Naperville North's new black history event showcases 'Exceptional Contributors'

Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, Ida B. Wells, Martin Luther King Jr. and Michelle Obama all will be in one place Thursday - in actor portrayals during the first Black History Month Showcase at Naperville North High School.

The new event, called An Evening of Exceptional Contributors, Past and Present, is being planned by a parent group, a student mentoring organization and the student services department. It will include more than 65 performers playing jazz tunes, performing step dance routines or acting as famous African-American leaders.

"The important thing was to make sure our students understand the important contributions of their African-American ancestors," said Karyn Morgan, one of the founders of the SUCCESS parent organization, which stands for School Using Coordinated Community Efforts to Strengthen Students. "We're highlighting the contributions that are not highlighted within the history books so the students could feel a sense of pride and understanding that we, too, contributed to American history and in exceptional ways."

The showcase begins with a reception at 6 p.m. before the show at 7 p.m. in the performing arts center of Naperville North, 899 N. Mill St.

The show will include vignettes performed by students, staff members and parents that feature leaders having conversations about topics such as the abolition of slavery. Audience members can hear, for example, how Frederick Douglass and white abolitionist John Brown preferred different methods but worked toward the same goal of ending slavery, said Inell Lawrence, a SUCCESS member who is organizing the event.

While the showcase will celebrate the accomplishments of African-American trailblazers, Lawrence said the event encourages understanding among students of all cultures. She said it's a timely topic because of national dialogues started since the police killings of black men Michael Brown and Eric Garner.

"We felt there was a need for connectivity among students who share the halls of (Naperville) North. Sometimes we share a space with people that we never really take the time to get to know or connect with," Lawrence said. "Considering the various occurrences of late in our country, there clearly seems to be a need to come together."

Loren Francis, a founder of the SUCCESS organization, said coming together is a main focus of the event, which is one of many the SUCCESS group has hosted since forming in early 2013.

"I want this to be seen as a collaborative effort within the school and the community," Francis said.

Her sons, senior Morrel Francis and freshman Marcel Francis, are getting involved - Marcel by portraying Martin Luther King Jr., and Morrel by setting up a history display to be shown during the reception. The jazz band will play historic period pieces and the step team will bring an energetic performance.

"They are going to do a wonderful piece, which celebrates their heritage and hope for the future," Francis said about the step team.

Francis said her sons are looking forward to beginning a new tradition with the Black History Month Showcase.

"They think it's going to be a great event," Francis said. "They hope it's going to be the first of many."