CCA's BIPOC Club hosted Black History Month events.
Chattanooga, Tennessee- Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts (CCA) celebrated Black History Month with a series of events open to all students arranged by the Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Club. The month featured weekly activities like Morning Music, Spirit Days, "Culture Talk," and resources leading to various Black History facts.
Recently, Ms. McCray, the school counselor at CCA, introduced the idea of the month-long celebration to the BIPOC students after visiting another program. The students enthusiastically embraced the concept and took the lead in planning and executing the month-long celebration.
Ma’Liyah Chatman, BIPOC President, expressed her excitement, “We have never done Black History Month like this before. I am glad we could expand student engagement in these activities.”
Throughout the month, Tuesdays and Thursdays featured performances from a student or teacher of color during Morning Music. Wednesdays were dedicated to Spirit Days, starting with a “Black-Out” day to kick off the celebration, followed by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) apparel, 'share the love' with pink and red attire, Pan-African flag colors, and ending with Sunday's Best.
On Fridays, BIPOC organized "Culture Talk," where 25 students were provided lunch by volunteers and encouraged to engage in discussions about Black culture. Students from grades 9-12 could sign up during their lunch period to participate in these conversations.
"I was able to connect with classmates from different cultures," Chatman noted. "I think people assumed that Culture Talk was only for Black individuals, but it's open to everyone because we all have something to learn and share. That's how we grow as a community," added Morgan Paris, BIPOC Treasurer.
A notable initiative during the celebration was the placement of Black History facts around the school. By strategically placing these facts, CCA transformed the learning experience of Black history into an interactive and inclusive journey for all students. This innovative approach not only provided knowledge about the significant contributions of Black figures over time but also fostered a sense of togetherness and comprehension within the school community.
The school-wide “Black-Out” was a memorable moment that Chatman and Paris were pleased with, noting their classmates’ high level of participation. Despite the challenges of hosting such a large-scale event, both students were glad to help organize the celebration.
Through active participation in these initiatives, CCA demonstrates the value of inclusivity in education that is central to Hamilton County Schools' mission. By engaging in such activities, students learn about diverse cultures and histories and experience firsthand the importance of unity and shared learning in building a more inclusive and equitable future.