Black History Month kicked off at Coatesville Area Intermediate High School with a day full of community festivities, writes Madeleine Wright for CBS News Philadelphia.
Faculty, teachers, students, and community members all gathered to celebrate Black joy, history, and culture after months of planning. The day-long event included guest speakers, music performances, poetry readings, handwritten speeches, and more.
The celebration centered on the nationwide Black History Month theme, 100 Years of Black History Observances. Performances throughout the day drew inspiration from prominent Black figures and their impact on both the community and the greater world.
The day began with a rhythmic drumming performance and music. Speakers and performances honored the lives and works of Rosa Parks, Louis Armstrong, Maya Angelou, and other icons.
Coatesville sophomore Ronnie Thomas performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black National Anthem. The festivities continued into the evening, when even more community members joined in for food and more music.
Many students shared their deep connection to the event, specifically its focus on joy and success. Sophomore Charles Robertson, another speaker, reflected on the day and said, “This day is significantly important to me…it allows me to kind of show everyone like, hey, you know, it’s great to be a person of color.”
Read more about the Black History Month celebration at Coatesville Area Intermediate High School in CBS News Philadelphia.
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