Meka and Kagatou, seniors at RHS' Encore Academy wanted to celebrate diversity and African-American History, so in 2017 they approached English teacher Ms. Carter, and asked her to help them form a club that would encourage conversation among all students about Pan-African culture. From there, the club Shades of Melanin formed with Kagatou as President and Meka as Vice President.
Today, the club, which has about 15 members, hosted an assembly in the PAC that was themed The Great Migration, and educated their fellow students on African-American history, culture and community. The club will also participate in the African-American Celebration at the Livingston Campus.
Students read poetry, acted in skits, danced and sang. At the end of the assembly, Meka and Kagatou invited anyone interested in Shades of Melanin to reach out to them or Ms. Carter for more information. The club meets every other Wednesday and its next initiative is community service.