Richland Two presents 2024 Black History Month Honorees
February 23, 2024
Richland School District Two is proud to announce its 7th Annual Black History Month Honorees. Established in 2018 as a part of the celebration of Black History Month, the recognitions seek to identify and highlight persons connected to the district and who have shown significant contributions to Black history and culture. The recognition ceremony takes place Monday, February 26, 2024, 6 p.m., at the Conference Center at Richland Two Institute of Innovation located at 763 Fashion Drive, Columbia, SC 29229.
The Richland Two community was invited to submit nominations and a selection committee identified honorees in the categories of Art and Music; Education, Public Service; and Health, Science, Technology, Math and Engineering.
Dr. Helen Grant, the district’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, is the program’s founder. “As we celebrate Black History Month, we take the time to honor the history and culture that belongs to all of Richland Two. Our Honoree Recognition Program recognizes our purpose-driven graduates, employees and community members who are making contributions to Black history and culture,” said Dr. Grant. “It’s important for our community, especially our students who we’re preparing for the future, to see and learn about people who are doing tremendous work; some of whom they may know, who live in their neighborhoods, who attend their places of worship or who work in their schools. Honoring these tremendous individuals provides an opportunity for the district to demonstrate our core values of Belonging, Learning, Continuous Improvement and Joy.”
The 2024 class of Richland Two Black History Month Honorees are:
Art and Music
- Mr. Phillip Michael Gilchrist – Executor of Truescale Records in Columbia
Education
- Mrs. Georgette Council – Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of Richland School District Two
- Ms. Denise Jonell Clark – Teacher and a Restorative Practice and Social Emotional Learning Facilitator
- Dr. Marshalynn Morgan Franklin – Deputy Superintendent for Richland School District Two
Public Service
- Mrs. Darci Strickland – Richland Two parent and an anchor and content manager at WLTX-TV
- Jonathan Franklin – NPR News desk reporter, 2012 graduate of Richland Northeast High School and its convergence media magnet program
- Ms. Nicole Miller-English – Richland Two bus special needs driver
- The Streater Family (Ms. Kiara Streater, Mr. Julius Streater & Mrs. Brenda Streater) – owners of Extraordinary Headhunters LLC and Extraordinary Healing Wellness, LLC
Health, Science, Technology, Math, & Engineering
- Dr. Kenya Cooper – 2006 graduate of Richland Northeast High School who currently serves as a Board Certified Family Medicine/Primary Care doctor at Lexington Family Practice
Throughout February, the district features honorees on social media.
For more information, contact Dr. Helen Grant, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at 803-738-3327 or [email protected].
