Students at Woodgate Elementary School in Matteson celebrated Black History Month with a performance Friday titled “Remembering Black Wall Street.”
The performance commemorated Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Greenwood district, which in the early 20th century was known as Black Wall Street for its status as one of the most affluent and successful Black communities in the country. The neighborhood had Black attorneys, entrepreneurs and doctors.
“I do, it’s a dance called ‘Rise Up,'” said fifth grader Ava Koonce. “It’s a choir that sings about Greenwood: There is greatness in my DNA, and royalty in my DNA, and we choose truth.”
Fifth grader McKenzie Fizer was excited ahead of Friday’s performance. She said she’d learned a lot about Black Wall Street in preparation for the show.
“I think it’s good for people to know that something great can always happen,” McKenzie said.
The success of the Greenwood district provoked resentment among the surrounding white communities, leading to the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, according to the Museum of Tulsa History website.
After a Black shoeshiner was accused of assaulting a white woman, more than 35 square blocks of the Greenwood district were burned down over the course of two days, destroying the commercial section of Greenwood and leaving thousands homeless, the website states.
At least 36 and as many as 300 people were killed.
“Through live performance, storytelling, and creative expression, students bring history to life while highlighting themes of resilience, community strength, and the importance of remembrance,” the school said in a news release. “By centering student voices, the program creates space for reflection, learning, and intergenerational dialogue about Black history and its continued impact today.”
One of the last survivors of the massacre, Viola Fletcher, also known as Mother Fletcher, died in November at age 111. She was 7 at the time of the massacre.
Third grader Kelsey Hampton-Marcell was cast as Fletcher.
“I’m gonna play a role as Mother Viola Ford Fletcher,” Kelsey said. “I think it’s a really great way of honoring history, for our ancestors who fought for rights.”
Kelsey started reading a book to prepare for her role, her teacher said.
“One thing that I found really important for people to know is always to celebrate history,” Kelsey said.
Third grader Makaila Payton has a singing solo in the production.
“We should know that actually, you’re very blessed to be born in this time,” Makaila said. “Like, when horrible things happened to my ancestors and other people in life some years back.”
elewis@chicagotribune.com
