FROM SLAVERY TO SERVICE: The Institute for Black Military Heritage at New Mount Rose. A Morningside STEAM Community Initiative.

 

FROM SLAVERY TO SERVICE: The Institute for Black Military Heritage at New Mount Rose. A Morningside STEAM Community Initiative. 

Clarifying Statement:

The Institute for Black Military Heritage is a culturally responsive K–12 STEAM educational program located in the heart of Fort Worth’s historic 76104 ZIP code. Based at New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church, it stands as a flagship initiative within the broader Morningside STEAM Community. The Institute’s purpose is to inspire learning, healing, and opportunity through history, education, and innovation, directly addressing systemic neglect, educational inequity, and health disparities that have affected the region for generations.

Origin Story



Emerging from the resilient Morningside community, the Morningside STEAM Community Initiative is a product of faith and perseverance. This neighborhood, historically underserved and burdened by disparities—including one of the lowest life expectancies in Texas—finds hope in New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church. It is within this sacred space that the Institute for Black Military Heritage was founded. The Institute is not just a program, but a movement aimed at preserving the legacies of Black military heroes while fostering intergenerational healing and empowering the community.



Mission


The mission of the Institute for Black Military Heritage is to preserve and promote the rich history and enduring legacy of Black military heroes. Through this, the Institute seeks to instill civic pride, develop leadership skills, and create opportunities for K–12 students. The goal is to provide a culturally responsive educational environment that connects Black military service to broader historical, social, and political contexts, empowering students to honor their heritage and prepare to be tomorrow’s leaders.


Motto:

“Learning Our Legacy. Honoring Their Sacrifice. Leading Our Future.”



Program Design & Educational Structure


The Institute’s program structure integrates Black military history into age-appropriate, hands-on experiences across grade bands. Each stage encourages deeper engagement with military heritage and civic responsibility.


By Grade Bands:

• Primary (K–2):

Focus: Storytelling, visuals, art, and music

Activities:

• “Buffalo Soldiers Storytime”

• Uniform coloring books

• Puppet shows featuring heroes like Cathay Williams

• Elementary (3–5):

Focus: Introduction to Black military history and civic values

Activities:

• “Hero of the Week” spotlights

• “March Through History” scavenger hunts

• Student-curated mini-museums

• Middle School (6–8):

Focus: Contextual history, leadership, and literacy

Activities:

• Veteran and historian guest speakers

• “If I Served” journal projects

• Guided film screenings and discussions

• High School (9–12):

Focus: Research, debate, civic engagement, and college/career readiness

Activities:

• Capstone research projects

• Oral history interviews with local veterans

• ROTC partnerships and scholarship assistance

Year-Round Initiatives

• Heritage Saturdays: Monthly sessions featuring historical reenactments, veteran stories, crafts, and drills to immerse students in history.

• Living History Mobile Exhibit: A traveling museum-in-a-van with artifacts, interactive kiosks, and augmented reality exhibits visiting schools, churches, and community events.

• The Texas 6888th Project (K–12 Edition): A special focus on the all-Black, all-women WWII postal battalion, with student contests, presentations, and media projects.



Partnerships & Enrichment Opportunities


The Institute benefits from a network of strategic partnerships that broaden learning experiences and provide students with diverse perspectives on Black military service.

• Texas Buffalo Soldiers Association: Re-enactments, mentorship, and camps

• Fort Worth ISD: Curriculum integration and field trips

• VFW: Veteran pen-pal programs and storytelling

• Texas 4-H: Civic and agricultural leadership training

• HBCUs & Military Academies: Summer institutes, scholarships, and ROTC opportunities

• DFW Tuskegee Airmen: Educational programs and mentorship



Student Leadership & Service


The Jr. Heritage Corps encourages students to take leadership roles in preserving the legacies of Black military service.

• Elects student officers annually

• Hosts ceremonies and tributes for holidays and veterans

• Collects oral histories from local veterans and community members

Curriculum Components


The Institute offers TEKS-aligned curriculum modules focused on Black military history, ensuring a seamless integration into school-day, after-school, and summer programs.


Core Themes:

• From Slavery to Service

• Fighting for Freedom at Home and Abroad

• Women Warriors

• Civil Rights and the Military



Community Showcase Events


The Institute hosts a range of community events, bringing together students, families, and veterans to celebrate Black military heritage.

• Annual Black Military Heritage Youth Expo

• “Walk of Honor” Living History Parade: Students march in uniform, embodying their understanding of military service and sacrifice.

• MLK Day & Juneteenth Tributes: Highlighting the connections between military service, the Civil Rights Movement, and the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality.



Outcomes & Impact Goals


The ultimate goal of the Institute is to inspire pride in Black heritage, raise historical awareness, and empower students to become leaders in their communities and beyond.


Key Outcomes:

• Strengthen historical awareness and civic identity

• Improve literacy, critical thinking, and leadership skills

• Inspire pathways to college and military careers

• Promote pride in Black heritage

• Strengthen community bonds through shared history and service



Conclusion:


The Institute for Black Military Heritage is not just an educational program—it is a living legacy. By intertwining historical education, community service, and leadership development, it empowers the next generation to understand, honor, and build upon the sacrifices made by Black military heroes. The Institute serves as a call to remembrance, a pathway to empowerment, and a promise to future generations that their story is one of strength, resilience, and greatness.

Rev. Kyev P. Tatum, Sr.

Pastor and Mediator

New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church

Ministers Justice Coalition of Texas

2864 Mississippi Avenue,

Fort Worth, Texas 76104

817-966-7625, kptatum1@gmail.com

https://youtu.be/T7PeAaZkkwI

Website: www.newmountrose.com


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