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Nellie A. Thornton Earns Title At Black History Month Challenge

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. -- For the second year in a row, Nellie A. Thornton High School recently took the championship title at the Mount Vernon Community That Cares coalition’s annual Black History Month Challenge.

Nellia A. Thorton High School won the championship title at the Mount Vernon Community That Cares coalition’s annual Black History Month Challenge.

Nellia A. Thorton High School won the championship title at the Mount Vernon Community That Cares coalition’s annual Black History Month Challenge.

Photo Credit: Contributed

For the past eight years, the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, through its volunteer group, MVCTC hosts the Black History Challenge to encourage youth from various backgrounds to learn more about African Americans who have contributed to global history.

Eights teams from the local middle and high schools convened at the Mount Vernon Armory to display their knowledge of black history facts through a friendly competition.

Each participant from the winning team received a $25 gift card and a first place plaque. Amani Charter School, who was a formidable challenger to Thornton, took second place honors.

More then 150 attendees and participants were at the event, including Mayor Ernest D. Davis. The event’s MC, Brother Arthur Muhammad kept the crowd calm as spectators cheered for their teams.

“I was very pleased to see so many of our young people from varying backgrounds excited to celebrate our proud history," said Mayor Davis. "It is equally important for our young people to know and understand that African American history is American history.”

The event was judged by Edith Charles, representative of Legislator Lyndon Williams, Jacoina Vision, of Family Services of Westchester and Michelle Gordon, of the Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network.

“The MVCTC Coalition has done a tremendous job of uniting our youth and adults to create protective factors within the community," said DaMia Harris, Executive Director – Mount Vernon Youth Bureau. 

"The challenge showcases the strengths of many youth and their knowledge of history. Our youth have made passionate requests to replicate this event annually and thanks to the dedication of many volunteers, the city has been able to support this initiative."

For more information, contact Claudette Coote at 914-665-2344 or ccoote@cmvny.com.

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