Students and Faculty Celebrate and Educate During Black History Month

"In celebration of Black History Month, we were able to touch the community through educating them about our history, Black history,” explained Marlow B. '22, Assistant Head of Foxcroft’s Black Student Union (BSU). “This month is very important to me as one of the few people of color on campus because this was the time to help enlighten our community so that we all have a deeper understanding of each other's cultures and roots.”

In addition to planning a Black History Month Banquet for the students on campus, the BSU made presentations and showed videos on topics ranging from school segregation and the Black Panther Party to Ella Fitzgerald and Madam C.J. Walker (the first female self-made millionaire in America) during Morning Meetings throughout the month. According to Marlow, “most of these videos came from the YouTube channel ‘Black History in Two Minutes,’ which is a great place to go if you want to continue to educate yourself about Black History.”
 
Using videos on Uruguay's Carnival tradition and La La Anthony Celebrates Afrolatinidad, Spanish Club also made Morning Meeting presentations during Black History Month. Club Head Dami O. ’21 explains, “As a club, we wanted to complement the work done by BSU during Black History Month by showing the community the perspectives of Afro-Latinos through highlighting their contributions and influence not only in Latin America but also in the United States.” 

Tying the month’s program together, the community received a daily “Today in History” email from either Dean of Students Stephanie Young ’00, or Assistant Athletic Director Peachie Robinson providing a digest of interesting and sometimes little-known people, events, and facts about the Black men and women who have affected American science, mathematics, literature, history, the civil rights movement, arts, music, sports, and so much more. 

“I am happy to say that this month was a success and I can't wait to do it again next year,” exulted Marlow, “but remember, just because Black History month is over, doesn't mean that you need to stop learning about our history or the history of other people." 

We couldn’t agree more! Be sure to check out the items linked to this story. Thank you BSU, Spanish Club, Ms. Young, and Ms. Robinson for a wonderfully educational Black History Month!