Second Graders Host an Outside-the-Box Lesson in Black History
February 19th, 2026
February 12 was a memorable day for our second graders. These students honored African American writers, innovators, and “firsts” by hosting the seventh annual Lunch & Learn. Second graders graciously served lunch to Charlotte businesspeople, community leaders, and friends of the school, along with sides of information about the lives of more than 40 remarkable African Americans.
Each student spent weeks researching the contributions of an African American trailblazer and decorating a lunchbox with facts and photos from that person’s life. These lunchboxes were inspired by the “shoebox lunches” many African Americans ate while taking trips in the south during segregation, when they would not have been allowed to eat in restaurants along the way.
Guests included Mint Museum Coordinator of Community Programs Kurma Murrain, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Librarian Erin Holmes, and even the Poet Laureate of Charlotte, Jay Ward. Middle school student ambassadors gave school tours to our guests when they arrived, highlighting the Black History Month projects on display from our other classes.
Our guests then proceeded to the second-grade classrooms to meet their “waiters,” who introduced their historical figures and elaborated on their lives and accomplishments while serving them lunch. The visitors got to dive into their boxes for a delicious meal prepared by our own Chef David Stowe.
Brooks shares that Muhammad Ali would encourage us to get back up if we get knocked down.
After lunch, each student took a turn on the microphone to share inspiring messages from the African Americans they researched for a truly memorable sendoff. One attendee shared: “I learned so much about Bessie Coleman, and it wasn't through a Google search—it was through the thoughtful research by a student who was inspired by this remarkable individual and wanted to share what she learned with me. The thoughtful planning and hard work every student puts into their research and creating their boxes is extraordinary.”
Students celebrating their hard work after the event.
A special thank you is owed to the second-grade teaching team—Devon Wilson, Kato Nims, Mark Little, and Samantha Dreyer—and to Director of Equity, Belonging, & Engagement Danielle S. Ferguson and Chef David Stowe for assisting with this enriching event.
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