February is Black History Month and the school was able to wrap it up with a powerful assembly celebrating Black culture on February 28th. Through art, dance, music, and more, the Black Diamonds helped the school community learn about the rich history and achievements of the Black community. This event helped both the students and staff gain a more complete understanding of the influence the Black community has had on the world.
The assembly began with an intense traditional drum performance by students from the Black Diamonds Club, which set the tone for an engaging event. Throughout the assembly, MCs took the stage to introduce performances and highlight prominent Black figures who have made major contributions to today’s world. Viewers learned about trailblazers like Harriet Tubman, who used the Underground Railroad to lead enslaved people to freedom, and Garrett Morgan, the inventor of the gas mask and traffic light system.
The event also featured many performances that brought out the emotions of staff and students alike. Energetic dance routines had the entire cafeteria cheering. “I was getting emotional during the performances,” said Ms. Boutros, the school’s principal. There were also storytelling elements that not only highlighted Black culture, but were also written by Black writers. David, a grade 11 student, took the stage alone to deliver a beautiful performance on the piano. Toward the end of the eventful assembly, a special performance by traditional African dancers from Toronto gave an authentic and colourful display of African culture to this school’s stage.
Along with spoken presentations, there were also videos and slideshow presentations that were informative ways of teaching even more about Black history. This included a presentation by the students from the Muslim Student Association, which delivered insightful information about famous Black Muslims and their contributions to society, shedding light on some people who are often overlooked.
The assembly was more than simply a celebration of Black History, but also an opportunity to learn through art, history, and storytelling. “It felt great to see so many people here to learn about our heritage,” said Josh, a member of the Black Diamonds. Another big thanks was given to Ms. A, who made the whole assembly possible through her guidance. This event left everyone inspired to continue learning and appreciating of Black history, even beyond Black History Month.
Photo Credits: Prachi
THE NORTH STAR 