ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Otis Boykin…John Love…Thomas Martin.

Do those names sound familiar?

Probably not but they made strides as black inventors. Boykin invented electronic control devices for guided missiles, IBM computers and the control unit for a pacemaker. Love invented the pencil sharpener in 1897 and Martin patented a fire extinguisher in 1872.

February is “Black History Month” and got its start as “Negro History Week” in February 1926 when African-American scholar Dr. Carter Woodson wanted to raise awareness and understanding in school curriculiums of the African experience around the world, according the Biography Channel website.

The United States began celebrating it in the 1960’s to present a more balanced and accurate picture of Black History. President Gerald Ford officially expanded it to a month-long celebration during his administration.

And on Friday, black history month came alive for students at Robertsdale Elementary School as they were treated to some songs by the choir and a motivational speaker.

Rocking music was playing as the students entered the multipurpose room and RES principal Faye Sheppard opened up the celebration by explaining to the students the purpose of Black History Month was to create an awareness for the past and give them some appreciation for what had come before them.

Mr. Craig Broughton, sixth grade History teacher, took the students back to 1963 when Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech and recited the speech just as King did and with as much enthusiasm.

Susie Vivar’s fourth and fifth grade choir performed two spiritual songs, “Do Lord” and “Want You Sit Down” to set the mood for the speaker.

Nikeland Nichols, a mentor/ facilitator for Young Leaders of America in Mobile County Public Schools, encouraged the students to “be who God made you to be” and opened his speech with part of the negro spiritual “We Shall Overcome”.

He then gave the students a look back at the life of Rev. Dr. James Orange, an aide to Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Nichols took on the character of Orange, who was born in Birmingham in 1942, and recalled his involvement in the Civl Rights Movement and how he joined King in 1963.

“You have to be a leader and walk like a leader. Use your voice and mind to fight for what is right., “ Nichols said.

Orange was with King during the Selma march, known as “Bloody Sunday”, and was traveling with him in Memphis when he was assassinated in 1968, Nichols said.

In explaining why he chose to talk about Orange, Nichols said Orange was his cousin and he had been invited to several MLK celebrations in Atlanta over the years.

In closing, Nichols encouraged the students to be leaders and not followers. “Believe in your dreams and tell yourself you’re gonna make. Don’t let anyone take your dreams and reach for the stars and the moon and you will accomplish what you put your mind to. Keep working hard and don’t quit. Stay focused.”

The program ended with Nichols and the students singing a chorus of “Lean on Me”.