Students prepare for Civil Rights workshop

The faculty, students and staff affiliated with Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences and Black Empowerment Apprenticeship Program (BEAP) from Grambling State University participated in the third annual civil rights empowerment training workshop hosted by Southern University in Shreveport, Louisiana.  

Courtesy photo
Members of Pi Gamma Mu and BEAPer’s stand with training workshop host, Dr. Michael Hicks (far right).

The workshop was organized by Dr. Frances Staten in collaboration with the National Civil Rights Conference to be held on June 19-22 in Meridian, Mississippi.

It is a ‘new beginning’ initiative for the 20th anniversary of the BEAP program, first established on February 14, 1996. 

Dr. Michael Hicks, division of behavioral sciences and education, facilitated the workshop, which focused on a documentary entitled “Beyond Galilee- The Student led Fight for Civil Rights in Shreveport, Louisiana” 

This is one of a series designed to educate the young generation about Civil Rights struggles, social justice and human rights through film screening, book reviews, info-dramas, speeches, presentations, and discussions.

 The youth will share lessons learned as part of the teen empowerment workshop entitled, “Milestones In the Civil Rights Movement” and a “Info-Drama: Contributions of Children to the Civil Rights Movement.” 

For example, one of the BEAPers will dramatize the story of an unsung teenager who refused to go to the back of the bus before the Rosa Parks incident.