Bolles alumna Carla Jones ’03 was one of the top highlights of a series of Black History Month celebrations on the Bolles Upper School San Jose Campus this February. A journalist, writer, executive and a passionate advocate for Jacksonville’s rich Black history, Jones is the CEO of Carla Mechele Media, LLC and was the first Black cheerleader at Bolles.

She shared her experience with the entire upper school student body during two convocations held February 23 and 24 and also joined the Bolles Black Student Union for lunch. The BSU organized her visit in partnership with Bolles upper school MLT Campus Lead Carrie Ezzell. The lunch provided a meaningful opportunity for BSU members to connect with Jones on a more personal level and to share their own stories together in the Varn Board Room.

In addition to Jones’ visit, Bolles history teacher Emily Edmonson arranged for Dr. Alan Bliss, CEO of the Jacksonville History Center, to speak with students on February 20 about Jacksonville’s post–World War II growth and the impact of redlining during a session held in McGehee Auditorium. Before leading the Jacksonville History Center, Bliss taught U.S. history courses at the University of North Florida.

Other Black History Month celebrations on the San Jose Campus included a Black-owned food truck available for upper school students, informational posters about historic Black figures displayed around campus, a dynamic historical display in Ulmer Hall and music from Black artists played between classes every Friday throughout February. #BollesFamily