Celebrating Black History Month

During the month of February the SAA Upper School commemorated Black History Month with a series of activities coordinated by the members of the Black Student Union (BSU). The students focused their activities on the theme “How it feels to be US. How it feels to be black in a predominantly white school”. This marked the second year SAA celebrated a student-led Black History Month.

"Authentic conversation about race and identity began last year with the student-led Black History Month, which then led to the creation of the Black Student Union and the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month," said Dr. Jennifer Lovelace, Director of Student Life and Leadership. "The new BHM tradition continued this year as the BSU members worked hard to bring conversations and issues to the student body."

BSU members created a series of video presentations they shared at weekly student aZoomblies.  These presentations were designed to educate fellow classmates and to open up the tough conversations that have to take place to bring about true understanding and change. Through these videos, BSU members shared their feelings, challenges, and experiences, and tackled the subject of stereotypes and how to break them.  

Throughout the month Kyla Langston, senior representative for the BSU, shared a “Woman of the Day” with students and staff. She highlighted historical figures such as Bessie Coleman, first African American and Native American female pilot, as well as black women making history right now such as Cori “Coco” Gauff, currently the youngest player ranked in the Women's Tennis Association's top 100.

“I have received a great deal of positive feedback from both students and teachers,” said Kyla. “The students really enjoy learning about women in history or women making history. Most students respond with a ‘thank you for informing me, I learned something new today.’ That’s my main goal to educate others in hopes that they will spark conversations with other people and pass on that information,” said Kyla.

The BSU will wrap up activities on Friday when they host three black-owned food trucks: Fabulous Flavors, The Fry Guy and Smurfey's Smokehouse.  Looking towards the future, the Black Student Union plans to network with black SAA alumnae and invite them to speak to students. They also plan to organize group discussions focused on topics impacting our black students.  

“We plan to try to continue the conversation about how black students can be appreciated for their differences and ‘seen and heard’ in a way we haven’t before,” said Kyla.