Sedway Middle School history teacher uses art skills to highlight Black History Month

With just paper, a pencil, and markers, a 7th-grade history teacher at Marvin M. Sedway Middle School is paying tribute to Black History Month this February.

Outside of Thomas Korzon’s classroom, several black and white hand-drawn portraits featuring the likes of abolitionist Frederick Douglass, rock star Jimi Hendrix and former NASA astronaut Dr. Mae C. Jemison are displayed. Each a prominent African-American figure who left a mark on U.S. history.

“I’m picking out people that I’m inspired by because a lot of times the kids will come by and look at it and ask, ‘Well, who is this? What did they do?’ and I thought it was a pretty good talking and teaching point,” Korzon said.

His impressive and detailed portraits have caused a spectacle on campus, with other classes stopping by to view the artwork, which has sparked positive conversations about who these individuals are and how they contributed to American history. 

Korzon said this was his goal all along, and he’s created new relationships with students on campus as a result.

“I’ve always been inspired by art, and I kind of hope that maybe some other kids would be as well,” Korzon said.

Other portraits on display include President Barack Obama, Tupac Shakur, Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.