Somebody Had To Do It
The “Somebody Had to Do It” project is a multidisciplinary research project documenting the experience of the first African American children to attend formerly all‐White schools. This project, which seeks to identify and interview those who desegregated formerly all‐White schools in the U.S., is housed at Claflin University (Orangeburg, SC). When asked why they risked life and security and endured hardship and abuse, "Somebody Had Do It" was the frequent response of activists who stepped forward, in the late 1950s and early 1960s, to end educational apartheid.
Conversations with Treasures of Our Heritage
Conversations with Treasures of Our Heritage is a series of oral history forums at which elders are interviewed and their history and memories recorded in the presence of community members of all ages. This program has three goals:
- to document the experience and perspectives of African American people;
- to increase awareness among younger generations of the history, experiences, and perspectives of African Americans, during the twentieth century;
- to provide educational materials.
AAERO Memorial Awards
AAERO Memorial Awards celebrate admirable characteristics and accomplishments of loved ones by giving financial contributions to the education of African American students. We have created a number of memorial awards to honor cultural treasures of our community.
Teacher Recognition
AAERO Recognition of Outstanding Teachers program (temporarily suspended) honors teachers for their outstanding performance while teaching at schools with majority African American enrollments. Teachers can be nominated by students, peers or parents. Take a look at our teacher recognition awards at Teresa C. Berrien Elementary School in Fayetteville, NC as one example of the teachers we honor through this program. We are currently restructuring this program, but check back in the future for details on how to honor an outstanding teacher in your community with AAERO recognition.