On Monday, February 24, students and teachers were invited to a Black History Month Celebration led by several students from Sister Circle, BSU and organized by Ms. Reese. It started with a few teachers singing the Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” while a group of students swayed on stage. This song was originally written in 1899 by James Weldon Johnson, a former leader of the NAACP or the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. 

After the performance, junior Muram Alhsam officially welcomed everyone to the celebration. She explained that the theme was Unity and Black Excellence. Throughout the show, the students exemplified this theme in the dances, poems, and displays of community. 

Next, a freshman named Kendyl Thomas performed a poem named “Won’t You Celebrate With Me?” by Lucille Clifton. The moment was particularly impactful because of how it describes resilience and the value of celebrating yourself, as well as her powerful delivery. 

Six students from the club Sister Circle performed a series of traditional Ethiopian, or Habesha dances. They wore beautiful outfits as they danced along to the upbeat songs. There was also another dance team, five young dancers called the Young Divas. First, there was a solo performance of “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar. Then the group came together to dance to Beyoncé’s famous song “Run the World.” The girls were amazing and the audience was wonderfully supportive of the beautiful job they did. 

Following that was a speaker who has been connected to the ACC since before its creation: Dr. Alfred Taylor. He is an Arlington native who was a part of the advisory committee when ACC first opened 50 years ago. Dr. Taylor told the story of his childhood and the hardships he faced experiencing segregation in the DMV area. It was definitely a full circle moment to have him speak at our school during the anniversary year, making the BHM Celebration truly special.

Models then strutted the stage and stunned the crowd with a beautiful demonstration of African hairstyles and clothes. From voluminous afros to sleek dreadlocks, ACC students and staff showcased the beauty and power that is African hair. There were also depictions of traditional African clothing such as dashiki and kente. Through the display of diverse style and textures, vibrant colors and patterns, the attendees were able to gain a crucial insight into African culture and what that means to their fellow students. After that was a poem given by 12th grader Yuri Fowler.

Fatima Ziadah, the president of Sister Circle, led the closing of the Black History Month Celebration. Her loud and warm energy filled the room and excited the crowd. She thanked and acknowledged Ms. Reese, for planning the event. Principal Chung officially closed out the assembly with a heartfelt speech filled with gratitude towards the participants of the celebration. As people made their way out of the commons, students and staff were invited to a little dance party to end the celebration on a fun note. They played “Before I Let Go” by Beyoncé and “Cupid Shuffle” by Cupid. It was truly memorable to witness the community between the participants as well as between them and the audience. The ACC Chronicle eagerly looks forward to reporting on BHM Celebration next year!