Champions of Courage
4th Annual Black History Month Essay Contest In Honor of the late Garth C. Reeves, Sr.
Breakthrough Miami is honored to celebrate the winners of the 4th Annual Black History Month Essay Contest in honor of veteran, community leader, equality and civil rights activist, black press magnate, the late Garth C. Reeves, Sr.
This year’s theme, Champions of Courage: Honoring the Men and Women of Florida’s Civil Rights Movement, encouraged Scholars to Identify a person from Florida’s civil rights movement whose courage led to progress in the Sunshine State. Scholars’ writings explored how that person’s actions impacted the rights of African Americans in Florida and reflected on a time in their own lives when they found the courage to do something to help others.
The civil rights movement shaped the culture and laws of the United States in the 20th century. The former slave states of the South, including Florida, were battlegrounds in the fight to end legally enforced segregation and discrimination.
Jim Crow laws marginalized African Americans by denying them the right to vote, hold jobs, get an education, or other opportunities. Changing these laws required ordinary people to be courageous. Champions of change planned sit-ins at “whites only” lunch counters and wade-ins at hotel pools reserved for serving white customers. They became civically engaged and registered African-American voters to give voice to the voiceless, even at the risk of putting themselves and their families in danger. Each one enacted a small act of defiance garnering the attention of lawmakers, slowly reversing the tides of legal segregation. Political protests and civic engagement led to a gradual change in laws. Florida’s towns and cities slowly integrated buses, stores, theaters, beaches, and other public places. These changes would not be possible without the courage of the men and women of Florida’s civil rights movement.
Breakthrough Scholars worked with Directors and Support Staff to identify a legend to research, reflect upon, and develop a compelling narrative demonstrating their contributions to Florida. Today, as we honor the legacy of Garth C. Reeves, Sr. and his mission to speak truth through the power and reach of one of the oldest black-owned media companies in South Florida, we celebrate our Scholars whose submissions reflect his vision, focusing on champions of courage whose stories are seldom told. The diverse subjects of their essays included great Floridians who inspire future generations, including Mary Mcleod Bethune, Patricia Stephens Due, Harry T. Moore, Johnnie Mae, Janie Price, and many others.
We are pleased to announce the winners in each category.
Elementary School Winners:
1st Place: Joselyn Leverett, 5th grade, Palmetto Elementary School, Legend: Reverend C.K. Steele
1st Place: Joselyn Leverett, 5th grade, Palmetto Elementary School, Legend: Reverend C.K. Steele
“When it mattered, I learned how important it is to have the courage to speak up for myself. In the end, I felt proud and respected by my parents. It also felt great to lead and help others too. Overall, I have the courage to stand out and be noticed in class now.”
2nd Place: Benn Umugabo, 5th grade, Sunset Elementary School, Legend: Harry T. Moore
2nd Place: Benn Umugabo, 5th grade, Sunset Elementary School, Legend: Harry T. Moore
“His legacy is still known to this day which reminds me of a time when I needed the courage to help others. It was fourth grade and our class was learning about Kasai and their lack of clean bathing and drinking water. After we learned about this our teacher asked us to get more people aboard on the project we were doing to raise awareness of Kasai and I did exactly that. And surprisingly I did so well on that that she noted how much of a good job I did. But before I could accomplish this, I needed support from my parents, and they helped push me to go do it. And because of them, I helped the world like Harry.”
3rd Place: Tanto Toyosi, 5th grade, Air Base K-8 Center, Legend: Dr. Marvin Davies
3rd Place: Tanto Toyosi, 5th grade, Air Base K-8 Center, Legend: Dr. Marvin Davies
“I ran to him as he was rolling on the floor and holding onto his ankle. I think his ankle hurt pretty bad. I could tell he was hurt so I asked him if I could call his mom. I got out my phone and he was able to give me his mom’s number and so I called her. About three minutes later, his mom was at the bus stop to pick him up. He returned to school two days later and told me he had sprained his ankle and had several bruises on his arm. I was happy to know that Jeremy would be okay after all. I withstood fear by helping a friend in pain.”
Middle School Winners:
1st Place: Bagaya Samuel, 6th grade, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Legend: Mary Mcleod Bethune
1st Place: Bagaya Samuel, 6th grade, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Legend: Mary Mcleod Bethune
“In the sense of courage, I can relate to a time when I gained the courage to help another through an experience of my own. Having had to transfer from school to school starting in elementary school, I’ve learned how to transition smoothly and adapt to the school I’ve transferred into. Regardless of having gained the experience to adapt, I’ve also been given the perspective of what it’s like always to be a new student. When starting at a new school, there are more challenges than just settling into the new environment, there are challenges such as navigating unfamiliar surroundings and, in some cases, even a different curriculum. These experiences and perspectives have given me the courage to help new students feel at home when they transfer to a new school.”
2nd Place: Genesis McCray, 6th grade, Young Women's Preparatory Academy, Legend: Paticia Stephens Due
2nd Place: Genesis McCray, 6th grade, Young Women’s Preparatory Academy, Legend: Paticia Stephens Due
“Way to go Patricia! Patricia’s determination showed that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything. This reminds me of a time when I needed the courage to stand up to a bully at school, who picked on people’s insecurities. When the bully decided to pick on a friend, I stood up for them by speaking with them face to face and tried to persuade them to stop. I explained to them that their actions were not right and if it continued, I was going to tell an adult. This story reminds us of the courage needed to stand up for others, which is demonstrated in Patricia’s actions, when she stood up for inequity.”
3rd Place: Jonathan Walker, 8th grade, Frank C. Martin K-8 Center, Legend: Harry T. Moore
3rd Place: Jonathan Walker, 8th grade, Frank C. Martin K-8 Center, Legend: Harry T. Moore
“Recalling a moment when I needed to summon up the courage to assist someone else in need, I can think back to when I saw someone being bullied in the school recess. Initially, I was hesitant to intervene, worried that I too, might be the object of the bully’s violence. Nevertheless, I realized that I had to do something to help this person in need. Drawing upon my courage and bravery, I walked up to the bully and told them to stop stating that their behavior was unacceptable. Eventually, the problem was resolved and the person I had helped was very appreciative of my support. This experience taught me that sometimes we must be fearless and stand up for what we believe to be right, even if it involves taking a chance or accepting the possible outcome.”
High School Winners:
1st Place: Gabrielle Beckles, 11th grade, Keys Gate Charter High School; Legend: Janie Price
1st Place: Gabrielle Beckles, 11th grade, Keys Gate Charter High School; Legend: Janie Price
“When I was in elementary school, I was invited to participate in my school’s sports banquet as a dance and Zumba team member. I was, without a doubt looking forward to it, and when the day came, I sat through the entire ceremony, in my brand-new dress, expecting to hear my name called. Unfortunately, no one in the club was recognized despite our many hours of practicing and our participation in numerous school events. I went home disappointed and confused that night, but, like Ms. Price, I didn’t let it defer me. I wrote a letter to my principal expressing my disappointment at being excluded from the event and advocating for the inclusion of dance and cheer teams in my school’s future sports banquets. Not only did I receive an apology from my principal, but I was also honored with a medal and certificate for my accomplishments. I had to be courageous to speak out against wrongdoing at my school and advocate for myself and those around me, something that I hope Ms. Price would have been proud of.”
2nd Place: Dorloushie Ambroise, 12th grade, Babara Goleman Senior High School, Legend: Johnnie Mae
2nd Place: Dorloushie Ambroise, 12th grade, Babara Goleman Senior High School, Legend: Johnnie Mae
“I needed the courage to do something to help others with bullying and as a high school peer counselor. During my sophomore year in high school, I noticed that a few of my peers were being bullied and harassed by some of the other students. As someone who had been bullied, I knew how hurtful this could be and how it could lead to lasting emotional scars. After talking to the school administrators, I started a peer counseling program at my school. I was scared to speak up, but I knew I had to act to help my peers.”
3rd Place: Ronald Smith, 11th grade, MAST @ Homestead, Legend: Patricia Stephens Due
3rd Place: Ronald Smith, 11th grade, MAST @ Homestead, Legend: Patricia Stephens Due
“In a time when police are still discharging tear gas on protesters fighting for racial equality and learning black history has become controversial in our state, we should never lose sight of the contributions of heroes like Whilemena Jakes and Carrie Patterson, known as the Rosa Parks of Florida, or the economic impact of losing prosperous towns like Rosewood and Overtown to race riots and community development. We should also recognize the courage of Patricia Stephens Due, whose eyes were damaged, but who never lost sight of the mission at hand. In the words of Ms. Stephens Due, ‘stories live forever, storytellers don’t.’ I will spend the rest of my life making sure our story is told, never losing sight of who I am.”
The essay contest was established to honor Dr. Reeves, publisher emeritus of The Miami Times, who passed away at 100 in late 2019. As the only job he had, aside from serving in the Army during World War II, Reeves’ energy in running the landmark black-owned paper would impact the lives of countless families in South Florida. He’d found his life’s calling — to serve as a voice for the black community. He knew no better job. Reeves, who oversaw the black-owned paper his father initially printed one page at a time on a small hand press in a modest Miami home upon its founding in 1923, and who kept it in the family as it evolved into its digital edition today, died two months after his daughter, Rachel, passed. She was the publisher of The Miami Times, assuming the mantle of leadership from her father and grandfather. (Miami Herald, November 2019) Breakthrough Miami is proud to have Regina Jolivette-Frazier, Reeves’ niece, as a long-standing member of the executive committee of our Board of Directors.
Garth C. Reeves, Sr. is a tall tree in the forest in which his community sought salvage from the elements. His work in the publishing world and, ultimately his founding of the Miami Times, gave voice to countless stories otherwise untold. What’s reflected in the sentiments of our Scholars in their essay entries is a resonating theme of courage, perseverance, and justice, similar themes found in the ethos of Breakthrough Miami programming.
View memories of our contest winners:
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