Dublin Teen Stars In Black History Month Commercial

DUBLIN, CA — Dublin High School sophomore Acacia Tripplett, 15, is used to crowds as a public speaker and drama student, but this month, she reached a much bigger audience.

Tripplett, the school's newly elected Black Student Union president, was one of three girls featured in a McDonald's Black History Month commercial that honored black contributions to America. The script reminded her of a speech she once gave, Tripplett said.

"From Frederick Douglas to Rosa Parks, our history is American history," the girls said. "From jazz to hip hop, our culture is American culture."

Tripplett, 15, first heard about the opportunity from her grandpa, who owns a couple of McDonald's franchises, she said. But nothing could prepare her for what she encountered at the Oakland audition: She had 30 seconds to memorize the script.

Tripplett pulled from her drama experience. It paid off.

Tripplett "started screaming and jumping around my house" when she found out she made the cut, she said.

"It had a really special place in my heart because I think (the commercial is) so beautiful," Tripplett said.

Speaking up about race and the strength in diversity is nothing new for Tripplett, who has given public speeches and is in her second year at the DHS Black Student Union. She hopes to help others feel comfortable and pride when it comes to the color of their skin or their background. Nobody should feel shame about their culture, she said.

"It's (about) how to move forward and unite as the diverse community we are," Tripplett said.

Tripplett was one of several DHS speakers last month who attended a diversity assembly at Dublin Elementary School. The school organized the assembly after administrators heard reports of racist jokes.

During her speech, Tripplett recalled her own experience being bullied in third grade after her mom put her hair in an afro. She was excited to sport her new hairdo, but the words hurt, she said.

It was especially personal for Tripplett, who has a 10-year-old sister who can struggle with insecurities, she said.

Diversity is beautiful, Tripplett said.

"It's honoring, I'm very happy to ... be in front of a crowd and to share your story, and for it to really resonate, I feel that's so important," Tripplett said. "Especially to young elementary school students who usually don't hear things like this."

BSU is also getting involved in Black History Month celebrations by paying homage to lesser-known historical black figures and playing music that it believes represents its message during passing period on Fridays, she said.

As Black Student Union president, Tripplett said she hopes to revamp the organization during her tenure. She hopes to focus more on the community, encourage group discussions and selling t-shirts to spread the message of the group.

"You're beautiful just the way you are, you're amazing and you don't have to change for anybody," Tripplett said.

"We don't have to use our differences to hate people."