Dr. Jennifer Young Wallace speaks at Holmes County Career Technical Center
Alcorn State, Miss. (March 1, 2013) – Dr. Jennifer Young Wallace, assistant professor of education at Alcorn, a Holmes County native and high school graduate of the Holmes County Public School District, was this year’s Black History speaker for the Holmes County Career Technical Center (HCCTC). The event was held February 22, 2013, and attended by students, parents, retired teachers, county administrators, and HCCTC and district personnel.
This year’s national Black History Month theme is “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington”, and the HCCTC theme corresponds with it as “The Audacity of Hope: Making a Difference at the Crossroad of Equality.”
“It was an honor to go back to the educational system that laid a solid foundation for my educational success,” stated Dr. Wallace.
During her speech, Dr. Wallace brought up the significance of the 100-year gap between the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and the March on Washington in 1963, and how black Americans struggled to have freedom and equality. She reiterated to students that nothing should discourage them from believing in themselves and they need to “keep moving.” “It is important that the students of today understand that too many people have prayed, bled, and suffered for them to have equal opportunities in this country. It is now up to them to progress, not regress or digress,” exclaims Dr. Wallace.
Dr. Wallace is a 1987 graduate of S.V. Marshall High School where she was class Valedictorian and Miss S.V. Marshall 1987. She accredits her educational and social foundation to the teachers at the elementary school, middle school (formerly TAC) and high school, as well as her parents and other members in the community.
Mr. Frank Kimes III, director of HCCTC stated, “When I asked Dr. Wallace to be our speaker, she accepted and said that she was glad to have an opportunity to come home, and I am so happy that she did.”
Pictured: Mr. Frank Kimes, III, Director of HCCTC, (right) presents Dr. Wallace (left) a certificate for her participation on their Annual Black History Program.
