BATON ROUGE — At Mayfair Laboratory School, Black History Month wasn’t just remembered — it was lived.
The school gym transformed into a vibrant, interactive Black History Museum, filled with student-created exhibits honoring African American trailblazers who shaped the nation. Posters lined the walls. Slideshows flickered. Music echoed softly through the room. Families moved from table to table, listening as young historians confidently shared stories of courage, resilience, and progress.
Throughout the month of February, the celebration extended beyond the museum walls. Each morning, students took to the announcements to spotlight their chosen historical figure — ensuring that every hallway echoed with the voices and victories of Black history.
For many families, it was more than a school project. It was a moment of connection.
A Story Worth Telling
For student Corrinne E. Odom, the experience was unforgettable.
“When I walked into the room, there were tables set up with different African American historical figures featured on posters. Some exhibits even had music, videos, and slideshows playing,” Odom said.
She described families moving through the space, students presenting in groups, and the joy she felt teaching both children and adults who stopped by her table.
Odom chose to present on Thomas Mundy Peterson, a name she quickly realized many visitors had never heard before.
“I chose Thomas Mundy Peterson because he was the first African American man to vote after the 15th Amendment was passed,” she explained. “When another man saw Thomas voting, he became upset and tore up his own ballot in protest. Later in life, that same man went on to vote in support of Thomas. That part of his story stood out to me because it shows how people can change and grow.”
Peterson’s courage on March 31, 1870, came after the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibited denying citizens the right to vote based on race. Today, March 31 is celebrated as Thomas Mundy Peterson Day in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, a legacy Odom says she is proud to honor.
“Learning about Thomas Mundy Peterson and sharing his story with others made me feel proud,” she said.
But perhaps what made her presentation even more special was the initiative behind it. Odom independently selected her historical figure and even conducted her own interview with historian Gordon Bond, who leads research on Peterson’s life.
Pride That Spans Generations
Corrinne’s mother, D’Andra Bradford Odom, said watching her daughter stand confidently beside her research display was a powerful moment.
“I am incredibly proud of both Corrinne and the faculty, staff, and administration of Mayfair Laboratory School,” Odom said. “I am always impressed by the level of research the students put into their projects. The children are developing not only strong research skills, but also presentation skills and confidence all while learning history — Black history.”
She added that Corrinne completed the project independently, a testament to both her curiosity and the environment the school cultivates.
But one moment stood above the rest.
“One of my proudest moments was watching her brother hug her and tell her how proud he was after seeing her research on display at the Living Black History Museum,” she said. “Josiah is a teenager, so seeing him beam with pride really showed me the impact Mayfair’s museum has on people of all ages.”
More Than a Month
The Living Black History Museum wasn’t simply about dates and names. It was about reclaiming stories that aren’t always centered in textbooks. It was about empowering young students to see themselves in history — and to understand that they, too, can shape the future.
Inside that gymnasium, history wasn’t distant or abstract. It stood at eye level. It spoke through confident young voices. It invited questions. It inspired reflection.
And for families who walked through the museum doors, it was a reminder that Black history is American history — a living legacy carried forward by the next generation.
Download the Unfiltered with Kiran app from the Apple App Store and Google Play to stay updated on the latest news across the Capital area.
Support UWK and its mission to deliver The News You Deserve. Unfiltered. Become a monthly patron on Patreon today!
