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Cherry Hill students and community urge board to keep African American studies as a graduation requirement
Summary
Students, teachers and community members told the Cherry Hill Board of Education that African American studies should remain a graduation requirement, saying the course offers essential context missing from other classes. Superintendent Morton said no recommendation has been made to eliminate the course.
Students, teachers and community members packed the Cherry Hill Board of Education meeting on May 20 to urge the board not to remove African American studies as a graduation requirement.
At first public comment and again during the second public-comment period, current and former students described how the course deepened their understanding of U.S. history and their sense of belonging. "African American studies allowed me to see the full scope of black Americans' contributions, struggles, triumphs," said Habiba Tou Samura, who identified herself as part of the African American culture club at her high school. Skyler Adams, a graduating student who said she will attend a historically Black college, told the board: "African American studies is not just a placeholder course." Several speakers described personal experiences of being overlooked or stereotyped in school settings.
Former students, parents and teachers who helped design and teach the course also addressed the board. "Student leaders identified what they believe was a gap in their educational experience and advocated for the course," said Jennifer Lashore, who said she served on the curriculum committee and has taught the class since implementation. Corin Elmore Stratton, who said she helped organize the original requirement, told the board she supported continued stakeholder consultation if the board wishes to revisit the course's status.
On the board's part, Superintendent Morton reiterated the district position on the floor: "The board is not, at this point, taking action on any recommendation to eliminate that course," and said any formal proposal would be amplified to the community.
Why it matters: Speakers framed the requirement as curricular rigor that grew from student voice and community work, not as an isolated elective. Several commenters warned that removing the requirement would send a negative message to students of color and weaken the district's stated commitments to inclusion.
What happened next: The board recorded public testimony and continued through its agenda; no vote or formal recommendation to remove or alter the course was made at the meeting.
Who said it: Public comments and testimony came from students (Habiba Tou Samura; Skyler Adams; Vincent Stern), a teacher and curriculum committee member (Jennifer Lashore), alumni and community advocates (Corin Elmore Stratton; Alondre Loomdore), and district and board leaders (Superintendent Morton; Board President). Quotes above are taken from on-the-record public comments during the May 20 meeting.
