Oaks Christian students honor Black History Month




CIVIL RIGHTS—From left, Oaks Christian School’s spiritual life director Scott Lisea, African American Club president and OCS senior Taila Proctor-Jackson, and Pastor David Moore of Church of the Nations in Oxnard celebrate their ethnic heritage at the OCS chapel. Moore was the keynote speaker of the event.

CIVIL RIGHTS—From left, Oaks Christian School’s spiritual life director Scott Lisea, African American Club president and OCS senior Taila Proctor-Jackson, and Pastor David Moore of Church of the Nations in Oxnard celebrate their ethnic heritage at the OCS chapel. Moore was the keynote speaker of the event.

The African American Club of Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village sponsored three February chapels to recognize Black History Month with the theme “We Are Not Who You Think We Are.”

“We want Oaks students to understand the people and culture of African Americans,” said African American Culture Club president Taila Proctor-Jackson at a chapel presentation. “I hope my fellow students will fall in love with Black history in the same way I have.”

After a cello duet of “Amazing Grace” by students Mariah Reneau and Matthew Chen, a group of Black students proclaimed, “I am not who you think I am.”

Senior Francis Owusu said that less than 20 percent of Black males graduate from a four-year university, but he refuses to be in this number. Francis will be attending Stanford University next fall on an athletic scholarship.

Junior Brandon Dawkins said he looks forward to having a family and being a positive male role model for future African American kids.

Sophomore Brandon Somerville said he refused to let the color of his skin come between him and his dreams.

“Unless I’m donating or volunteering, you will never see me in prison because I refuse to become a statistic,” said freshman Theo Howard.

The program featured Pastor David Moore of Church of the Nations in Oxnard and the New Covenant Worship Center in Santa Barbara, who shared the history of the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr. He encouraged students to follow Christ’s example by breaking out of the pack to become bridge builders.

Moore is the brother of African American Culture Club advisor and OCS teacher Trina Moore-Southall.

At the Feb. 11 chapel, Monique Green sang the Sam Cook song “Change Gonna Come” while a video of African Americans in history was presented.

At this assembly, Taila Proctor Jackson, Bailey Brothers and Helen Merricks recited poetry titled, “We Are Not Who You Think We Are,” which was written by Taila.

In closing, the high school student body sang the spiritual, “Soon I Will Be Done with the Troubles of the World,” led by soloists Mariah Barnes and Clayton Hibbert.


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