02/27/2026
Darius Joiner: "Black History goes on far beyond a single month"
Darius Joiner (HHS Class of 2017) is in his second year as Assistant Defensive Back Coach/Safeties at Texas A&M. In May of 2021, he graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Minor in Chemistry. Darius attended Western Illinois University Business School in 2021 and graduated with a master's degree from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business in 2022.
For Darius, Black History Month goes far beyond a single month of acknowledging achievements or hosting events--although those are valuable. Black History Month is a deliberate act of historical correction and resistance that began many years ago because mainstream narratives systemically erased or minimized the contributions, struggles, and value that African American people have in building the America that we know today. It means searching for education that does not hide the uncomfortable truth but reveals the tough conversations that will make lasting change beyond just the month of February. Ultimately, it's a call to action for all people of the world to learn deeply, teach accurately without prejudice, and carry forward the legacy of excellence that our ancestors embodied. Black History is not just a thing of the past because many members of our Randolph County community are making Black History day by day and should be celebrated in real time.