Black History Month, celebrated annually in February, aims to focus attention on and celebrate Black Americans' sacrifices and contributions. Like previous years, St. Paul’s School selected an overarching framework focused on the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024): Recognition, Justice, and Development. At SPS, this year’s Black History Month observance includes the sub-theme of “The Story That Forms Us. Praising the Past, Acknowledging the Present, and Uplifting the Future.”
Preparations for the celebrations and various exhibits, including visiting artists, returning alumni, musical performers, and guest speakers, started last summer. A working group of adults and Onyx members met monthly to discuss and enhance the event details.
In mid-January, SPS hosted Step Afrika!, a dance company that features the historic art of stepping. Some students, inspired by Step Afrika!, performed in Memorial Hall on Feb. 11 during the Fourth Annual Onyx Affinity Group Black History Month Celebration. Onyx is the student affinity group for Black students at SPS.
SPS students and students from ten visiting schools attended the Onyx Celebration, which started with guest speakers, a presentation, and musical performances in Memorial Hall. Workshops included drumming, inventions, music, and Black anime stations, according to Litzrudy Justinvil, faculty head of Onyx and one of the event organizers.
The event highlighted the past, present, and future generations at St. Paul’s School and in the outside world. Tiffany M. Gill '92 spoke “about her authentic and proud Black experience at this school, which allows us to praise and celebrate those who have come before our generation,” says Justinvil.
Gill’s words inspired current St. Paul’s students. “The most memorable thing was definitely the guest speaker because she spoke about her experience and the lessons she learned here, and that really resonated with me,” says Dibora Ogbe ‘26.
Finally, Justinvil’s daughters, Marley and Melody, danced alongside Alana-Kaye Morgan ‘25 and Lauren Edouard ‘25.
“All the stories and all these moving parts reflect on the African Diaspora, celebrating success, accomplishments, and creativity,” says Justinvil. He says he feels positive about this event's success.
In the company of other Black students from outside schools, SPS students say they formed special bonds while connecting to the roots of their culture.
Throughout Black History Month at SPS, students were able to immerse themselves in different aspects of Black History. Events included a gallery exhibit, “As Our Bodies Lift Slowly,” by guest artist Vanessa Leroy; The 1619 Arrival Traveling Exhibit in Ohrstrom Library; the SPS BIPOC Alumni Weekend; themed meals that focused on different types of cuisine from across the African diaspora, and a performance by Sons of Mystro, a Black violin duo.