Gifted Minorities Achieving 2023 Cohort member Salai Diekumpuna, a Clarke Central High School Class of 2023 alumna, speaks at GMA’s “A Night of Color” event in the Media Center on March 28, 2022. After two years of not hosting the event, GMA members Cortni Veasley and Doan Duong, juniors, are bringing it back to CCHS on April 17 along with the 2026 GMA cohort. “(Bringing the event back) has been challenging, but I’m really excited,” Veasley said. “I really hope it all comes together well and kind of shows us as GMA.” Photo from the ODYSSEY archives
CCHS’ Gifted Minorities Achieving will host its “A Night of Color 2” celebration in the Media Center on April 17.
The program cover of Gifted Minorities Achieving’s “A Night of Color 2” celebration states a simple phrase: “The culture continues.” In so many words, this phrase encapsulates the mission of the celebration.
The event, which will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on April 17 in the Clarke Central High School Media Center, is dedicated to recognizing the achievements, creativity and culture of minority students at CCHS. The celebration was first held in 2022, but will return this year for the second time ever under the leadership of GMA Outreach Manager Cortni Veasley and Project Manager Doan Duong, along with the rest of the 2026 GMA cohort.
“These are our stories, (and) we don’t have to be limited to certain months to show it,” Duong said. “(We want) to show all our skills and talents and stories.”
“These are our stories, (and) we don’t have to be limited to certain months to show it.”
— Doan Duong,
GMA Project Manager
CCHS’ GMA is a club composed of a cohort of minority students from a particular grade dedicated to helping minority students at CCHS be successful, both socially and academically. The club, currently composed of juniors, meets on a weekly basis to foster relationships and community.
The program cover for Gifted Minorities Achieving’s “A Night of Color 2” is shown. Guests must RSVP by April 13 to attend the event. Graphic courtesy of Doan Duong
“I love the mission,” Duong said. “I think it is very important to increase the amount of minority students who take (Advanced Placement) classes, or just rigorous classes in general, because that’s the majority of our school, but doesn’t show up in the stats (of students) taking AP classes.”
“A Night of Color 2” will feature a variety of programming, including a step team performance, poetry readings and music from performers and the CCHS Honors Chamber Strings. The event will also have a keynote speaker: Johnelle Simpson, a University of Georgia graduate and local attorney, will deliver the remarks.
“The timing feels right – our current cohort are now juniors and have begun taking responsibility for group meetings and have identified outreach as being a primary goal for the spring term,” GMA faculty adviser David Ragsdale said. “Their forebears, the 2023 cohort, began ‘Night of Color’ as juniors, so the symmetry is nice to see.”
With limited space inside the Media Center, the chance to RSVP for the event will close on April 13. According to Veasley, the event is an opportunity for the club to make its presence known in the community, especially as CCHS begins to welcome its Class of 2029 – who will make up the next GMA cohort – into the building next year.
“I think it’s definitely going to get our networking out, show our club and what we stand for, our mission,” Veasley said. “It shows that history and cultural experiences can be shared more than just confined to their month of celebration. It shows that we can all celebrate anytime we want to.”
