Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame Hosts Thomas Elementary Students for Black History

Fifty-three students from Thomas Elementary School visited the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame’s interactive exhibits at Fresno State’s Save Mart Center as part of Black History Month programming, meeting Hall inductees and learning about perseverance and giving back. The Thursday morning visit brought local sports figures into a classroom setting and used hands-on technology to engage students.

The event, described by organizers as part of a long-established partnership with Thomas Elementary, featured Hall of Fame inductees J.D. Williams, Yvette Roberts, Rod Perry, and Maxie Parks. Students toured touch-enabled displays and had in-person opportunities to hear inductees speak about overcoming challenges on their paths to success. GV Wire video credited to Jahz Tello documented the visit and an image shows students and staff at the Hall of Fame.

Yvette Roberts, introduced in coverage as perhaps the greatest women’s basketball player in Fresno State history, highlighted the interactive features. “It’s amazing that you can come in here, touch one button, and get everybody’s information. It’s just so awesome,” Roberts said. She added, “I think if they can see all the hard work we put into it, and giving back to the community, and they can see what they can do. I think’s it’s pretty important.” Cammie Southern, advisor to the school’s Black Student Union, emphasized the display’s digital pull: “This really connects where the kids are with technology,” she said. “So, I think it’s pretty cool.”

Bringing students to a community institution like the Hall of Fame has practical implications for Fresno neighborhoods that contend with uneven access to enrichment and technology. Programs that connect youth to local role models can strengthen social support, boost interest in school-based learning, and widen familiarity with museum-style interactive tools that children increasingly encounter in education and health information settings. For families and educators, the visit underscores how partnerships between schools and local cultural or sports institutions can expand learning beyond the classroom.

The Hall of Fame’s placement at the Save Mart Center also ties the event to a central community venue, making it easier for parents, teachers, and students across Fresno County to attend future programs. The visit reinforced a message of resilience and community investment from athletes who credited hard work and giving back as keys to their success.

For readers, the visit is a reminder that Black History Month programming in Fresno County is not only commemorative but can be practical, supporting digital familiarity and mentorship for young people. Organizers and school leaders say the partnership continues, and community members can watch for similar opportunities that connect local youth with hometown role models.