Celebrating Black History Month Under the Pines

February marked the month-long celebration of Black History Month. The Hamden Hall community spent time reflecting and honoring the contributions of Black Americans throughout the course of our nation’s history with an array of classroom activities and projects.

To kick off the month, senior and President of the Black Student Union Marlon Ward along with senior and Vice-President Amari Phillips sent daily emails featuring quotes and short biographies of prominent Black figures including activists Angela Davis and Marian Wright Edelman, Justice Baker Motley, economist and lawyer Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, President Barack Obama, and many more.

“The inspiration behind the daily quotes came from our advisors: Dr. Lisa Hill and Ms. Krysi Crimley,” said Marlon. “We wanted to do something every day to honor the African diaspora’s history by sending out a daily quote/fun fact that pertains to prominent Black figures. I hope that students felt motivated and empowered by the quotes that we shared.”

In conjunction with BSU, Head Media Specialist Stacey Schwartz shared daily book recommendations along with additional information and resources for students to learn more. Miss Schwartz’s follow-up communications complemented Marlon and Amari’s daily informational posts.

Lower School students spent class time learning about Black history through engaging classroom projects and informational activities. Students collectively worked on a project titled “Seeing My Identity, Seeing Me” in which they explored the concept of self-identity, what is means, and how understanding differences brings everyone together.

Third-grade students in Alexis Harris’s class learned about crucial historical events that led to the Civil Rights Movement and the steps towards social change, while second-grade students created their own drawings in art class modeled after influential artist Loïs Mailou Jones.

Grade 6 teacher Caroline Shelton began her classes with community morning messages highlighting various Black pioneers including film directors, environmentalists, mathematicians, and writers. Ms. Shelton noted that having honest dialogue fosters empathy and understanding that can help everyone learn more about the world around us.

In the hallways of Whitson, bulletin boards were decorated with photos, news articles, and educational resources about Black History month to further inform and bring about awareness. Upper School students held discussions in class about diversity, equity, and how the community can work together to be more inclusive and be allies together. On a future date, both Middle and Upper School students will have an assembly featuring slam poet Andre Bradford. Following the assembly, students will have the opportunity to speak with Andre and each other as a way to provide an open discourse on the subject.

To honor Hamden Hall voices, BSU shared videos of students sharing the historical and current figures that inspires them. Additionally, the achievements and contributions of our esteemed alumni were highlighted along with their thoughts on the importance of Black History Month. Alumni included Melvin Wells, Class of 2017 who works at the Yale Consultation Center as a psychological research assistant; Dr. Alexandria Wells, Class of 2012 who works at Jamaica Hospital as a physician; and Dr. Regina M. Hopkins, Class of 1976 who works as a State Education Consultant for the Connecticut State Department of Education.

 “Hamden Hall has made great strides towards becoming a more inclusive community, and I hope the education of Black history and culture continues on in the classroom as Black history is American history,” maintained Marlon.