Ramona Convent Welcomed Michal Dawson Connor For A Special Visit

As part of the Black History Month speaker series, Ramona sophomores enjoyed a guest lecture and performance by Mr. Michal Dawson Connor during their Cultural Studies class. Mr. Connor is an accomplished performer and composer of choral, chamber, and solo vocal works, with a particular emphasis on slave songs created before the Civil War. Mr. Connor is a published author of The Slave Letters. His Broadway credits include featured performances in the Tony-Award winning productions of Ragtime and Showboat as well as starring roles in productions of The Most Happy Fella, Big River, and Porgy and Bess. In addition to soloing on multiple occasions for President Ronald Reagan, he’s immensely proud of performing for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Reverend Billy Graham, Elizabeth Dole, and Admiral Michael Mullen.

During his performance, he adapted spiritual songs and hymns along with historical accounts to share a powerful story about life in slavery in the American South. Students took turns reading pieces of some letters featured in his book. The presentation ended in song with students harmoniously singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” alongside Mr. Connor. Social Studies Department Chair, Mr. Matt Marshall, shared “This is Mr. Connor’s second visit since we’ve started offering this course to sophomores. The performance is stunning and his ability to connect with the students makes it incredibly powerful and unforgettable.”

Ramona’s Cultural Studies course is designed to instruct students in the history and experience of four different cultural groups: African Americans, Latinx Americans, Asian Americans, and Indigenous Americans. The course attempts to utilize guests to bring expertise and unique perspectives into the classroom. By studying the histories of race, ethnicity, nationality, and culture, students will cultivate respect and empathy for individuals and solidarity with groups of people locally, nationally and globally so as to foster active social engagement and community building.

Ramona, celebrating a legacy of 134 years of distinction, is a welcoming Catholic college-prep high school for young women committed to excellence in education. Graduates are empowered, resilient, socially conscious leaders well prepared to meet the challenges of life as contributive members of the global community.

Ramona Convent Secondary School, 1701 W. Ramona Rd., Alhambra, CA 91803, (626) 282-4151 or visit www.ramonaconvent.org.