NATCHEZ — Hearing that former Natchez Mayor Phillip West was almost killed by the Ku Klux Klan when he was 16 made the struggles African Americans faced in Natchez abundantly clear to Vincent Carter.

The Morgantown Middle School seventh grader was among dozens who heard from various members of the Natchez branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Wednesday as part of a Black History Month program.

“I learned that black history is a part of American history, and that it’s everyone’s history,” Carter said. “Hearing what Mr. West said made me realize how fortunate I am to be living in the time period I’m in now.”

West and Natchez NAACP President the Rev. Clifton Marvel were among the five speakers who talked to the students Wednesday afternoon.

West, who was the first black mayor for the City of Natchez and served as a state representative for seven years, told the students how members of the KKK nearly killed him and his father in 1965.

“When I was your age, I could not dream of serving in any of those kinds of positions — in other words, I could not dream of being the mayor,” West said. “The place and time prohibited us from doing the kinds of things you can do now.”

The key to ensuring students take advantage of the privileges African Americans gained during the Civil Rights Movement, West said, is to utilize every opportunity available.

“I lived in a day and time where there were very few kinds of opportunities like the ones you have available today,” West said. “You need to take advantage of those opportunities.

“And for those of you who think you can’t do it, I’m here to tell you, as a witness, that you can.”

Marvel gave the students a brief history of the NAACP, an organization established in 1909 to “ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.”

He also told the students the first step to success begins where they are today.

“In order to be good citizens, you need an education,” Marvel said. “To get through that door when it’s locked, you need a key, and education is your key.

“I don’t care how strong you are, you’re not coming in without that key.”

Marvel shared portions of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington in 1963.

“Dr. King had a dream that one day black folks would be recognized by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin,” Marvel said. “And we’re here to remind you, all of you can do anything you want, but you have to make up your mind and when you look in the mirror, tell yourself, ‘Yes I can.’”

Seventh grader Dyontae Clark said the speakers inspired him to learn more about civil rights and those who fought to give him the freedoms he enjoys today.

“They were all very inspiring,” Clark said. “I learned a lot.”

The NAACP members will continue their presentations today at 9 a.m. at West Elementary School and 1 p.m. at McLaurin Elementary School.