Students Lead Assemblies In Honor Of Martin Luther King Jr.

Last week, the Elementary, Middle and Upper Schools commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and work with special assemblies. 

On the Norton Campus, Elementary Schoolers gathered in the Joanie Martin Community Room for an all-school read of “We Dream a World: Carrying the Light From My Grandparents Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King” by Yolanda Renee King. At the end of the assembly, Head of Elementary School Stacey Koff asked the audience to pause and reflect on what their dream was for the world.

“One of the things we talk about is action—what can we do?" said Stacey. "I know in each of the grade levels, you’re talking about that. What can we do to change things that don’t feel right to us? I’m going to give you that challenge this week: Think of ways that you have a dream that this world could be different or better, and what’s your part in that?”

The Upper School assembly was hosted during community time by Black Student Union members Jordan Prough, NAALA Ephriam and Maya Franklin. Jordan recited Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, followed by poetry readings by 11th grader Deneya Ahmed and 10th grader Abigail Acosta. 

Upper School faculty member Cherylnn Pope sang a beautiful rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” accompanied by 11th grader Endo Long on guitar. Jordan and Maya then welcomed Head of School Mariama Richards and Head of Upper School Anthony Locke to the stage to interview the administrators about their vision for Crossroads students and the world at large. 

“I hope that you can look in the face of hate and say ‘I am better than this,’” shared Mariama. “‘I can do more than this, and I can actually live up to what I say I believe.”

Crossroads’ Equity & Justice Institute Director Cassandra Chase shared a similar message in her speech to open the Middle School assembly. 

“Dr. King had a name for what he built toward—he called it ‘the beloved community.’ A beloved community is a place where everyone belongs, where conflict is resolved through understanding, where justice and love guides our choices,” said Cassandra. “The beloved community is what we have built here at Crossroads and continue to build, and the Institute is part of that work. Building the beloved community can happen right here in the Alley, and it does.”

Eighth graders Monroe Johnson and Christian Turner shared facts about the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and the ways in which his legacy continues to shape activism today. Core teacher Todd Baron gave a speech on a favorite poem by Langston Hughes, before students in the Eighth Grade Jazz Collective and Middle School Dance Team took the stage for music and dance performances. 

Middle School Visual Arts Teacher Solomon Turner and Learning Specialist Sheniqua Foskin ended the assembly with a nod to the Middle School’s first assembly of the year, getting the Middle Schoolers on their feet as they cheered “Elevate,” the Middle School theme for the year.