Fort Wayne, Ind. – Concordia Lutheran High School in partnership with the Black Lutheran
Alumni Scholarship Team, or B.L.A.S.T, is excited to be welcoming multiple guest speakers to
our classrooms in celebration of Black History Month. Guest lecturers will be speaking with
students in multiple classrooms throughout the month of February. This is the fourth year
B.L.A.S.T. has sponsored Black History Month at CLHS.
“We are pleased to continue the tradition of offering CLHS students a living history experience,”
said B.L.A.S.T. President Michael Edmonds. “This year, we have engaged several African
American guest speakers from various backgrounds to speak with students about their vocational
accomplishments and personal observations.”
Concordia’s Head of School Jacob Pennekamp said, “Our continued and growing partnership
with B.L.A.S.T. provides our students with meaningful interactions and opportunities for
mentorship that go far beyond the classrooms. We're so excited to have their involvement and
leadership.”
The following is a list of guest lecturers who will be speaking during Black History Month:
• Joshua Cryer - V.P. Engineering/Sales, Custom Magnetics
• Hadassah Harris - Sports Anchor/Reporter, WLFI
• Joe Jordan - President and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Ind.
• Mitch McKinney – Sergeant, Fort Wayne Police Department
• Michael Patterson - Regional Musician
• Selena Ridley - Local Entrepreneur/Owner, Fantasy Fruits
• Teresa Ridley - Artist/Muralist/Graphic Artist
• Angel Suttle - Sustainability Specialist/Brand Strategist/Senior Communications Coord.
This also marks the fourth year B.L.A.S.T. will award scholarships to African American seniors
at the high school. Recipients of these scholarships will be announced later this year.