6th-Grade Students Pay Homage to Icons for Black History Month

A group of sixth-grade students in Milwaukee is kicking off Black History Month by paying homage to influential black figures.

From Biggie Smalls to Michelle Obama, students at Milwaukee College Prep are recreating iconic photos to honor people of color who have made huge impacts on society. 

“When you look at TV, a lot people that look like us just aren’t portrayed the way they should be and we want to make sure that black excellence is really shown on the higher platform,” teacher Terrance Sims told InsideEdition.com. 

Sims has the students read and research the people they will recreate. Thus far they’ve featured recreated photos of Assata Shakur, Stevie Wonder and Malcolm X, among many others. 

They hope to have created at least 30 looks by the end of the month. A student photographer has been taking all the photos and Sims helps with the editing. 

“The students are the brains behind the operation,” Sims said.

Photos from the project that Sims posted to social media have been viewed by thousands. 

The photos are a part of a project done each year at the school called “representation is key.”

“Youth need to see success, for them to look up and see students in their same city looking like success … I think it’s really important,” Sims said.

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