Traditional African dance and music, songs about the civil rights movement and class presentations were the focus of Shiloh Elementary and Sixth Grade Academy’s annual Black History Month program Tuesday.

Third grade students sung their own version of the classic “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around,” while fourth and fifth graders performed a calypso style African dance and sixth graders performed a reenactment of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Selma Mayor George Evans, who spent nearly 40 years in the Dallas County system, was on hand to give students words of encouragement. He spoke about the historical impact of such leaders as Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Amelia Boynton and Marie Foster.

“I want to say something about black history, education and life,” Evans said. “All of these people symbolized and made it possible for us to be where we are today.”