NASCAR Black History Made in Jacksonville
NFTs will change Black History, Black Artists, Black Culture and
Black Knowledge !!!!!
Black History can be right in the faces of Black and
Brown families, students and people do not even
know it.
Black History Month 2022 was an opportunity for
students at Twin Lakes Academy Middle to learn
and make history themselves. Studying Wendell
Scott in STEAM class, the first Black man to win
a NASCAR sanctioned race (Jacksonville 200) in
Jacksonville, Florida on December 1, 1963.
Scott shattered history by winning a Grand National
Race, this is NASCAR at its highest level during that
time and using this example to teach students that
they can overcome challenges in life to be successful.
It is not enough for me as their teacher to tell the
students, using technology to show students examples
and studying about Black History. Students are learning
Scott’s racing career was challenged by racial prejudice,
Jim Crow laws and his life was threatened even on the
track by other racers that tried to run him off the road,
some were even successful.
The significance of this win and others during that time
and even today is that Black and Brown people can be
successful in racing careers. Teamwork is key and
coordination of responsibilities for a team to be successful
at this high level of competition. Wendell Scott was also
the only Black NASCAR team owner which many in
Jacksonville, both Black and White do not know.
As a STEAM Educator (33 years teaching) it is important
that my students see themselves in the diversity of all
careers. Whether they are Black, Brown, White, Hispanic,
Mexican or LBGQ. No student should be denied or kept
from learning about their cultural influences in this
nation or globally.
Wendel Scott is just one example of many how Blacks
have contributed to the successes of many areas even
in racing and the NASCAR industry. Students learned that
even in his victory in Jacksonville Scott never was awarded
a trophy, it was not until 60 years later that his Jacksonville,
Florida win was posthumously awarded to his family.
The web site https://www.wendellscott.org/ tells more of
the story and to gain more information of Black drivers and
pit crews the web site by Stefan Young
https://blacknascar.com/ shows the faces and tells the stories
of the present. Black NASCAR web site shows the NFTs of
students from TLAM and how they were inspired by Scott
and his journey.
Many students did not know that Wendell Scott was honored
in the Disney picture “Cars” (2006). The inspiration for the
character of “River Scott” and even in the film “Greased
Lightening” (1977) starring Richard Pryor.
If students are not engaged in historic learning activities,
history will not be known and not recognized across movies
and music platforms. Educational access in STEAM programs
are important to bring relational connections to learning. Black,
Brown, Hispanic, and even Asians have faced racism, bigotry
and violence against them in this nation. This should not stop
our youth, teens and young adults from fighting for their dreams
and working hard for success.
TLAM students have created NFTs in classroom projects
celebrating the life and legacy of Wendell Scott, using the
connections of technology, watching YouTube videos and even
connecting with the Wendell Scott Foundation that is an
advocate for STEM Education. The learning continues as tech
and art combines higher order and critical thinking skills.
NFTs are a great way to have students share their knowledge,
show their artistic talents and to show their innovation with
technology. Even though their works are academic and not for
sale, there is an influence of cryptocurrency, the influence of
Web 3.0 and digital tech.
TLAM students are preparing for their future careers that will
involve Web 3.0, NFTs, Cryptocurrency, Domain Names, Game
Development, Web Development and Medical Sciences. STEAM
Education and Learning are influencing many areas and creating
new careers for years to come.
Students studying and creating NFTs like Scott’s example are
learning how to apply their knowledge to be business owners
and entrepreneurs. Scott was officially inducted into the NASCAR
Hall of Fame in 2015, becoming the first African American in
NASCAR history.
The Wendell Scott Foundation managed by CEO Warrick Scott,
provides educational programs designed for students ages 8
through 18 using STEM-related resources and programs.
This learning is provided to communities across the country
and shows the value of STEM, STEAM and STREAM Education
and Learning.
William and Aida Jackson can be followed on their
web site as The XSTREAM TEAM https://williamdjackson.edublogs.org/