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EPB celebrates eight Black History Month poetry contest winners [photos]

Tenesha Irvin, a sales professional and radio personality, speaks during EPB's 14th Annual Black History Poetry Contest Thursday, March 15, 2018 at EPB headquarters in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. Irvin encouraged students to work hard and become leaders in their communities.
Tenesha Irvin, a sales professional and radio personality, speaks during EPB's 14th Annual Black History Poetry Contest Thursday, March 15, 2018 at EPB headquarters in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. Irvin encouraged students to work hard and become leaders in their communities. Tenesha Irvin, a sales professional and radio personality, speaks during EPB's 14th Annual Black History Poetry Contest Thursday, March 15, 2018 at EPB headquarters in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. Irvin encouraged students to work hard and become leaders in their communities.

By Rosana Hughes 3 min read

Eight girls were recognized as the winners of EPB’s annual Black History Month poetry contest Thursday evening.

The girls’ poems were chosen out of 327 entries, many of which highlighted the Chattanooga sit-in movement of Howard High School students in the 1960s. Other topics included Dr. Emma Wheeler and how she opened the Walden Hospital to treat African-Americans in underprivileged communities, as well as the lasting effects of racism and prejudice on minority populations today.

Being able to put her thoughts into words and commemorate someone like Dr. Wheeler and her legacy meant a lot to elementary schooler Naei’Lah Powers. She said it made her feel good to write her poem, and she was excited to have learned about the Walden Hospital.

Winners

Grades 1-3Naei’Lah Powers, Orchard Knob ElementaryBayleigh Evans, East Brainerd ElementaryGrades 4-5Ella Nottis, Allen ElementaryBrynn Beckstrand, Snow Hill ElementaryGrades 6-8Ma’lisha Cook, Washington Alternative Learning CenterGracie Williams, home schoolGrades 9-12Fatima Ibbarra, Hixson High SchoolClaire Pouncey, Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences

Tenesha Irvin, keynote speaker and host of her own radio talk show, challenged students to learn from the past through the topics they wrote about and to think about what they can do to play their part in today’s world. She encouraged them to find their passion and get involved in political discourse.