Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaks to a local high school for Black History Month

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Hundreds of students from the Santee and Crenshaw high schools gathered in a packed auditorium to welcome Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Desmond Tutu, in honor of Black History Month.

Tutu, who is now 80 years old, is best known for his fight for equal civil rights and efforts to end the apartheid in South Africa.

During those times of enforced segregation, Tutu said he looked to the United States for motivation when he needed it most.

"We were inspired in our struggle, by many of those in this country," he said. "Because what it did for us was to say 'Hey, you see these people? Look at what they are achieving.'"

Reflecting on the struggle he had to fight, Tutu directed his message to the children, as he encouraged them to look to other generations, to overcome struggle.

"And you here my dears, you, young people, have some tremendous, tremendous role models," he said.

Tutu referred to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as one of those role models. Meanwhile, the entire event was part of Partnership for L.A. Schools, which Villaraigosa started.

"It's important for us to celebrate Black History Month," he said. "Because, in every way it's American History."

The celebration was also sponsored by DIRECTV, as part of a broadcast that will reach 7,500 students throughout the country, this spring.