Bringing Sweet Blackberry to Weaver Union School District

Mrs Estella Dunn, Merced Black Parallel School Board, President. Dr. Wanda Patrick, Alexandria Marquez.

As Told By: ​Dr. Wanda Patrick, PhD

To kick off Black History Month, Weaver Union School District invited Sweet Blackberry to educate their elementary and middle school students on the importance of Black History. Elementary school students screened Sweet Blackberry's newest film 'Flying High: The Bessie Coleman Story.' The school system also gifted their students with Sweet Blackberry Founder, Karyn Parson's debut novel, 'How High The Moon.' Dr. Wanda Patrick, shares insights to this delightful visit.

February is Black History Month; what better way to celebrate literacy than have the founder of Sweet Blackberry address the students at Weaver Union School District.  Karyn arrived at the middle school, Monday, February 3rd, eager to share her experience as the author of How High the Moon.

996 extremely eager and excited middle school students wanted to know what it was like to be an author and if it was difficult to balance a career and a family.  Of course, many students wanted to take a photo with Karyn. A really excited young author met Karyn one on one getting encouragement to continue writing and to never stop. 

Karyn talking with Elias Villa with grades 6-8 at Weaver Middle School

Monday was a long day for Karyn. She accepted a proclamation from the city of Merced along with the NAACP for their work accomplished at the Multicultural Arts Center for Black History Month (photo below). Karyn spoke to the city council about Sweet Blackberry’s mission and why she was in Merced.

There was a dinner in her honor attended by the President of the NAACP, Merced County Office of Education (MCOE) after school program personnel, Weaver Middle School Principal, many Weaver Middle School personnel, Farmdale Principal, and the Karyn Parson Team.

On Tuesday, February 4th, Karyn presented the Sweet Blackberry film about Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to earn her international pilot's license, to the  students of Farmdale and Pioneer.  The students were captivated with the very interesting story of Bessie.  Karyn told the students how she was an actress, but always came back to writing. 

Karyn left the students with a quote that we will be using for our NAACP 59th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner this October 10, 2020: “Don’t let someone else define your dreams”