January 30th 2025.
Jaqueline McAlmont is a proud advocate of Black history and she wants to make sure everyone knows it. Her message is simple but powerful: "Black History is American History". She has designed a line of T-shirts with this statement and the Pan-African colors to spread awareness and promote unity. McAlmont, who has been working as a support staff member at Lisha Kill Middle School in Albany, New York for five years, is passionate about bringing attention to this important topic.
In an interview with News 10 ABC, McAlmont shared that she noticed a lack of focus on Black history at the public school in Colonie and wanted to do something to change that. She believes that Black history is deeply intertwined with American history and deserves to be recognized and celebrated. This sentiment is also supported by a 2021 publication from the National Institutes of Health, written by Monica Peek, MD from the University of Chicago, which discusses the importance of acknowledging Black history as a part of America's history. Peek states that it is a story of resilience, determination, and bravery in the face of adversity, and that it should be acknowledged and honored.
For McAlmont, her T-shirt sales are not about personal gain. Instead, all proceeds go towards supporting school children in Hopetown, a village in Berbice, Guyana, where her grandmother was born. She is passionate about providing a better educational experience for these children and has also introduced a creative learning program for students and teachers at Lisha Kill Middle School.
McAlmont has seen firsthand the impact of her efforts. She has witnessed the determination of students in Hopetown who have a strong desire to learn, despite lacking basic supplies such as backpacks, lunches, and uniforms. This has resonated with Lisha Kill 7th grader Vreej Patel, who says that McAlmont's mission is meaningful to her because she herself comes from India where access to quality education is limited.
McAlmont also highlights the connection between Black history and Caribbean heritage, referencing the late Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for Congress. Chisholm, who was a civil rights activist, was the daughter of immigrants from Barbados and Guyana, according to the National Museum of African American History & Culture.
To further spread her message and support her cause, Lisha Kill Middle School will be decorated for Black History Month starting on January 31st. Those interested in purchasing McAlmont's "Black History Is American History" T-shirts can visit her Facebook page, where they are priced at $20. By supporting McAlmont's mission, we can all play a part in celebrating and honoring the rich history of the Black community and making a positive impact on the education of children in Guyana.
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