On the last weekend of Black History Month, nine standouts in Black history were inducted into the Kansas Black Educators Hall of Fame.
The hall, founded by the nonprofit Art That Touches Your Heart and started in 2017, now has 70 members.
Janice Thacker, Art That Touches Your Heart founder and executive director, came up with the idea for the hall of fame and the art show that accompanies the induction ceremony.
Her goal was to both honor generations of Black teachers and to encourage today’s Black students to become tomorrow’s Black teachers and Black artists.
Inductees are chosen by community-based voting. This year’s new members are:
Samuel Allen – Retired Principal, Wichita Public Schools;
Dr. Bobby Berry – Assistant Dean for Diversity and Outreach, College of Applied Studies, Wichita State University;
June Faucette – Retired Music Teacher, Wichita Public Schools;
Deborah James – Retired English Teacher, Wichita Public Schools;
Jeanne Ponds – First African-American High School English Teacher, Wichita Public Schools (Deceased);
Dr. George Rogers – First Director of Minority Studies, Wichita State University (Retired);
Shallruan Samone Thomas – Middle School Teacher, Gordon Parks Academy, Wichita Public Schools;
Linda Watson-Morris – Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Bartlesville Public Schools (Retired); and
Frank Wooden – Elementary & Middle School Teacher, Wichita Public Schools (Deceased).
To learn more about members of the hall of fame visit ATTYH.org.
