Inaugural Mobley-Thompson Summer Academy Launches at FAMU
The Robert “Bullet Bob” Hayes memorabilia wall in the Black Archives.
Photo by Janelle Floyd
By Janelle Floyd
Outlook Writer
Florida A&M University School of Business and Industry hosted the inaugural Mobley-Thompson Creativity and Innovation Summer Academy.
The four-week program, available to third to 12th graders, consists of separate theme-based weeks intended to introduce students to entrepreneurship and technology.
The first week’s theme, Cultural Awareness and Heritage, teaches students about the history of Florida A&M University and the state of Florida. Upcoming themes include: Journalism and Communications, STEM Explosion and Marketing and Business.
“This is our opportunity to get our campers to learn about their history, not just during Black History Month,” said LaTanya White, Mobley-Thompson assistant director and interim director of the Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum.
During the week, campers were assigned to different sections of the Meek-Eaton Black Archives. After learning all the history of their assigned section, they gave personal self-guided tours to visitors.
Camper Chastity Hunter was assigned to the upper level of the archives that included the best athletes to ever-attend FAMU. One of the athletes honored at the museum, was football and sprinting sensation Robert “Bullet Bob” Hayes.
Countless awards, trophies, photographs and magazine articles displayed show the legacy of the late NFLer and Olympic Gold Medalist. While at FAMU, he ran a new world record for the 100-yard dash with a time of 9.2 seconds and was the first person to run 5.9 seconds in the 60-yard dash.
“I’m excited to show everyone around,” said Hunter. “We have been researching and learning a lot of new things all week at the Archives.”
The archives, free to visitors, is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. all through summer.
To find out more information about the camp, email Program Director Jason Black, jason.black@famu.edu or visit www.famu.edu.
