Black History Extension Activity: Modern Influencers (4-part activity)
Who’s in the news? None other than these modern influencers! Black History Month is a time to celebrate the vibrant history of Black Americans and to honor the achievements continued by current generations. In our Black History Month: Modern Influencers Extension Activity Packet, choose from worksheets that help students explore the power of Black environmental activists to authors to astronauts. Select specific readings based on your students’ interests and preferences or enjoy the entire packet for some additional learning and skill-building related to critical thinking, comparing and contrasting, and researching.
Black History Month: Modern Influencers (4-part activity)
This activity is designed to deepen understanding and appreciation of modern influencers, particularly in the context of Black History Month. Participants will engage in critical thinking and reflection, focusing on the impactful contributions and narratives of several notable figures.
In the first activity, students will contemplate and define what being an influencer means in the modern context. This foundational understanding sets the stage for subsequent parts of the activity, allowing participants to recognize the diverse ways in which individuals can influence society and drive progress.
In the second activity, students will read short biographies of Ketanji Brown Jackson and Kimberlé Crenshaw. After reading their stories, participants will engage in a comparative analysis, exploring the similarities and differences in their journeys, achievements, and impacts.
In the third activity, students will read about Victor Glover Jr. and Jerome Foster II and then compare and contrast their life stories, examining how their individual experiences and achievements have shaped their influence.
In the final part of the activity, participants are encouraged to select a modern influencer of their choice to celebrate during Black History Month. This can be a figure from any field such as politics, science, education, arts, literature, sports, etc., who they find inspirational and influential.
