11th Grade "Voices of Social Justice" Presentations for 2025

From Alicia Tembi, US History Teacher: As a culminating project for their Civil Rights Movement unit, 11th graders completed "Voices of Social Justice" presentations. Each student investigated a "voice" from the Civil Rights era that was forgotten, misunderstood or suppressed, and then crafted a piece of art that embodied that individual's story. The presentations covered a wide variety of activists, including Recy Taylor, Jarrell Wadsworth, Septima Clark, Ella Baker, Fredi Washington, Fred Hampton, Fannie Lou Hamer, and more.

Students created paintings, collages, a newspaper, digital art pieces, songs, a monologue, poetry and speeches. Each of the presentations was extremely moving, and demonstrated expertise, passion, and a deep sense of humanity. To highlight a few examples:

~ Ty M. '26. recorded Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock "Star Spangled Banner", and Billy B '26. honored Hendrix through an innovative digital art piece.

~ Thea H. '26 painted an extraordinary portrait of author Zora Neale Hurston.

~ Gavin N. '26 created a beautiful original leather album cover in honor of musician and activist Elane Brown.

~ Zoe Br. '26 created a beautiful digital art piece inspired by Recy Taylor.

~ Raina N. '26 created an incredible puppet to pay homage to activist, dancer and actor, Fredi Washington.

~ MJ C. '26 shared delicious food and a recipe book with the class in honor of Georgia Gilmore

~ Three students honored educator Septima Clark—Augie K. '26 wrote and performed an inspiring monologue, Mycah A.'26 wrote a powerful speech and Bailey B. '26 painted a stunning portrait.

This project was a collaboration between the 11th grade History class and the 12th grade English class, with the Seniors as the audience, asking thought-provoking questions and offering comments. This collaborative activity is a great example of the mentoring process and age-mixing between different grades that takes place every day at The Grauer School.