This spring, Middle Creek High School students, led with vision and care by educator Matt Scialdone, joined with NC Freedom Park and DNCR’s Office of K-12 Education to host an extraordinary event: “Still We Speak: When History Speaks, We Listen.”
What unfolded was far more than a school project. It was a living, breathing tribute to the Black North Carolinians honored at NC Freedom Park, brought to life through the scholarship, creativity, music, and community of Wake County youth.
Honoring Voices Through Student Scholarship
Throughout the semester, students in African American History and African American Literature researched the Black North Carolinians featured at NC Freedom Park. Their work culminated in an immersive experience: students positioned themselves at each quote throughout the park, offering historical background, cultural context, and personal reflections.
The public was invited, with specific invitations extended to area senior centers in the hope of encouraging intergenerational conversations. Attendees moved through the park encountering a vibrant gallery of student-created artwork, inclusive of paintings, poems, digital art, and multimedia pieces, each inspired by the lives and legacies of Freedom Park’s honorees. Every stop gave attendees a deeper understanding of the courage, brilliance, and resilience woven into North Carolina’s Black history.
Music in the Air
Middle Creek’s Jazz Ensemble, another group of talented students, filled the space with music by North Carolina’s own legends: Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, and Nina Simone. Their performance wrapped the entire event in a soundscape that honored the tradition of Black artistry and added an emotional resonance that guests won’t soon forget.
A Day to Remember: Community, Connection, and Celebration
“Still We Speak” was not just an event; it was a celebration of heritage, creativity, scholarship, and the power of young people to honor voices that must continue to be heard.
Watch this Video to Experience the Event
A heartfelt thank you to Matt Scialdone, the student participants, Middle Creek High School staff, community partners, DNCR’s African American Heritage Commission, and everyone who came together to illuminate the legacy of North Carolina’s Black trailblazers.