As Black History Month comes to a close, local schools spent Monday afternoon honoring students and community leaders.


Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School celebrated students who achieved high honors on Monday afternoon with a Black History Month program.

This program also doubled as a way to honor Black community leaders who have helped shape the Erie community.

Monday's event also gives students a chance to learn from community leaders they look up to.


Homer Smith with Community Relations for Erie Rise Leadership Academy Charter School explained, "If they set their mind to a goal to accomplish, the same kinds of accomplishments their role models worked on, all they have to do is work hard and give everything their 100 percent effort."


Monday's community leader honoree's included Andre Horton, Andrea Jeffress, Attorney Lawrence Meredith and Dr .Vernon Dobbs.