Miami-Dade schools honors Udonis Haslem, 5000 Role Models as part of Black History Month

MIAMI – The Miami-Dade School Board honored Miami Heat star and Miami’s own Udonis Haslem as part of its Black History Month celebrations.

Haslem was part of 5000 Role Models, a mentor program also recognized on Tuesday for its impact.

“The reason why I am the way I am is because of people that stand behind me,” said Haslem.

Pastor Lorenzo Johnson was also recognized for his decades of community work in South Florida.

“Indeed it is a pleasure to be here,” said Johnson.

In 1961, at 9 years old, Johnson was one of the first Black students to walk into a de-segregated Earlington Heights Elementary School.

Black history, he said, is fading away but cannot be erased or forgotten.

“We are progressing, but we’re not there where we need to be there yet,” Johnson said.

Recently, the Miami-Dade School District came under fire after Local 10 News learned permission slips were being required so students could attend Black history events at iPrep Academy.

The district said that would not affect the Black history curriculum and blamed the new policy on a state law and board of education rule.

Parents are required to sign a form any time speakers come into the classroom.

But some school board members believe this policy could have unintended consequences on children and their education when it comes to things like Black history or the Holocaust.

“I think it’s not fair in a lot of ways, but hey you know we have to feel the pavement and keep on the journey,” said Johnson.

Added Miami-Dade School Board Member Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall: “I understand the law and legality of that, nonetheless, if the history is not taught it will be lost.”