If there is anyone who understands the importance of being a part of the community, it's legendary Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch.
And that's exactly why Batch was thrilled to take part in Barrett Elementary's Living Interactive Museum Celebrating Black History Month.
Charlie and Latasha Wilson-Batch, in conjunction with the Best of the Batch Foundation, participated in the event at his alma mater.
"We wanted to be there supporting it," said Batch. "They had some great presentations, talking about Black History Month and everything that goes with it. There were different themes, dances, and plenty to educate the students. We provided a food portion of it, with Latasha cooking for the kids to possibly try things they haven't before, including black eyed peas which went over really well. It was about letting people experience things from a cultural perspective."
The annual event at Barrett Elementary came about through conversations on how to revise the experience for students based on the diversity and strengths of the Steel Valley community. The idea was to give the students their own voice, and to give them the opportunity to use their voices and the voices of their ancestors to tell their stories.
It was the words of Motown founder Berry Gordy that helped with the approach they took.
"Every day I watched how a bare metal frame, rolling down the line would come off the other end, a spanking brand new car," said Gordy. "What a great idea. Maybe, I could do the same thing with my music. Create a place where a kid off the street could walk in one door, an unknown, go through a process, and come out another door, a star."
Those at Barrett Elementary took the same approach, with their vision as follows: 'We saw that when the students entered our school district as Kindergarteners, they are like a bare metal frame and it is our responsibility to transform them as they progress through the grades. We are confident that our school can create stars by the time they walk across the field on their graduation day.'
The school also embraces the students as a family and shaping them in the family mold.
This year's Barrett Elementary Black History Month Living Interactive Museum's theme was African Americans and Labor.
"These kids are learning at a young age because Black history is American history," said Batch. "It's just a matter of which stories are being told. It's about making people alert and aware. It's a conversation starter for a lot of people. They are bringing in experts to explain the history of some of the things that are going on, which is really cool, because it gets the kids excited. For them to learn it and talk about it, and you see them engaging with one another is impressive to watch because that means the person who is presenting it obviously touched something, sparked the interest of something for the kids to be able to continue the conversation.
"I think it's important to talk about these things, because obviously Black History Month is in February, but you want to make sure these conversations continue outside of February. It's important because of the education and making sure that the right information is provided. And hopefully those people that have contributed to this world are being acknowledged in the manner we hope they can be.
"I think the beauty for the Best of the Batch Foundation is the fact of what you're talking about, we understand the curriculums that are being taught every single week, every single month because the school shares it with us. We're able to continue the conversation once they enter the foundation because we're continuing to be a support system and keep the conversations going and answer questions they may have to make sure that they're receiving the right information."
The event is organized by several of the teachers at Barrett Elementary, including Jonette Bost and Kim Winters.
"The Black History Month Interactive Museum is hands-on," said Bost. "It allows for collaboration. It allows for creativity. It provides them with an experience that they might not have otherwise.
"It is the experience that will leave a lasting impression, but it will also teach them how resilient individuals who come from humble beginnings can be. What a powerful learning experience and something that should be celebrated."
