May 23, 2008

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--Honors program students from The University of West Alabama and the University of Alabama came together in May for the second Black Belt Action collaboration, an action-oriented service-learning experience involving educational and cultural opportunities and improvement projects at York West End Junior High School.

With UWA hosting UA students in Livingston and allowing them to experience the region firsthand, Black Belt Action responds to the needs of the community and offers opportunities to foster sustainable change. The honors students completed four murals, created mosaic stepping stones for the school's landscaped areas and finished library projects at York West End. They also ate lunch with the schoolchildren and led them in enrichment activities to teach them about some of the unique features of their native region.

During the first week of the project, the 12 participants learned more about the Black Belt, a region rich in history and culture but rife with economic and social challenges. UWA’s Center for the Study of the Black Belt provided numerous opportunities for these students to develop a greater appreciation and understanding of the region with historians, community activists, educators, musicians, artists and folklorists engaging the students in scholarly dialogue on topics concerning the Black Belt.

Field study included tours of historic towns and homes around the western Black Belt, a ferry ride to Gee’s Bend in Wilcox County and nature hikes along the Sucarnochee River. The students also completed a mosaic in downtown York with the help of glass artist Linda Munoz.

Black Belt Action is in its second year. As the program develops, honors students and campus leaders from other higher education institutions may be invited to join. For more information about Black Belt Action, please contact Dr. Lesa Shaul at 205-348-5557 or lshaul@bama.ua.edu.