Ten local artists’ legacies were highlighted at the Black History Breakfast at Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy on Friday morning.

Each year, SW La. Charter pays tribute to band directors and artists during Black History Month. SW La. Charter Dean of Students Natalie Johnson said this year they are going all out, expanding their programming to honor a wider variety of performing artists from or based in Lake Charles.

“Because this is our last year in inexistence, we chose to go another route,” she told the American Press.

Next school year, SW La. Charter will merge with Lake Charles Charter Academy.

The individuals honored were Carl Collins, former band director; Gina Cook, radio DJ; Tommy Gladney, former band director; Yvonne Manning, local vocalist; Rusty Metoyer, zydeco artist; Eddie Rideau, former band director; Darleen Wesley, radio DJ; Jasmyn West, local vocalist and previous SW La. Charter student; Kenneth and Jennifer White, local vocalists.

“These individuals have played a crucial role in preserving our culture, elevating local talent and making sure that our history,” she said at the start of the program.

Black History Month is a time for individuals and communities to honor the achievements, history and lives of African Americans. Johnson said they choose to focus on the musical arts each year to ground Black History celebrations in the present.

“A lot of times we think about black history, we think about our ancient history, but we never really think outside of the box and think about what people have done here in our community,” she said. “When we think about music, it brings us joy. It brings us laughter. It soothes us … We wanted to highlight those people who bring that harmony to our lives.”

Johnson called the breakfast a “prequel” to SW La. Charter’s upcoming Black History program, a band extravaganza planned for March 11 where the bands from Washington Marion High School, Lake Charles College Prep and Northside High School in Lafayette.