Surrey Schools recognizes Black History Month through poetry, literature, resources and more
Coyote Creek Elementary's display for Black History Month highlights prominent Black leaders in B.C. and world history, with students conducting research projects to further their understanding of the past.
February is Black History Month, and students across Surrey and White Rock are engaging in learning about the historical contributions, challenges, accomplishments and resilience of Black Canadians.
Surrey Schools is proud to recognize Black History Month, honouring the legacy of Black people in Canada and around the world, and celebrating Black culture, art and heritage. This month, classes districtwide are exploring the work of Black leaders, authors, artists and organizations, locally and worldwide, to support Black Canadians and affect positive change.
“Black History Month empowers students with the knowledge and understanding of the past and present struggles faced by Black Canadians, and gives voice to their resilience today,” said JB Mahli, Director of Instruction with the district’s Racial Equity department. “As we further our work to improve racial equity year-round, we acknowledge the efforts of our Black student unions, equity leads and department heads, teachers and administrators in planning and collaborating on educational opportunities to celebrating Black history together.”
At Semiahmoo Secondary, the school will host two screenings of Union Street, a 2023 documentary by Kenyan-Canadian filmmaker Jamila Pomeroy about Hogan’s Alley, the former site of a vibrant Black community in Vancouver. Each screening will be followed by a discussion led by Lama Mugabo, director of the Hogan’s Alley Society, a Black-led non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, economic and cultural well-being of people of African descent in Metro Vancouver.
Later in the month, Semiahmoo’s Black student union will host a Black excellence lunch where students will showcase artifacts representing their countries of origin across Africa and the Caribbean. The event will also feature music, dance and traditional foods from various African countries and their diasporas.
Coyote Creek Elementary’s display near the front office features a timeline of Black history in B.C. Using resources from the BC Black History Awareness Society, some students are in the process of selecting historic Black B.C. residents on whom to write research projects and sharing their learnings with their classes to further their understanding of the past.
Lena Shaw Elementary’s JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Club will host a Black History Month assembly, featuring a performance of Alicia Keys’ and Brandi Carlile’s “A Beautiful Noise” by the choir club, as well as personal writings by Grade 3 students about Martin Luther King Jr. and recognitions of other notable figures in Black history. Grade 4 students also designed a Black Lives Matter bulletin board, with each letter highlighting a prominent Black Canadian or American they look up to or who is a symbol of Black resistance or allyship.
Crescent Park Elementary is hosting a schoolwide poetry contest, inviting students to pen poems on themes of equity, kindness, diversity, inclusion, fairness, respect, community, belonging, courage, empathy, celebrating differences and standing up for what is right. Poems will be displayed and a handful may be shared during announcements and possibly at the end-of-month assembly.
The district is proud to highlight its ongoing efforts toward racial equity in our schools. In recent years, the district has:
- established a five-year Racial Equity Strategic Plan to address systemic racial disparities, promote cultural responsiveness and empower all individuals within our diverse school communities;
- proudly supported Black Excellence Day in recognizing Black history, stories, art and people;
- assisted students in organizing Black Student Unions at all 21 secondary schools in Surrey and White Rock;
- launched the Black Studies 12 board authority authorized (BAA) course at numerous secondary schools; and
- hosted a Black Youth Summit and workshops promoting Black excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Surrey Schools is proud to celebrate Black History Month and support our students and staff in learning about and honouring the important legacy and contributions of Black Canadians.
