Students Envision the Future Throughout Black History Month

The Black History Month Showcase on the evening of Monday, February 16, was opened by BSU leaders, setting the scene for their school community. The program departed from traditional banquet formats to create an experience that took the audience through Black history over time, showing how Black people have always looked forward to possibilities yet to come. As co-chair and director of the BHM Showcase, Ava wanted to create something that had a "greater purpose than being just an idle creative outlet; it was a chance to make [her] mark at Foxcroft." When asked about her approach, Ava said, "When Monodia proposed the Afrofuturism theme, the gears in my head kept turning and bringing me back to time travel. What if we could take everyone from the past to our exciting future?" From that vision, she carefully curated speeches and performances to bring the concept to life.

The evening featured a steel pan drum performance, recitations of historic speeches by figures including Sojourner Truth, Huey P. Newton, and President Barack Obama, as well as dance performances set to music spanning from Reconstruction-era spirituals to contemporary R&B and hip-hop. Each performance connected past struggles and triumphs to present possibilities, embodying the Afrofuturist principle that Black people are not just subjects of history but authors of the future.

The showcase culminated with BSU members sharing visions of the future collected from across the Foxcroft community. Students, faculty, and staff had been invited to complete prompts like "In the future I am..." "My future includes..." and "I see myself in the future..." Those responses, shared throughout the evening and printed in the program, created a collective vision of possibility and hope.

For Lizema, the theme held personal significance. "When I was a freshman, there weren't any Black seniors at Foxcroft," she reflected. "Not only am I a senior, I am a senior who has now been able to show the freshmen what they can do as one too, and I know that they'll do even better." She described the theme as representing a future she gets to shape on her own terms.

Monodia J-B. ’28 saw the showcase as more than a celebration of history. "This year's Black History Month Showcase was important to me because Afrofuturism is really happening," she said. "It made me realize that we are all making history here and everywhere."

The showcase received praise from across the Foxcroft community. Students, faculty, and staff alike were moved by the creative vision and powerful performances that brought Afrofuturism to life. The departure from traditional formats resonated with the audience. Ms. Martin, sponsor for the Black Student Union, noted, "The community response was not only an appreciation for the artistry and thoughtfulness of the program, but also recognition of the leadership and vision demonstrated by the students who made it possible. I am so proud of Ava, Lizema, and Monodia!"

Many thanks to all the students and faculty who contributed to making this month-long celebration possible.