For 75 years, Ebony magazine was one of the leading authorities of Black excellence. Last March, the Chicago-based publication reemerged as a digital platform under new leadership, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Now, a Washington D.C. elementary school is celebrating the iconic publication by recreating its historical and classic covers, Because Of Them We Can reports.
Educator Kendall Maloney of Bunker Hill Elementary pitched her idea to her principal of creating a calendar that incorporated her students, paying tribute to the significant moments in Black history, NBC Washington reports.
“I wanted to create something where the students knew that they were excellent, they were Black excellence, and that they could do anything and dream and be anything possible,” Maloney told the news station.
After her principal gave her the green light, Maloney launched a fundraiser and enlisted her students to sell snacks and an assortment of confectionery to raise money to cover the cost of printing and other expenses.
Maloney and her team revealed the calendar to faculty, parents and students who all beamed with pride.
Her students chose the covers they wanted to emulate. They donned similar apparel and imitated the poses of Black cultural icons who graced Ebony magazine covers including, former President Barack Obama, Diana Ross and Chadwick Boseman.
One of the student’s grandmothers Joyce Gregory said she hopes the children will continue to share this project in generations to come.
“I’m hoping that they will share it with their children and talk about the different pages within the calendar, and give them more exposure about Black history.”
Maloney was overwhelmed with emotion when she saw the final product.
“On the way to school this morning, I couldn’t control my emotions. I’m trying to hold it back now because I’m just so proud of all these kids,” she said.
Ashton Carter, a fifth-grader at Bunker Hill who honored Marvel Black Panther actor Boseman, was grateful that he was involved in creating the calendar.
“I did the calendar project because it was a way to honor the Black leaders before us. It was a lot of work, but it paid off in a good way,” Ashton
Teacher Maloney was overwhelmed with emotion when she saw the final product.
“On the way to school this morning, I couldn’t control my emotions. I’m trying to hold it back now because I’m just so proud of all these kids,” she said.
Ashton Carter, a fifth-grader at Bunker Hill who honored Marvel Black Panther actor Boseman, was grateful that he was involved in creating the calendar.
“I did the calendar project because it was a way to honor the Black leaders before us. It was a lot of work, but it paid off in a good way,” Ashton said, according to BOTWC.
Student Hermola Abrha had a parallel reflection, saying “I’m proud of myself, to be proud of my culture.”
Calendars are currently available only to the community. The school plans to produce similar projects in the future,
