Students Renew River Hill’s Black Leadership Union and Host Black History Month Event – ​​Baltimore Sun

Last year, the Black Leadership Union at River Hill High School, a club that nurtures black history, culture and community, mostly shut down after hosting one meeting in the fall.

“It was the perfect storm,” he said, adding that many factors contributed to the club’s inactivity, including the departure of the liaison for the school’s Black Student Achievements Program and the lack of student engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kayla Garnett of River Hill Jr. .

Garnett and some classmates went to the government to ask for help to revitalize the organization, and BLU is back in full swing this year. After an introductory conference that brought together more than 50 students, BLU organized a Christmas her toy drive to give her over 200 gifts to a foster child in Baltimore, and headed to her hills on the river next year for half of the African American Studies program. We are running a campaign to introduce credit courses.

“Part of our mission is to ensure that people can express themselves in places that are sometimes difficult and provide unique opportunities for leadership that they may not find elsewhere.17 2018 and currently serves as Co-President of BLU.

All students are welcome to attend BLU meetings, but the organization improves only 10.9% of black students of color in a school population of about 1,500, as opposed to 24.8% at the district level. The focus is on letting

17-year-old Sheariah Roberts, vice-president of the club, said:

This month, BLU will collaborate with student organizations such as Alpha Achievers, Scholars Leadership Program, Step Team, and BLU’s Parent Advisory Board to celebrate the school’s Black community and bring Black stories to life at a number of events in River Hill. hosts Black History Month events.

Kelly Martin, River Hill Science Teacher and BLU Advisor, said:

The event line-up includes a screening of Harriet, the 2019 biopic about renowned Maryland abolitionist Harriet Tubman, Spirit Week, a panel featuring local black business owners, Harlem Renaissance, and Black Wall Street. , Juneteenth and other themed classroom door decoration contests. .

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Bans AP African-American Studies in State High Schools, and Various School Districts Continue to Oppose Courses Highlighting the Impact of Systemic Racism on American History In response, BLU leaders hope their programming will help students discover new stories. Black history.

“Some of us haven’t been taught all of black history or don’t know much about where we came from or how we got here,” Roberts said. I want you to get rid of the knowledge that you are something in this world, that you have power and that you can control how you are perceived.”

This month’s festivities culminate in a whole-school assembly on February 24, during which students and presenters share different facets of black culture.

“The best way to educate people is to open up and share their culture,” emphasized Garnett. “If they don’t accept it, they won’t accept it, but all we can do is try. That’s what we do.”

Garnett, Roberts, and the rest of the management hope the revived BLU will last long after they leave Riverhill, and are working to get more juniors involved. In addition to promoting credit, BLU works with the administration to arrange tours for students at out-of-county historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to inspire similar clubs in other schools. I hope that

“Our club is the Black Leadership Union. So how do you act as a leader, what do you do, and how do you deliver your legacy?” Martin said. “Kids are really committed to doing something to give back to their community.”

The efforts have paid off, and the club, which nearly vanished a year ago, now has about 60 students regularly participating in after-school events.

Howard County often touts its diversity, but Garnett and Roberts see many disparities still persist in various schools and communities, ranging from income inequality to food insecurity. According to them, BLU is all about inspiring and giving the next generation the tools to take action.

“Schools aren’t the only thing we’re trying to change,” said Garnett. “We are also trying to bring about systemic change in Howard County.”