12-02-2025
Little Rock students celebrate Black History Month with special speaker
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A Little Rock school is celebrating Black History Month by having an African American author talk with students about the history books she's written herself on Arkansans who paved the way for others.
More than 100 students came together at St. Theresa Catholic School where they honored Black History Month by learning about Arkansans who made a difference from author Phyllis Hodges.
'I started doing a lot of research finding out about individuals who made a difference and made things happen around the world that all of our students should know about,' Hodges said.
Black History Month explained: Its origins, celebrations and myths
One of the difference makers brought out was army veteran Pamela Huff who has been recognized for breaking barriers at Arkansas Army National Guard as the first female to obtain the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5.
'When someone else comes along and goes up, you congratulate them, you don't look down on them and you can achieve the same thing or even more,' Huff said.
Her story captivated students like third grader Thomas Davis.
'What amazed me about what happened today is the inspiring stories that Ms. Phyllis told us and I had been reading the book and out of all the Black cultural history I learned this out to be the best I have ever learned,' Davis said.
While eighth grader Alysson Rodgriguez said learning about Huff inspired her.
'She inspired me, I can do anything I dream of and if she can do it I can too,' Rodgriguez said.
Why is Black History Month the shortest of the year?
Davis said the history lessons he has learned can help in the future.
'I would say to remind people just be who you are, it doesn't matter what your culture is or who you are, just get back up and don't care what anyone else is saying about you,' Davis said.
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