As February kicked off and students entered the second semester, Black History Month also began and the Black Student Union (BSU) announced its seventh annual Black History Month showcase and theme.
For the first time, the showcase was held in the auditorium and had over a dozen speeches, poetry readings, musical performances and a fashion show. “As the advisor to the Black Student Union, my role in preparing for the showcase was all about supporting the students and helping them bring their vision to life. I was there to offer guidance when needed, make sure they had the resources and space they needed, and help fine-tune the details, but the real spark came from the students themselves. I was careful to let them take the lead, because this was their moment to shine and show off their creativity and leadership. There was a real sense of pride watching the leaders prepare for this showcase. There was a real sense of shared purpose and pride in what they were creating—a space where they could celebrate Black culture, share their experiences, and showcase their talents,” BSU sponsor and English teacher Lindsey Vance said.
Black History Month was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976 but had been celebrated for years prior. Historian Carter Woodson created Negro History Week in 1926 as a way to recognize Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays and highlight African American heritage. Over the years, the week was recognized by more local governments, culminating in the first Black History Month to be celebrated at Kent State University in 1970. Its official recognition took place during America’s bicentennial, with President Ford calling it an opportunity to recognize the often overlooked contributions Black Americans have made to society.
The theme for this year’s BSU showcase was “The Bridge Called Our Backs: A Story of Pain and Triumph.” The inspiration for this year’s theme came from a poem written in 1981 by Donna Kate Rushin, a Black lesbian poet known for her commentary on race and her role in society.
The showcase featured multiple poetry readings, from original, student-written poems to presentations of older pieces. Senior Amede Olisa read the poem ‘”We Wear the Mask,” by Paul Laurence Dunbar, sophomore Zikora Okeke performed a speech from the movie “The Color Purple,” and seniors David Goke and Daniel Hudson read their original poem discussing themes of police brutality and the historical experience of Black people in America.
During the showcase, junior Urielle Ngako debuted her short film that compiles press coverage, interviews, and information about the racist events from the past year. Her film, called #studentsinyourfields, will be shown as part of the Minority Scholars Program Film Festival at the American Film Institute. “My favorite part of the BSU showcase this year was the documentary. Not only was it wonderfully made and put together, but it highlighted the injustices within our school and gave insight into important events which have happened this school year and how it has affected our school community,” senior Yana Kohli said.
After a series of student speeches, poems, performances and dances, the “Triumphs” section of the night began, and featured a fashion show by junior and fashion designer Chloe Ayissi-Etoh, a rendition of the spiritual “I Sing Because I’m Happy,” and a performance by the Afroelites. “I believe, with everything that’s happened over the past year, it was absolutely essential to carve out a space for Triumphs. The Triumphs segment was about how we rise in the face of challenges. And that’s exactly what we needed to honor in this showcase — those moments where, despite the challenges, we continue to show up, we continue to grow, and we continue to push forward,” Vance said.
