Sandy Springs Middle School hosts panel of successful Black changemakers

Students and staff heard advice and lessons from panelists during the recent second annual “Celebrating Black Excellence” panel discussion at Sandy Springs Middle School.

Sponsored by Sandy Springs Together and Sandy Springs Middle School, the panel brought together successful Black changemakers who Principal Laurie Woodruff said are making a positive impact in their communities.

The panelists included Dr. Juana Mendenhall, the Walter E. Massey Professor of Physical Sciences at Morehouse College and president and founder of TheraVisc Biotech; Hank Stewart, an Emmy Award-winning poet and author; Julius Williams, NFL and CFL veteran; and Dr. Edward Jackson, director of Sports Medicine for Grady Health System and assistant professor of Orthopedic Surgery for the Emory Department of Orthopedics-Division of Sports Medicine.

Adrianne Murchison, a staff reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, served as the moderator for the panel sessions. She asked the panelists about the purpose in their lives, the advice they’d give to the students, and how they’ve succeeded.

She asked Dr. Mendenhall how students who are inhibited by STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) can become comfortable with it.

Mendenhall said that STEM is a fascinating area that’s ever-evolving. She said a gap can always be found where there’s a question to answer and to say if it will be beneficial for use.

“It’s about asking questions, reaching out to mentors, asking the different questions, and figuring out ways to actually close that gap to solve those questions,” Mendenhall said.

Jackson said he wants to use his platform to give back to people because so much has been given to him. He had the opportunity to go to school because people helped him on that journey.

“[I’m] investing in other people’s legacies, so that they can provide an incredible environment for their families and their networks to be able to thrive,” Jackson said.

Mendenhall said the best advice she could share to meet challenges is to listen.

“Listen, because although we may not hear one here at a particular time, your teachers, your parents, your pastor, your community leaders, your tutors, they all have insight that guides you through those hurdles,” she said.

Williams said a coach helped him recognize he had a problem with authority. His actions were getting in his own way, and that coach helped Williams to learn to “say no” to not achieving his goals.

Stewart encouraged the seventh and eighth graders to hang out with people who encourage them, who believe in them and tell them to be their best. At times they might have to rely only on themselves, and they should be positive and believe in themselves, he said.

“Once you plug into your purpose and purpose of service, it makes life easier,” he said.

Jackson shared that in middle school he listened to an opportunity a football coach gave him. He was a small guy who wore glasses, got picked on, and called all kinds of nasty stuff. But a football coach made him realize he had more potential and power than all those people were telling him.

“Regardless of what anyone may tell you, you are able to excel if you have a passion for that. Do not let other people define what you want to be great at,” Jackson said.

Sandy Springs Together is a nonpartisan project dedicated to educating the public about housing, land use and economic development issues in the city of Sandy Springs that focuses on neighborhood and community engagement.