The Special Texas A&M University-Commerce
Spring 2018
Black History Month
Table of contents Page 1
Heroes form the Past and Present by Juan Carols Ferrer
Page 5
Black History Month: Q & A by Cristhian Herrera
Page 6
L.E.A.D., S.E.E.D.S. - Diversity by Katelynn Clark
Page 8
Checkered Past by Todd Kleiboer
Page 10
Remember, Educate, Celebrate by Tyler McDonough
Page 13
Camika Spencer by Joseph Miller
The Special is an online magazine produced by journalism students at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Content and production are the responsibilities of the students. The Special is produced during the fall, spring and summer terms. conTacT: The Special, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Box 4104, Commerce, Texas 75428. STaff: Katelynn Clark, JuanCarlos Ferrer, Cristhian Herrera, Todd Kleiboer, Tyler McDonough, Joseph Miller faculTy adviSer: Fred Stewart (Fred.Stewart@tamuc.edu)
Heroes From The Past and Present
By Juan Carlos Ferrer February 1 marks the beginning of Black History Month in the United States of America. The entire month is dedicated to celebrating the historical African American leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and many others that helped pave the way to where minorities are now in the United States. Black History Month started in 1926, and the event was originally only one week. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard – trained historian, created the celebration and originally called it Negro History Week. The week became a month in 1976 when President Gerald R. Ford began to recognize it as a month. He wanted the country to honor the achievements of African Americans. “We can seize the opportunity to honor the too – often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history,” President Ford said during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. Today, the celebration continues. Black history is taught in schools, students get inspired by them, and some even have a favorite. Others, not so much. Students in Texas A&M Commerce and around Commerce, Texas, were asked questions about Black History Month such as: What does Black History Month mean to you? Who is your favorite African American historical figure and why? In today’s world, who is your favorite African American that’s
giving back to the community and why? These are their answers. What does Black History Month mean to you? Brandon Bussey: I believe shedding light on a certain group of people in the United States that were, kind of like, outcast in the history of America. Shining the light on them and all the achievements they overcame or did. You have people like Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and many others. Who is your favorite? Why? Bussey: Malcom X because, in my terms, he kind of applied pressure. He applied force. He sped up the process of us gaining certain things. He helped with a force. With the people of today, who do you think is the best influence right now? You have people like LeBron James helping his home town, Chance the Rapper helping out Chicago, and many others doing the same thing. Who do you think is the best right now? Bussey: I would have to say Chance, because of all his community resolution programs. Colin Kaepernick and his programs as well. I think those two are at the top. What does Black History Month mean to you? Oshuan Lewis, Senior: Black History Month is a time where I get celebrate about my culture. It is a place where we can facilitate the things people look
down on us for. You have people like Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and many others. Who is your favorite? Why? Lewis: Carter G. Woodson. He actually started National African – American Achievement Week. With the people of today, who do you think is the best influence right now? You have people like LeBron James helping his home town, Chance the Rapper helping out Chicago, and many others doing the same thing. Who do you think is the best right now? Lewis: Colin, simply because he didn’t care at all. What does Black History Month mean to you? Jared Compton: It’s kind of like the history of African Americans who did stuff for us and made us how society is today. You have people like Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and many others. Who is your favorite? Why? Compton: Malcom X. He opened his mind to learning new stuff without anybody else. With the people of today, who do you think is the best influence right now? You have people like LeBron James helping his home town, Chance the Rapper helping out Chicago, and many others doing the same thing. Who do you think is the best right now? Compton: Kendrick Lamar because he’s not like the other
rappers. He expresses himself and shows how he feels and what it actually means.
much “we’re here and this what we’re basically going to be doing.” It wasn’t violent at all.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
With the people of today, who do you think is the best influence right now? You have people like LeBron James helping his home town, Chance the Rapper helping out Chicago, and many others doing the same thing. Who do you think is the best right now?
Jose Salazar: Basically, it’s how they provided us better examples for our future towards racism. You have people like Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and many others. Who is your favorite? Why? Salazar: Malcom X because you could relate to him the most. He learned how to read and write when was doing his time and jail. With the people of today, who do you think is the best influence right now? You have people like LeBron James helping his home town, Chance the Rapper helping out Chicago, and many others doing the same thing. Who do you think is the best right now? Salazar: Kendrick Lamar. He grew up in a bad neighborhood and now he wants to come and change the end of his own society. What does Black History Month mean to you? Spencer James Nelson: It’s recognizing the struggle that black people have gone through over the years. You have people like Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and many others. Who is your favorite? Why? Nelson: Martin Luther King, just because the way he did protests. The way he led. His part of the movement was very peaceful. It wasn’t radical. It was very
Nelson: Probably Chance the Rapper just cause I love him as a person. What does Black History Month mean to you? Lizbeth Mares, Junior: Black History Month is a time where we should look back and reflect on how far we’ve come in terms of civil rights and inequality while also acknowledging we have a lot further to go. You have people like Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and many others. Who is your favorite? Why? Mares: Rosa Parks is a very iconic figure for me because she was a woman who also chose to take a stand and voice her frustrations. She reminded everyone women are still not free especially women of color. With the people of today, who do you think is the best influence right now? You have people like LeBron James helping his home town, Chance the Rapper helping out Chicago, and many others doing the same thing. Who do you think is the best right now? Mares: Colin Kaepernick
is my favorite because of the way he chose to voice his frustration. He did it on a very public platform during a widely viewed sporting event. He ensured EVERYONE saw him and it caused people to stop and think about WHY is he doing this. It was a smart move on his part and to continue fighting and donating only shows the strength of his resolve and determination. What does Black History Month mean to you? Vianney Sanchez, Sophomore: Black history month means remembrance. It is for all of those who have suffered due to the racism of our country but it is also reminder that we still have a problem today. It is also recognition for those who have made history and helped People of African descent today. You have people like Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and many others. Who is your favorite? Why? Sanchez: James Forman who was a part of the Black Panther party. He grew up in poverty and learned early on about segregation and the effect it had on his life. He used that fuel to join the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and made history by organizing many of the major civil rights campaigns. With the people of today, who do you think is the best influence right now? You have people like LeBron James helping his home town, Chance the Rapper helping out Chicago, and many others doing the same thing. Who do you think is the
best right now? Sanchez: Laverne Cox, she not only speaks for the black community but also for the LGBTQ community. I also must recognize Erica Garner who fought until her very last breath for the justice of her father’s death. May they both rest in peace. What does Black History Month mean to you? Matthew Flewellen, Junior: Black History Month means a lot to me. It’s amazing that we have a whole month just embracing black culture and accomplishments done by other blacks throughout the years. You have people like Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and many others. Who is your favorite? Why? Flewellen: Martin Luther King Jr. because he was so powerful with the way he spoke. Kinda like President Obama. His peaceful protests were beautiful. He could unite so many people. With the people of today, who do you think is the best influence right now? You have people like LeBron James helping his home town, Chance the Rapper helping out Chicago, and many others doing the same thing. Who do you think is the best right now? Flewellen: Out of Chance the Rapper and Colin Kaepernick, it’s very hard to choose. Chance has done so many things for the black youth. Colin used his platform. He was given the spot and spoke on the injustice going on around the United States.
What does Black History Month mean to you? Ryan Riley, Junior: I think Black History Month is a good thing, but I also don’t like it at the same time. Why don’t you like it? Riley: It’s not that I don’t like it. I just don’t like the reason why we need to have it. What do you think of it then?
ing his home town, Chance the Rapper helping out Chicago, and many others doing the same thing. Who do you think is the best right now? Fowlkes: I like Chance because he’s giving kids in Chicago a chance to break from the systematic, basically poverty, to make something of themselves that they can be proud of rather than falling into the street culture. He’s giving them more opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have.
Riley: It’s good for the What does Black History black community to get recognized. Month mean to you? It’s sad how they need a commemAnonymous, Junior: I don’t orated month to them because of care about any of that. Black Histheir past, where they were treated unfairly because of their skin color. tory Month is pointless. I don’t get involved or have any interest. What does Black History What makes you say that? Month mean to you? Madison Fowlkes, Freshman: Black History Month to me means a section of the year dedicated to learning about and celebrating the courage past and present members of the black community present to help further equality. You have people like Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, and many others. Who is your favorite? Why? Fowlkes: Martin Luther King Jr. is probably my favorite, mostly because he came to Dallas to spread his dream and people told him they don’t want his dream here, so he turned around and went home. Didn’t try to force an agenda on those he knew wouldn’t absorb it. With the people of today, who do you think is the best influence right now? You have people like LeBron James help-
Anonymous: People obsess over it. All I hear is “why isn’t there a so and so history month?” Do you think it’s unimportant to celebrate black history? Anonymous: I’m not saying it’s not important. If it’s important to you, that’s great. I’m all for having strong beliefs in something.
Q&A with faculty and students of A&M-Commerce The History of the History BY Cristhian Herrera February was recognized by the U.S. government as Black History Month in the year 1976. Its precursor, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH, now ASALH) was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926. During that time, February honored the achievements of African-Americans alongside the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In the 1960s the Association used its influence to change the week-long observance into a full month. Although established and recognized within the United States, other regions such as Nigeria and the independent Commonwealth of the Bahamas, which according to a 2010 census, is 92.7% African or African mixed with European, have heard little of black history month. Abigail Ogboaloh, the president of the Nigeria Student Association at A&M - Commerce and Ryan Maycock, an instructor counselor at TAMUC who spent the first 21 years of his life in the Bahamas before coming to the United States as a student, both share their perspective about questions regarding Black History Month and what it means to them.
black history my ancestor didn’t go through. So, it’s hard for me to closely relate but I’ve come to the understanding of what is happening around it and why [slavery] was wrong. Ryan Maycock: What is it? What does that mean exactly and how do you go about observing black history month? It was clouded to me. Then I saw the McDonald’s commercial, I don’t know if they do it anymore, but they had a commercial about Black365. That was my first commercialized observation. Why do you think black history is necessary?
What were your initial thoughts on black history?
AO: In Nigeria we had freedom from the British and we have our own date we celebrate independence. Black history is the history of black people who were born in America. They don’t have much culture because it was stripped from them for the fact they were sold as slaves. I feel black history is necessary so that they can show that they have culture and they’ve learned to have culture throughout being in America.
Abigail Ogboaloh: I first started hearing about Black History Month in Kindergarten... as I got older I came to the realization that most
In history, they teach you about events so that it doesn’t repeat... Black History Month is about teaching about what happened,
what you should not let go, and what we can do to move forward. RM: It’s grown, the thoughts and feelings I’ve had about it. Black History Month is a time that we dedicate to observing things within the black community, culture, and historical figures. So, it has grown for me to actually appreciate [black history] in the U.S. What would you change or add about black history if anything? AO: Even though we don’t pay attention to it there’s a problem with segregation. When there is a black event happening, I understand that it’s a black event. If another race comes, sometimes there’s confusion like why are you here? But I think we should have the mindset of we should help educate this person that seems interested instead of blocking them out… sometimes we segregate ourselves. Is Black History Month recognized in the Bahamas? Ryan Maycock: It’s not. We observe different holidays. Like Thanksgiving we don’t celebrate because it’s not a part of our culture. Black history in that sense is not something we observe but coming here to the U.S. was my first-time hearing about black history month.
L.E.A.D., S.E.E.D.S. Promote Diversity and Leadership By: Katelynn Clark The Leadership Engagement and Development (L.E.A.D.) office and the Serving Engaged Empowered & Diverse Students (S.E.E.D.S.) office serve students at Texas A&M University-Commerce; this year,
“No is a Complete Sentence,”
myself and other students to learn
an interactive skit that allowed
more about and really appreciate
students to learn about diversity
black history and culture
and inclusion and allowed them
throughout time,” Dezmon Turner,
an opportunity to express how
a student worker at the L.E.A.D.
they should react in the given
office said.
situations. The L.E.A.D. office has
The director of both the L.E.A.D. and S.E.E.D.S. programs,
the organizations have made
also hosted an event for Black
Danielle Davis, believes that these
an impact on campus with their
History Month in which they took
organizations give students the
celebration of Black History
students to the African-American
opportunity to appreciate and
Month.
Museum in Dallas and allowed
value diversity.
The S.E.E.D.S. office has hosted a Black History Month kickoff event in which they collaborated with student organizations on campus and provided activities, music, and food that students were able to come enjoy during the event. S.E.E.D.S. has also hosted
them to enhance their cultural knowledge and experience. “The Art of Black History” event gave students an opportunity to learn more about African-American culture and to view artwork by prominent Black artists. “The Art of Black History event was an opportunity for
“The sense of richness that comes with understanding others is so important when it comes to inclusion and diversity,” Davis said. “The world we live in is diverse and multi-faceted – no matter what job you work in, you will always deal with people from different backgrounds who
Students took time to view artwork at the African-American Museum in Dallas during the Art of Black History.
have different opinions. Our
campus; challenging the mindsets
offices are the hub of leadership,
of students and increasing their
diversity, and inclusion on
depth of thought is what we are
here for.�
a checkered past An Overview of Integration at East Texas State College
| northeast texas digital collections Glenda McKissic, escorted by her brother Hertz McKissic, was crowned as the first African American Homecoming Queen in 1969, five years after the college had integrated. However, racial tensions flared, and many whites walked out of the stadium as her coronation began. photo
By Todd Kleiboer After the 1954 Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education, public institutions were forced to desegregate, but after
10 years, two segregated Texas institutions remained: Sam Houston and A&M-Commerce, then called East Texas Teacher’s College. The president during that time, James G. Gee, balked at integrating
even after other Texas institutions adopted it, and he argued the Board of Regents and the Texas Constitution “stipulated that the races ‘must be segregated’” according to the book Professor
Mayo’s College. Universities were able to resist integration due to language used in the court’s ruling which stated that institutions had to move with “all deliberate speed,” allowing state officials to slow integration. However, the momentum of the Civil Right Movement was too much. In the early 1960s, President Gee realized that, and he formed a secret ad hoc committee in 1962 to formulate a strategy to desegregate the college. They recommended complete integration in favor for “stairstep” integration in which black students were admitted but
were cut off from other university facilities, a policy which had been shown create more strife than solutions. The college’s Board of Regents ordered integration on June 5, 1964, and Gee implemented complete integration and called on employees to conform to the new policy. “Let us each here pledge to ourselves and to each other that our individual and joint effort will always be motivated by the considered best interest of this college,” Gee said in an address to the employees. “It is my devout wish and fervent prayer that the integration of this college will
come about in an orderly manner.” Velma Waters was the first black student to attend the college, and Charles Garwin was the first black graduate from ET in January 1966. Water graduated in 1968, and during that year, roughly 300 black students were enrolled according a 1986 East Texan article. However, integration did not come without difficulties. Though Dr. D. Arlington Talbot was hired as the first black faculty member, members of the Afro-American Student Society organized a protest “claiming lack of black faculty and insensitivity to the needs of minority students.”
That protest caused the hiring of more black faculty members, and in 1979, the institution, then called East Texas State University, had six black faculty. A grassroots organization Checkerboard was also formed during this time, and it sought to better racial relations by bringing black and white student together by having them share a room and dine and study together. “Our whole goal was person-toperson contact,” member Marty Marsh said in a 1984 issue of the Special. “You [the members] also had to agree to devote time outside of class to the experience.”
National momentum Plessy v. Ferguson
This 1896 court case with a seven to one majority established legal precedent for racial segregation in all walks of life. Above is Associate Justice John M. Harlan who authored the lone dissenting opinioin, stating that the segregation laws assumed AfricanAmericans’ inferiority, labeled them as slaves, and thereby violated the Thirteenth Amendment.
Sweatt v. Painter
54 Years
In 1950, Herman Sweatt (above) was admitted into the UT-Austin Law School after fighting for access equal to his white counterparts. However, the court unaminously ruled that the case only applied to graduate schools and to situations in which African-Americans had no equivalent education available at other insitutions.
After fighting for decades against the Plessy v. Ferguson decision, the NAACP, through appellant Oliver Brown, finally emerged victorious in this 1954 unanimous court decision which stated that segregation laws were inherently unconstitutional and that public schools must desegregate “with all deliberate speed”, language that allowed states to stall.
of less intermingling, and Talbot said that blacks might be reluctant to participate in white-dominated organizations because they might be viewed as “selling out”, according to the 1984 issue of the Special. “They will not be isolated; they have a support group,” Talbot said. “There is a possibly greater sense of personal esteem.” To end his Special’s article, author Ken Kesner said that “the atmosphere is ripe for change. As it was before, it is now up to the students to seize the initiative and take the next step toward improved racial relations.”
on local spectrums Resistance
Brown v. B.o.E.
4 Years
Despite visible advances in racial relations, a 1984 senior John Bethel said that the overt segregation had been replaced with a “kind of silent segregation”. “Just look in the cafeteria or go to some of the ballgames,” Bethel said. He also pointed to the crowd’s silence at the crowning of the university’s first black Homecoming queen. “If you heard the silence when her name was announced,” Bethel said. “Man, that hurts.” Mark Taplett, a 1984 graduate student, cited peer pressure from both sides as the leading cause
8 Years
For nearly a decade, ETSC President James Gee resisted integration even as other local colleges capitulated and argued that the Texas Constitution and the college’s Board of Regents allowed only white applicants into the school. However, in 1962, as he saw the inevitable, Gee formed a secret committee to discuss the best strategy to integrate the college.
Breakthrough
2 Years
In 1964, ETSC was one of two colleges that remained segregated, but with pressure mounting, the Board of Regents declared that integration be instated. Above is Velma Waters, a local resident whose father had worked at the college, became the first AfricanAmerican to register for classes, and she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1968.
Excellence
4 Years
Born in Guyana, South America in 1917, Dr. David Arlington Talbot came to the university in the fall of 1968 as the first black professor, having known then-president Whitney Halladay. He also served as a special assistant to the president for affirmative action and as director of the Counseling Center. Talbot was also made the first black professor emeritus of ETSU.
Remember, Educate, Celebrate Black History Month By: Tyler McDonough Black History month is
American leadership on campus is
fraternity leaders, athletes, and the
on the rise at A&M-Commerce.
president of the Student Government Association.
upon us, and A&M-Commerce
Prominent African Ameri-
is known to have great range of
can figures on campus range from
Joshua Skinner-SGA Presi-
diversity on campus. Male African
presidents of organizations to
dent Senior Joshua Skinner is the Student Body President of the Student Government Association. Joshua became the President of SGA in November of 2017, previously serving under former President Caleb Farris. Along with leading the SGA, Joshua is also a mentor in the African American Male Mentor Program, and ran for homecoming king in the fall of 2017. “Commerce has shown me so much about life and growth, and I feel like the least I can do is give my everything this last year to represent the students that gave me so much hope.�
Photo courtesy of Joshua Skinner Twitter
While Skinner is the Pres-
ident of the SGA, he maintains a
lete” Alex Shillow said. “Being
and we still celebrate this be-
good relationship with the govern-
SAAC president is very important
cause black is still very relevant”
ing body of the athletic department:
to me. I use my position to inspire
Alex Shillow said. “It wasn’t too
The Student Athlete Advisory
other athletes, football players, and long ago from segregation, and
one of the most prominent figures
Council (SAAC).
African American men and women also slavery if we really look into
this campus has ever seen. Dr.
that we are good enough to be in
history. It’s a month where I really
Hendricks can be seen at all kinds
a leadership role. It doesn’t matter
appreciate all those who have come
of sporting events, community
what the color of your skin is. I
before me, sacrificed themselves,
service events, and all around the
want to inspire people.”
so that I may have the freedoms of
field house talking to students and
today.”
sharing his knowledge.
Alex Shillow- SAAC President Sophomore football player Alex Shillow is the President of the Student Athlete Advisory Council. SAAC is an organization that
“Black History Month is a special time in the year. It’s 2018
Dr. Lavelle Hendricks Dr. Lavelle Hendricks is
might see Dr. Hendricks cleaning up around campus, leading trips to foreign countries, volunteering for hurricane relief efforts, or tweeting out inspirational quotes, so if you get a chance to see Dr. Hendricks around campus, he might just change your life.
Joining the faculty of
makes decisions within the athletic
A&M-Commerce in 2001, Dr.
department, and is heavily involved
Hendricks has been involved in
in community service. In addition
higher education and counsel-
to being the President of SAAC,
or education for 17 years. He is
Shillow also added a National
currently an Assistant Professor
Championship to his resume in
of Counseling and is the Student
December of 2017.
Affairs Coordinator on the campus of A&M-Commerce. In addition to
Alex is a Sport and Rec-
his on-campus titles, he also serves
reation Management major from
on the executive board for Lions
Pflugerville, Texas, and is in his
Athletics serving as the Faculty
first year serving as the President
Athletics Representative.
of SAAC. “I see myself as a lead-
Outside the classroom or
er to all. For student athletes I try
the sidelines of sporting events,
to portray myself to the student population as an intellectual ath-
giving back to the community. You
Photo courtesy of Alex Shillow
Dr. Hendricks is well known for
Photo courtesy of Dr. Hendricks twitter
Camika Spencer: Spencer: Camika From Homecoming Homecoming Queen Queen From to Best-Selling Best-Selling Author Author to
By Joseph Miller Black History Month celebrates the strides and accomplishments of African-Americans, however there can be a tendency to focus on history and overlook the accomplishments of
While on campus, Spencer was a well-known figure as a senator in the Student Government Association, writer for The East Texan Newspaper, NAACP president, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Historian, and 1993 Homecoming Queen.
contemporary figures.
Photo Credit: @Emotionbrown twitter
a job in her field, and began working with Emma Rodgers at the Black Images Book Bazaar in Dallas, Texas. Black Images was a cornerstone of the Dallas African-American community, bringing in African-American literature, offering books and hosting
Texas A&M University-
authors from 1977 to 2006 when it shut
Commerce Alumna Camika Spencer is a
down.
modern-day renaissance woman.
While working at Black Images,
Spencer, an Oakcliff area Dallas
Spencer realized her talent for writing and
native, is a best-selling author, teacher,
crafting fiction.
poet, singer, playwright and publisher.
After this realization, she wrote
Spencer graduated from A&M-
her first novel “Keep it on the Down Low”
Commerce in 1994 with her Bachelor’s
in 1996.
of Science in Mass Communications and
While shopping the novel around
Media Studies. During her time as a student, she would show her drive, being outspoken and fighting to have her voice and beliefs
to agents, she wrote her second novel Photo Credit : Erin Brown, The East Texan
“I know there are a lot of injustices on this campus and I plan to make a difference before I leave here,”
heard. “Being born a black woman, you are already born fighting,” Spencer said to The East Texan in 1994.
Spencer said to The East Texan in 1994. After graduating A&MCommerce, she found difficulty in getting
“Cubicles” and set it aside for a later date. After multiple attempts and rejections at publication, Spencer decided to self-publish and created Akimac Publishing.
Photo Credit: Emotionbrown.com
Through Akimac Publishing, she published her first novel “When All Hell Breaks Loose” in 1998, and followed this work with the release of “Cubicles” in 2002 and “He Had It Coming” in 2004. Spencer has also been a musician going under the name Emotion Brown. She has performed solo and as a singer for Johnathan Tyler and the Northern Lights (JTNL), earning various awards and rave reviews across the nation. As a member of JTNL, Spencer toured with ZZ Top and played several festivals such as Bonnaroo and SXSW. The band’s songs have been featured on television shows like Boardwalk Empire, Friday Night Lights, and in 2011 the group’s version of “Sugar,Sugar” became the theme to the TLC series “Cake Boss.” JTNL has also played live on television, most notably the group
appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on
Reading Instructor at Elsie Robertson
April 8, 2010.
Middle School in Lancaster, Texas.
Spencer is also an accomplished playwright. Spencer and cousin Kyndal Robertson won TeCo Theatrical
“My mom did the best she could and now I have to make her happy by doing the best that I can,” Spencer told The East Texan in 1994.
Productions’ new play competition in March 2013 with their play “Pious.” In October 2013, the duo wrote and produced the play “Black at the Assassination” that showed at the Bishop Arts Theater Center in Dallas, Texas. More recently, Spencer produced a play for the second Down For #TheCount one-act play festival in February 2017. Her play “Things That Go Bump” was one of the stronger pieces, according to critics, from the festival that features plays written by females. Since August 2015, she has been the 7th Grade English Language Arts and
-30-