On February 1st Brendan came home from school very excited about a project his teacher introduced to the class.  For Black History Month all the fourth graders were going to choose an important person to research. They would create a posted with facts about the person’s life and accomplishments. At the end of the month the projects would be displayed and students could dress up as their person for a special “wax museum” for families and other students to visit.

Dressing up is Brendan’s favorite thing to do. This was the perfect project for him. He knew instantly who he wanted to choose. Audra McDonald. Brendan explained that she had won the more Tony Awards than any other actor or actress of any race. He long admired her performances and rattled off facts he already knew. And for his costume – he already decided – he wanted to replicate her 20’s costume from her latest show Shuffle Along.

I ordered the costume and tweeted that he was excited. And Audra tweeted back! I wrote a thank you message and her assistant sent an email asking if Brendan would like an autographed picture.

He got to work on his project. Chris helped making a replica of a Tony Award. Brendan found lights to make a marque around the top of his project. The costume came and he added accessories- character shoes, fishnets and a wig. He couldn’t wait. When the signed picture came I tweeted that as well as a thank- Ms. McDonald replied with an emoji kiss. Brendan couldn’t believe she responded again.

Then came the day of the wax museum.

Brendan proudly displayed his project, his Tony, autographed picture and costume. And loved every minute of sharing his facts about Audra McDonald. I came home and posted a picture on Facebook with this message:

Our wish is that every child have teachers and a school as committed to diversity, as supportive, as creative and as inclusive as Brendan has.
Our wish is that everyone experience the love and support Brendan has from all his friends and family.
Our wish is that every child have strong, positive role models who not only inspire through their work but also through their humanity.
Our wish is that everyone have something in their life that they are as passionate about as Brendan is theater.
Our wish is that Brendan always follow his heart and remain unapologetically himself.