White Station High School was founded in 1851 as Albert Pike School, named after Albert Pike, a Confederate Army general (Bailey, 2015). White Station existed through periods of nonexistent civil rights and officially integrated black and White students in 1974. Now, 50 years after the first black students walked through White Station’s doors, these scholars are continuing the legacy of excellence. That excellence — that black excellence — has had many meanings throughout the years.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines black excellence as “extreme excellence demonstrated by black people despite racist systems, beliefs, etc. that make it harder for them to achieve success.” These leaders have embodied this definition in their own way, and are bringing their own meaning to White Station’s black community.
One of these leaders is Adaria Crutcher (12), the co-founder of StoryUnfinished, a mental health awareness program, and the Managing Editor of the Scroll. As a black woman, she has experienced a lot of personal adversity, but she still strives for her version of black excellence.
“Black excellence to me is achieving things and winning awards and showing that black people are just as good as any other race,” Crutcher said.
Crutcher was inspired to become a leader at White Station after recognizing the lack of black people in the clubs she attended. She wanted to show others that black people can still impact others and become leaders.
“I wanted to give my people more of a voice and give more representation so that future black kids that come [to White Station] would be able to say, ‘Okay, look, there’s a black person on the Scroll,” Crutcher said. “There’s a black person in this club. That’s the leader. I can do it too. My race doesn’t define me, my race doesn’t set me back from being successful.’”
Even though race doesn’t determine or define a person’s personality, some people continue to place stereotypes and expectations on others based on it. These stereotypes are harmful for everyone and can subject them to unfair or discriminatory practices.
“The main stereotype that I faced is that I sound too white when I speak,” Crutcher said. “People would say, ‘Oh, you use such big words, you sound so professional, you sound white.’ There’s not a particular way for anyone to sound. I’m just a person speaking, trying to get my point across, trying to get my opinion heard and trying to make an impact in my community.”
Memphis has been and is currently a center for human rights advocacy, most known for Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream for equal rights for all people regardless of race. Due to her efforts to continue this path, she was awarded the Keeper of the Dream award by the National Civil Rights Museum.
“That was my favorite achievement through high school … it’s an award given to recognize people who are continuing Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy,” Crutcher said. “It felt really good for my own people to see me as a representation of doing good in our community. And it also felt good that our work was being recognized because StoryUnfinished has allowed so many people to find a safe place to express themselves and to learn more about ways to better their mental health … So I was just honored to be recognized.”
To get to that point, Crutcher had to overcome difficult personal struggles. Those struggles with her mental health helped her realize that she wanted to help others who might be dealing with similar problems.
“The biggest adversity that I faced is that I lost my dad my eighth-grade year,” Crutcher said. “It completely changed my mindset of everything. It really made me want to be a beacon of change … It made me want to help people strive, persevere and push through.”
Despite this loss, Crutcher has matured into an incredible leader and person. Her experiences have given her something to look back on during hard times.
“[I’ve learned that] my adversity does not define my potential. Even though my dad is no longer a part of my life, I still can push through and be something great.” Crutcher said.
Crutcher’s continued excellence despite family heartbreak is a clear example of black excellence. She has shown outstanding leadership throughout all her years at White Station.
“A leader is someone that advocates for change,” Crutcher said. “A leader is someone that no matter how small, they actually put in work to accomplish their goals. And to be a leader is one of the greatest things you can do because the main focus is not on yourself. You’re not a leader for the title. You’re a leader so that you can inspire other young minds and help them grow into successful people.”
Another one of these leaders is Danica Richmond (12), who is the current president of E-Board, White Station’s student government. She has been a member of White Station High School’s Executive Board (E-Board) since her sophomore year, and within it, she’s found space to be a leader and show her definition of black excellence.
“Black excellence to me would basically be just black people defying the social norms and excelling in fields that are comfortable for them and not the ones that people are making for them, and just being successful in all different aspects of their life,” Richmond said.
A common prejudice is that black people are not meant to be in high ranking positions such as the government and science fields. Richmond is inspired by those who break those expectations.
“I feel like a lot of people have a lot of preconceived notions towards black people or what they’re supposed to do, like being athletes,” Richmond said. “[Some stereotypes that are] placed on me are just not being successful or not being able to fit in rooms that normally aren’t my demographic, so it would feel like in the [Advanced Placement (AP) classes] I’d look around and it’s like I’m the only black kid there.”
“At White Station, it’s kind of different. You see people in your backgrounds that are just like you and in AP classes, they’re excelling and making great scores in the ACT,” Richmond said. “I feel like those stereotypes that black people can’t succeed in academics are breaking.”
As E-Board president, Richmond has been able to showcase her leadership of the student government. Being able to lead fellow students has helped Richmond realize her true potential as a leader.
“My greatest achievement would probably be being able to lead E-Board, not even just becoming E-Board president, but the actual activity of being able to lead them and them having someone to come to when they need something, and being able to guide them in the right way,” Richmond said. “That really just made me realize the importance of a role and the importance of being a leader and how you inspire others.”
Richmond has proved that she is able to excel and be successful in all fields, especially as the E-Board president. However, she plans to apply that success in a different way after high school.
“I plan to go to school for a pre-med track and then I’ll be able to give voices to black women in the medical field,” Richmond said. “Seeing black women going into medical fields, it’s defying those social norms that have been placed on them.”
Being a part of the black community is a responsibility that comes with many perks and support. Black people can connect with each other, encourage each other and sympathize with each other because of their shared culture.
“My favorite part of being black is just being able to do everything, you can be anything you want,” Richmond said. “The black community is also very welcoming. If you want to do something, you will have a lot of support doing it. I really realized that [with] this presidential election with Kamala Harris running, she had so much support from the black community just by being black and being herself.”
Another astounding black scholar at White Station is Dontae Jordan (12), one of the Senior Class Officers. Jordan has been elected as class officer for three straight years, and black excellence is one of his key motivations.
“Black excellence to me means essentially getting rid of the stigma behind being an African American or the stereotypes that may come with it.” Jordan said.
As a class officer, Jordan coordinates events for the senior class. Each year brings new experiences for him that he is grateful to have.
“Every year I’d be like, ‘Oh, I don’t know if I should do it again, they’re not going to want me again’,” Jordan said. “But being able to deliver for them is like serotonin.”
Jordan’s leadership has propelled him to a new level of confidence. Despite that, there are still people who doubt him due to his race.
“So a lot of people think that I play the class clown,” Jordan said. “But I get upset sometimes because I think that some people don’t take me seriously or think that I can be in serious positions or like just do anything serious at all.”
Even though people doubt Jordan, he still perseveres through adversity. Jordan’s main motto is staying true to himself.
“I’m big on authenticity,” Jordan said. “Don’t try to fall in with the crowd. Do what you think is right. Do what you think is cool.”
The final showcased scholar is Mia Matthews (11). Matthews is one of the drum majors in the White Station Marching Band.
“It’s nice being one of two black girl drum majors at White Station for this year, showing our rhythm, dancing and presenting White Station at different events and parades,” Matthews said.
Matthews embodies her own definition of black excellence. Her performance and artistry have inspired her to continue bringing change.
“Black excellence means black people, the community, showing their different talents, and succeeding in society, and just really showing how great black people really can be,” Matthews said.
Matthews became inspired to create because of her father. He exposed her to black artists who helped her realize her potential for excellence.
“I just became more appreciative of the art that was around, because all the art he has is by black artists, or of black artists,” Matthews said. “And when I started marching band, seeing my drum majors then, and really feeling the power of marching band music, that was very empowering to me.”
Matthews has faced a lot of adversity in her path to create. However, she doesn’t let that get in the way of her path to excellence.
“For my first two years of coming to White Station High School, I was actually denied getting into an art class,” Matthews said. “But now, for two years in a row, and this year I’m shooting for three, I have won in the Japanese language fair for 2D art.”
Matthews’s creative path doesn’t stop at the end of her high school years. She plans to continue showcasing her black excellence throughout the rest of her career.
“Next year, I plan to do AP art, so I’m shooting for a five in AP art; I’m starting my portfolio now,” Matthews said. “Then when I graduate high school, I’m actually going to go to art school for animation, and I want to become an animator.”
All of this achievement isn’t inherently given to any of our scholars. They all put in hard work in order to refine and enhance their black excellence to the maximum.
“Once you get into wherever you want to be a leader in, keep trying your best and putting 150% forward, so people can always see that you’re trying and see your drive and how determined you are to do it,” Matthews said.
These scholars all persevered through hard times and gave their absolute best to achieve their goals. Crutcher has some final advice for any aspiring black leaders.
“Continue studying, continue pushing forward and continue being kind, because that’s what black excellence means. It’s just doing your best, putting your best foot forward and making an impact on your community, no matter how small. Just trying, just aiming for change, just thinking about wanting better for yourself and the people around you,” Crutcher said. “That in itself is black excellence.”