On January 23 the Black Student Union (BSU) gathered for its every other weekly meeting during lunch in Mr. Al Pratt’s classroom (Room 7-3) from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. to discuss plans for Black History Month, and how they could make the month more impactful for their school community. President of the club, senior Austin Maina, led the meeting and the group brainstormed ideas to honor the history and contributions of Black Americans during February.
Maina opened the meeting with an important reflection on the Civil Rights Movement and the challenges Black Americans faced in their fight for equality. He emphasized the difficulties of this era, stating that even though today’s students were born after the height of the movement, it is essential to recognize the sacrifices made by those who fought for equality. “It took so much fighting, so many struggles, and so many people risking everything for the equality we have today. We need to remember it wasn’t easy. It’s important to honor those sacrifices so we can understand and appreciate how we got here,” Maina said. Black History Month, observed every February, is an important time for students and the broader community to learn more about the history, struggles, and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. The month is a reminder of the significant advancements made in the fight for civil rights, but also an opportunity to reflect on the work still left to do.
The students discussed how Black History Month is often overlooked at their school, with Maina pointing out that over the past few years, not much had been done to celebrate or educate the student body on the significance of the month. He expressed a desire to make this year different. “Black History Month is coming up in just nine days, but the last few years, we haven’t really done much for it. I think we should change that. We could make it something impactful this time, not just let it slip by,” Maina said. The group brainstormed several ideas, including the idea of handing out tangible items like stickers or pins to raise awareness. Maina also discussed working with the school’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leader, to create activities and initiatives similar to those done during Hispanic Heritage Month, where students from different backgrounds were recognized for their contributions.
To keep the momentum of Black History Month going throughout February, the students also discussed featuring a Black historical figure each day, posting information around the school and even including daily announcements. This would ensure that Black History Month is not just a one-time event but an ongoing educational experience. “We could hold weekly meetings throughout February for Black History Month. I was thinking we could have some fun games at the meetings, something interactive to keep it engaging. And maybe we could also highlight a Black historical figure every day, post it on campus, or even in the announcements to keep the awareness going,” Maina suggested. This interactive and educational approach to Black History Month would keep students involved and create an environment where learning about Black history feels like a part of the everyday experience.
Mr. Pratt, the teacher overseeing the BSU, also contributed a suggestion for a potential fundraiser to help cover costs for the events. He proposed organizing a pizza event, where students could pitch in a few dollars to purchase pizza for the club’s meetings and events. “Hey, if you all are looking for something fun for Black History Month, we could always do a pizza event. Maybe if everyone pitches in a couple bucks, we could get a few Costco pizzas for a meeting. It’s a great way to get together and celebrate while raising some funds. It’s simple, but it could be a good bonding experience for the group,” Mr. Pratt suggested. This pizza event could provide not only a fun and informal way to celebrate but also a way to raise funds for additional activities during the month.
The meeting also saw a lot of enthusiasm from the student members, who shared their thoughts on how to make Black History Month meaningful. “I think recognizing figures from Black history every day is a really cool idea. We could use it to spark conversations and get people more interested in learning. And maybe even have a trivia game or something, to make it fun,” said senior Luke Lacy. Senior Devon Recinos agreed, adding that it’s important to remember how far the Black community has come while acknowledging the ongoing struggles. “Yeah, I agree. I think it’s about getting people to understand how far we’ve come and how much work went into it. There’s still a lot to do, but we can definitely do our part by educating and raising awareness,” he noted. Senior Tevin Ware highlighted how important it is to create visible reminders around campus. “I like the idea of putting up posters. It would be cool to walk through campus and see something different every day, like a new person or event in Black history. It would keep people thinking about it all month,” Ware said. Junior Nicholas Anselmo and Junior Ranjot Bandesha also chimed in, suggesting more interactive events and ways to engage students beyond just education. “I love the idea of doing something with stickers or pins. People can wear them, and it’ll be a way to keep the conversation alive, even if they don’t know much about Black history yet. It’s a good way to spread awareness in a casual way,” Anselmo said. “I think something interactive, like games, could be a really good way to get everyone involved. Learning doesn’t have to be boring. If we make it fun, I think people will pay more attention,”* Bandesha added. Junior Tinou Liva expressed enthusiasm for learning more about Black historical figures. “I’m really into the idea of featuring a different Black figure every day. It’s like learning about new role models who’ve done amazing things for the culture and society. I think that could inspire a lot of people,” Liva said. Senior Victoria Sanchez concluded with a perspective on making Black History Month something to carry forward all year long. “For me, the biggest thing about Black History Month is making sure people know it’s not just about one month. It’s about recognizing the contributions and struggles of the Black community all year long. But February is a good time to highlight it and remind people about its significance,” Sanchez said.
As the students continue to plan for Black History Month, their ideas reflect a commitment to creating an inclusive and educational environment. Whether through daily recognition of historical figures, interactive events, or fundraisers like the proposed pizza party, it is clear the BSU is determined to make Black History Month a month of reflection, education, and celebration at their school. With their thoughtful approach and dedication, the students are well on their way to making Black History Month more meaningful and impactful this year.
