Barrett hosts Black History Month Interactive Living Museum

Barrett Elementary students had an interactive experience with Black history on Thursday, as they joined the community in touring the Black History Month Interactive Living Museum.

Kindergarten, first grade, second grade, third grade and fourth grade students toured each exhibit, where they learned about Martin Luther King Jr., African American Olympic athletes, Djembe drums, African Jewelry, delicious recipes, the history and legacy of Freedom House, African Masks, African American inventors, and much more.

They also saw wax figures come to life! As the students toured the exhibits, they came across wax figures stationed throughout the building. With a press of a hand on the wall, these figures started to speak and share their contributions to Black history and American culture.

Steel Valley High School students and alumni portrayed the figures. This year's cast featured Kayden Jefferson-Machiote (singer Donna Summer), Chamarra Ford (singer Aaliyah), Vinton Kellar (civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.), Nakiah Marshman (singer Lauryn Hill), Alijah Richardson-Beck (television host Oprah Winfrey), Wendoll Slade (singer Juice Wrld), Paul Townsend (musician Bob Marley), Zoey Townsend (civil rights activist Ruby Bridges), Nyjair Wilkerson (singer Michael Jackson), Shamirah Woods (abolitionist Harriet Tubman), Kamiyah McLemore (singer Beyonce), Tarai Jones (singer Janet Jackson), Lorraine West (singer Ella Fitzgerald), Danielle Chaffin (former First Lady Michelle Obama), and Kwamaine Cas (entertainer Montell Jordan). Students Shalawn Parker and Shatrya Parker portrayed Black Panther and Shuri from the Avengers as part of a photo booth.

The afternoon wrapped with a handful of musical performances, including three songs by Steel Valley students Wendoll Slade, Kayden Jefferson-Machicote and Nyjair Wilkerson. Wilkerson's performance of "Stand Up" featured the entire cast of wax figures conducting choreography put together by student Chamarra Ford.

Contributors to this year's experience included storyteller Cynthia Battle, Duquesne University's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, numerous Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Homestead Mayor John Burwell, Leslie McPherson of Muscles by McPherson, MUSA, UPMC, Rachel Sew and WQED, and the University of Pittsburgh's 3Rs program. Community displays spotlighted health and wellness resources from Mon Yough (MYCS), Steel Valley Wellness Group, Turtle Creek Valley Community Services, UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital and RESOLVE crisis center. 

The museum has become an annual feature of Steel Valley's celebration of Black history each February. It is organized by the Barrett Special Events committee, which features Jonette Bost, Rachel Dindak, Tracy Findlay, Dianne Furnival, Sue Hughes, Cindy Kortz and Marissa Petro.