About 2,000 Buffalo Public School students attended Moving Forward and Setting the World on Fire on Thursday. It's an annual event held in honor of Black History Month. The high school students spent the day at Zion Dominion Global Ministries on North Forest Road. Pastor Roderick Hennings says the event highlights the significance and importance of African-Americans in U.S. history. Given the unrest sparked nationwide by the recent killings of young black men, Hennings says it's a critical time for students.
"They've seen the television, the news and the violence, and think this is where it begins. But we're going back before that to show them that there is a positive message. And that this is an exception to the rule," Hennings said.
The students heard from, award winning actress, Aunjanue Ellis. And, motivational speaker, Ona Brown, who stressed the importance of finding the leader within.
"And I believe all of our young people have the ability to do that. It's just about giving that information, the insights, and the knowledge and the methodology in order to be able to do it. And expressing to them the importance of it. Because often times in this society we have a tendency to become more of a spectator and not really understand just how unique and powerful we are. What it is that we have to share," Brown said.
The event was sponsored by the Canisius College Academic Talent Search Program.