RISE held its annual Black history program Sunday in Waynesboro

WAYNESBORO — Chanya Cardoza has always thought of herself as someone who wants to help others. She sees the organizers of Waynesboro’s RISE as people who want to do that same thing, so she enjoys being part of their journey.

“When I get older I just want to be able to give back to my community,” said Cardoza, 16, a junior at Waynesboro High School. “I’m just really excited to be doing something where I can help people and help kids.”

Cardoza took part in the third annual RISE Black History Month program at Waynesboro High School Sunday afternoon. The theme this year was “Say Their Names.” The show included poems, dance, music, spoken word, an African storyteller and a fashion show where students portrayed famous Black Americans.

RISE is an advocacy group whose mission is to give voice and hope to the Black community. The educational wing of the organization is the RISE Foundation, which provides after-school and summer tutoring programs for area youth working to build confidence and teach critical thinking. The program also works with students of all races to educate them about Black history.

Cardoza was emcee for the fashion show Sunday and, during the spoken word segment, recited “Black Woman” by poet Wilton Antonio McGlory.

“Black woman with all your might, Black woman you are truly a beautiful sight. Black woman with your beautiful face, you are definitely a credit to your Black race. Black, woman, say it loud. Being black, is being proud.”

Section of “Black Woman” by Wilton Antonio McGlory

“I’m not a Black woman yet, but I’m a young Black girl, growing into a Black woman,” Cardoza said. “Sometimes you just need the extra motivation, just a reminder. It’s almost like daily affirmations. It was my honor to perform that in front of everyone.”

Sharon Fitz and Chanda McGuffin are the co-founders of RISE. McGuffin told the audience Sunday that, if they don’t do anything else, they help build confidence in their students, who they refer to as scholars.

Fitz agreed.

“The work that our scholars put in to push past their inhibitions and fears to perform as they did tonight is everything,” Fitz told The News Leader. “We set the bar high for our scholars because we have great expectations that they will not only reach it but exceed it. We as educators must not forget the importance of pushing and stretching the minds and abilities of young people. It is the only way that they will learn that greatness resides inside of them.”

The highlight of the night was when the scholars dressed as famous Black Americans, ones they had researched beforehand, and told the audience a little about who they represented. Among the Black Americans portrayed were Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Marie Selika Williams, Misty Copeland, Mae Jemison, Jackie Robinson, Katherine Johnson and more.

“This was very special,” Cardoza said of the program. “It was also very hard. We were all nervous, but we got through it together, encouraged each other.”

Fitz said that what McGuffin and she do, through the Black History Month program, is pay homage to those who paid the price for the freedoms and opportunities that all are able to enjoy today.

“We want to keep the community reminded that the legacy of Black excellence is extensive and worthy of being taught,” Fitz said. “We teach our scholars the importance of knowing the names and the sacrifices of their ancestors, thus the theme ‘Say Their Names.'”

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— Patrick Hite is The News Leader’s education reporter. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.