‘In ninth grade, my want for knowledge of history was cultivated by an English teacher who taught us about Black authors.’

Ayanna L. Moore, Roosevelt

“I’ve been interested in history since my seventh-grade gym teacher, Dr. Emily Moore in the Roosevelt School District, talked about what she had done with the civil rights movement and leaders she had met. It was the first time I heard about Black history beyond what you learn in school. To hear somebody who did the work was very appealing.

Being able to preserve and to educate hundreds of people about these historic sites… I’m glad I can be a champion in that.

“In ninth grade, my want for knowledge of history was cultivated by an English teacher who taught us about Black authors. In 12th grade, I began to think about becoming a history teacher. I loved the way my teacher taught participation in government class and broke down who we are as Black Americans. After I graduated college as a history major, I did assistant teaching in Uniondale. But I felt like I needed to see and experience more to be a history teacher.

“Since then, I’ve served in AmeriCorps NCCC Southern Region as a construction team member, where I was able to provide services during the flood of Baton Rouge, facilitate new builds and rehab low-income housing. I received the bronze Congressional Medal and the president’s Volunteer Service Award. I’ve worked as a compliance specialist for FEMA’s Environmental Historic Preservation as a reservist. I received a secretary’s commendation award for my services on the Volunteer Force in collaboration with Customs [and] Border Protection. I joined the Student Conservation Association as a historic preservation team member to help restore Penn Center’s Darrah Hall in South Carolina.

“Currently, I’m a member of Conservation Legacy, serving as a park ranger to places like Fort Washington Park and the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. Being able to preserve and to educate hundreds of people about these historic sites, especially now when schools are trying to erase Black history, I’m glad I can be a champion in that. I still want to be a history teacher, but I’ll have to go back to school, so for now I’ll do more hands-on work. Meanwhile I had the opportunity to write a biography of my first inspirational teacher, Dr. Moore. It gave me a sense of knowing I can commit to something. She is very big on, if you say you’re going to do something, then do it, so I wasn’t going to let her down.”

Interviewed by Liza Burby