of the school building.
The program opened with stirring performances by the RJB Chorus, who sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem, and “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder. The celebration also included performances from the RJB Dancers and the Afterschool Hip Hop Club. Students created a vibrant, abstract, mosaic-inspired piece modeled after Alma Woodsey Thomas’ work, further showcasing talent across creative disciplines.
Assistant Principal Ms. Khan guided students in a moment of reflection, asking, “How can you use your voice and talents to create a positive legacy in your community?” Encouraging students to think as inquirers and change-makers, she invited them to consider the impact of their own actions. One student responded simply and powerfully, “By sharing our art and music with others.”
The event also welcomed Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lorenda Chisolm, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Njoku, and several distinguished community guests, including Janice Griffith, Francie Shorts, Charlene Gairey, Joan Nathan, Jackquelyn Young, Margie Daniel, and Gargi Bagchi. The NAACP’s partnership - in attendance and in action - reflects the District’s ongoing commitment to cultivating responsive relationships with families and local organizations, strengthening authentic connections between school and community.
As part of the program, NAACP representatives presented awards to 14 students for their essays on a Black hero or heroine of their choice. Before announcing the honorees, Committee Member Ms. Shorts reflected on her personal connection to the school and the District.
“Before I read these names, I just wanted to let you know that I worked here at R.J. Bailey for 14 years, and then I worked at Highview for 16 years, so I feel like I'm at home,” she shared. “I remember performing on this stage, and it was a wonderful place. I can see, and I can feel, that wonderful presence is still here at R.J. Bailey.”
Students selected a wide range of figures to honor in their essays, including Simone Biles, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Harriet Tubman, Hugh Elwood McBeth Sr., Marsha P. Johnson, Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Sojourner Truth, Mae Jemison, and Ida B. Wells. One student chose to honor a hero close to home: his own father.
Alumna Margie Daniel shared heartfelt remarks reflecting on her time at R.J. Bailey and the enduring spirit of the school community.
“I am so honored and blessed,” she said. “The theme that is reflected here and what is elevated and represented is an assurance that this is truly what Greenburgh is. We are so proud of these young people and their representation. Keep doing what you're doing because you are our now. To the teachers and to the administration, thank you.”
Throughout the program, one message rang clear: legacy is not only something we inherit. It is something we actively build through our voices, our talents, and our commitment to lifting one another up.